US3673872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic sound supported inertial reference
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1966-02-01
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1986-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An inertial reference unit for sensing rotation about selected axes including a piezoelectric body in a cryogenic chamber. The piezoelectric body is provided with a hollow spherical cavity and is of material of low accoustic impedance. A spherical inertial reference element positioned within the hollow cavity has optical assymetry and permits passage therethrough of radiant energy in the light spectrum. The space within the cavity outside the reference element is filled with a transmission medium, such as liquid helium. Means are provided for directing at least one light beam through the walls of the cavity and through the inertial element for sensing rotation of the piezoelectric body relative to the inertial element.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L Ensley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/56; G01C19/5698; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/16; G01C19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
In an inertial reference system where a piezoelectric body mounted within a support has a spherical cavity therein and is energized to establish an accoustical wave field to support a spherical reference element within said cavity and includes means for sensing rotational motion of the support for said body, the combination which comprises: a. liquefied gas forming the accoustical wave transmitting medium within said body, and b. a cryostat unit for maintaining said system at a cryogenic temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
In an inertial reference system where a piezoelectric body mounted within a support has a spherical cavity therein and is energized to establish an accoustical wave field to support a spherical reference element within said cavity and includes means for sensing rotational motion of the support for said body, the combination which comprises: a. liquefied gas forming the accoustical wave transmitting medium within said body, and b. a cryostat unit for maintaining said system at a cryogenic temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which at least two diffraction disks are mounted in said element diametrically opposed and at angles of about 45* to the diameter for producing a rotational torque in said reference element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 in which a servo means including rotation sensing means on an axis perpendicular to said diameter maintain substantially constant the rotational speed of said element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said liquefied gas is He II.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the element has a hollow center with a reflector shell encompassing an ultrasonic absorbent shell in which at least one pair of torque disks are mounted and in which a capillary extends radially from the center of said element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
170 words
A reference element for an inertiaL reference system which element is to be positioned in a cavity in a piezoelectric body which produces ultrasonic force fields in a liquefied gas transmission medium therein which comprises: a. a hollow multilayer optically active sphere having an outer reflector shell, an intermediate sound absorber shell and an inner buoyant shell with densities graded such that the element is slightly buoyant in said liquefied gas with a central hollow spherical cavity having primary capillaries extending from said central cavity along a first diameter through the exterior surface and having at least two opposed spherical cavities located in said absorber shell on a second diameter perpendicular to said first diameter and each converted to said central cavity by a radial secondary capillary, and b. a disk in each of said cavities oriented parallel to a plane which includes said primary capillaries but which is oriented about 45* relative to the axis of the secondary capillaries for converting said force fields into torque on said element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
A reference element for an inertiaL reference system which element is to be positioned in a cavity in a piezoelectric body which produces ultrasonic force fields in a liquefied gas transmission medium therein which comprises: a. a hollow multilayer optically active sphere having an outer reflector shell, an intermediate sound absorber shell and an inner buoyant shell with densities graded such that the element is slightly buoyant in said liquefied gas with a central hollow spherical cavity having primary capillaries extending from said central cavity along a first diameter through the exterior surface and having at least two opposed spherical cavities located in said absorber shell on a second diameter perpendicular to said first diameter and each converted to said central cavity by a radial secondary capillary, and b. a disk in each of said cavities oriented parallel to a plane which includes said primary capillaries but which is oriented about 45* relative to the axis of the secondary capillaries for converting said force fields into torque on said element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |