US4461176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature gyroscope
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1982-01-04
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Granted: 1984-07-24
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Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A miniature rate-integrating gyroscope is shown to comprise: an electrical motor (whose rotor, when rotating, constitutes a gyroscopic mass) mounted in a single degree of motion gimbal within a cylindrical case; a motion sensor to determine any rotation of such gimbal with respect to such case, such sensor including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding movable with respect to each other so that the phase difference between alternating signals in the primary and secondary windings is analogous to such rotation; phase detecting circuitry to produce a control signal representative of such phase difference; a torque generator responsive to the control signal to null any rotation of such gimbal; and a fluid damper to critically damp any rotation of such gimbal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald M. Nearman
- 👤 Lewis S. Bostwick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/42; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1261; Y10T74/1279
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
In a miniature rate-integrating gyroscope wherein a gyroscopic mass is mounted on a gimbal having a single degree of movement within a cylindrical case, the improvement comprising: (a) means for generating an alternating signal having a phase, relative to the phase of a reference signal, representative of any rotation of the gimbal within the cylindrical case and for shifting the phase of a reference signal, representative of any rotation of the gimbal within the cylindrical case and for shifting the phase of such alternating signal by 90°; (b) phase detector means, responsive to the phase-shifted alternating signal and the reference signal, for producing a bipolar control signal corresponding to the difference between the phases of the alternating and reference signals; and (c) torque generating means, responsive to the bipolar control signal and operative on the gimbal, for nulling any rotation of the gimbal, such torque generating means including: (i) a plurality of equally spaced permanent magnets fixed within the cylindrical case centrally thereof; (ii) a like plurality of serially-connected coils affixed to the gimbal, each one of such coils being in the field of one of the equally spaced permanent magnets; and (iii) means for connecting the bipolar control signal to the serially-connected coils to apply a torque to the gimbal to null the bipolar control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a miniature rate-integrating gyroscope wherein a gyroscopic mass is mounted on a gimbal having a single degree of movement within a cylindrical case, the improvement comprising: (a) means for generating an alternating signal having a phase, relative to the phase of a reference signal, representative of any rotation of the gimbal within the cylindrical case and for shifting the phase of a reference signal, representative of any rotation of the gimbal within the cylindrical case and for shifting the phase of such alternating signal by 90°; (b) phase detector means, responsive to the phase-shifted alternating signal and the reference signal, for producing a bipolar control signal corresponding to the difference between the phases of the alternating and reference signals; and (c) torque generating means, responsive to the bipolar control signal and operative on the gimbal, for nulling any rotation of the gimbal, such torque generating means including: (i) a plurality of equally spaced permanent magnets fixed within the cylindrical case centrally thereof; (ii) a like plurality of serially-connected coils affixed to the gimbal, each one of such coils being in the field of one of the equally spaced permanent magnets; and (iii) means for connecting the bipolar control signal to the serially-connected coils to apply a torque to the gimbal to null the bipolar control signal.
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) | 1987-07-24 | 1988-01-23 | 1988-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-24 | 1992-01-23 | 1992-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-24 | 1996-01-23 | 1996-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |