Angle detection device with a data transmission path on an n.360° bearing assembly of a gyro compass
AssigneeRaytheon Marine GmbH
InventorsWolfgang Skerka, Ulf Bey, Werner Bast
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An angle detection device with a data transmission path on an n·360° bearing assembly with at least one scanning disk (21) arranged on one of two components at right angles to the axis of rotation, and with electro-optical illumination and detection means on the respective components held together by the bearing assembly, for scanning the instantaneous angle of the scanning disk (21), wherein electro-optical data transmission means are provided on said scanning disk (21) and on a surface opposite said scanning disk (21).
Claims3
Angle detection device on an n×360° bearing assembly of a gyro compass, comprising:
- a) a stationary housing;
- b) an n×360° bearing assembly of a gyro compass rotatably secured to said housing, said bearing assembly including a hollow core through its axis of rotation;
- c) a rotating disk secured to said bearing assembly at right angle to the axis of rotation;
- d) electro-optical illumination and detection means for scanning the instantaneous angle of said disk;
- e) a first board secured to said bearing assembly and rotatable with the axis of rotation, said first board being connected to the rest of the gyro compass through said hollow core;
- f) a second board fixed to said housing disposed opposite said first board;
- g) first semiconductor emitter disposed on said first board and first light detector disposed on said second board opposite said first semiconductor emitter, said first semiconductor emitter and said first light detector forming an optoelectronic information transmission path between said first and second boards;
- and
- h) second semiconductor emitter disposed on said second board and second light detector disposed on said first board opposite said second semiconductor emitter, said second semiconductor emitter and said second light detector forming another optoelectronic information transmission path between said first and second boards.
A gyro compass, comprising:
- a) a stationary housing secured to a vehicle body;
- b) an n×360° bearing assembly rotatably secured to said housing, said bearing assembly including a hollow core through its axis of rotation;
- c) a compass having a constantly maintained orientation relative to the earth's surface while in sustained rapid rotation;
- d) a casing surrounding said compass, said casing being freely rotatable on said n×360° bearing assembly;
- e) a scanning device for generating signals corresponding to a relative angle between said compass and said casing when the vehicle turns;
- f) said scanning device comprising a scanning disk set on said casing, said scanning disk being mounted on an axis of rotation of said bearing assembly;
- g) a surface attached to said housing, said surface being opposite said disk;
- h) first semiconductor emitter disposed on said first disk and first light detector disposed on said surface opposite said first semiconductor emitter, said first semiconductor emitter and said first light detector forming an optoelectronic information transmission path between said disk and said surface;
- and
- i) second semiconductor emitter disposed on said surface and second light detector disposed on said disk opposite said second semiconductor emitter, said second semiconductor emitter and said second light detector forming another optoelectronic information transmission path between said disk and surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.