GB854507A - Gyroscopic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

854,507. Gyroscopic apparatus. SPERRY GYROSCOPE CO. Ltd. March 28, 1957 [March 29, 1956], No. 10041/56. Drawings to Specification. Class 97(3) [Also in Group XXXIV] In a gyroscopic apparatus, the rotor is enclosed in a case which is gimbal supported inside a mercury filled chamber. The bearings between the chamber and gimbal are of the fluid flow type, the mercury being forced through them, by an electrodynamic mercury pump into the chamber. Two embodiments are described in which the bearings are conical and spherical respectively. An expansion chamber allows for differences in the thermal expansion of the mercury and solid members. In both embodiments, a constriction is incorporated in the mercury flow path whereby the mercury pressure between the bearing and seating surfaces is reduced to half of the supply pressure when the surfaces are centralised. With the conical bearings, relative movement of the chamber and gimbal to restrict the flow of mercury between bearing and seating at one bearing causes an increase of mercury pressure at that bearing and a corresponding reduction at the other so that the gimbal is centralised by the resultant hydraulic thrust. With the spherica bearings, each is separately centralised in its own seating; one of the bearings is secured to and determines the location of the gimbal relative to the chamber, and the gimbal spindle at the second bearing is slidable therein. Specifications 854,506 and 854,508 are referred to.