Gyroscopes Patents (Class 74/5R)
  • Patent number: 6127762
    Abstract: A rotor (1) is of a substantially spherical shape with one complete half of the sphere (2) still remaining. The rotor (1) effective takes the shape of the head of a "mushroom." The other half of the sphere has had its material removed or omitted forming the stem (3). The depth of the cut "D" and the length "L," the radius of the sphere, will determine the ratio of the respective weights of the complete half sphere (2) and the stem portion (3). Suitably the weight of the one half to the other half of the spherical body is between about 0.75 and 0.85 and more preferably 0.8. When an external force is applied to the rotor (1), it rotates simultaneously about a pair of orthogonal axes one of which is defined by the edge (6) of the spherical body between the two halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: The Pedlar Family Trust
    Inventor: Moananui Michael Kenneth Pedlar
  • Patent number: 5994801
    Abstract: A gyroscope powered by an engine, all fabricated on a common substrate in the form of an integrated circuit. Preferably, both the gyroscope and the engine are fabricated in the micrometer domain, although in some embodiments of the present invention, the gyroscope can be fabricated in the millimeter domain. The engine disclosed herein provides torque to the gyroscope rotor for continuous rotation at varying speeds and direction. The present invention is preferably fabricated of polysilicon or other suitable materials on a single wafer using surface micromachining batch fabrication techniques or millimachining techniques that are well known in the art. Fabrication of the present invention is preferably accomplished without the need for assembly of multiple wafers which require alignment and bonding, and without piece-part assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest J. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5816097
    Abstract: A position control apparatus for a gyroscope mechanically controls a setting position of the gyroscope. The position control apparatus for a gyroscope includes a circular mount for adjusting a setting position of the gyroscope in a predetermined direction, a plurality of tightening screws for fixing the gyroscope to the circular mount by way of several through holes, a plurality of locking screws for fixing the circular mount by way of several open holes formed in a supporting mechanism, a plurality of adjusting screws for adjusting the set position of the gyroscope in a up or down direction, and an adjusting flute prepared at an end of the circular mount, for adjusting the set position of the gyroscope in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Chul Park
  • Patent number: 5790049
    Abstract: A suspension system permits fine angular adjustment of a gimbal-mounted platform and, in combination with a wireless power and communications transfer system, eliminates the unwanted forces associated with systems which rely upon cables to transfer power and signals between a gimbal platform and its support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: John P. Harrell
  • Patent number: 5353655
    Abstract: A gyroscopic rotor has a shaft with opposite ends rotatably supported in a housing on a first or spin axis and capable of rotating around the housing at right angles to the spin axis, comprising a second axis. The support of the shaft in the housing is a circular track concentric with the second axis and positioned on opposite sides of and adjacent the ends of the shaft for rolling contact by end portions of the shaft when a torque is applied to the housing about a third axis at right angles to both the spin and second axis whereby to cause precession of the shaft and rotor about the second axis. The track comprises a circumferential groove with opposed surfaces of a type having a friction engagement with the end of the shaft to provide an improved rolling precessional movement of the shaft and rotor. A ring is supported in the circumferential groove and has notches receiving end portions of the shaft for establishing a drive connection between the shaft and the guide ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Frederick H. Mishler
  • Patent number: 5313850
    Abstract: This specification describes a completely new and different concept, method, mechanization, apparatus configuration and sequencing procedure for obtaining commercially useful energy and power, namely: the use of a gyroscope to generate output power from the earth's stored inertial rotational (flywheel) energy by fixing the housing of the gyroscope to the earth and using the rotation of the earth relative to the gyroscope's spatially stable rotor/gimbal assembly to rotate the input shaft(s) of a power transducer(s). This provides a power-output stroke over a near 180.degree. precession excursion (near pole-to-pole alignment) until the rotor spin axis of the gyroscope is nearly aligned with the polar axis of the earth. Re-precession torques are then created on the inner gimbal within the gyroscope to re-orient the rotor spin axis vector direction by re-precessing the rotor spin by somewhat more than 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventors: Rodger C. Finvold, Paul E. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 5215386
    Abstract: A gimbal assembly including a first gimbal element; a second gimbal element located within the first gimbal element; a bearing assembly comprising a trunnion, the bearing assembly mounted between the first and second gimbal elements for supporting the second element within the first element in a manner to permit pivoting of the second element within the first element; and an adhesive layer bonding the trunnion to the second gimbal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: MPB Corporation
    Inventor: Barry O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 5150625
    Abstract: A gyroscopic rotor has a shaft with opposite ends rotatably supported in a housing on a first or spin axis and capable of rotating around the housing at right angles to the spin axis, comprising a second axis. The support of the shaft in the housing is a circular track concentric with the second axis and positioned on opposite sides of and adjacent the ends of the shaft for rolling contact by end portions of the shaft when a torque is applied to the housing about a third axis at right angles to both the spin and second axis whereby to cause precession of the shaft and rotor about the second axis. The track comprises a circumferential groove with opposed surfaces of a type having a friction engagement with the end of the shaft to provide an improved rolling precessional movement of the shaft and rotor. A ring is supported in the circumferential groove and has notches receiving end portions of the shaft for establishing a drive connection between the shaft and the guide ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Frederick H. Mishler
  • Patent number: 5105668
    Abstract: A gyro having a liquid hydrostatic bearing includes an integral liquid hydrostatic suspended pendulum arrangement which senses the direction of the gravity vector of the gyro housing. The configuration described provides close coupling of the hydrostatically suspended pendulum arrangement, which is in effect a level sensor, and the gyro input axis, the same being essential to precise gyrocompassing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Ficken, Theodore T. Hadeler
  • Patent number: 5066637
    Abstract: A cryogenic gyroscope for detecting the angular velocity of a rigid system without reference to an external inertial system comprises a closed rigid casing made of a sueprconducting material and kept below its critical superconducting temperature, for example, by immersion in a bath of liquid helium. A rotation-detector device is situated within the superconductor casing. This device, which is rigidly supported by the wall of the casing, includes at least one component of ferromagnetic material, constituted by a plurality of ferromagnetic strips intercalated with layers of electrically-insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: AERITALIA -Societa Aerospaziale Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Cerdonio, Stefano Vitale
  • Patent number: 5001940
    Abstract: A gyro comprises a support member and a rod member supported by the support member. A vibrator attached to the rod member has two pairs of vibrating members projecting at right angles to the rod member. A driving mechanism is attached to the rod member and includes piezo electric devices for generating vibrations. A detector is arranged for detecting strains in the vibrating members of the vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4951514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gyroscopic stabilizer consisting of two interlocking wheels which comprise the field and armature of a synchronous electric motor. The wheels of equal mass and moments of inertia revolve about a common stationary shaft in opposite directions at the same rate of speed. The wheels interlock so that they may revolve relative to each other, but all other motion of one wheel relative to the other is prevented. The total angular momentum of the system is zero. In case of sudden destructive deceleration, no angular momentum is transferred to the stabilized object. Gyroscopic action of the wheels is maximized, and the nongyroscopic mass of the mechanism is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Daniel Gubin
    Inventor: Daniel Gubin
  • Patent number: 4908558
    Abstract: A flight motion simulator includes a unit under test supported on a stationary frame for angular and translational movement along pitch, roll, and yaw axes. A rotor element is secured to the unit under test and has a spherical configuration. Magnetic bearings supported by the stationary frame support the rotor element in three degrees of freedom of movement. A drag-cup induction motor is mounted on the frame and connected to the unit under test to generate three degrees of freedom of movement by generating a rotating magnetic flux in a stator assembly to induce a corresponding flow of currents in the rotor element to produce torque and motion in the unit under test in the same direction as the flux movement in the stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Contraves Goerz Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Lordo, Lloyd W. McSparran
  • Patent number: 4793195
    Abstract: The gyroscope includes a symmetric and concentric, freely vibrating cylinder. Electromagnetic forcers are arranged to apply forces on the cylinder to excite the cylinder's lowest order radially oscillating mode. The forcers also steer the resulting nodal pattern of the cylinder. The cylinder nodal pattern is sensed and a servo selectively excites the forcers to steer the nodal pattern to its original configuration in the presence of cylinder rotations. The forcer steering commands are related to the rotation rate of the gyro. The vibrating cylinder is free of any attachments or deposits and is machined accurately to eliminate the need for balancing, resulting in low temperature sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Menno G. Koning
  • Patent number: 4771644
    Abstract: A flexure acts as an interface for mounting a precision sensing device to a support having a different coefficient of thermal expansion. The flexure, which has substantially the same coefficient of expansion as the device, engages the support along an annular contacting surface to restrain the flexure from relative slipping movement under thermal stress. The sensing device is carried on a base of the flexure and therefore remains aligned during thermal cycling. In a preferred embodiment, the contacting surface provides tight surface-to-surface contact with a complementary surface of the support over an operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Meron
  • Patent number: 4760297
    Abstract: A small domestic appliance is driven by means of a single-phase synchronous motor (2) whose drive shaft (5) drives a load (9), the work function being independent of the direction of rotation of the motor and the operating noise and vibrations produced by the motor being dependent on the direction of rotation of the motor. In the transmisson system a unidirectional blocking device (41) forces the rotor to start in the optimum direction of rotation. In particular, the single-phase synchronous motor (2) including its transmission path to the load (9) is constructed that the optimum operating noise is obtained in that direction of rotation in which the torque exerted on the rotor (3) by the stator current becomes zero before the magnetic detent torque has become zero, when the stator coils (4d) are not energized. This has led to a stable rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Hugo Schemmann, Peter E. Steiner
  • Patent number: 4719381
    Abstract: Electrical machines having a first assembly including first and second windings, both of which windings are approximately equally displaced from an axis. The first winding has conductors which are approximately parallel to the axis over most of their length, and the second winding has conductors which are approximately perpendicular to the axis over most of their length. A second assembly surrounds the first assembly and has a winding arrangement. The first assembly is rotatable within the second assembly around more than one axis upon electrical energization of the winding arrangement and of the first and second windings in the first assembly. Also described is electrical apparatus including means for adjustably controlling the relative phases of the set of alternating currents and connected with the electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventor: Arturo R. Miles
  • Patent number: 4661737
    Abstract: Electrical machine including a base member, a rotor and a stator. The base member has a first magnetically permeable body with a first winding arrangement. The rotor has a second magnetically permeable body and is rotatable relative to the base member around first and second axes. The stator is adjacent to the base member, surrounds the rotor and has a stator core and second and third winding arrangements. The stator core is wound with the second winding arrangement held inward near the rotor, and wound with the third winding arrangement exterior to the stator core. The second winding arrangement is energizable to rotate the rotor around the first axis, and the first and third winding arrangements are jointly energizable to rotate the rotor around the second axis. Other electrical machines are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventor: Mohamed M. Barri
  • Patent number: 4640508
    Abstract: A precessional exercising device utilizing a housing containing a spinning mass which forms the rotor of a motor for spinning the mass. The housing is coupled to a remote handle by a linkage permitting rotation of the handle about two mutually orthogonal axes. When the handle is rotated about one or both of said axes, the corresponding angular movements are transmitted to the spinning mass and its spin axis is rotated accordingly, causing the generation of precession torques which are coupled back to the handle via the linkage to produce an exercise effect when the handle is held so as to resist said torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Gyro-Flex Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Escher
  • Patent number: 4608874
    Abstract: A gyroscope constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a flywheel (220) which can oscillate with at least two degrees of freedom about a central position in which the flywheel axis is aligned with the axis of a drive shaft (200), the flywheel being held radially and rotated relative to the body (100) of the apparatus. The gyroscope also includes a set of electrodes (101 to 104) for electrostatically controlling the position or for detecting the position of the flywheel. The electrodes are fixed relative to the body and face corresponding conducting surfaces of the flywheel. In accordance with the invention, the gyroscope further includes a rigid spinning casing (250) which encloses the flywheel in such a manner as to interpose a dielectric surface between the corresponding conducting surfaces of the flywheel and each electrode, the casing being fixed to the flywheel drive shaft but not having any degrees of freedom in oscillation relative to the body other than being free to spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Societe de Fabrication d'Instruments de Mesure (S.F.I.M.)
