US4882845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gyroscopic artificial horizon
Assignee: Societe Francaise dEquipements pour la Navigation Aerienne SFENA SA
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Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A gyroscopic artificial horizon comprises a gyroscope suspended in a gimbalount which has an inner frame and an outer frame pivoted, one within the other, about two orthogonal axes. It also comprises a device for sensing the spatial position of the axis of the gyroscope and for displaying this position in the form of an artificial horizon. To simplify the mechanical structure and to increase the reliability of the gyroscopic artificial horizon, the device for sensing and displaying the spatial position of the gyroscope axis comprises a luminous display screen rotationally coupled to the outer frame of the gimbal mount. It further comprise a sensor for sensing the angular position of the inner frame relative to the outer frame and a processor device adapted to display this angular position on the screen in the form of an artificial horizon.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis Boyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon comprising a gimbal mount mounted in a support structure, a gyroscope suspended in said gimbal mount, said gimbal mount having an outer frame adapted to rotate about a first axis and an inner frame adapted to rotate relative to said outer frame about a second axis orthogonal to said first axis, a luminous display screen rotationally coupled to said outer frame for displaying an angular position of said outer frame relative to said support structure, a sensor disposed either on the inner or the outer frame for sensing the angular position of said inner frame relative to said outer frame, and a processor adapted to drive said luminous display screen to show said angular position of said inner frame relative to said outer frame as an artificial horizon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon comprising a gimbal mount mounted in a support structure, a gyroscope suspended in said gimbal mount, said gimbal mount having an outer frame adapted to rotate about a first axis and an inner frame adapted to rotate relative to said outer frame about a second axis orthogonal to said first axis, a luminous display screen rotationally coupled to said outer frame for displaying an angular position of said outer frame relative to said support structure, a sensor disposed either on the inner or the outer frame for sensing the angular position of said inner frame relative to said outer frame, and a processor adapted to drive said luminous display screen to show said angular position of said inner frame relative to said outer frame as an artificial horizon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 1, wherein said display screen is constrained to rotate with said outer frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 1, wherein said display screen is a liquid crystal display screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 3, wherein said display screen is of the dedicated liquid crystal type and at least some of the liquid crystals thereof are arranged to form parallel segments on said display screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 1, wherein said display screen is a matrix display screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon accoring to claim 5, wherein said matrix display screen comprises a plurality of pixels and a respective switching transistor for each pixel of the thin-film type deposited onto the rear surface of said screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 1, further comprising a motor adapted to rotate said display screen and a control system adapted to sense the angular position of said outer frame of said gimbal mount relative to said structure and to operate said motor according to said angular position of said outer frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 1, further comprising a back-up battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 8, wherein said battery is a nickel-cadmium battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 7, wherein said control system comprises a first sensor for sensing the angular position of said outer frame relative to said structure and said motor is connected to an output of said sensor and to said display screen for driving said display screen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
Gyroscopic artificial horizon according to claim 10, wherein said control system further comprises a second sensor for sensing the position of the display screen and for transmitting to said motor a signal representative of said sensed position to thereby provide feedback control of said motor.
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) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |