Miniature north reference unit
US4123849A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1977 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C19/38
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The gyroscope operated in a strapdown mode and mounted on a float assembly with its spin axis extending in a vertical direction. The float assembly is free to rotate about any horizontal axis but is constrained from rotating about the vertical to assure an accurate azimuthal reference between the gyroscope and the case in which it is floating. The angle between an azimuthal reference line of the gyroscope and true north is obtained by measuring the amount of torque required to counteract precession of the gyroscope about a horizontal sensitive axis which would occur because of the horizontal component of the rate of rotation of the earth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.