The Bendix Corporation

Howard E Schulien

William H Ficken

Michael J Lanni

Raymond M Bendett

Robert J Sgambati

Apparatus is operable gyroscopically to determine direction and to determine north. This apparatus includes a case (34), a gimbal (20) and a central gyro (10). The gimbal (20) is rotatably mounted in the case for rotating azimuthally. The central gyro (10) has transverse to its spin axis (16), a single degree of rotational freedom. This central gyro (10) is mounted in the gimbal (20) to rotate about its spin axis (16) and shift the degree of freedom between a vertical (12) and a horizontal (18) axis. The central gyro (10) has a transducer (28) and a torquer (26). The transducer (28) can sense motion about the single degree of freedom and can provide a deflection signal signifying this motion. The torquer (26) is connected to the transducer (28) and can respond to its deflection signal for applying a torque to the central gyro (10) tending to affect motion about the single degree of freedom, when this freedom is oriented along the vertical axis (12). The apparatus may be used to determine north when the single degree of freedom is vertical. The torque required to restrain motion about this degree of freedom can be measured. Thereafter, the spin axis (16) can be rotated azimuthally by 90 degrees and the torque required to restrain motion about the degree of freedom remeasured. The north to south direction is estimated by applying the torque measured before and after the 90 degrees of azimuthal rotation to a predetermined trigonometric formula.

Gyroscopic apparatus

A spiral groove bearing includes a dynamic lubricant reservoir internal to the bearing for providing a continuous flow of lubricant to the active portion of the bearing. The fluid pumping effect of the spiral groove bearing in association with a fluid pump arrangement distributes the lubricant, and the reservoir has an orifice including lubricant flow control means for applying sufficient lubricant to the bearing.

Dynamic fluid reservoir bearing

A dynamic bearing lubricant reservoir for permitting a continuous and centrifugally metered flow of lubricant to the active part of the bearing only when the bearing is in the dynamic state i.e. operating, for extending the life of the bearing without affecting its torque.

Centrifugally flow controlled lubricated bearing

An accelerometer has a liquid hydrostatic gimbal support. A pump is provided for circulating the liquid and a bellows allows for its thermal expansion. A sealed housing contains a pendulous mass and associated gimbal support geometry, and a pickoff and torquer are arranged in closed loop configuration, with the torquer current being indicative of an acceleration input.

Growing community of inventors

Montville, NJ, United States of America

Howard E Schulien