Patent ID: 6729580
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: B64C,B64G

Abstract:
A system for directing an object, the system comprising:a first gyroscope comprising a first rotor operable to rotate; a second gyroscope substantially rigidly coupled to the first gyroscope and comprising a second rotor operable to rotate, each gyroscope comprising a motor operable to rotate a first gimbal, the first gimbal of the first gyroscope coupled to the first rotor, the first gimbal of the second gyroscope coupled to the second rotor; a plurality of brakes, each brake operable to substantially simultaneously decrease the rotation of a second gimbal of each gyroscope, the second gimbal coupled to the first gimbal; and a processor coupled to the first gyroscope and the second gyroscope, the processor operable to: determine a first position of the first gimbal, the first position describing an angle between a first plane of the first gimbal and a zero degree plane approximately orthogonal to a second plane of the second gimbal, the angle of the first position being in a range of zero degrees and minus ninety degrees; direct each brake to decrease the rotation of the second gimbal in response to the first position; determine a second position of the first gimbal, the angle of the second position being in a range of zero degrees and plus ninety degrees; and release each brake to increase the rotation of the second gimbal in response to the second position; the first gyroscope and the second gyroscope operable to generate a torque to direct an object.