GB149727A - Improvements in the suspension of gyroscopes - Google Patents

Abstract

149,727. Henderson, J. B. May 9, 1919. Gyroscopic apparatus.- In order to reduce the friction in the suspension of a gyroscope intended, for example, to be used as a compass on aircraft, the horizontal trunnion axis comprises two coaxial bearings one of which is a knifeedge, and the vertical trunnion axis also comprises two coaxial bearings, the intermediate elements of the bearings being oscillated by power taken from the gyro rotor. As shown in Fig. 1, the vertical gimbal ring 2 is pivoted in the horizontal ring 1, the following element 5 being pivoted on trunnions 6, 7 in the ring 2. The sensitive element is mounted in a ring 11 bearing in trunnions 12, 13 and suspended on the filar 20 fixed to the torsion head 21 carried by the stem of the trunnion 6. Pivoted on horizontal ball-bearing trunnions 15, 16 in the ring 11 is a ring 14; the trunnions 15, 16 also carry seatings supporting the knifeedges 18, 19 carried by the gyro casing 17. The ring 14 is controlled relatively to the casing 17 preferably by an air jet from the nozzle 28 passing through a shoot 29 carried by the ring 14, the shoot being divided by a twisted diaphragm. The eddies in the air jet maintain the ring 14 in a state of oscillation. The ring 5 is similarly controlled by a jet from the nozzle 31 passing through a hole in the trunnion 16 and entering a shoot 32. Gravitational control is imparted to the gyro by a level 33, as described in Specification 166,570. The level is pivoted at 37, 38 to the casing 17 and may be controlled by an air jet from the nozzle 50 passing into a shoot 51 carried by the bracket 39. The rings 2, 5, 11 can turn somersaults around the gyro when the aeroplane loops or rolls. To increase the amplitude of oscillation of the ring 5 or 14, the shoots 29, 32 may be replaced by pivoted vanes 65, Fig. 3, having fins 69 at one end, the motion of the vanes being limited by stops 70, 71. The pivots 66, 67 are so arranged that the vane is in unstable equilibrium when placed centrally in the jet issuing from the nozzle 73. Specifications 124,503. [Class 92 (i), Ordnance &c. mountings], and 104,191 also are referred to.