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Survey apparatus and method employing rate-of-turn and free gyroscopes

  • US 4,297,790 A
  • Filed: 06/25/1979
  • Issued: 11/03/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In apparatus for determining azimuth, the combination that comprises(a) a rate-of-turn gyroscope including a first rotor having a spin axis,(b) support means to support the gyroscope for lengthwise travel along another axis and to rotate about said other axis,(c) said gyroscope having first means for producing an output which varies as a function of azimuth orientation of the gyroscope relative to the earth'"'"'s spin axis, and(d) a free gyroscope operatively carried for movement along said other axis with said rate-of-turn gyroscope, said free gyroscope including a second rotor having a spin axis subject to re-orientation,(e) said free gyroscope also having means for producing an output which varies as a function of azimuth orientation of the free gyroscope,(f) other means responsive to the output of the rate-of-turn gyroscope to effect said re-orientation of the free gyroscope spin axis,(g) control means connected with said other means to periodically cause said other means to effect said alignment, while said travel is effectively interrupted, and(h) said support means supporting both gyroscopes for travel in a bore hole.

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