- A weight used as a counterbalance.
- A force or influence equally counteracting another.
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Results for counterweight
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1. A weight that just balances another weight.
2. In a theater stagehouse, a weight (usually of iron, sand, or shot) used to balance suspended scenery, or the like.
The noun has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
an equivalent counterbalancing weight
Synonyms: counterbalance, counterpoise, balance, equalizer, equaliser
The verb counterweight has one meaning:
Meaning #1:
constitute a counterweight or counterbalance to
Synonyms: counterpoise, counterpose
A counterweight is an equivalent counterbalancing weight that balances a load.[1]
A counterweight is often used in traction lifts (elevators), cranes and funfair rides. In these applications, the expected load multiplied by the distance that that load will be spaced from the central support (called the "tipping point") must be equal to the counterweight's mass times its distance from the tipping point in order to prevent over-balancing either side. This distance times mass is called the load moment.[2]
There are five major components of a trebuchet: beam, counterweight, frame, guide chute, and sling. After the counterweight drops from a platform on the frame, gravity pulls the counterweight and pivots the beam. Without the counterweight, the beam could not complete the arc that allows the sling to accurately release the projectile.[3][4]
A counterweight is also used in many rotating systems to reduce vibrations due to imbalances in the rotating assembly. A typical example is counterweights on crankshafts in piston engines.[5]
Some balanced arm lamps work with a counterweight to keep the arm and lamp in the desired position.
In traction (non-hydraulic) elevators, a heavy counterweight counterbalances the load of the elevator car, so the motor only has to lift the difference between the car load and the counterweight load. The counterweight also increases the ascending acceleration force and decreases the descending acceleration force to reduce the amount of horsepower needed by the motor. The elevator car and the counterweights both have rollers attached to them to prevent irregular movement and provide a smoother ride for the passengers.[6]
A wind-up mechanical metronome has an adjustable weight and spring mechanism that allows the speed to be adjusted by placement of the weight on the spindle. The tempo speed is decreased by moving the the weight to a higher spindle marking or increased by moving it to a lower marking.[7]
The tower crane (see picture) is a modern form of balance crane that is fixed to the ground. A horizontal boom is balanced asymmetrically across the top of the tower. The long arm carries the lifting gear.[8] The short arm is called the machinery arm; this holds the motors and electronics to operate the crane, as well as the concrete counterweights.[9]
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - kontravægt
Nederlands (Dutch)
tegengewicht
Français (French)
n. - contre-poids
Deutsch (German)
n. - Gegengewicht
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αντίβαρο
Italiano (Italian)
contrappeso, controbilanciare
Português (Portuguese)
n. - contrapeso (m)
Русский (Russian)
противовес, уравновешивать
Español (Spanish)
n. - contrapeso
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - motvikt
中文(简体) (Chinese (Simplified))
平衡物, 称锤, 平衡力
中文(繁體) (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 平衡物, 稱錘, 平衡力
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) الثقل الموازي
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - משקל נגדי
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Copyrights:
![]() | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Architecture. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more | |
![]() | Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Counterweight". Read more | |
![]() | Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Read more |
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