Compact gyroscopic compass with magnetic damping - has rotor axis inclination sensor consisting of body displaced on rotor axis exerting torque

摘要

The gyroscope frame is mounted so as to swivel w.r.t. the compass housing. A rotor swivels in all directions about a central point. A sensor detects the inclination of its axis. The sensor controls torques which permit and damp precession of the rotor axis in the meridian plane. The compass eliminates the undesired drift torques associated with similar devices and is more economical and compact. The sensor consists of a body (46) mounted on the gyroscope rotor (30) and moving in the rotor axial direction. The body occupies a position for which the common centre of mass of itself and the rotor coincides with the central point. When the rotor axis tilts, the body is displaced and exerts a torque causing meridian plane precession by virtue of its wt. A magnet system (64) exerts damping torques on the body.