GB146477A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for maintaining the position of a body stabilised by means of a gyroscope suspended by a cardan suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

146,477. Krupp Akt.-Ges., F. May 6, 1916, [Convention date]. Gyroscopic apparatus.-Relates to means for readjusting or maintaining the axis of a body, such as a sighting-telescope C<3>, which is normally stabilized by gyroscopic action, but which is liable, owing to precessing movements caused, say, by friction in the bearings of the gyroscope, to be moved out of the true line of sight. The gyroscope B rotates about a vertical spindle carried in stirrups d<3>, d<4> mounted on a non-magnetic twopart ring D, D<1> swivelling on an axis D<2>. The other ring C of the cardan suspension is pivoted about two stub-axles C<1>, C<2>, the former of which carries the sighting-telescope C<3> or other instrument to be stabilized. Two magnetic armatures G are mounted on the upper half D<1> of the non- magnetic suspension ring, and are acted upon by the pole-pieces e<3> of two electro-magnets F, F<1> enclosed in a housing H formed in the upper part of the casing A, A<1>. In the normal position, there is but a slight overlap between the armatures G and the pole-pieces e<3>, but by increasing the current supplied to the magnet winding F, relatively to the winding F', a torque will be applied tending to rotate the gyroscope in the direction of the arrow X, and this, by gyroscopic reaction, will rotate the telescope C<3> about the axis C' so as to elevate the eye-piece. The leads of the magnet windings are connected to an external switch which closes the circuit and regulates the current fed to one or others of the electro-magnets as required.