Abstract: A device employing the inherent self-torquing properties of a torque repeater to position its rotor. In the present invention, the torque repeater or synchro may have three stator windings and an output rotor. It is contemplated that the electrical input to the device will be digital signals. However, the invention will perform equally well with time varying or analogue input signals. A plurality of electronic switching means are connected to the stator terminals of the synchro converter and they operate under the control of a programmable switch control to short-circuit predetermined stator windings to provide the desired positional output signals. A sectant detector connected to the stator windings detects signals on the stator windings and determines the present position of the rotor. From this information, the desired positioning of the rotor is attained from the signals from the sectant detector.

Abstract: A digitally responsive electrostatic accelerometer having a pendulum pivotally movable about a hinge. A pair of torquer electrodes mounted on opposite sides of the pendulum are connected to a source of constant current. As the pendulum moves from its null position under the influence of acceleration forces, the displacement from null position is indicated by an increase in charge on the electrode which is in closer proximity to the pendulum. Electronic circuit means are provided to detect the direction of displacement of the pendulum from null and to apply a charge to the proper torquer electrode to force the pendulum back to null position. The principle of operation of the device is based upon the fact that the magnitude of the voltage on the torquer electrodes when charged from a constant current source contains information indicative of the position of the pendulum from null.

Abstract: An instrument which performs with precision either as a pickoff or torquer and which is not subject to geometrical errors due to the electrodes going out of round. The pickoff electrodes of the instrument are mounted adjacent the end of the movable element instead of being concentric to it. Because of the location of the pickoff electrodes relative to the movable element, the device is a variable area pickoff rather than a variable gap pickoff. This provides the advantages of obtaining outputs from the X and Y axes which are a linear function of the motion of the movable element and, therefore, the displacement angle, as determined by the ratio of X and Y outputs, is independent of the amplitude of motion.

Abstract: An ellipticity control system for controlling the elliptical deviation of the vibratory element of a displacement sensor. The apparatus incorporates a plurality of drive electrodes, at least six in number, mounted concentrically along the longitudinal axis of the elongated vibratory element. Each drive electrode is formed in pairs oriented along separate axes. A pair of X-axis pickoffs and a pair of Y-axis pickoffs axially spaced from the drive electrodes are also mounted concentrically of the vibratory element to sense the deviation of the vibratory element from null and to provide control signals by way of circuit means to the drive electrodes.

Abstract: An electrostatic pickoff well suited for use in a two-axis electrostatically-captured rotor rate gyroscope is shown. Displacement currents, which flow between stator electrodes and the V-shaped annular electrically conductive rotor capturing the rotor, are processed so as to produce signals related to rotor position but independent of capture currents. When closed through a 5 degree-of-freedom positional servomechanism, rotor position signals are effective in producing rotor capture with net zero rotor current without producing rotor distorting forces.

Abstract: A solid state optical scanner comprising a frequency generator that vibrates a sonic transducer which in turn sets up traveling waves in an acousto-optic medium. These waves form regions of compression and rarefaction in the medium causing the medium to act as a Bragg angle grating to an incident light source. Optical lenses and a photo detector are positioned behind the medium. Consequently, the light leaving the medium is diffracted into a single order and focused onto an image plane. A photodetector is placed at the image plane and the signal obtained is processed to develop information to determine the direction from the scanner to the incident light source.

Abstract: A caging mechanism for a gyro in which a flat split ring lying in a plane perpendicular to the gyro rotor spin axis is deformable so that its inside diameter is enabled to capture the gyro rotor. A gas activated piston separates tabs formed on the split ring causing it to cage or uncage the rotor.