Patent US4452654A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4452654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of assembling a gyroscope gimbal fixture
Assignee: Hughes Missile Systems Co
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Filing: 1982-05-28
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Granted: 1984-06-05
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Expires: 2002-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A highly accurate rapid gimbal assembly method utilizes two fixtures for establishing the critical gimbal assembly parameters of yield and axis of intersection and an adhesive for bonding each mating surface of the gimbal assembly for holding the components of the gimbal assembly in their adjusted positions. The fixtures include an inner/outer gimbal fixture for holding the inner and outer gimbals in relative position for bonding and a gimbal/post fixture for holding the gimbal assembly in alignment on the support post for bonding. These fixtures and assembly method eliminate the need for use of shims between the mating surfaces for establishing alignment of the critical parameters.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W. KaDell, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/16; F; F16; F16C; F16C23/00; F16C2370/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/49696; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of shimless assembly of a gyroscope gimbal, comprising the steps of: assembling a gimbal on its support structure, engaging and holding said support structure with first fixture means, aligning the axes of said gimbal in relation to said support by engaging and holding said gimbal with second fixture means, and securing the components of said gimbal in its aligned position on its support structure by means of applying a high-strength adhesive to the coacting support surfaces thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of shimless assembly of a gyroscope gimbal, comprising the steps of: assembling a gimbal on its support structure, engaging and holding said support structure with first fixture means, aligning the axes of said gimbal in relation to said support by engaging and holding said gimbal with second fixture means, and securing the components of said gimbal in its aligned position on its support structure by means of applying a high-strength adhesive to the coacting support surfaces thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gimbal is an inner gimbal having a spin bearing mounting bore, and said support structure an outer gimbal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of aligning said axes is carried out by means of a first fixture, said first fixture including: first means for engaging and supporting trunnions of said outer gimbal, and second means for engaging and aligning said spin bearing mounting bore with respect to said trunnions of said outer gimbal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of shimless assembly of a gyroscope gimbal, comprising the steps of: assembling an inner gimbal having a spin bearing mounting bore on an outer gimbal aligning the axes of said gimbal by means of a holding fixture including first and second pairs of support blocks spaced apart and defining a V-groove support surface therebetween for engaging and supporting trunnions of said outer gimbal, a cylindrical shaft disposed between said first and second pairs of support posts and aligned with the center of the grooves defined therebetween for engaging and aligning said spin bearing mounting bore with respect to said trunnions of said outer gimbal, and securing the components of said gimbal in its aligned position on its support structure by means of applying a high strength adhesive to the coacting support surfaces thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of shimless assembly of a gyroscope gimbal, comprising the steps of: assembling an inner gimbal having a spin bearing mounting bore on an outer gimbal aligning the axes of said gimbal by means of a holding fixture including first and second pairs of support blocks spaced apart and defining a V-groove support surface therebetween for engaging and supporting trunnions of said outer gimbal, a cylindrical shaft disposed between said first and second pairs of support posts and aligned with the center of the grooves defined therebetween for engaging and aligning said spin bearing mounting bore with respect to said trunnions of said outer gimbal, and securing the components of said gimbal in its aligned position on its support structure by means of applying a high strength adhesive to the coacting support surfaces thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method claim 4 including the further step of mounting said outer gimbal in a gimbal support post, preloading the gimbal support bearings of the outer gimbal, and bonding the inner and outer gimbal bearing races to the respective cooperative support structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 including the further step of aligning the spin bearing axis with the support post detector bore by means of a second fixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second fixture comprises a cylindrical shaft mounted on a base member and includes a first diameter portion for engaging the spin axis bore and a second diameter portion for engaging the post bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said gimbal assembly is mounted in said second fixture with the gimbal diameter plane 180° from its orientation during assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of securing the components together includes the step of applying a high strength adhesive to the coacting support surfaces prior to assembling the gimbal on its support structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of applying the adhesive to the support surfaces includes the step of applying a Dimethacrylate resin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of preloading the gimbal support bearings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of preloading the gimbal support bearings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said preloading is carried out by means of gimbal screws.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of securing the components together includes the step of applying a high-strength adhesive to the coacting support surfaces prior to assembling the gimbal on its support structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of applying the adhesive to the support surfaces includes the step of applying a Dimethacrylate resin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 including the step of preloading the gimbal support bearings.
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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) | 1987-06-05 | 1987-12-05 | 1988-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-05 | 1991-12-05 | 1992-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-05 | 1995-12-05 | 1996-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |