Patent GB-364625-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to gyro verticals
IPC: G01C19/44
Filed: 1930-09-29
Abstract: 364,625. Gyroscopic apparatus. SPERRY GYROSCOPE CO., Inc., Manhattan Bridge Plaza, Brooklyn, New York; and SPERRY DEVELOPMENT CO., Dover, Delaware, both in U.S.A.-(Assignees of Sperry, E. A. ; 682, Ocean Avenue, Brook. lyn, New York, and Carter, L. F. ; 129, Woodbridge Place, Leonia, New Jersey, both in U.S.A.) Sept. 29, 1930, No. 29162. Convention date, Dec. 14, 1929. [Class 97 (iii).] A gyro vertical comprises a gyroscope mounted in substantially neutral equilibrium with a normally vertical spinning axis and having universally mounted thereon a pendulum adapted, to control torques applied at an angle to the plane, of relative inclination of the pendulum and gyro when the latter is displaced from the vertical whereby the gyro is directly restored to the vertical without oscillation. In the form shown in the Figure, the gyro is supported by pivots 3 in the gimbal 1, which is journalled on an axis 21 in fixed brackets 2. The rotor 4 is secured to the shaft 5<1> of the electric motor 5. A two-stage air impeller 7 is also secured to the. shaft 5<1> and serves to draw air through f slots 8 in the top of the casing down through the motor and then through openings 9 into the lower hemispherical portion 10 of the casing. Within this portion of the casing the arc-shaped pendulum 11 is universally pivoted by means of the gimbal 13 to a bracket 15. A number of slots 16 are provided in the casing near the periphery of the pendulum bob so that when the gyro axis and the pendulum become relatively inclined a differential air now through the slots is created. The slots merge into horizontal channels 17 having nozzles 171 so that when air issues therefrom an erecting torque is applied to the gyroscope. The slots 16 may be designed to give the maximum torque for small inclinations. Means are provided for locking the pendulum in line with the gyro axis when the vehicle is accelerating. A plate 21 slidable on a stem 22 is normally maintained in the raised position by a spring 23. An electromagnet 24, when excited, draws down the plate 21 until it engages a flat surface 12<1> on the top of the stem 20 of the pendulum. To prevent lowering of the centre of gravity by the movement of the plate 22, an electromagnet 26 is adapted to raise simultaneously a slidable annular weight 25. Two small gyroscopes mounted to detect turn and change of speed respectively are adapted to close the circuits of the electromagnets 24, 26 when the vehicle accelerates. In a modification, the gyroscope casing is divided into two parts containing the rotor and pendulum respectively. The rotor is driven by jets of air led into the casing through hollow gimbals and trunnions. A portion of the incoming air is led through separate channels into the compartment containing the pendulum to be used for erecting the gyro. To temporarily suspend the erecting means, shut-off valves in the channels are closed by an electromagnet. In a further modification, the air used to drive the rotor is afterwards used to erect the gyro. To suspend the erecting means in this form, an electromagnet moves an arcuate slide, furnishing byepass openings to the atmosphere for the air. Specification 220,726, [Class 97 (iii), Thermometers &c.], is referred to.