Low cost, low pressure gas bearing gyro

Claim 2

A gyroscope unit comprising: a. a stator element defining a cavity; b. a rotor element mounted within said cavity for rotation about a first axis with respect to said stator when supported by a pressurized gas; c. means defining an enclosed gas filled chamber having a wall portion movable from a first to a second position to substantially reduce the volume of said chamber thereby compressing the gas therein and increasing the internal pressure from a first value equal to atmospheric pressure to a second value; d. means permitting communication between said gas filled chamber and said cavity whereby when said internal pressure is increased to a second value said increased pressure at a second value will be present in said cavity to support said rotor element; e. a pyrotechnic squib arranged to move said wall portion from said first to said second position when actuated; f. means for imparting rotation to said rotor about said first axis; g. means for sensing relative movement between said rotor and stator about second and third axis mutually perpindicular to said first axis.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable wall portion comprises a flexible diaphragm.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2 wherein said diaphragm is of the rolling side-wall type.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 3 and further including a wire connected to move said diaphragm in response to firing of said squib.

Claim 6

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said rotor is hemispherical and at least that portion of said stator assembly defining said cavity is of like configuration.

Claim 7

The invention according to claim 5 wherein a central opening is provided at the axis of said rotor and stator assembly, said chamber communicating through said opening with opposite sides of the hemispherical portion of said stator assembly.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for imparting rotation comprise a spring motor and structure coupling said spring motor and said rotor.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 7 wherein said rotor includes an annular rim and said coupling structure includes a member movable into and out of a position wherein rotation of said member is imparted to said rim.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 8 wherein a predetermined amount of rotation of said member effects movement thereof out of said position.

Claim 11

The invention according to claim 8 wherein said member is movable into and out of said position in a direction parallel to said first axis.

Claim 12

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprise capacitors each having plates respectively associated with each of said rotor and stator means positioned to reflect a change in capacitance value in response to relative rotation of said rotor and stator means about either of said second and third axes.

Claim 13

The invention according to claim 11 wherein a plurality of individual capacitor plates are associated with said stator means and a portion of said rotor forms the other plate of each of said capacitors.

Claim 14

The invention according to claim 12 wherein said rotor is hemispherical in shape and said portion comprises an annular rim.

Claim 15

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means permitting communication between said gas filled chamber and said cavity comprise a plurality of passageways.

Claim 16

The invention according to claim 1 wherein said stator, said rotor, said means defining an enclosed chamber, and said means permitting communication comprise a first sub-assEmbly, said means to impart rotation comprise a second sub-assembly and said means for sensing relative rotational movement comprising a third sub-assembly and further including a means holding said first, second and third sub-assemblies together in predetermined relationship.

Claim 17

A gyroscope unit comprising a stator element defining a hemispherical cavity; b. a rotor element of hemispherical shape having its measure portion disposed within said cavity for rotation about the first axis with respect to said stator when supported by a pressurized gas; c. means defining an enclosed gas filled chamber having a wall portion movable from a first to a second position to substantially reduce the volume of said chamber, thereby compressing the gas therein and increasing the internal pressure from a first pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure to a second value, said chamber communicating through a central opening at the axis of said stator and rotor elements with opposite sides of the hemispherical portion of said stator element; d. a plurality of passageways on each side of said hemispherical portion of said stator element communicating with said cavities; e. means actionable to move said wall portion from said first to second position; f. means for imparting rotation to said rotor about said axis; and g. means for sensing relative rotational movement between said rotor and stator means about second and third axis mutually perpendicular with said first axis.

Claim 18

A gyroscope unit comprising a stator element defining a hemispherical cavity; b. a rotor element of hemispherical shape having its measure portion disposed within said cavity for rotation about the first axis with respect to said stator when supported by a pressurized gas; c. means defining an enclosed gas filled chamber having a wall portion movable from a first to a second position to substantially reduce the volume of said chamber, thereby compressing the gas therein and increasing the internal pressure from a first pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure to a second value, said chamber communicating through a central opening at the axis of said stator and rotor elements with opposite sides of the hemispherical portion of said stator element; d. a plurality of passageways on each side of said hemispherical portion of said stator element communicating with said cavities; e. means actionable to move said wall portion from said first to second position; f. means for imparting rotation to said rotor about said axis; and g. means for sensing relative rotational movement between said rotor and stator means about second and third axis mutually perpendicular with said first axis.