Patent GB-186655-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in gyroscopic apparatus
IPC: G01C21/18
Filed: 1921-06-01
Abstract: 186,655. Gray, J: G. June 1, 1921. Gyroscopic apparatus. - Relates to apparatus for defining the vertical, or for stabilizing instruments of precision, on moving bodies such as aircraft, and comprises means for eliminating deviations due to motion in a curved path, this being effected by so arranging a pendulous gyroscopic system that its angular momentum has a component around an horizontal axis lying athwart the moving body, the value of this component being so adjusted that the torque resulting from its rotation around the vertical neutralizes the couple due to radial acceleration of the body. This component may be obtained either by mounting a single gyroscope in such a way that its axis can be inclined to the vertical or by having two gyroscopes, one of which rotates on a vertical axis while the axis of the other is inclined to the vertical. The system is provided with an erecting-device which operates by applying torques around the longitudinal axis of the moving body. Fig. 3<1> shows an arrangement comprising a gyroscope g secured to pivots p mounted in a frame F which is pivoted at p' to a ring f pivoted at p<2> to a support u, the axis p<2>, p<2> lying longitudinally of the moving body. Secured to one of the pivots p is a gear sector q gearing with a worm r by which the axis of the gyroscope can be set at the desired angle to the vertical. The arrangement shown in Fig. 4<1> comprises a gyroscope g, with a vertical axis, pivoted to a frame f having an extension to which is secured a gyroscope g' having an horizontal axis parallel to the pivots p<1>. In an alternative arrangement two gyroscopes are mounted in a common frame, one being secured thereto and having a vertical axis while the other is arranged so that its axis can be inclined in the manner shown in Fig. 3<1>. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 11, two gyroscopes 1, 1<1> are secured to pivots 2, 2<1> in frames 5, 5<1> so that their axis can be inclined by means of the worms 4, 4<1> and sectors 3, 3<1>. The frames 5, 51 are mounted on pivots 6, 6<1> in a common frame 7 which is mounted on pivots 8 in a support 9, the axis 8, 8 lying longitudinally of the moving body. The pivots 6, 6<1> are connected by cranks 11 and a rod 12 so that the gyroscopes process equally in opposite directions. Fig. 5 shows one form of erecting-device, comprising a plate 3 forming part of the pivoted system and carrying two horizontal rods 5, 5' mounted on vertical pivots 4, 4' and carrying weights 6, 6'. The rods have magnetic portions 9, 9<1> adapted to be attracted by electromagnets 10, 10<1>, and also carry contacts 7, 7<1> coacting with contacts 8, 8<1> carried by the plate 3. The magnets are periodically energized and de-energized by means of a slowly rotating commutator and the pairs of contacts 7, 8, 7', 8<1> are included in the circuit of a reversible motor 11 carried by the plate 3 and carrying on its spindle a boss 12 having radial spokes to which are secured flat vanes 13. Should the plate be tilted on the pivots p', p<1> and the magnets de-energized, one of the rods moves to complete the circuit of the motor, the direction of rotation depending on which of the switches is closed. The rotation of the vanes produces an erecting torque around the longitudinal axis p<2>, p<2>. In a modification, the switches 7, 8, 7', 8<1> control the circuits of two electromagnets which operate shutters adapted to uncover the nozzles of air-jets directed in the line p<1>, p<1>. In a further modification the switches control the circuits of two electromagnets arranged to effect displacement of two weighted horizontal pendulums. Specification 130,697 is referred to.