Gyroscope north seeker system and method
US7412775B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C19/38
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor system and method for determining a relative direction to true north is provided. The system comprises at least one angular rate sensor, such as a MEMS sensor, which has an input axis and a rotation axis. The sensor comprises a motor drive structure, a motor signal output from the motor drive structure, a gyroscope, and a sensor rate output from the gyroscope for a sensor rate signal. A frequency divider is in operative communication with the motor signal output, and a spinning device is coupled to the angular rate sensor. A spinning device motor is coupled to the spinning device and is in operative communication with the frequency divider. The spinning device motor has an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the input axis of the sensor. The spinning device motor is configured to be driven by a periodic signal from the sensor. A position of the spinning device is synchronized to the periodic signal to generate a spinning device position signal. A phase detector is in operative communication with the spinning device motor and with the sensor rate output. The relative direction to true north is determined from a phase differential between the spinning dev…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.