GB629305A - Improvements in or relating to artificial horizons for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

629,305. Gyroscopic apparatus. FLOREZ, L. DE. Jan. 2, 1947, No. 188. [Class 97 (iii)] The movement of the horizon which appears to take place when an aircraft is turned is simulated in an artificial horizon indicator by causing patches of light to move along the indicator, the movement of the patches being caused by a directional gyro. The horizon bar 14 of an altitude gyro 11 is illuminated by light beams, rendered parallel by a condensing lens 41, produced by a lamp 25 which is mounted so as to extend into a rotary drum 33 through slots in which the light rays pass. The drum is driven by bevel gearing from the trunnion of the vertical ring of a directional gyro 23. The horizon bar 14 is of square cross-section and set at an angle to reflect the incident beams out through the dial of the instrument, the beams forming light and dark areas 42 on the bar. When the aircraft turns the drum 33 is rotated by the directional gyro and the light and dark areas move across the horizon bar in the same sense and at the same rate as land - marks would appear to move to the pilot across the real horizon. In a modification the casings of the altitude gyro and the directional gyro are provided with an intercommunicating air-passage.