GB1023903A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1, 023, 903. Gyroscopic apparatus. BOFORS. A. B. Sept. 29, 1964 [Oct. 11, 1963], No. 39655/64. Heading G1C. A gyroscope for missile guidance is provided with internal pyrotechnical charges 4, 5, 6 for starting rotation of the rotor, the changes being adapted to be ignited by passing an electric current from an external source to an electric ignition device 7 within the rotor, the wires 19, 20 for passing this current extending through an axial bore of one of the rotor pivots so that as the rotor is started the wires 19, 20 are twisted off. The rotor comprises two parts 1, 2 which are screwed together to define a chamber 3 containing the primer charge 6 and two annular charges 7, 8. The part 1 contains two nozzles 8 having tangential discharge outlets. The rotor is mounted in a gimbal 13 in pivots 11, 12 the wires 19, 20 passing through the pivot 12. The gimbal 13 is journalled in a further gimbal 14 which is mounted on shafts 15,17 in the gyro frame 16. The gyro is caged by means of a spring loaded plunger 23 (Fig. 3) moving in a cylinder 24. The plunger 23 holds the gimbal 13 so that the spin axis of the rotor is approximately vertical with the missile in its launching position, so that when released the gyro can be used as a vertical reference for the missile. The plunger 23 is spring urged to release the gimbal 13, but is held down by a rod 25 passing through the cylinder 24. The wires 19, 20 pass through a holder 22 which is urged by a spring 27 to move down into the plane of Fig. 1 to remove the twisted off ends of the wires 19, 20 from the vicinity of the rotor. The holder 22 is held up by a wire 28 passing round the gyro frame 16, and fitted with an eye 30 through which the rod 25 passes. In use before launching the missile the rotor is brought to speed by igniting the charges 4, 5, 6. The rod 25 is attached to a stationary part of the launching equipment so that on launching the missile the gyro is uncaged and the wires 19, 20 removed from the vicinity of the rotor. To prevent the rotor from turning before starting and twisting off the wires 19, 20 prematurely a shift 31 (Fig. 3) is provided in the body part 1 and a thread 34 passed through it and holes 32, 33 in the gimbal 13. This thread is torn off when the rotor starts.