GB1083222A - Capacitor goniometer compass - Google Patents

Abstract

1,083,222. Measuring electrically. SANDERS ASSOCIATES Inc. April 15, 1965 [April 16, 1964], No.16341/65. Heading G1N. The direction of a magnetic compass 9 (Fig. 1) is electrically indicated by applying to four quadrant plates mounted on the housing 10 four signals having the same frequency, e.g. 15kc/s., but having 90‹ phase differences and measuring the phase of the voltage induced on a cardioidshaped plate mounted on the compass shaft 11 in capacitative relationship to the quadrant plates. The voltage induced on the cardioid-shaped plate (34), Fig.2 (not shown), which is supported on a card 26, is conducted by a neck (35) to a ring 36 so that a signal having the same phase is induced on ring 56 mounted on housing 10 to enable measurements to be taken without mechanical connections to the moving parts. The phase of the signal at terminal 57 is measured relative to one of the input signals by means of a phase meter which indicated the bearing directly, the compass being arranged so that when the housing is directed to the north zero phase shift is obtained. The magnetic compass 9 comprises four cylindrical magnets 17, 18, 19 and 20 mounted on shaft 11 and floats in a liquid 60 contained in housing 10. Housing 10 may be provided with sighting rings and beads or may be mounted in gimbals on a vehicle. If required for visual readings the shaft may be provided with a compass card and the top of housing 10 may be transparent and marked with lubber lines.