Gyros Flashcards
What is a gyroscope?
A spinning mass which maintains rigidity in space due to its inertia
What does gyro rigidity increase with?
High gyro RPM
Greater gyro mass
Mass located at a greater distance from the gyros spin axis
Why is a gyro contained in gimbals?
To maintain some/all of its orientation in inertial space as the a/c pitch, yaws and rolls
How many gimbals, degrees and axes of freedom does a displacement gyro have?
2 GIMBALS
2 DEGREES of freedom
3 AXES of freedom
How many gimbals, degrees and axes of freedom does a rate gyro have?
1 GIMBAL
1 DEGREE of freedom
2 AXES of freedom
What is gyro wander?
Topple = motion in vertical plane
Drift = motion in horizontal plane
What is apparent wander caused by?
Change of orientation of the observer relative to the gyro
What is real wander?
Actual change of orientation of a gyro
Why do directional gyros drift over time?
Earth rotation
A/C manoeuvres
Transport error
