Abstract: An inertial sensing device comprising a circuit board provided with an inertial sensor. The inertial sensing device also comprises a base, a rotating plate and a power source assembly. The circuit board is mounted on the rotating plate, the power source assembly is mounted on the base, the rotating plate is drivingly connected to a power output shaft of the power source assembly. The circuit board rotates along with the rotating plate in a reciprocating or a continuous manner at a speed of 1 to 200 RPM. The inertial sensing device is combined with a monitored movable target under operating conditions, and transmits a collected signal to a personal navigation system to display an instantaneous geographic position of the target. The inertial sensing device is low in cost, small in size, and is capable of controlling the heading error within 1°/hour to increase the accuracy of indoor navigation systems.

Abstract: A radar system that includes a gimbal and a platform secured to a frame through the gimbal is disclosed. The radar system includes an antenna rotatably supported by the platform for rotation about an axis and configured to scan a hemispherical field of view above the platform. A controller that controls the rotation of the antenna and a gyroscopic stabilizer that is secured to the platform to maintain the platform in a stable and level position during operation of the radar system and rotation of the antenna is also disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed for traversing a geographic region with the radar system. The antenna may transmit in the X band. A telescoping mast having a first end secured to the platform and having a second end secured to the gimbal is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a stabilized platform including a support frame and a supporting structure, rotatably mounted relative to the support frame around a main rotation axis. The stabilized platform also includes a supported structure, rotatably mounted relative to the supporting structure around a secondary rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the main rotation axis. The supported structure includes at least one support intended to receive a load and the support is guided in rotation by a central bearing positioned on a single side of the support according to the secondary rotation axis.

Abstract: A direction detector that allows true north detection accuracy to be improved is provided. In a direction detector 1, an attitude changer 100 rotates an angular velocity sensor 26 around a detection axis and controls an attitude of the angular velocity sensor 26 so that the detection axis is directed in a predetermined measuring direction and an opposite direction to the predetermined measuring direction. A control device 30 controls the attitude changer 100 so that the angular velocity sensor 26 rotates in a first rotation direction around the detection axis before the angular velocity sensor 26 starts to detect an angular velocity around the predetermined measuring direction.

Abstract: The six direction directing device includes a shaft, a rotation member, a driving source, and a guide member. The shaft extends in an X axis direction. The rotation member is rotatable around an inclined axis inclined at ? deg with respect to the shaft. The rotation member has an xyz rectangular coordinate system. The rotation member further includes a spherical surface and an orbit portion formed around an x axis of the spherical surface. The guide member is fixed to an XYZ rectangular coordinate system. The orbit portion has such a shape that the y axis of the rotation member is sequentially directed in + and ? directions on the U, V, and W axes that cross one another at intervals of 60 deg around the X axis when the rotation member is rotated in contact with the guide member by the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to obtain hole azimuth data or inclination data associated with a chassis (e.g., comprising a measurement or logging tool) in a borehole using interpolated data or survey data, and to determine magnetic field orientation of the chassis using a portion of the hole azimuth data, a portion of the inclination data, relative bearing data, and Earth magnetic field orientation data by reconstructing at least a portion of borehole magnetic field data that is corrupt or missing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled GMR sensor having a first thermoelectric layer with an array of nanowires, wherein the nanowires include a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. A plurality of alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material are positioned over and extend the nanowires to form a GMR assembly. A second thermoelectric layer is positioned over the GMR assembly and extends the nanowires, such that the nanowires have a length of between about 100 nanometers and about 500 microns. Conductors are placed in contact with the first and second thermoelectric layers for connecting the thermoelectric layers to a voltage source.

Abstract: A motion sensing program for executing a motion sensing based on at least a biaxial output of a magnetic sensor, which includes the steps of determining with respect to execution of the motion sensing based on the output of the specific biaxial output of the magnetic sensor upon its rotation in a predetermined direction, and identifying the rotating direction when execution of the motion sensing is determined.

Abstract: A stride monitoring device that can be used particularly for sports applications and that includes a pair of shoes, one of which includes at least one magnetic mass, and the other includes at least a measurement device to make at least one measurement, and a processor for processing of the measurement. The measurement device includes at least one accelerometer and at least one magnetometer capable of outputting signals that can be processed to determine stride parameters.

Abstract: A motion estimation method and system for a mobile body are provided. The method includes: obtaining magnetic field information from compass information of the mobile body; comparing the magnetic field of the mobile body with a predetermined value and determining whether a position of the mobile body belongs to a specific region according to the comparison result; and estimating a direction of the mobile body by determining whether a compass azimuth angle is used for direction estimation of the mobile body according to the determination result.

