US3592066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-axis rate gyro
Assignee: Conductron Corp
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Filing: 1966-12-12
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1986-12-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a control device and more particularly to a two-axis rate gyro in which the rotatable mass of the gyro is contained within a casing having a peripheral partially spherical exterior wall with opposed flat ends perpendicular to the spin axis of the rotating mass. The casing is in turn mounted within the exterior frame, or housing member, by means of elastomeric material which supports the casing and connects the casing to the frame. The configuration of the elastomeric mass is such that it supports the casing without the need of additional gimbles or bearings, and allows movement of the casing about two axes. Means are provided for the detection of such movement about the two axes for control purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald B Speen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1229; Y10T74/1257; Y10T74/1261; Y10T74/1264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A control device comprising: a casing means, said casing means including a spherical portion; a rotatable mass mounted in said casing means to rotate about a spin-axis; a means for rotating said rotatable mass said rotating means coupled to said rotatable mass; a frame means for supporting said casing; said resilient means being an elastomeric ring material in mating relationship with said spherical portion and coupled to said frame, said spherical portion having an axis substantially coincident with said spin-axis, said resilient ring means having an axis substantially coincident with said spin-axis whereby said resilient mounting means surrounds a portion of said casing and is coupled to said frame to enable said frame to support said casing to be free to move about two axes whereby the movement of said casing about said two axes may be detected and employed for control purposes; said casing having a reflecting surface perpendicular to said spin-axis and including an optical pickoff means for detecting said movement of said surface along two axes, said optical pickoff including detection means for detecting radiant energy reflected from said surface located on a plane substantially parallel with said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A control device comprising: a casing means, said casing means including a spherical portion; a rotatable mass mounted in said casing means to rotate about a spin-axis; a means for rotating said rotatable mass said rotating means coupled to said rotatable mass; a frame means for supporting said casing; said resilient means being an elastomeric ring material in mating relationship with said spherical portion and coupled to said frame, said spherical portion having an axis substantially coincident with said spin-axis, said resilient ring means having an axis substantially coincident with said spin-axis whereby said resilient mounting means surrounds a portion of said casing and is coupled to said frame to enable said frame to support said casing to be free to move about two axes whereby the movement of said casing about said two axes may be detected and employed for control purposes; said casing having a reflecting surface perpendicular to said spin-axis and including an optical pickoff means for detecting said movement of said surface along two axes, said optical pickoff including detection means for detecting radiant energy reflected from said surface located on a plane substantially parallel with said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A control device comprising: a casing means having a spherical segment exterior surface; a mass rotatably mounted within said casing for rotation about a spin-axis; an elastomeric mounting means supporting and mounting said casing, said elastomeric mounting means being an annular member having an interior partially spherical wall matingly engaging the spherical portion of said casing, the exterior wall of said mounting means being affixed to said frame to support said casing to be free to move about two axes, whereby said two axes are detected and employed for control purposes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A control device comprising: a casing means having a spherical segment exterior surface; a mass rotatably mounted within said casing for rotation about a spin-axis; an elastomeric mounting means supporting and mounting said casing, said elastomeric mounting means being an annular member having an interior partially spherical wall matingly engaging the spherical portion of said casing, the exterior wall of said mounting means being affixed to said frame to support said casing to be free to move about two axes, whereby said two axes are detected and employed for control purposes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A two-axis rate gyro comprising: a casing, said casing having a spherical peripheral portion and a pair of diametrically opposed flat end surfaces; a mass rotatably mounted within said casing for rotation about a spin-axis, said spin-axis being perpendicular to said flat surfaces; means for rotating said rotatable mass; a frame means for supporting said casing; an elastomeric mounting means supporting and mounting said casing, said elastomeric mounting means being an annular member having an interior partially spherical wall matIngly engaging the spherical portion of said casing, the exterior wall of said mounting means being affixed to said frame to support said casing to be free to move about two axes, whereby said two axes are detected and employed for control purposes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A two-axis rate gyro comprising: a casing, said casing having a spherical peripheral portion and a pair of diametrically opposed flat end surfaces; a mass rotatably mounted within said casing for rotation about a spin-axis, said spin-axis being perpendicular to said flat surfaces; means for rotating said rotatable mass; a frame means for supporting said casing; an elastomeric mounting means supporting and mounting said casing, said elastomeric mounting means being an annular member having an interior partially spherical wall matIngly engaging the spherical portion of said casing, the exterior wall of said mounting means being affixed to said frame to support said casing to be free to move about two axes, whereby said two axes are detected and employed for control purposes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure recited in claim 3, including a transducer means for detecting the movement of said casing about two axes perpendicular to said spin-axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure recited in claim 4, wherein said casing includes a reflecting surface and said transducer means is an optical pickoff including means for impinging radiant energy on said reflecting surface and for receiving the radiant energy reflected from said surface to detect movement about said two axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure recited in claim 5, wherein said reflecting surface on said casing is perpendicular to said spin-axis and said optical pickoff includes detection means parallel to said surface for detecting the received energy from said surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |