Abstract: A downhole instrument includes an instrument housing, a sensor yoke rotatably mounted within the instrument housing, and an angular rate sensor carried by the sensor yoke. A first rotational stop is mounted to the instrument housing that defines a first rotational position of the sensor yoke. A second rotational stop mounted to the instrument housing defines a second rotational position of the sensor yoke that is rotationally spaced from the first rotational position. A differential screw may be connected to the second rotational stop that is adapted to adjust a position of the second rotational position. A torsion coupling may be coupled between the rotational driver and the sensor yoke, where the torsion coupling is energized by the motor that rotates the sensor yoke with a returning force that resists movement of the sensor yoke away from the first rotational stop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the orientation of an object relative to a coordinate system. The apparatus includes a body providing a reference for a local coordinate system. A rotatable sensor array is provided having more than one sensor and a rotational axis about which the rotatable sensor array rotates. A rotational drive system is provided for rotating the rotatable sensor array both to precise positions relative to the local coordinate system and at a precise rate relative to the local coordinate system. An angular position indicator to measure the angular position of the rotatable sensor array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the orientation of an object relative to a coordinate system. The apparatus includes a body providing a reference for a local coordinate system. A rotatable sensor array is provided having more than one sensor and a rotational axis about which the rotatable sensor array rotates. A rotational drive system is provided for rotating the rotatable sensor array both to precise positions relative to the local coordinate system and at a precise rate relative to the local coordinate system. An angular position indicator to measure the angular position of the rotatable sensor array.

Abstract: A gyroscopically-oriented survey tool, includes a housing having an axis. Three accelerometers are mounted in the housing with their axis set orthogonally. A first of the axis is aligned to the axis of the housing. A second of the axis is perpendicular to the first. A third of the axis is perpendicular to both of the first and the second. Three gyroscopes are mounted pseudo-orthogonally in the housing with their axis set at relative angles of other than 90 degrees. None of the axis of the gyroscopes are mounted parallel to the axis of the accelerometers. This configuration permits data from the accelerometers to be used to check the quality of data from the gyroscopes.

Abstract: A gyroscopically-oriented survey tool, includes a housing having an axis. Three accelerometers are mounted in the housing with their axes set orthogonally. A first of the axes is aligned to the axis of the housing. A second of the axes is perpendicular to the first A third of the axes is perpendicular to both of the first and the second. Three gyroscopes are mounted pseudo-orthogonally in the housing with their axes set at relative angles of other than 90 degrees. None of the axes of the gyroscopes are mounted parallel to the axes of the accelerometers. This configuration permits data from the accelerometers to be used to check the quality of data from the gyroscopes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for separating ophthalmic lens mold parts at multi velocities. In particular, the present invention discloses methods and apparatus for removing molded soft contact lenses, high-precision intraocular lenses and the like, from the individual molds in which they are produced. The present invention teaches multiple speed control of pry fingers to maximize efficiency of ophthalmic lens manufacturing and reduce damage to ophthalmic lenses that results from mold part separation.