US3747417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gyroscopes including gas lubricated bearings
Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
•
Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A rate gyroscope has a gimbal frame that is divided into two parts that are clamped to opposite ends of the journal assembly of a self-acting gas-lubricated bearing supporting the electrically-driven gyroscope-rotor of tungsten carbide. The journal assembly includes a boron-carbide shaft that is embraced by the annular rotor and extends across the frame as a rigid strut with boron-carbide bearing thrust-plates clamped to its two ends within the frame. The electrically-wound armature-ring of the rotor-motor is retained and located on the frame by the two frame-parts clamped to bear on its rim. The boron-carbide material may be replaced by silicon carbide.
Inventors
- 👤 G Beardmore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/16; G01C19/20; F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/043; F16C2370/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S384/00; Y10S384/90; Y10S384/913; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
A gyroscope according to claim 1 wherein said second part is wholly tungsten carbide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gyroscope according to claim 1 wherein said first part is a journal shaft and said second part is an annular rotor-part embracing the journal shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A gyroscope according to claim 3 wherein said annular rotor-part has flat annular end-faces, and wherein the gyroscope includes two thrust-members carried by the journal shaft, said thrust-members having flat faces that oppose respectively the flat end-faces of the rotor-part with space therebetween for gas-support of the rotating rotor clear of the thrust-members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gyroscope according to claim 4 wherein said rotor-part is of tungsten carbide, and wherein said journal shaft and said thrust-members are all of boron carbide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gyroscope according to claim 5 wherein the flat face of each thrust-member has grooves therein to enhance aerodynamic generation of gas-pressure at that face when the rotor is rotating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gyroscope according to claim 6 wherein the journal shaft is grooved to enhance aerodynamic generation of gas-pressure between the shaft and the rotating rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gyroscope according to claim 1 wherein said second bearing surface is of tungsten carbide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A gyroscope comprising a gimbal structure, a rotor, and gas-lubricated bearing means rotatably mounting the rotor on the gimbal structure, and wherein said gas-lubricated bearing means comprises a first part carried with said gimbal structure to provide a first bearing-surface wholly of silicon carbide, and a second part carried with said rotor to provide a second bearing-surface, said second bearing-surface opposing said first bearing-surface with a space therebetween for gas-support of the rotating rotor clear of the first bearing-surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A gyroscope according to claim 9 wherein said second part is wholly tungsten carbide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gyroscope according to claim 9 wherein said first part is a journal shaft and said second part is an annular rotor-part embracing the journal shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A gyroscope according to claim 11 wherein said annular rotor-part has flat annular end-faces, and wherein the gyroscope includes two thrust-members carried by the journal shaft, said thrust-members having flat faces that oppose respectively the flat end-faces of the rotor-part with space therebetween for gas-support of the rotating rotor clear of the thrust-members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gyroscope according to claim 12 wherein said rotor-part is of tungsten carbide, and wherein said journal shaft and said thrust-members are all of silicon carbide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gyroscope according to claim 13 wherein the flat face of each thrust-member has grooves therein to enhance aerodynamic generation of gas-presSure at that face when the rotor is rotating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A gyroscope according to claim 14 wherein the journal shaft is grooved to enhance aerodynamic generation of gas-pressure between the shaft and the rotating rotor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A gyroscope according to claim 9 wherein said second bearing surface is of tungsten carbide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |