Free-rotor gas-bearing gyroscope having electromagnetic rotor restraint and acceleration output signal

In a free-rotor gyroscope of the type having a frame, a support ball, and a rotor having a spherical socket disposed about said support ball to form a gas bearing, servoed electromagnetic force rebalance means for inhibiting axial translational deflection of said rotor from a centered position over said support ball, said force rebalance means comprising:

• position pick-off means responsive to motion of said rotor from a reference position relative to said support ball for generating a force rebalance signal;
• and
• electromagnetic forcer means responsive to said force rebalance signal for opposing said axial translational deflection.

In a free-rotor gyroscope of the type having a frame, a support ball, and a rotor having a spherical socket disposed about said support ball to form a gas bearing, servoed force rebalance means for inhibiting translational deflection of said rotor from a centered position over said support ball, said force rebalance means comprising:

• position pick-off means responsive to translational motion of said rotor from a reference position relative to said support ball for generating a force rebalance signal;
• and
• electromagnetic forcer means responsive to said force rebalance signal for opposing said translational motion, wherein said electromagnetic forcer means comprises two electromagnetic forcer elements oppositely disposed relative to said rotor along the spin axis thereof, wherein each of said forcer elements is selectively excitable, and wherein the cooperation of said two elements provides both rotor torquing and axial rotor centering.

A method of operating a free-rotor gyroscope of the type having a frame, a support ball, and a rotor having a spherical socket disposed about said support ball to form a gas bearing, comprising the steps of:

• providing electromagnetic axial forcer means in said gyroscope for inhibiting axial deflection of the gyroscope rotor from a centered position over the gyroscope support ball and for inhibiting physical contact between said rotor and said support ball;
• and
• energizing the forcer means to maintain the rotor at the axially centered position during start-up, during shut-down, and during normal operation of the gyroscope, whereby scuffing between said rotor and said support ball are reduced.