GB536495A - Improvements relating to gyroscopic instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

536,495. Gyroscopes. SPERRY GYROSCOPE CO., Inc. Nov. 13, 1939, No. 30001. Convention date, Nov. 26, 1938. [Class 97 (iii)] For locking and re-setting purposes a positionmaintaining gyroscope having an air-driven rotor mounted for oscillation about two mutually perpendicular axes is provided with means, responsive to a change in air pressure differences consequent upon failure of the air supply to said rotor or upon operation of the caging means, to prevent oscillation about one of the axes. The rotor 16, mounted in a frame 12 pivoted about horizontal pivots 10, 11 in a frame 7 pivoted about vertical pivots 8 in a casing 1, is driven by air jets 20 by air supplied from the atmosphere through filter 3 and passages 22, the air in the casing being evacuated. A caging ring 261, mounted for vertical displacement to bear on rollers 23, 25 on the frame 12 to lock the latter, is borne by vertical studs 27 projecting into closed chambers 33. These chambers house bellows 32 co-acting with pistons 31 on the studs and have a duct 37 interconnecting all chambers 33 and open to the atmosphere. The bellows 32 are also provided with ducts 36 connected to a valve 38 which in the position shown in Fig. 1 place the interior of the bellows in communication with the atmosphere, allowing the resilience of the bellows to raise the caging ring 261 to lock the frame 12 and allow it to be re-set by rotating the knob 41 and valve 38 causing the gears 43, 44 to operate. Withdrawal of the valve stem 38 places the bellows in communication with the casing 1 and causes them to be evacuated so withdrawing the caging ring 26<SP>1</SP>.