Tuned gyroscope with dynamic absorber

• US 4,596,158 A
• Filed: 01/05/1983
• Issued: 06/24/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Strugach, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US06/455,667
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 74/5.5, 74/574, 74/5 R, 74/5 F
• US Class Current: 74/5.00F
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/04 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/22 torsional
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1257 Damping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1293 Flexure hinges for gyros
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2131 Damping by absorbing vibration force [via rubber, elastomeric material, etc.]

Abstract

A tuned gyroscope incorporates a dynamic absorber for lessening the transmissibility of resonant vibrations. A damping mass is symmetrical about a rotating element of the gyroscope. A symmetrical arrangement of elastomeric material is utilized to mount the mass to such rotating element. The mass and elastomeric material are so chosen with respect to geometry and material composition that out-of-phase vibrations are induced within the damping apparatus upon the onset of resonant vibrations to minimize the transmissibility of such vibrations with respect to the elements of the tuned gyroscope.

Claims

1. A tuned gyroscope comprising, in combination:

(a) a flexibly mounted rotor;

(b) a reactive mass, said mass being substantially symmetrical about the spin axis of said rotor; and

(c) means mounting said mass for rotation with said rotor, said means including at least one elastomeric body.

2. A tuned gyroscope as defined in claim 1 wherein said mass is fixed to the rotor of said gyroscope.

3. A tuned gyroscope as defined in claim 1 wherein said mass is fixed to the shaft of said gyroscope.

4. A tuned gyroscope as defined in claim 1 wherein said mass is fixed to the rotor stop of said gyroscope.

5. A tuned gyroscope as defined in claim 1 additionally characterized in that said reactive mass is ring shaped.

6. A tuned gyroscope as defined in claim 5 further including elastomeric material adjacent the inner edge of said ring shaped reactive mass.

7. A tuned gyroscope as defined in claim 6 wherein said elastomeric material is arranged so that said ring shaped reactive mass is fixed to and axially disposed with respect to the rotor stop of said tuned gyroscope.

9. An absorber as defined in claim 1 wherein said mass is the rotor of said gyroscope.

10. An absorber as defined in claim 1 wherein said mass is fixed to the shaft of said gyroscope.

11. An absorber as defined in claim 1 wherein said mass is fixed to the rotor stop of said gyroscope.

12. An absorber as defined in claim 1 additionally characterized in that said reactive mass is ring shaped.

8. An absorber for reducing the transmissibility of resonant vibrations in a tuned gyroscope of the type that includes a flexibly-mounted rotor, said absorber comprising in combination:

(a) a reactive mass, said mass being substantially symmetrical about the spin axis of said rotor; and

(b) mean mounting said mass for rotation with said rotor, said mass inclduing at least one elastomeric body.

13. An absorber as defined in claim 13 further including elastomeric material adjacent the inner edge of said ring shaped reactive mass.

14. An absorber as defined in claim 13 wherein said elastomeric material is arranged so that said ring shaped reactive mass is fixed to and axially disposed with respect to the rotor stop of said tuned gyroscope.