The Oscillogyro

Abstract

Part I of this paper describes, in a non-mathematical way, a new type of gyroscope suitable for stabilizing an inertial navigation platform. The instrument is shown to belong to a general family of free rotor gyroscopes and the advantages of this configuration are discussed. The construction of a practical instrument is briefly described. Part II of this paper contains a brief analysis of the oscillogyro. Its general equation of motion is derived and from it particular solutions are obtained which describe the response to steady rates of turn and to certain applied torques. It is shown that the instrument can be used to measure either the rate of turn or the total angular displacement, depending on the tuning and damping conditions. In either mode of operation the oscillogyro responds to angular inputs about any axis in a plane perpendicular to its drive-axis and may thus be classed as a two-axis instrument. The response to control torques may take a variety of forms, depending on the nature of the torque as well as on the damping and tuning conditions. It is shown that the motion can be deduced from the known results for angular inputs if the torque is harmonic and is applied about the spring-axis of the oscillobar.