Abstract: Means for varying the preload bias forces in the suspension system of an electrostatic gyroscope as a function of acceleration forces to which the gyroscope is subjected. Under zero acceleration environment, the preload bias forces are maintained at a low level to keep at a minimum the errors due to gyro drift introduced by bias forces. With an increase in acceleration, bias forces are automatically increased, thereby providing the gyroscope with high "g" capability without sacrificing low "g" performance.

Abstract: Apparatus for centering the inertial member of a gyroscope or an accelerometer wherein the member is maintained in suspension by means of electric fields between electrodes. Three pairs of electrodes are provided, each pair positioned to apply forces on the inertial member along one of three orthogonal axes and each being energized by an electronic channel. A dither signal is introduced into one of the channels. If the inertial member is not perfectly centered between the support electrodes, cross-coupling of electric forces between the channels will occur. Therefore, miscentering of the inertial member will result in appearance of signals in the other two channels corresponding to the dither signal introduced into the first channel. The polarity and the amplitude of such signals are indicative of the direction and the magnitude of miscentering and provide the information which is fed back into the suspension servo to close an automatic adaptive precision centering loop.