The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1982
Filed:
Oct. 03, 1979
Benjamin Klaus, Jr, Lexington, MA (US);
Gordon C MacKenzie, North Billerica, MA (US);
Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
A rate gyroscope having a spinning mass flexibly coupled to a rotor through a pair of orthogonally disposed, diametrically extending suspension arms. The spinning mass is adapted to pivot about the arms in response to a pair of orthogonal angular rates being measured by the gyroscope. The angular orientation of the mass with respect to the gyroscope housing provides an indication of the angular rates. An optical sensor system disposed within the housing of the gyroscope and supporting electronics are used to produce an electrical signal representative of the angular orientation of the mass and, hence, such signal provides a measurement of a pair of angular rates being measured by the gyroscope. Such sensor system includes a tilted mirror attached to an axial end of the spinning mass which reflects collimated light rays from a light emitting diode, through a reticle, to a silicon diode detector. The light passing through the reticle is modulated in accordance with the angular orientation of the spinning mass, and hence, in accordance with the angular rates being measured. The signal data is converted into an electrical signal, which after amplification and processing provides a measurement of the angular rates, such as pitch and yaw.