Suspension component for a gyroscope in high shock environments

• US 20070119250A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Anderson, Rick, Burlingame, Roger, Engelman, Sams, Olsen, Doug, Maier, Eric, Krieger, Larry
• Granted Patent: US 7,497,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/493
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/16 Suspensions; Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1282 with rotor drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1293 Flexure hinges for gyros

Abstract

An apparatus in one example has: a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component; and the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain high linear spring rates, that are higher than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined increased dynamic loading of the suspension component.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component; and

the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain higher linear spring rates, than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined dynamic loading of the suspension component.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first component is operatively coupled to a rotateable shaft of a gyroscope, and wherein the second component is operatively coupled to at least a rotor of the gyroscope.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gyroscope is a two degree of freedom gyroscope.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gyroscope is a one degree of freedom gyroscope.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component;

the suspension component having at least first and second pairs of suspension structures; and

each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures having at least a spring arm portion; and

at least one mechanical stop.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one mechanical stop is integral with the suspension component.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises a shaft coupled to the first component, the shaft extending through the second component and the suspension component, and wherein the at least one mechanical stop is formed by a gap between a portion of the shaft and a portion of the second component.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises a rotor coupled to the second component, wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing surrounding at least the rotor, and wherein the at least one mechanical stop is a formed by a gap between a portion of the rotor and a portion of the housing.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing surrounding at least the suspension component, and wherein the at least one mechanical stop is a formed by a gap between a portion of the suspension component and a portion of the housing.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures has at least first and second mirror image opposed meandering mechanical stops.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second mirror image opposed meandering mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to linear forces on the apparatus while allowing movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to angular forces on the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first and second mirror image opposed meandering mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another to approximately 0.003 inches.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the spring arm portion has a substantially figure eight configuration, and wherein the first and second components are operatively coupled only via the spring arm portion.

14. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first and second pairs of suspension structures are substantially evenly spaced around the suspension component.

15. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein suspension component is a gimbal, wherein the first pair of suspension structures are operatively coupled between the gimbal and the first component, and wherein the second pair of suspension structures are operatively coupled between the gimbal and the second component.

16. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures has at least first and second pairs of opposed mechanical stops, the pairs of opposed mechanical stops oriented at substantially 90 degrees relative to one another.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first and second pairs of opposed mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to linear forces on the apparatus while allowing movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to angular forces on the apparatus.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first and second pairs of opposed mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another to approximately 0.003 inches.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the spring arm portion has a substantially I-shaped configuration, and wherein the first and second components are operatively coupled only via the spring arm portion.

20. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the suspension component is a one-piece component of 6AL-4V Titanium.

21. A two degree of freedom rate gyroscope comprising:

a spinning mass having a longitudinal spin axis;

a shaft for rotating the spinning mass, the shaft aligned to the longitudinal spin axis;

a suspension component that operatively couples the shaft to the spinning mass;

the suspension component having at least first and second pairs of suspension structures; and

each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures having mechanical stops, and having a spring arm portion.

22. The gyroscope according to claim 21, wherein the suspension component has at least first and second mirror image opposed mechanical stops.

23. The gyroscope according to claim 22, wherein the first and second mirror image opposed mechanical stops limit movement of the shaft and spinning mass relative to one another due to linear forces on the gyroscope while allowing movement of the shaft and spinning mass relative to one another due to angular forces on the gyroscope.

24. The gyroscope according to claim 21, wherein the shaft is coupled to a first end of the suspension component, wherein the spinning mass surrounds a portion of the shaft and is coupled to a second end of the suspension component, and wherein the portion of the shaft is space apart from the second end of the suspension component to thereby form a further stop for the suspension component.

25. A one degree of freedom rate gyroscope comprising:

a spinning mass having a longitudinal spin axis;

a shaft for rotating the spinning mass, the shaft aligned to the longitudinal spin axis;

at least first and second pairs of suspension structures that operatively couple the shaft to the spinning mass;

each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures having mechanical stops, and having a spring arm portion; and

the spinning mass being rotatable in an angular direction about the longitudinal spin axis, but substantially non-rotatable in other angular directions.

26. The gyroscope according to claim 25, wherein the first and second pairs of suspension structures are substantially evenly spaced around the suspension component.

27. The gyroscope according to claim 25, wherein each of the first and second pairs of suspension structures is a one-piece component of 6AL-4V Titanium.