GB763750A - Gyroscopic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

763,750. Automatic control systems. SPERRY CORPORATION. Oct. 22, 1954, No. 30491/54. Class 38 (4). To derive signals indicative of the heading, pitch and roll attitudes of a dirigible craft, directional gyroscopes 18 and 24, Fig. 1, are suspended, with their spin axes horizontal and perpendicular to each other, on wires 23 and 29 in fluid-filled chambers 9 and 8 carried by a frame 16 mounted in the craft on gimbal rings 12 and 14 to permit movement about three perpendicular axes. Gyroscopic error due to the earth's rotation is automatically corrected by conductive fluid-type level gauges 63 and 171, mounted on the gyro rotor cases, producing electrical signals, linearly proportional to the error up to a limit of ¢ degree, for application through amplifiers 75 and 169 to A.C. inductiontype precession torque motors 72 and 168 for the gyros. To maintain frame 16 fixed in azimuth, an electromagnetic E-type pick-off 56 associated with gyro 18 controls through an amplifier 58 a servomotor 60 rotating the frame. An electrical signal generator 62 driven by servomotor 60 then produces a signal indicative of craft heading. The spin axis of gyro 24 is maintained at right angles to that of gyro 18 by an electromagnetic pick-off 163, associated with gyro 24, controlling through an amplifier 166 a precession torque motor 164 for gyro 24. To maintain frame 16 fixed relative to a horizontal plane signals from electromagnetic pickoffs 30, 33 associated with gyros 18 and 24, respectively, are applied to an electrical resolver unit 42, the rotor of which is coupled to frame 16 so that output signals, properly apportioned according to the heading of the craft, are applied through amplifiers 46 and 47 to servomotors 36 and 39 adjusting gimbal rings 12 and 14. Electrical signal generators 52 and 54 driven by motors 36 and 39 respectively produce signals indicative of roll and pitch attitude. To obtain a suitably damped period of gyro 18 a portion of the signal from level gauge 63 is applied through an amplifier 158 to control another torque motor 155 for gyro 18. In a modification, the gyro rotor cases are mounted on vertical instead of horizontal axes. Specifications 545,284, [Group XX], and 643,749 are referred to.