"Tonight's entree is looking a lot like crow."
Aw shuks, no need to get to disheartened about it.
As i read through Prouty, i frequently thought about the various aerodynamic arguements put forward for Unicopter. It is still a very viable concept, but like ANY engineering concept will need some development - Synchrolite is the perfect stepping stone.
The Lockheed stability system is seriously worth considering, especially as it has inherent mechanical reliability. For a start if you could guarantee hands off stability, clouds suddenly look less daunting. Basically the chopper has to remain at a fixed attitude when flying hands off, which the stability system ensures, any lateral velocity caused by non-level flight then has to stabilise heli attitude by conventional aerodynamic means - longitudinal and lateral dihedral. You need both for it to work.
This would then open up new markets in temperate zones, where weather put-downs are often a fact of life (like Britain
). As an example, this allows emergency services to consider cheaper helis for more roles - never a bad thing. Other markets in the private sector will also open up....
"A few years ago, it was stated that counterrotating gyros are used in space to hold orientation."
I'm not up on latest techniques, but i imagine laser gyros monitor attitude in 3D, while flywheels are used to adjust attitude trim (conservation of angular momentum). I know that ion plasma drives offer the best (existing) way to reduce propelant mass usage - always the main driver for space stuff.
I think the next thing to consider is definately the hub/blade dynamics for a rigid intermesher. Nick Lappos has a very good point about practically attainable rigidity levels. The trick is going to be allowing the best reduced-g controlability, without introducing unecessary vibration. I favour lead/lag compliance, you favour the CVJ+HS - so there is plenty to evaluate. Retreating blade root feathering, and tip feathering, (or IRAT if you like) is still another avenue of development.
Mart