GB866400A - - Google Patents

Abstract

866,400. Gyroscopic apparatus. VICKERS AIRCRAFT HOLDINGS Ltd. June 4, 1959 [July 2, 1958], No. 21247/58. Class 97(3) A gyroscope is held caged whilst jets of fluid under pressure bring it up to operational speed and on cessation of the pressure fluid supply the gyroscope is decaged. The pressure fluid supply may consist of a container having air or other gas in compression or, as shown, comprises a gas generator cartridge 19, Fig. 3, which is mounted on a gas distributing block 15 and is ignited electrically through leads 20. The gases pass through a perforated wall 221, acting as a filter, of a member 22, through a chamber 17 and ducts 16 to jet nozzles 14, Fig. 1, so as to impinge on a pair of turbine blade rings 111 on each rotor 11. As shown, two gyroscopes are provided, each comprising a rotor 11 mounted in inner and outer gimbal rings 12, 13 which are caged by opposing faces 151 and sides of the limbs 152 of block 15 engaging the gimbal rings 13, 12, respectively. Balls 25 in bores 231 of a fixed sleeve 23 normally lock member 22 in block 15 against movement, but the gas generated by cartridge 19 forces a piston 26 outwardly until its tapered end engages a valve seat 234 on sleeve 23 and allows the balls 25 to enter a neck 261 in the piston 26. The block 15 and member 22 are now free to move but the gas pressure prevents movement occurring. When the gas pressure falls, springs, not shown, acting on the block 15 slide it to the left, Fig. 3, and the gyroscopes are uncaged. In a modification the balls 25 project into an annular groove formed on the inner wall of the member 22.