Magnetic gyroscope

A magnetic gyroscope comprising:

• a member having an axis of rotation;
• driving means for rotating the member about its axis of rotation;
• a plurality of magnetic regions on the member;
• and at least one sensing means positioned in proximity to the member for detecting changes in the distance between at least one sensing means and each of the plurality of magnetic regions as each region passes the at least one sensing means, the at least one sensing means generating an output signal in relation to any change in said distance;
• the at least one sensing means including a cylindrical housing for providing an internal magnetic path, electrically conductive cylindrical coil means within the housing, said coil means and said housing having a common axis of symmetry, and means for generating a magnetic field within the internal magnetic path through the coil means and in a region exterior to the housing, whereby variations in the strength of that portion of the field in the region exterior to the housing are sensed by the electrically conductive coil means;
• the magnetic field generating means including first and second means for generating first and second opposing magnetic fields, the first magnetic field extending from the first pole of the first field generating means through an upper portion of the internal magnetic path through the coil means and to the other pole of the first field generating means, the second magnetic field extending from a first pole of the second field generating means along the exterior region through a lower portion of the internal magnetic path and through the coil means to the other pole of the second field generating means.