US 4,633,722 A · Gyroscope apparatus

Abstract

A single-axis servoed rate gyroscope has a sealed gimbal assembly that is mounted by bearings for angular displacement about a rotational axis, at right angles to the gyroscope spin axis. The gyroscope torquer comprises a circular, cylindrical coil mounted at the bottom of the gimbal assembly, coaxially of the spin axis and below the rotational axis. The coil extends in an annular gap formed between a cylindrical permanent magnet, mounted on the gyroscope base structure, and a part of the base structure which surrounds the magnet and which provides a magnetic return path. The magnet is polarized at right angles to the spin axis and the rotational axis, so that energization of the coil causes a restoring torque on the gimbal assembly about the rotational axis. The bearings are located in V-shape slots formed in the base structure surrounding the gimbal assembly. A capacitive pick-off is mounted on top of the gimbal assembly, and an electronic control unit in the form of several circuit boards is mounted above the gimbal assembly.

Claims10

Dependent claims

In a single-axis servoed rate gyroscope of the kind including a gimbal assembly comprising an inertia member and a motor, said motor being arranged to rotate the inertia member about a first axis, said motor and inertia member being arranged concentrically of one another;

bearing means mounting the gimbal assembly for angular displacement about a second axis at right angles to the first axis;
sensor means for sensing displacement of the gimbal assembly about the second axis;
and torquer means mounted with the gimbal assembly and comprising a coil having a plurality of windings and a permanent magnet so that a restoring torque about the second axis can be applied by energizing the windings of the coil;
the improvement comprising said coil being of a cylindrical shape and mounted at one end of said gimbal assembly coaxially of the first axis and spaced from the second axis, said permanent magnet being fixedly mounted with the gyroscope so that the major part at least of the magnet extends within said coil coaxially of the first axis and said magnet being polarized radially of said axis such that a part at least of the magnetic field of said magnet passes through the windings of the coil.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gyroscope apparatus

Life of this patent

Gyroscope apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10