Electronic compass

• US 4,250,626 A
• Filed: 08/20/1979
• Issued: 02/17/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harold Lazar
• Original Assignee: Harold Lazar
• Inventors: Lazar, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, Jr., William D.
• Application Number:
  US06/068,194
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 33/363 R, 33/363 Q, 33/363 L, 33/355, 33/361, 33/362, 33/357, 33/358, 33/359
• US Class Current: 33/363.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/26 using electric pick-offs for transmission to final indicator, e.g. photocell

Abstract

Set out herein is an electronic compass suitable for public use having a conventional pin supported magnetic needle which is placed over a set of magneto diodes or Hall devices arranged in quadrature. The magneto diodes or Hall devices are thus exposed to the highly enhanced magnetic field around the needle and will thus provide a direct readout, in electrical form, of the deviation from magnetic North. In this manner a relatively conventional arrangement of a magnetic needle may be utilized to provide the necessary signal source for electronic pick-off with the same accuracy obtained by a conventionally suspended arrangement practiced in the past.

Claims

1. A compass adapted to produce electrical signals indicative of the local magnetic North, comprising:

a permanent magnet dish magnetized as a rotor suspended for rotary alignment with the local magnetic North and said dish including a magnetic flux field proximate thereto;

a plurality of magneto diodes mounted adjacent said dish for sensing said magnetic flux alignment in the proximity thereof; and

electrical resolving means connected in circuit with said magneto diodes for producing electrical signals indicative of the alignment of said magnetic flux relative said compass.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said magneto diodes are aligned in quadrature relative each other.