Gyroscopes Flashcards
Gyroscope
A wheel which spins on an axis
Rigidity
Reluctance to change direction of it’s spin axis
Precession
A force applied to the wheel of a spinning gyro acts at a point 90 degrees removed in the direction on the spin
Types
Space
Tied
Earth
Rate
Space (Free) Gyro
Freedom in all 3 planes mounted in two rings
No use to instruments
Tied
Space gyro with a means of external control in one or more planes to keep the gyro set ip and maintained in a certain direction
Used in a DG
Earth Gyro
Tied gyro controlled by gravity
Used in an AI
Rate Gyro
Freedom of motion in two planes
Measures rates of turn
Used in a TC
Wander
Movement or deviation from a set position
Horizontal Plane Wander
Drift (max at poles)
Earth rate drift can be corrected by a latitude screw
Vertical Plane Wander
Topple (max at the equator)
Can be prevented by gimbal stops
Horizontal Axis at the Pole
Max drift, no topple
Horizontal axis (E/W) at the Equator
No drift, max topple
Horizontal Axis (N/S) at the Equator
No drift, no topple
Vertical axis at the Pole
No drift, no topple
Vertical Axis at the Equator
No drift, max topple
Earth Drift Rate
360 degrees per day
15 degrees per hour
1 degree per 4 minutes
Ring Laser Gyro (RLG)
No moving parts and is a solid state rate sensor
2 lasers directed opposite to each other around a triangular path with one beam taking longer
Expensive but not affected by ‘g’ loading and are sensitive and highly reliable
Air Data Computer (ADC)
Receives input from aircraft pitot/static sources and temperature probe
Electrical signals are then sent to the displays (IAS, altimeter, VS, OAT, etc)