Abstract: A sensor system and method for determining a relative direction to true north is provided. The system comprises at least one angular rate sensor, such as a MEMS sensor, which has an input axis and a rotation axis. The sensor comprises a motor drive structure, a motor signal output from the motor drive structure, a gyroscope, and a sensor rate output from the gyroscope for a sensor rate signal. A frequency divider is in operative communication with the motor signal output, and a spinning device is coupled to the angular rate sensor. A spinning device motor is coupled to the spinning device and is in operative communication with the frequency divider. The spinning device motor has an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the input axis of the sensor. The spinning device motor is configured to be driven by a periodic signal from the sensor. A position of the spinning device is synchronized to the periodic signal to generate a spinning device position signal.

Abstract: An input device using a geomagnetic sensor includes a geomagnetic sensor outputting a voltage corresponding to geomagnetism, and a control part calculating an azimuth using the voltage output from the geomagnetic sensor and calculating the rotation angle by comparing the azimuth to a previously measured azimuth, thereby generating the input signal corresponding to the rotation angle when the input device is tilted within a certain range. Accordingly, unwanted generation of the input signal is prevented when the input device is tilted by more than a certain angle.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic compass includes receiving raw magnetic field data into a calibration module and determining a calibration output based upon the raw magnetic field data. The raw magnetic field data is also received into a compass heading module for determining compass heading outputs based upon the raw magnetic field data. The calibration module filters the raw magnetic field data and validates the calibration outputs independently from output data filtering and results validation in the compass heading module.

Abstract: A method for measuring a directional of a body in a three-dimensional space defined by an X-axis (magnetic north), a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is proposed. A geomagnetic force along an x-axis, which is the direction towards which the body points and an x-axis tilt angle, which is an angle between the horizontal plane and the x-axis, are detected. The x-axis tilt angle is determined as a rotation angle, which an angle by which the x-axis needs to be rotated around the Y-axis so as to be in the XY-plane. An azimuth of the body is calculated from the geomagnetic force and the rotation angle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a compass having an electro magnetic half-shell transformer energy transmission and opto electronic data transmission. To avoid a slipring connection during the transfer of supply voltage at least one winding on the primary half-shell is connected to a controllable input voltage source via a H-bridge circuit, and at least one secondary winding having taps is provided at the other half-shell coil.

Abstract: An improved method, system, and device for a compass combining an electronic magnetic compass and an angular velocity sensing gyroscope. One aspect of the invention integrates an angular velocity output signal from an angular velocity sensor or rate gyroscope to determine the angle of motion. An initial magnetic heading is obtained from a geomagnetic sensor and used as a reference for the integrated angular velocity signal. A geomagnetic heading signal is blended with the angular velocity output signal at an adaptive time interval. The adaptive time interval is increased if the reliability of the magnetic field improves and decreased if the reliability of the magnetic field degenerates. Additionally, dynamic calibration of the angular velocity sensor may be performed to correct for gyroscope bias (zero offset), and/or gyroscope scale factor or gain.

Abstract: A method for measuring a directional of a body in a three-dimensional space defined by an X-axis (magnetic north), a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is proposed. A geomagnetic force along an x-axis, which is the direction towards which the body points and an x-axis tilt angle, which is an angle between the horizontal plane and the x-axis, are detected. The x-axis tilt angle is determined as a rotation angle, which an angle by which the x-axis needs to be rotated around the Y-axis so as to be in the XY-plane. An azimuth of the body is calculated from the geomagnetic force and the rotation angle.

Abstract: A locating device for vehicles with a carrier to be mounted in the vehicle in which a gyro-sensor is located to detect the movement of moving components for the purpose of determining the location. As gyro-sensors must be oriented a certain way in order to fulfill their function, and as this orientation is not possible in all installation locations, the invention is the result of the task of specifying a gyro-sensor that can be used regardless of the corresponding mounting situation, where the corresponding sensor (gyro-sensor) can be oriented at the installation location and manufactured using automated manufacturing processes and where special securing devices are not required to secure the unit in the aligned position.

Abstract: An angle detection device with a data transmission path on an n·360° bearing assembly with at least one scanning disk (21) arranged on one of two components at right angles to the axis of rotation, and with electro-optical illumination and detection means on the respective components held together by the bearing assembly, for scanning the instantaneous angle of the scanning disk (21), wherein electro-optical data transmission means are provided on said scanning disk (21) and on a surface opposite said scanning disk (21).

Abstract: A first liquid container has therein a level control including a float valve, a storage tank or second container and a third container having therein a liquid which is maintained at a fixed liquid level. The third container is connected to the liquid in the first container by the float valve, and is replenished by the liquid in the storage tank. Preferably the storage tank is designed as an evaporator, with a condensate separator plate or surface arranged above the third container which also has an overflow to the storage tank. A temperature stabilizer keeps the liquid in the first liquid container at a temperature above ambient, and the storage tank is in contact with the liquid in the first container to be warmed thereby, and the condensate separator is cooled by ambient air.

Abstract: The system includes for planar angular measurements a gyro--preferably a laser gyro--and an angle encoder mounted with their sensitive axes coaxially on a turntable shaft, which is rotatably mounted in a case and driven at constant speed with respect to said case. The angular rate should be high enough to operate the laser gyro above the lock-in rate. For spatial angular measurements and navigation three gyros are mounted with their sensitive axes spatially arranged with respect to the turntable shaft to sense the same component of its angular rate. For avaraging errors due to gyro scalefactor and drift, the turntable is mounted on a second shaft with is axis perpendicular to the turntable. The second shaft is provided with a second an coder and a motor rotating the second shaft. The processing of the signal readout of the gyro(s) and encoder(s) allows to increase the accuracy, resolution and bandwidth of angular measurements with respect to a locally fixed basis or to inertial space.

Abstract: A tape-suspended meridian gyro has an outer housing, an intermediate housing movably mounted in the outer housing and a gyro having substantially horizontal spin axis. The gyro is suspended by means of a tape within the intermediate housing. A pick-off detects the deflection of a substantially vertical upward axis from its central position. The intermediate housing can be moved by servo motors transversely to the substantially vertical upward axis of the gyro. The servo motors are energized by the pick-off through a controller to damp pendulous oscillations of the tape-suspended gyro.

Abstract: In an azimuth signal generator for an automobile navigation system a change in the rotational rate of an inertia rotary member, which has its rotary shaft held vertically and is driven at substantially a constant speed, is detected as a direction changing rate of the car and the direction changing rate is integrated by an integrator to obtain an azimuth signal. On the other hand, the azimuth of geomagnetism is detected by a geomagnetic azimuth sensor and a correcting signal is produced based on an error between the azimuth signal and the geomagnetic azimuth signal. The correcting signal is negatively feedback to the input side of the integrator, causing the azimuth signal to follow the geomagnetic azimuth signal.

Abstract: An improved cost-optimal state feedback control system for stabilizing the nertial reference platform in all-attitude inertial guidance systems which uses the "region" control concept. It reduces the computational requirements of cost-minimizing state feedback to within the capacity of aerospace vehicle onboard control processors. The control system iterates the feedback compensation process so as to reduce the R-gyro error to essentially a zero value and to prevent the gimbal assembly from entering a "gimbal lock" orientation.

Abstract: A method of determining the orientation of a surveying instrument in a borehole from measurements of the earth's gravitational and magnetic fields wherein the azimuth angle is calculated directly without correcting an apparent azimuth. Those measurements are used to calculate the borehole axial magnetic component at each orientation of the surveying instrument in the borehole, and the borehole axial magnetic component is used, along with those measurements, to directly calculate the proper azimuth angle. In a preferred embodiment, measurements are taken at a plurality of orientations in the borehole and the borehole axial magnetic component is calculated in simultaneous equations and then compared to insure the accuracy of the azimuth computation at each orientation. The orientations are preferably non-colinear.

Abstract: A fluid sphere gyroscope is used as the north-seeking sensing element in a gyrocompass. A sensor responsive to angular deviation of the gyroscope from the horizontal provides a tilt signal which is used to energize heating elements located along the independent spin axis of a rotating fluid mass. Application of a thermal gradient along the spin axis of the fluid mass causes a controlled precession of the gyroscope, thereby compensating for bias and acceleration sensitive drift errors and precessing the gyroscope about a vertical axis in a controlled manner. Rotary transformers permit inductive coupling of the heating elements to the tilt signal and to a power source with minimal disturbing torques.

Abstract: A heading indicator is disclosed which utilizes a one degree of freedom platform stabilized by a two degree of freedom dry flexure gyro. The output of one of the sensitive axis is coupled through an amplifier to the corresponding torquer in the gyro and selectively through an another amplifier to the opposite torquer. The other sensitive axis output is coupled through an amplifier to the platform. The indicator initializes at true north and is then switched to a directional gyro mode.

Abstract: A gyrocompass including a first gimbal, a gyro motor mounted in the first gimbal and including a gyro rotor mounted to rotate about a horizontally alignable spin axis, a pendulous body in which the first gimbal is mounted to be rotatable about a vertically alignable axis of rotation, a housing in which the body is rotatably suspended, a verticality device associated with the body for allowing the body to assume an orientation in the housing in which the axis of rotation is vertical, and a follow-up device including a pickup mounted for sensing the angular position, about the axis of rotation, of the gimbal relative to the body and a drive connected for rotating the body relative to the housing about the axis of rotation in dependence on the position sensed by the pickup. The drive can be constituted by a stepping motor constructed to rotate in highly uniform steps and simultaneously serving to provide an indication of the angular position of the body relative to the housing about the axis of rotation.