GB333874A - Improvements in or relating to gyroscopic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

333,874. Chaffer, C. May 13, 1929. Gyroscopic apparatus.-In order to obtain directional indications from a neutrally mounted gyroscope, the axis of which wanders in azimuth relatively to the earth at a speed equal to -# Sin latitude, # being the angular velocity of the earth, there is provided clockwork, &c. mechanism disposed and operating independently of the gyroscope and capable of being regulated so as to apply to the indications derived from the axis of the gyroscope a correction such as to eliminate the effects of the wandering of the said axis. In one arrangement the gyroscope operates a follow-up member in the usual way and there is provided a second follow-up member which receives the movements of the main followup member and also receives the correction applied by the clockwork so that its plane remains in constant azimuth relatively to the earth. Alternatively the clockwork may be made to move the lubber ring. Where repeaters are used the transmitter may be controlled jointly by the gyroscope and by the clockwork so that the necessary corrections are applied to the repeaters: or the correction may be applied directly to each repeater instead of to the transmitter. The correcting mechanism shown comprises clockwork in a case A driving a spindle D on which is mounted a sphere B. A disc C mounted in a fork E is driven frictionally by the sphere, the fork being pivoted about an axis G so that it can be turned to vary the speed of the disc in accordance with the latitude shown on a scale P. The rotation of the disc C actuates a relay within a box M and the relay controls a follow-up motor.