Azimuth determination system and method therefor
US8099876B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C19/38
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An azimuth determination system has a platform. A plurality of gimbals is attached to the platform to allow the platform to rotate about multiple axes. A pair of gryos is attached to the platform. A leveling device is attached to the platform to indicate when the platform is at a desired position. A control device attached to the plurality of gimbals to move the platform to the desired position indicated by the leveling device. An electronics system is to provide power to the azimuth determination system and to determine azimuth by positioning the gyros in a first position with an input axis of the gyros in the horizontal plane and orthogonal to the Earth Rate vector to calculate a first output and rotating the gyros 180° about the vertical to a second position to calculate a second output, the platform is then inverted and an additional set of two readings is taken. The four outputs are combined to produce the azimuth value and a gyro induced bias error. The azimuth value of the autocollimator line of sight is transferred to the laboratory reference mirror.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.