US3881258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
All attitude compass
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic compass of the flux valve type, capable of proper indication in all attitudes within the earth''s magnetic field. When the compass is mounted in a vehicle, it compensates for vehicle orientation and motion, and deviation or installation error may also be compensated for. The compass is provided with four compensating poles arranged 120* spherically apart from each other radiating from a center. Each set of three poles of the four operates much like a conventional flux valve, but vehicle pitch and roll are compensated for by energizing the compass system with synchro-signals indicative of the vehicle''s attitude. Alternatively, the flux valve compass system will act as a compass and attitude indicator showing azimuth, pitch, and roll, when these signals are not supplied.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd A Iddings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C17/00; G01C17/38; G01C17/02; G01C17/28; G01C17/30; G01C23/00; G01C9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system compensated for magnetic variation, deviation, and dip comprising: a flux valve transmitter having a four pole spool wherein said poles are spherically equiangularly spaced radiating from a common center; an electromagnetic coil wound about each of said poles; an azimuth differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter and deriving signals therefrom: a remote compass indicator connected to said azimuth differential synchro generator; a roll differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter and providing roll compensating signals thereto; an attitude heading reference for providing signals representing roll and pitch information; and a pair of pitch differential synchro generators connected between said attitude heading reference and said flux valve transmitter and providing pitch compensating signals thereto; whereby said remote compass indicator displays accurate magnetic azimuth free of northerly and southerly turning errors and acceleration and deceleration errors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system compensated for magnetic variation, deviation, and dip comprising: a flux valve transmitter having a four pole spool wherein said poles are spherically equiangularly spaced radiating from a common center; an electromagnetic coil wound about each of said poles; an azimuth differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter and deriving signals therefrom: a remote compass indicator connected to said azimuth differential synchro generator; a roll differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter and providing roll compensating signals thereto; an attitude heading reference for providing signals representing roll and pitch information; and a pair of pitch differential synchro generators connected between said attitude heading reference and said flux valve transmitter and providing pitch compensating signals thereto; whereby said remote compass indicator displays accurate magnetic azimuth free of northerly and southerly turning errors and acceleration and deceleration errors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system of claim 1, wherein said flux valve is further defined by: a flange at the distal end of each pole; and a hole bored in the distal end of each pole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The all-attitude magnetic Compass and detector system of claim 2 wherein: said flux valve spool is made of a ferro ceramic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system of claim 2, wherein: said flux valve spool is made of soft iron.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system of claim 2 wherein: said electromagnetic coils are bifilar wound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system of claim 2 wherein said remote compass indicator is further defined by: a synchro receiver having a rotatable winding; a shaft mechanically connected to said rotatable winding; and a compass card display connected to said shaft for ready reference by a pilot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The all-attitude magnetic compass and detector system of claim 2, further comprising: a Scott-T transformer interconnected between said pitch differential synchro generators and said attitude heading reference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A transmitter for a flux valve compass system, comprising: a spool made of a ferro-magnetic material having four integral poles spherically equiangularly spaced about a common center; an integral spool flange formed on the distal end of each of said four poles; a hole bored concentrically in the flange of each of said four poles; and a coil wound on each of said four poles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A transmitter for a flux valve compass system, comprising: a spool made of a ferro-magnetic material having four integral poles spherically equiangularly spaced about a common center; an integral spool flange formed on the distal end of each of said four poles; a hole bored concentrically in the flange of each of said four poles; and a coil wound on each of said four poles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The transmitter of claim 8 wherein: said coils are bifilar wound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transmitter of claim 9, wherein: said spool is made of a ferro-ceramic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transmitter of claim 9, wherein: said spool is made of soft iron.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The transmitter of claim 9, wherein: said bifilar wound coils are interconnected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transmitter of claim 12 wherein said holes contain: a slug made of a material taken from the group consisting of brass, soft iron, and ferrite.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
140 words
A compass and attitude readout system of the flux valve type comprising: a flux valve transmitter having four poles for detecting the horizontal and vertical components of the earth''s magnetic field and providing signals; an electromagnetic coil wound about each of said poles; an azimuth differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter for receiving substantially the horizontal component; a roll differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter; for receiving substantially the vertical signal component; a pair of pitch differential sychro generators connected to said flux valve transmitter; for receiving both the horizontal and vertical signal components; an attitude indicator connected to said roll and pitch differential synchro generators for displaying pitch and roll information to the pilot; and a azimuth indicator connected to said azimuth differential synchro generator for displaying magnetic azimuth information to the operator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
140 words
A compass and attitude readout system of the flux valve type comprising: a flux valve transmitter having four poles for detecting the horizontal and vertical components of the earth''s magnetic field and providing signals; an electromagnetic coil wound about each of said poles; an azimuth differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter for receiving substantially the horizontal component; a roll differential synchro generator connected to said flux valve transmitter; for receiving substantially the vertical signal component; a pair of pitch differential sychro generators connected to said flux valve transmitter; for receiving both the horizontal and vertical signal components; an attitude indicator connected to said roll and pitch differential synchro generators for displaying pitch and roll information to the pilot; and a azimuth indicator connected to said azimuth differential synchro generator for displaying magnetic azimuth information to the operator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 14, wherein said flux valve is further defined by: a four pole integral spool wherein said poles are spherically equiangularly spaced radiating from a common center; a flange at the distal end of each pole; and a hole bored in the distal end of each pole.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 15 wherein: said flux valve spool is made of a ferro ceramic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 15 wherein: said flux valve spool is made of soft iron.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 15 wherein: said electromagnetic coils are bifilar wound.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 15 wherein said azimuth indicator is further defined by: a synchro receiver.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 19 wherein said synchro receiver further comprises: a stationary delta-connected coil winding; a movable coil winding in electromagnetic coupling relationship with said stationary coil winding; a shaft mechanically connected to said movable coil winding; and a compass card dIsplay connected to said shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The compass and attitude readout system of claim 15, further comprising: a Scott-T transformer interconnected between said pitch differential synchro generators and said attitude indicator.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |