Follower device with differentiated speeds for gyrocompasses with mechanical suspension

Abstract

A detector responsive to an angular offset between a gyrosphere of a gyrocompass and a tilt ring, forming part of a gimbal mounting therefor, controls a follower motor coupled through a reduction gearing with a suspension shaft for that mounting, the shaft being further coupled with a first synchro transmitter. A second synchro transmitter, electrically connected to several synchro receivers forming part of respective repeaters, is driven by a servomotor through a reduction gearing of step-down ratio 1:3 and is mechanically linked with a third synchro transmitter through a reduction gearing of step-down ratio 1:360, the third synchro transmitter being electrically connected to the first synchro transmitter for producing an error signal delivered through a feedback loop to the servomotor for keeping same slaved to the suspension shaft. The detector may comprise an optical sensor with a light source and two spaced-apart photoresistors mounted on the tilt ring and with a mirror on the gyrosphere reflecting light from the source onto the photoresistors which are connected in a bridge circuit so as to unbalance same in the event of an offset.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.