Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A gyroscopic device in the form of an axisymmetrically-anchored structure of circular shape (1, 30) and characterised in that that structure is of a composition in which material exhibiting the piezo-electric effect is included without vibration-sensitive bonds, in that first electrodes (5 - 8) are mounted axisymmetrically on the structure and adapted by co-operation with the piezo-electric effect to generate within it a pattern of strain that varies cyclically around the structure in a circumferential direction, in that second electrodes (9 - 12) are mounted on the same structure axisymmetrically but at locations angularly-spaced relative to those of the first electrodes and adapted to emit electrical signals generated by the interaction of the pattern of strain and the piezo-electric effect whereby an angular displacement of the cyclical strain variation caused by an applied rate of turn about the axis of the structure results in a change in the signal emitted by the second electrodes, and in that means (18A) are provided to derive a measure of the applied rate of turn by reference to such change of signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A gyroscopic device in the form of an axisymmetrically-anchored structure of circular shape (1, 30) and characterised in that that structure is of a composition in which material exhibiting the piezo-electric effect is included without vibration-sensitive bonds, in that first electrodes (5 - 8) are mounted axisymmetrically on the structure and adapted by co-operation with the piezo-electric effect to generate within it a pattern of strain that varies cyclically around the structure in a circumferential direction, in that second electrodes (9 - 12) are mounted on the same structure axisymmetrically but at locations angularly-spaced relative to those of the first electrodes and adapted to emit electrical signals generated by the interaction of the pattern of strain and the piezo-electric effect whereby an angular displacement of the cyclical strain variation caused by an applied rate of turn about the axis of the structure results in a change in the signal emitted by the second electrodes, and in that means (18A) are provided to derive a measure of the applied rate of turn by reference to such change of signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the structure is a unitary mass of material exhibiting the piezo-electric effect.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 in which the second electrodes (9 - 12) are mounted at locations coinciding, in the absence of any said applied rate of turn, with nodes of the cyclical strain pattern generated by the first electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the structure is a circular disc (1), and the first and second electrodes are mounted together on the same face (3) of the disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the structure is a hollow cylinder (30) and the first and second electrodes are both mounted on one or other of the inner and outer walls of the cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the circular structure is anchored to the ground by means of a support (25) connecting the ground to the periphery of the structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the circular structure is anchored to ground by means of a support (2) connecting the ground to the centre of the structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 characterised in that ground (23, 24) lies to either side of the circular structure axially, and in that separate supports (22) extending away from the structure in opposite axial directions connect the structure to both of these grounds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the circular structure consists of sheet-form or laminar material exhibiting the piezo-electric effect, the first and second electrodes being disposed on one face (3, 34) of the sheet with the opposite face (4, 33) being earthed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gyroscopic device according to Claim 1 characterised in that the electrodes are mounted on the structure by electro-deposition.