Abstract: A gyroscopic rate sensor has a motor driven shaft on which is mounted a flexible disc rotor enclosed in a gas-filled housing with a rotating rigid plate, also mounted on the shaft, to provide viscous gaseous restraint. A rotating capacitive plate assembly referenced to the drive motor spin axis provides a stable electrical output signal proportional to periodic deflections of the disc rotor. By perforating the disc rotor near the spin axis, spring restraint is minimized while the squeeze film damping provides improved dynamic response.

Abstract: A gyroscope employing a rotor in rolling contact with a ball positioned at the end of a drive shaft, the arrangement establishing a loose fitting ball and socket suspension for the rotor. Contact points of the rotor on the ball establishes the necessary pendulousities with the rotor center of gravity for damped gyrocompassing.

Abstract: In an azimuth determining gyroscope, a mechanically balanced gimbal is suspended from a fixed case by a wire which passes through the generally tubular upper portion of the suspended gimbal. A spin motor and a wheel for rotating about a vertical axis are coupled to the lower portion of the suspended gimbal. The upper portion of the suspended gimbal has pickoff and torquer coils for measuring the position of the suspended gimbal with respect to the fixed case and for providing torque to the suspended gimbal. Leads to the spin motor are configured to act as azimuth restraint means between the suspended gimbal and the fixed case.

Abstract: The invention is an integrated pick-off, torquer, and reference signal generator system for a two-degree-of-freedom flexure-suspended free-rotor gyroscope and a miniature gyroscope incorporating such an integrated system. The three gyroscopic functions are combined within apparatus including a single coil assembly using a radially permanent magnetized ring located on the gyroscope rotor wheel, with a plurality of pick-off coils mounted compactly with respect to the instrument case and each partially inserted in an air gap provided at the gyroscope rotor wheel periphery. The spacial flux magnitude variation around the rotor wheel in the air gap generates an alternating current in each pick-off coil as the rotor spins. The difference in the voltages induced in diametrically opposed pick-off coils provides an output pick-off signal, while the sum of the signals induced in all coils provides an alternating phase reference voltage.

Abstract: The invention is a suspension system for a two-degree-of freedom flexure-suspended free-rotor gyroscope and a miniature gyroscope incorporating such a flexure system. An axial strut suspension device for controlling the axial position of the rotor includes a series of thin, flat sections, while the radial suspension function is performed by a cross-shaped element of very thin metal, one pair of the diametrically opposed cross ends thereof being affixed to the rotor-driving shaft, while the other pair of opposed cross ends thereof is affixed to the gyroscope rotor.

Abstract: The gyrocompass includes an improved indexing mechanism whereby the mechanical position of the gyroscope casing with respect to two orthogonal components of input rate may be measured.

Abstract: An azimuth directional synchro output is provided for a gyroscopic compass, the compass consisting of a pendulous gyrosphere floating within a spherical cavity containing an electrically conductive fluid. By forming one electrode that carries power through the fluid to spin the gyroscope rotor as a band of sinusoidally varying width, four cooperating electrodes equally spaced about the instrument case supply azimuth position data to excite a selsyn data transmitter system. The currents collected by the four cooperating electrodes are proportional to the varying resistances of the respective fluid paths. They generate a vector field within the selsyn system which establishes outputs representing true azimuth bearing within the three selsyn output leads.