Shawn D Mcfall

US Patent:

54252814, Jun 20, 1995

Filed:

Aug 16, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/568107

Inventors:

Shawn D. McFall - Charlevoix MI

Assignee:

AlliedSignal Inc. - Morris Township, Morris County NJ

International Classification:

G01C 1946

US Classification:

74 544

Abstract:

A fluid pendulum arrangement is used for implementing fast initial erection of vertical gyros by maintaining the gyro wheel spin axis near vertical during the gyro "power-off" mode of operation. Fluid is contained in a lower fluid chamber section which is disposed below the rotational axes of the gyro inner and outer gimbals. The mass of the fluid in cooperation with the fluid chamber moment arm results in a gyro wheel pendulosity that is greater than the combined gyro component friction torques. Upon the "power-on" or gyro wheel spin up mode of operation, the fluid tends to migrate from the lower section of the chamber to an upper section thereof which is arranged relative to the gimbal rotational axes so that gyro wheel pendulosity is negligible. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid chamber is an external "add-on" feature to the gyro wheel rotor and in another embodiment, the fluid chamber is integral with said rotor.