Patent GB-133067-A (GB)
IPC: G01C21/18
Abstract: 133,067. Gillmor, R. E., (Sperry Gyroscope Co.). April 27, 1917. Gyroscopic apparatus.-Relates to gyroscopic stabilizers of the type described in Specification 10255/15, wherein relative precession of pendulously-mounted gyros controls external forces adapted to exert turning-forces about axes at an angle to the axes of the precession, and consists in arranging that, for all displacements resolvable into rotations about axes in one plane, e.g. the horizontal plane, precession of a. single gyro about an axis with respect to another single gyro brings the external force into action to exert a torque opposed to the torque producing the precession. In one form, Figs. 1 to 4, two gyros G<1>, G<2>, each stabilizing about a different horizontal axis, are mounted upon a pair of cardan rings 1, 2 pivoted within a pair of brackets 3; rotor frames 4, 5 are supported above and below from the ring 2 so as to be rotatable on horizontal axes at right-angles to each other, the centre of gravity of the gyros being arranged preferably below their pivots 6, 7. The gyro G<1> controls a two-way contact system 10, 11, 12, the contacts 10, 11 being insulated from each other and mounted upon the ring 4. The contacts control electro-magnetic clutches in the train of a constantly-running motor 18 tending to drive sectors 36, 40 carried respectively by a bail 14 secured to the ring 2, and by the ring 1. If an external force is applied which tends to rotate the gyro G<1> down into the plane of the paper, Fig. 1, the gyro G<1> will precess to the left and the contacts will cause to be energized the clutch for driving the bail 14 tending to rotate it down into the plane of the paper, the resulting torque caus. ing the gyro to precess back. The control-motor shaft 19, Fig. 4, drives bevel-gears 20 each driving in opposite direction a pair of friction wheels 28, 29, Fig. 2; these wheels are mounted in a rocking frame provided with an armature 34 which is moved by one or other of electro-magnets 37<1>, 38<1>, according to the contacts 10 or 11 brought into play, to rock one of the friction wheels into gear with a large friction wheel 30 geared up to the sector 36, a similar drive being provided in connexion with the sector 40. In a modified construction, a gravity restoring-torque is induced by shifting the relative positions of the centre of gravity of the system and the points of support. A part of the ring 1<1>, Fig. 5, is broken away, and brackets 60 are provided; these brackets are connected by a yoke 67 pivotally secured to a hanger 62 pivoted about a centre 61. Spring-enclosed rods 70, 71 are slidably mounted in the brackets 60, and are pivoted to the hanger 62. Electromagnets 73, 74 are mounted on the brackets, and, when energized by the movement of the contacts 10<1>, 11', 12', they attract the hanger 62. According to a modification, the control is derived from the relative precession of two interconnected gyros, for which purpose they are mounted, with axes normally vertical and parallel, in a ring with three degrees of freedom, and are interconnected about both axes of oscillation so as to precess only in opposite directions. Equivalent electric contact arrangements are made. External forces are thus resisted by the reaction of both gyros, and acceleration pressures are neutralized.