    Inventor: Jean-Thierry Audren
  • Patent number: 4597300
    Abstract: The inner unit of a gyroscope is of circular shape and is formed with an inclined outer edge at one end. The inner unit slides within an outer casing having a transverse end face at one end. An annular recess of triangular section is thereby defined between the inner unit and casing which receives a ring of resilient material. During assembly the inner unit is urged against the end of the casing, to compress the ring within the recess, by reducing pressure within the casing. The inner unit is held in position, with the ring compressed, by soldering an end plate to the casing. The pressure within the casing can then be returned to normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey Beardmore, Antony P. Neville
  • Patent number: 4573651
    Abstract: A torque orientation device (10) selectively orients a space craft without the use of jets or the ejection of any material. Pedestals (12, 14) support a gimbal (16) which is selectively driven by a motor (20). The gimbal (16) includes a frame (24) which supports an axle (30), a motor (26) and a commutator (28). Mass members (36, 38) are driven about the axle (30) by the motor (26). The moment of inertia about the primary axle (18) of the gimbal (16) is a function of the angular position of the mass members (36, 38) about the axle (30). The motor (20) applies selective torque impulses at periods (T1, T2) to the primary axle (18) in synchronism with the angular position of the mass members (36, 38) about the axle (30). The resulting counter torque from the motor (20) is passed to the space craft to cause the space craft to rotate toward the desired angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Austin N. Stanton
  • Patent number: 4471665
    Abstract: A gyro apparatus including a gyro case for housing a gyro therein, the spin axis of which is selected to be substantially horizontal, a container for accommodating therein the gyro case and containing a liquid within it, a first supporting device for supporting the gyro case within the container, a second supporting device for supporting the container in a manner that the container may have the freedom of three axes, and a vertical follow-up device for making the container to follow-up the gryo case around a gravity line, in which there is further provided a device in connection with the container for substantially changing the gap formed between the container containing the liquid and the gyro case from the outside of the container so as to adjust the displacement between the center of gravity of the gryo case and the center of viscous force caused by the liquid acting on the gyro case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Keiki
    Inventors: Takeshi Hojo, Shinichi Kawada
  • Patent number: 4466299
    Abstract: A gyro assembly including a rotor, stator, hysteresis motor and conical hydrodynamic bearings for supporting the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1964
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Mross, Howard F. Traeder, Robert M. Seidl
  • Patent number: 4452654
    Abstract: A highly accurate rapid gimbal assembly method utilizes two fixtures for establishing the critical gimbal assembly parameters of yield and axis of intersection and an adhesive for bonding each mating surface of the gimbal assembly for holding the components of the gimbal assembly in their adjusted positions. The fixtures include an inner/outer gimbal fixture for holding the inner and outer gimbals in relative position for bonding and a gimbal/post fixture for holding the gimbal assembly in alignment on the support post for bonding. These fixtures and assembly method eliminate the need for use of shims between the mating surfaces for establishing alignment of the critical parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventor: Charles W. KaDell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4448086
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, eliminating the error-causing heat convections of a liquid which is disposed between a warm cylindrical float that houses a navigational gyro and a cool cylindrical gyro case that houses the float. The method includes the performance of steps which result in raising the temperature of the gyro case to the temperature of the float. The apparatus includes a temperature controller assembly which further includes temperature sensitive resistors to ascertain the temperatures respectively, of the float and of the gyro case; a differential amplifier to ascertain the difference in the temperatures; and a heater coil surrounding the gyro case to heat the case to the higher temperature of the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: John M. Kennel
  • Patent number: 4445375
    Abstract: A tuned coriolis, angular rate measuring device includes a substantially hollow, generally annular rotor driven by a high-speed, synchronous spin motor. The rotor is made unsymmetrical by mounting within the rotor near its periphey at least a pair of high density masses, the respective masses being located diametrically opposite one another. The rotor is secured within a gimbal structure which is, in turn, mounted in tuned fashion upon a support housing through a cantilever spring at each end along the gimbal output axis, thereby providing bearingless, frictionless pivots permitting limited gimbal rotation. A pair of piezo-electric crystals is secured at opposite edges of one of the springs for sensing relative angular motion between the gimbal and the housing. The crystals are electrically paralleled so as to cancel any signals resulting from linear movement between the gimbal and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Wells
  • Patent number: 4441375
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gyroscopic instrument comprising concentric containers, the inner container enclosing a rotating electric gyro rotor, magnetic fluid enclosed between the inner and outer concentric containers, and magnetic flux producing means mounted on at least one of the two concentric containers, so that magnetic fluxes reach the magnetic fluid to support the inner container without contacting the outer container. The magnetic flux producing means are preferably mounted and oriented on a line drawn on at least one of the concentric containers at predetermined distances so that magnetic fluxes transmitted from the pole of one flux means reach the opposite pole of an adjacent means by passing through the magnetic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyomi Minohara, Atsushi Abe
  • Patent number: 4426889
    Abstract: Structural elements of an inertial sensor are fabricated from molded plastic materials. The structural elements are characterized by relatively, small cross-section areas, and further incorporate keys and keyways, as well as guide and alignment slots, molded into the elements for coupling various structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy A. Schluntz, John R. Stemniski
  • Patent number: 4369673
    Abstract: A gyroscopic traction drive assembly comprises a rotatable frame which carries a rotatable traction input member and a rotatable traction output member. The input and output members frictionally engage a spherical gyroscopic mass at respective points thereon which lie in a common plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the frame. Rotation of the frame causes the mass to rotate about a first axis passing through its center and perpendicular to the common plane and a second angular velocity is also imparted to the mass about a second axis, due to the frictional contact with the traction input member, which second axis is orthogonal to the first axis and lies in the common plane. These combined motions produce a gyroscopic output torque about a third axis, orthogonal to the first and second axes, which is imparted to the traction output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Inventor: Eugene I. Odell
  • Patent number: 4343203
    Abstract: A gyroscopic rotor device is designed to eliminate any spin bearing outer raceway distortion and/or axial preload changes due to centrifugal and thermal effects in a bimetal rotor assembly by means of judicial geometric shaping of the rotor components. The shaping of the heavy metal motor rim and/or the lower density metal rotor spin bearing support web interface includes a discrete number of stress concentrating pads and an equal number of holes formed in the bearing web opposite each of the pads for isolating any strain induced within the bearing web from the spin bearing outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventors: Peter E. Jacobson, Conrad M. Rustenburg
  • Patent number: 4299127
    Abstract: Flexible-hub magnetic gyro wheel including a ring member comprising ferromagnetic material or the like and including a plurality of alternating magnetic poles circumferentially spaced about the ring member, a flexible hub affixed to the interior of the ring, and structure rigidly attaching the flexible hub to a drive shaft, such as the shaft of a motor or a shaft driven by a motor or other drive structure. The structure for rigidly attaching the flexible hub to a shaft consists of a set collar and a set washer on opposing sides of the center of the hub material whereby the set collar and set washer support the magnetic gyro wheel on an axially rotating shaft. The magnetic gyro wheel is suitable for use in a rate of turn indicator, a gyro, or other like instrument designed to sense and respond to a rate of turn or angular velocity applied to the instrument at a right angle to the spin axis of the magnetic gyro wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Inventor: E. Paul Shannon
  • Patent number: 4295381
    Abstract: A constant torque power transmission consisting of a rotating mass, or gyroscope, rotating around a first axis and supported by a frame or enclosure in turn pivotally supported about a second axis at right angle to the first axis by a gimbal, the gimbal being pivotably supported around a third axis disposed at right angle to the second axis. The reciprocating member of a crankless reciprocating engine, of the free piston or free-cylinder type, oscillates the gimbal and the rotating mass about the third axis, causing the rotating mass frame or enclosure to develop a precessional force oscillating about the second axis. The oscillating precessional force is applied to an output shaft through a one-way clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventor: Virgil A. Hinds
  • Patent number: 4283959
    Abstract: An external rotor comprises an annular case within which is the laminated stack forming the motor drive members and end members at each side of the stack. These are heat fitted together to form an annular blank which is then machined to form an axial bore therein and end faces normal to the bore. A stator laminated stack is heat fitted onto an axle and thereafter peripherally machined and bearing seats are machined on the ends of the axle. After the stator is inserted into the rotor bore, bearings are mounted on the ends of the axle and preloaded by tightening nuts onto the axle ends and against the bearings. The bearings comprise inner rings seated directly on the axle and outer rings seated directly on the inside and end faces of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Bodenseewerk Geratetechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Strittmatter, Wolfgang Syre
