Abstract: A gyro having a liquid hydrostatic bearing includes an integral liquid hydrostatic suspended pendulum arrangement which senses the direction of the gravity vector of the gyro housing. The configuration described provides close coupling of the hydrostatically suspended pendulum arrangement, which is in effect a level sensor, and the gyro input axis, the same being essential to precise gyrocompassing applications.

Abstract: An electrolytic switch including an electrostatic shield is disclosed. The electrostatic shield is in the form of a ground plane external to the switch chamber. The ground plane bleeds off electrostatic charges which accumulate on the switch exterior and which would otherwise introduce performance errors in critical switch applications.

Abstract: Liquid bearing two degree of freedom inertial sensor apparatus is disclosed. A single liquid bearing sensor is configured in a two degree of freedom rate gyro mode, or two of the liquid bearing sensors are made pendulous along their spin axes and configured in a two degree of freedom rate gyro and accelerometer mode.

Abstract: A dual suspension gyroscopic device includes a gyro having at least a single degree of freedom and defining an output axis, i.e., the sensitive axis of the gyroscopic device. The gyro is supported by a gimbal which in turn is supported in a case for unlimited angular displacement about the gimbal axis. The arrangement provides low torque suspension about the sensitive axis while permitting normal angular displacement about said axis and maintaining the gyro spin axis in a reference plane. A data transferring slip ring assembly is arranged with the gimbal support and the slip ring assembly and support arrangement is powered to minimize friction about the gimbal axis.

Abstract: A force measuring system includes a signal source for energizing a capacitance bridge arrangement. The bridge arrangement includes a pair of fixed capacitors and a pair of variable capacitors formed by a displaceable force sensitive element normally disposed in a null position between two fixed plates. A force applied to the system displaces the force sensitive element from the null position toward one or the other of the fixed plates to unbalance the bridge whereupon a signal is provided which is applied to a servo amplifier. The servo amplifier provides a signal which is applied to the displaceable force sensitive element, and which element is restored to the null position due to the electrostatic reaction occurring upon appropriate energization of the fixed plates. The signal provided by the servo amplifier is an accurate measure of the sensed force.

Abstract: A dynamic bearing lubricant reservoir for permitting a continuous and centrifugally metered flow of lubricant to the active part of the bearing only when the bearing is in the dynamic state i.e. operating, for extending the life of the bearing without affecting its torque.

Abstract: An accelerometer has a liquid hydrostatic gimbal support. A pump is provided for circulating the liquid and a bellows allows for its thermal expansion. A sealed housing contains a pendulous mass and associated gimbal support geometry, and a pickoff and torquer are arranged in closed loop configuration, with the torquer current being indicative of an acceleration input.