US3883788A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gyroscope orientation controller
Assignee: Sperry Sun Well Surveying Co
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Filing: 1973-10-26
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A gyroscope control system for maintaining a gyroscope rotor in a predetermined orientation utilizes the earth''s gravity vector as a reference. A gravity sensitive mercury switch is placed on the gyroscope''s rotor gimbal such that its conducting state changes when the rotor varies from the predetermined orientation. The mercury switch and a capacitor in series with the switch are connected into the rotor motor power circuit. The power circuit includes a power source that produces a square wave that acquires a ringing characteristic due to circuit impedance. The mercury switch switches the capacitor into the rotor motor circuit whenever the rotor varies from the predetermined location, thereby changing the amplitude of the ringing characteristic. An amplitude detection circuit measures the ringing amplitude and generates a control signal, which causes a reversible torque motor to re-orient the rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Roy E Storey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1229; Y10T74/1261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
In a gyroscope for use in a borehole survey instrument, a rotor orienting system, comprising: means for providing to the gyroscope rotor motor a power signal having an impulse characteristic; means for producing a ringing characteristic in the power signal; means for varying the state of a parameter of the ringing characteristic; means for detecting the state of the parameter; and means for orienting the rotor in response to the state of the parameter of the ringing characteristic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a gyroscope for use in a borehole survey instrument, a rotor orienting system, comprising: means for providing to the gyroscope rotor motor a power signal having an impulse characteristic; means for producing a ringing characteristic in the power signal; means for varying the state of a parameter of the ringing characteristic; means for detecting the state of the parameter; and means for orienting the rotor in response to the state of the parameter of the ringing characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for providing a power signal is a generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the generator produces a square wave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a ringing characteristic is an impedance load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the impedance load is a capacitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for varying a parameter of the ringing characteristic is a variable resistor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the variable resistor means is a switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the switch is a mercury switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for detecting the state of the parameter comprises: means for removing the ringing characteristic from the power signal; means for isolating the parameter from other parameters of the ringing characteristic; and means for measuring the state of the parameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the means for removing the ringing characteristic from the power signal is a frequency sensitive filter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the frequency sensitive filter comprises: a transformer; and a capacitor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the means for isolating the parameter is a rectifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the rectifier is a bridge rectifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the means for measuring the state of the parameter is a level detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the orienting means is a motor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 further including means for controlling the orienting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a gyroscope, a rotor orienting system, comprising: a square wave power generator in circuit with the rotor motor; a capacitor in the power circuit, whereby a ringing characteristic, having an amplitude different from that which naturally occurs may be produced in the power signal; a mercury switch on the rotor gimbal and connected in series with the capacitor, whereby the amplitude of the ringing characteristic may be altered when the rotor changes orientation; a transformer in the power circuit; a filtering capacitor in circuit with the transformer; a bridge rectifier in circuit with the transformer; a level detector in circuit with the bridge rectifier; a motor controller in circuit with the bridge rectifier; and an orienting motor in circuit with the bridge rectifier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a gyroscope, a rotor orienting system, comprising: a square wave power generator in circuit with the rotor motor; a capacitor in the power circuit, whereby a ringing characteristic, having an amplitude different from that which naturally occurs may be produced in the power signal; a mercury switch on the rotor gimbal and connected in series with the capacitor, whereby the amplitude of the ringing characteristic may be altered when the rotor changes orientation; a transformer in the power circuit; a filtering capacitor in circuit with the transformer; a bridge rectifier in circuit with the transformer; a level detector in circuit with the bridge rectifier; a motor controller in circuit with the bridge rectifier; and an orienting motor in circuit with the bridge rectifier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a gyroscope for use in a borehole survey instrument, apparatus for produCing a datum on a square wave power signal to control the orientation of the rotor, comprising: an impedance load, whereby a ringing characteristic different from that which naturally occurs may be imposed on the square wave; and switch means in circuit with the impedance load, whereby the ringing characteristic of the square may be varied when the orientation of the rotor gimbal varies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a gyroscope for use in a borehole survey instrument, apparatus for produCing a datum on a square wave power signal to control the orientation of the rotor, comprising: an impedance load, whereby a ringing characteristic different from that which naturally occurs may be imposed on the square wave; and switch means in circuit with the impedance load, whereby the ringing characteristic of the square may be varied when the orientation of the rotor gimbal varies.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the impedance load is a capacitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the switch means is a mercury switch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a gyroscope for use in a borehole survey, instrument, a rotor tilt control system, comprising: a square wave power signal generator in circuit with the rotor motor; an impedance load in the power circuit, whereby a ringing characteristic may be imposed on the power signal; a directionally sensitive switch in circuit with the impedance load; a filter in the power circuit tuned to the frequency of the ringing characteristic; a voltage rectifier in circuit with the filter; and a voltage level detector in circuit with the rectifier.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a gyroscope for use in a borehole survey, instrument, a rotor tilt control system, comprising: a square wave power signal generator in circuit with the rotor motor; an impedance load in the power circuit, whereby a ringing characteristic may be imposed on the power signal; a directionally sensitive switch in circuit with the impedance load; a filter in the power circuit tuned to the frequency of the ringing characteristic; a voltage rectifier in circuit with the filter; and a voltage level detector in circuit with the rectifier.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of controlling the orientation of a gyroscope rotor whose motor is powered by a signal having an impulse characteristic, comprising the steps of: sensing variation of the rotor from a predetermined orientation; altering a parameter of a ringing characteristic in the power signal; and regulating the orientation of the rotor in response to the parameter of the ringing characteristic.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of controlling the orientation of a gyroscope rotor whose motor is powered by a signal having an impulse characteristic, comprising the steps of: sensing variation of the rotor from a predetermined orientation; altering a parameter of a ringing characteristic in the power signal; and regulating the orientation of the rotor in response to the parameter of the ringing characteristic.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of orienting a gyroscope rotor that is powered by a signal having an impulse characteristic, comprising the steps of: sensing variation of the rotor from a predetermined orientation; altering the amplitude of a ringing characteristic in the power signal in response to the variations; sensing the amplitude of the ringing characteristic; and precessing the rotor in response to the amplitude of the ringing characteristic.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of orienting a gyroscope rotor that is powered by a signal having an impulse characteristic, comprising the steps of: sensing variation of the rotor from a predetermined orientation; altering the amplitude of a ringing characteristic in the power signal in response to the variations; sensing the amplitude of the ringing characteristic; and precessing the rotor in response to the amplitude of the ringing characteristic.
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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |