Abstract: A monolithic two axis gimbal suspension system for a tuned inertial instrument includes flexure hinges which are formed monolithically integral therein to define the pivot axis of the suspension system, each monolithically integral flexure hinge having aligned pairs of skew, crossed bridges integral with the relatively rotatable gimbals of the suspension system. The suspension system is used in a dry tuned gyroscope to suspend the gyro rotor from the gyro spin shaft. A method for making the monolithic suspension system comprises electro discharge machining of a monolithic workpiece mounted on a movable mandrel. Monolithically integral flexure hinges comprising skew, crossed bridges formed therein, interconnect gimbal portions which are formed in the workpiece. Construction of an improved tuned gyroscope employing the monolithic suspension system in a single compartment housing is described.

Abstract: An inertial instruments uses a suspension structure that is exterior to and surrounds a cup shaped inertial mass which carries torquing magnets within the cup. Torquer coils are also located within the cup. In a preferred embodiment, axially magnetized disc magnets within the cup cooperate with toroidal torquer coils. In other embodiments segmented or bar magnets are used. The instrument can be used either as a gyroscope by coupling the suspension to a rotor, or as an accelerometer.

Abstract: A monolithic two axis gimbal suspension system for a tuned inertial instrument includes flexure hinges which are formed monolithically integral therein to define the pivot axis of the suspension system, each monolithically integral flexure hinge having aligned pairs of skew, crossed bridges integral with the relatively rotatable gimbals of the suspension system. The suspension system is used in a dry tuned gyroscope to suspend the gyro rotor from the gyro spin shaft. A method for making the monolithic suspension system comprises electro discharge machining of a monolithic workpiece mounted on a movable mandrel. Monolithically integral flexure hinges comprising skew, crossed bridges formed therein, interconnect gimbal portions which are formed in the workpiece. Construction of an improved tuned gyroscope employing the monolithic suspension system in a single compartment housing is described.

Abstract: A monolithic two axis gimbal suspension system for a tuned inertial instrument includes flexure hinges which are formed monolithically integral therein to define the pivot axis of the suspension system, each monolithically integral flexure hinge having aligned pairs of skew, crossed bridges integral with the relatively rotatable gimbals of the suspension system. The suspension system is used in a dry tuned gyroscope to suspend the gyro rotor from the gyro spin shaft. A method for making the monolithic suspension system comprises electro discharge machining of a monolithic workpiece mounted on a movable mandrel. Monolithically integral flexure hinges comprising skew, crossed bridges formed therein, interconnect gimbal portions which are formed in the workpiece. Construction of an improved tuned gyroscope employing the monolithic suspension system in a single compartment housing is described.

Abstract: A redundant inertial reference system is provided with four gyroscope units, with the spin axes of the gyroscopes in the units being oriented, respectively, perpendicular to the four faces of an equilateral tetrahedron. Incidentally, a tetrahedron is a four sided body, and an equilateral tetrahedron is a four sided body having equilateral triangles for the four sides. With the four gyroscopes mounted perpendicular to the four sides of an equilateral tetrahedron, each of the gyroscopes is located symmetrically with respect to the others, with an angle of approximately 109.4 degrees between the spin axes of the gyroscopes. The system is particularly applicable to strapdown type inertial guidance systems and can provide three dimensional orientation information even if two of the gyros fail. The system uses four gyro units, a minimum number which can accomplish a foregoing function, with the four gyro units arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to one another.

Abstract: A flexure hinge assembly comprising a pair of fixed telescopes inner and outer tubular members separated into at least one driving portion, at least one gimbal portion and at least one driven portion and a plurality of flexure blades all formed by a plurality of slots and apertures through the walls of each tubular member. Flexure blades are formed by pairs of adjacent apertures with the slots interconnecting apertures to separate the tubular members into the driving, gimbal, and driven portions. A pair of diametrically opposed flexure hinges, each comprising two mutually orthogonal flexure blades one in the outer and one in the inner member, connect each gimbal portion to the driving portion. Another such pair of flexure hinges connect each gimbal portion to the driven portion.

Abstract: A flexure hinge assembly comprising a pair of fixed telescopes inner and outer tubular members separated into at least one driving portion, at least one gimbal portion and at least one driven portion and a plurality of flexure blades all formed by a plurality of slots and apertures through the walls of each tubular member. Flexure blades are formed by pairs of adjacent apertures with the slots interconnecting apertures to separate the tubular members into the driving, gimbal, and driven portions. The four slots of each tubular member which divide that member into these three portions are axially coextensive with the slots in the other member and all extend in the same axial direction from the apertures which form the flexure blades. Such axially coextensive slots displace the driving and the driven portions of the tubular members in the same axial direction from the center of suspension, i.e., from the flexure axes of these portions.