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Gyroscopic devices

  • US 4,655,081 A
  • Filed: 02/20/1985
  • Issued: 04/07/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1984
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A gyroscopic device comprising:

  • a circular disc having first and second oppositely facing faces, and axis, and comprising an intergral mass of material having piezo-electric properties, said disc being adapted to be rotated about its axis at a rate of turn, said second face having an electrode;

    a plurality of first electrodes mounted in an axisymmetric formation on said disc first face;

    means for providing an AC voltage between said plurality of first electrodes and said electrode on said second face for causing, in conjunction with the piezo-electric properties of said disc, a pattern of strain to be generated within said disc, said pattern varying cyclically around said disc in a circumferential direction;

    a plurality of second electrodes axisymmetrically mounted on said disc first face and angularly displaced with respect to said plurality of first electrodes, said second electrodes emitting electrical signals which are generated by an interaction between said pattern of strain and the piezo-electric properties of said disc, said electrical signals varying when said disc is rotated about its axis due to an angular displacement of the cyclically varying strain pattern; and

    means for measuring said rate of turn from the variation of said electrical signals.

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