  • Patent number: 4281555
    Abstract: Structural elements of an inertial sensor are fabricated from molded plastic materials. The structural elements are characterized by relatively, small cross-section areas, and further incorporate keys and keyways, as well as guide and alignment slots, molded into the elements for coupling various structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy A. Schluntz, John R. Stemniski
  • Patent number: 4280366
    Abstract: A gas driven and gas lubricated gyroscope, especially for low pressure and vacuum operation, comprising a spherical rotor and spherical bearing formed by two bearing half parts joined along mating equatorial plane surfaces, at least one of the bearing half parts being provided with driving gas inlet channels formed into the equatorial surface. The bearing half parts also comprise spaces for draining the driving gas from the turbine blades of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Inventor: Per Aberg
  • Patent number: 4270387
    Abstract: A gyroscope which has a spinning fluid filled annulus as an inertial angle rate sensor is compensated for inertial drift by resolving an output signal from the sensor into acceleration proportional components related to the gimbal axes and the component related to the inner axis is applied to the outer axis, and the component related to the outer axis is applied to the inner axis to cancel out the effects of drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Jay Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4258577
    Abstract: A gyroscope in which sprung elements are supported in cantilever fashion from a rotor and extend in a generally inward direction towards the rotor axis. The centers of mass of the elements are out of alignment with the rotor axis and the elements are free to vibrate in directions parallel to that axis. The output of the gyroscope is derived from detection of these vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Colin H. J. Fox, James S. Burdess
  • Patent number: 4246801
    Abstract: A gyro in which an elastomeric material is used as a spherical bearing suce in an air bearing type gyro to sustain 12,500 g set back acceleration level during gun launch and have the capability of surviving the launch phase in a non-functioning mode and then being operative in post-launch lower-g environments as a stabilized/torquing seeker capable of tracking laser illuminated moving target so as to enable the gyro to be used for guided projectile systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Aubrey Rodgers, William G. Robertson
  • Patent number: 4199329
    Abstract: An eliminator of vaporized contaminants from gas in a closed system in which high pressure gas is subjected to a substantially adiabatic expansion with accompanying temperature drop at a point where the contaminants cannot cause problems. In the specific case of a gas bearing, contaminants which normally condense in the gap between bearing surfaces are caused to condense at points well removed from the bearing gap where they cannot cause failure of the gas bearing. A remotely located expansion chamber or zone is created and it may include a restricting orifice at the inlet to which gas pressure is relatively high and at the outlet of which pressure is significantly lower. The pressure drop is accompanied by a comparably large decrease in temperature to a point at which the vaporized contaminants condense. A filter may be included at or adjacent to the outlet to trap the condensed contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Bouchard
  • Patent number: 4169391
    Abstract: A gyroscopic type, infinitely variable, fully automatic, mechanical power transmission, speed changer, or torque converter capable of transmitting a wide range of output torques and automatically performing at the most appropriate input-to-output rotational speed ratio for the most efficient transmission of power in any given situation.In its most basic design, it comprises a rotatable main frame, two identical and separate sub-frame members which are rotatably mounted within the main frame, four identical gyroscopic-type rotors which are coaxially spin-mounted in pairs within the sub-frames, and two stators, one for each sub-frame, with each stator circumferentially positioned around the sub-frame member.Operationally, the rotors have radii of gyrations which are varied automatically in predetermined sequence in concert with the rotation of their sub-frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignees: Abram Schonberger, John L. Traina, Hugo Goodyear
    Inventor: Abram Schonberger
  • Patent number: 4161889
    Abstract: A constant torque power transmission consisting of a rotating mass, or gyroscope, rotating around a first axis and supported by a frame or enclosure in turn pivotally supported about a second axis at right angle to the first axis by a gimbal, the gimbal being pivotably supported around a third axis disposed at a right angle to the second axis. A reciprocating power input oscillates the gimbal and the rotating mass about the third axis, causing the rotating mass frame or enclosure to develop a precessional force oscillating about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Inventor: Virgil Hinds
  • Patent number: 4158261
    Abstract: In a gyro arranged to be mounted in a vehicle and operable selectively as a directional gyro or as a gyro compass, which gyro includes a gyro rotor rotatable about a horizontal spin axis, an inner gimbal supporting the gyro rotor via its spin axis and pivotal about an axis which is maintained vertical when the gyro is operating as a gyro compass, a second gimbal supporting the inner gimbal via its axis and pivotal about an axis normally parallel to the rotor spin axis, an outer gimbal supporting the second gimbal and pivotal about an axis oriented approximately parallel to the vertical axis of the vehicle when the vehicle is upright, and control units for maintaining the desired orientations between the various axes, there is provided an intermediate gimbal disposed between the second gimbal and the outer gimbal, supporting the second gimbal via its axis, and having a pivot axis which is supported by the outer gimbal and which extends orthogonally to the axes of the second and outer gimbals, the second and in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: Teldix GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Auer
  • Patent number: 4152942
    Abstract: An inertial platform having four gimbals, an intermediate one of which is capable of only limited movement, has pickoffs and torque motors on each gimbal axis. Part of the intermediate gimbal and an adjacent gimbal are removable, these parts being joined by a gimbal bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Ferranti Limited
    Inventors: David Anderson, Kenneth R. Brown, William L. Linklater
  • Patent number: 4150579
    Abstract: A fluid floated inertial platform is inertially stabilized by means of a plurality of hydraulic torquers which operate in response to electrical stabilization signals which may be generated in response to gyro pickoffs on stabilizing gyros for each of the three stabilization axes. Each of these hydraulic torquer devices comprises a deflector member, which may be in the form of a section of a cylinder, this deflector member being supported on a base member mounted in the surface of the platform. The deflector is supported on the base member by means of flexible strips or tapes which permit rotatable motion of the deflector in response to torquing signals. Such rotatable torquing of the deflector is provided by means of an armature mounted on the deflector which operates in conjunction with an electrical torquer on the base member which receives electrical torquing signals from the stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 4150580
    Abstract: The following specification describes a rotor and case in a gyroscopic device generally forming a ball-shaped apparatus having an internal circular race. The internal circular race supports the rotor, which is mounted on a shaft that extends through the rotor and is received in an opening of a T-shaped cross sectioned ring which is placed within the race. The rotor rotates through the spin axis thereof, while at the same time a second axis at right angles that intercepts the spin axis is established around which the rotor will precess. By giving the rotor an initial spin and then holding the support structure or ball in the hand and manually applying a torque to the support structure or ball, the rotor will precess about the second axis of precession and produce a torque opposing the manually applied torque. The rotor is provided with fins for maintaining the rotor in a smooth moving configuration, while at the same time cooling the spinning rotor so as to eliminate frictional wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: Newport Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerrold W. Silkebakken, Bruce H. Hale
  • Patent number: 4144769
    Abstract: A signal compensator is combined with a second order system, for example, a fluid damped rate gyroscope, which produces a signal in response to the movements of a damped member for providing an output signal which is indicative of the input to the second order system and is unresponsive to variations of the (selected) damping (ratio) of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Mayer
  • Patent number: 4114452
    Abstract: A steering rate sensing device for use in the control of a rotating air frame comprises a base member adapted to be secured to the frame for rotation therewith about its rotary axis, a magnetic member pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the rotary axis and a coil encircling the magnetic body for sensing and picking up a signal induced by relative angular movement of the magnetic member with the coil. The device responds to gyroscopic effect induced by rotation thereof upon movement of the air frame from its axial orientation to cause the magnetic member to move relative to the sensing coil for generating a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Bitson
  • Patent number: 4114451
    Abstract: A steering rate sensing device for rolling air frames includes a base member for attachment to the air frame, a magnetic member fixed to the base member, and a pick up coil pivotally mounted to the base in close proximity to the magnet such that movement of the coil relative to the magnet generates a signal proportional to the steering rate of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Crittenden, Joseph W. Bitson
  • Patent number: 4095484
    Abstract: A system for balancing a rotary element involving two or more materials of different melting temperatures normally fixed in position relative to the rotary element. Heating of the materials first to a point above the highest melting temperature followed by cooling at optimum balance then reheating to a point above the next highest melting point followed by cooling at optimum balance and repeating the procedure for each material results in vernier balancing action, the masses of the various materials being selected to predetermine their effect on balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Gautraud