US3739480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gyro compassing apparatus and method
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-30
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1990-03-30
Abstract
Abstract Gyro compassing apparatus and method for automatically providing a reference position for ground based vehicles. A gyro is displaced about its output axis and said displacement is damped until a steady state condition exists at the reference position.
Inventors
- 👤 F Hanusek
- 👤 G Galuschak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/34; G01C19/38; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A gyro compass, comprising: a case; an outer gimbal mounted to the case for displacement about a vertical axis; an inner gimbal; flexural pivots mounting the inner gimbal to the outer gimbal for displacement abouT a vertical axis, said flexural pivots having a spring constant for damping displacement of the inner gimbal; a rotor mounted to the inner gimbal for spinning about a horizontal axis; means for spinning the rotor about the horizontal axis whereupon the inner gimbal is displaced about the vertical axis; means for sensing displacement of the inner gimbal relative to the outer gimbal and for providing a corresponding signal; means responsive to the signal from the sensing means for displacing the outer gimbal; a pair of stops mounted to the outer gimbal; and a bumper mounted to the inner gimbal and disposed between the stops, and contacting said stops for limiting displacement of the inner gimbal and for causing the horizontal axis to settle at a reference position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A gyro compass, comprising: a case; an outer gimbal mounted to the case for displacement about a vertical axis; an inner gimbal; flexural pivots mounting the inner gimbal to the outer gimbal for displacement abouT a vertical axis, said flexural pivots having a spring constant for damping displacement of the inner gimbal; a rotor mounted to the inner gimbal for spinning about a horizontal axis; means for spinning the rotor about the horizontal axis whereupon the inner gimbal is displaced about the vertical axis; means for sensing displacement of the inner gimbal relative to the outer gimbal and for providing a corresponding signal; means responsive to the signal from the sensing means for displacing the outer gimbal; a pair of stops mounted to the outer gimbal; and a bumper mounted to the inner gimbal and disposed between the stops, and contacting said stops for limiting displacement of the inner gimbal and for causing the horizontal axis to settle at a reference position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A gyro compass as described by claim 1, wherein the means responsive to the signal from the sensing means for displacing the outer gimbal includes: a servo network connected to the sensing means and responsive to the signal therefrom for providing an electrical output; and a torquer connected to the servo network and to the outer gimbal and responsive to the electrical output therefrom for displacing the outer gimbal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A gyro compass as described by claim 2, wherein: the servo network and the torquer are arranged for displacing the outer gimbal at a rate slower than the displacement rate of the inner gimbal, whereupon the bumper on the inner gimbal contacts one of the stops on the outer gimbal and the inner gimbal is thereafter displaced at the displacement rate of the outer gimbal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A gyro compass as described by claim 3, wherein: the natural frequency of the servo network and the position of the stops on the outer gimbal are predetermined so that when the bumper contacts the one stop the horizontal axis is at the reference position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A gyro compass as described by claim 1, wherein: the inner gimbal oscillates between the stops at its natural frequency, with the bumper contacting the stops for effecting other progressively lower frequencies of oscillation until the horizontal axis settles at the reference position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A gyro compassing method, comprising: spinning a gyro rotor mounted in an inner gimbal about a horizontal axis for displacing the inner gimbal about a vertical axis; sensing the displacement of the inner gimbal relative to an outer gimbal which supports the inner gimbal and providing a corresponding signal; displacing the outer gimbal about the vertical axis in response to said signal; damping displacement of the inner gimbal about the vertical axis; and limiting displacement of the inner gimbal for causing settling of the horizontal axis at a reference position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
A gyro compassing method, comprising: spinning a gyro rotor mounted in an inner gimbal about a horizontal axis for displacing the inner gimbal about a vertical axis; sensing the displacement of the inner gimbal relative to an outer gimbal which supports the inner gimbal and providing a corresponding signal; displacing the outer gimbal about the vertical axis in response to said signal; damping displacement of the inner gimbal about the vertical axis; and limiting displacement of the inner gimbal for causing settling of the horizontal axis at a reference position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A gyro compassing method as described by claim 6, including: displacing the outer gimbal at a rate slower than that of the inner gimbal; limiting displacement of the inner gimbal; and displacing the inner gimbal at the displacement rate of the outer gimbal until the horizontal axis is at the reference position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gyro compassing method as described by claim 6, including: oscillating the inner gimbal at its natural frequency; and limiting the oscillations for effecting other progressively lower frequencies of oscillation until the horizontal axis settles at the reference position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |