Chapter 1 - Gyroscope Principles Flashcards
What are the two principal properties of a gyro?
- Rigidity in inertial space
- Precession
What are the three factors which govern gyroscopic rigidity or inertia?
- Rotor mass which is usually greatest at the rotor outer edge
- Rotor RPM
- Radius of rotor mass from gyro axle
What determines the direction of precession of a gyroscope?
90° in the direction of rotation
What does the rate of precession depend on?
- Direction of applied force
- Strength of applied force
- Gyroscopic rigidity
What are the two main types of gyroscope?
- Free gyro
- Tied gyro
Describe a rate gyro?
Inner gimbals are tied or restrained by springs so that the rate of precessing force can be controlled by the spring tension and measured
What are the normal uses of a rate gyro?
- Turn co-ordinators
- Turn and slip indicators
- Inertial platforms
Describe an Earth tied gyro?
Tied by gravity to give a reference to the surface of the Earth
Where are Earth tied gyroscopes usually found?
- Artificial horizons
- Gyro compasses
What are the methods of tying a gyroscope to Earth?
- Vacuum operated gyros
- Electrically driven gyros
- Pendulous
What defines the gyroscopes orientation?
Position of its spin axis
What is the angle between the inner and outer gimbal in straight and level flight?
90°
What information will a horizontal gyro tell you about the aircraft’s movement?
Rotation in yaw
What angular change in a vertical gyro represents the aircraft’s change in pitch?
Change in the angle between the inner and outer gimbal
What angular change in a vertical gyro represents the aircraft’s change in roll?
Change in the angle between the outer gimbal and the frame
What angular change in a horizontal gyro represents the aircraft’s change in direction?
Change in the angle between the outer gimbal and the aircraft
What is the First Law of Gyrodynamics?
If the rotor of a perfect displacement gyroscope is spinning at constant angular velocity and therefore, constant angular momentum, no matter how the frame is turned, no torque is transmitted to the rotor axis
What is the Second Law of Gyrodynamics?
If a constant torque is applied about an axis perpendicular to the spin axis of an unconstrained, symmetrical spinning body, then the spin axis will precess steadily about an axis mutually perpendicular to the spin axis and the torque axis
What might be the causes of real wander?
Bearing friction and an unbalanced rotor
What is gyroscopic resistance?
Equal and opposite force which opposes the initial torque applied to a precessing gyroscope
What is the formula which shows the relationship of rigidity with inertia, speed of rotation and precession force?
Rigidity = (SI)/F
What is the relationship between the precession formula and the rigidity formula?
One is a reciprocal of the other
Describe secondary precession?
When a torque is applied to a gyro, it initially dips at this point before it precesses
Once precession starts, friction in the gimbal bearings causes an opposing torque, which due to the ‘rule of thumb’, causes another precession and a dip through a larger angle
Describe nutation?
- Can only occur with a two degree of freedom gyro
- Can be damped to a large extent by manufacturers
- Most apparent when a gyro starts up
When can secondary precession occur?
- Can only take place when the gyro is already precessing
- Acts in the same direction as the originally applied torque
What is indicated if nutation occurs other than at start-up?
It is a fault
What is secondary precession also known as?
Nutation or nodding
How many degrees of freedom does a displacement gyro have?
Two
What is wander defined as?
Any movement of the spin axis away from the reference frame in which it is set
How is wander further resolved?
Drift - movement of the spin axis in the horizontal plane around the vertical axis
Topple - movement of the spin axis in the vertical plane around the horizontal axis
What are the two types of apparent wander?
Earth wander and transport wander
How can apparent wander be compensated for?
- Precession motors
- Small weights fitted to unbalance the gimbals