Rate gyro isolation assembly

• US 5,927,680 A
• Filed: 07/01/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Quan, Gary, Shaw, Bob, Voorheis, Timothy J., Zorkocy, Randolph J., Markowitz, Morton, Bridges, Timothy E., Treybig, Lawrence W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAXTER, GWENDOLYN WRENN
• Application Number:
  US08/886,345
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 248/560, 248/562, 248/581, 248/610, 248/611-613, 248/638, 248/671, 248/672, 248/674, 248/675, 248/678, 248/580, 267/136
• US Class Current: 248/638
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/073 using only leaf springs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/16 Suspensions; Bearings

Abstract

A gyro isolation assembly (10) is provided including a cradle (24) having a base (26) and a plurality of reinforcement wall portions extending therefrom (28, 30). A first bracket (50) is provided for supporting a first end of the cradle (24) in a suspended manner and a second bracket (50) is provided for supporting a second end of the cradle (24) in a symmetrical suspended manner. The center of the cradle assembly is attached to the mounting surface, forming the primary fixed attach point (43). Each end is then attached to the surface via the brackets (50) that allow compliance in one direction, but are stiff in the other two directions. A mounting structure (12) is provided for supporting a gyro therein. The mounting structure is suspended between the reinforcement wall portions (28) of the cradle (24). A plurality of isolators (34) are disposed between the mounting structure (12) and the cradle (24).

Claims

1. A gyro isolation assembly for isolating a gyro from vibrational forces experienced by a surface of a vehicle with which said gyro is operably associated, said assembly, comprising:

a cradle having a base and a plurality of wall portions extending therefrom;

a first bracket supporting a first end of said cradle in a suspended manner relative to a surface, and a second bracket supporting a second end of said cradle in a suspended manner relative to said surface;

a mounting structure adapted for supporting said gyro therein, said mounting structure including a box having a plurality of sidewalls adapted to further enclose an electronics assembly; and

a plurality of isolators disposed between said mounting structure and said cradle for suspending said mounting structure between said wall portions of said cradle above said base.

2. The isolation assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second brackets are generally L-shaped and include a base portion and an upright portion extending generally perpendicular to said base portion, said upright portions of said brackets being fastened to said first and second ends of said cradle.

3. The isolation assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first and second brackets are made of a high strength yet relatively non-thermally conductive material.

4. The isolation assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one bond strap attached between said mounting structure and said cradle.

5. The isolation assembly according to claim 1, wherein said box having a base, and a cover, said box being adapted to support said gyro therein, said box further being adapted to enclose the electronics assembly associated with said gyro.

6. The isolation assembly according to claim 5, wherein said box is provided with a plurality of through holes for receiving a threaded member inserted through an opening in a corresponding one of said isolators.

7. The isolation assembly according to claim 6, wherein said isolators are fastened to said wall portions of said cradle.

8. The isolation assembly according to claim 7, wherein said isolators are disposed symmetrically about a center of gravity of said mounting structure.

9. The isolation assembly according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinally central portion of said cradle is provided with at least one aperture for receiving at least one fastener therethrough.

10. A method of isolating a gyro on an aircraft, comprising the steps of:

mounting a gyro and an associated electronics assembly in a support structure comprising a box;

using a plurality of isolators to suspend said support structure between a plurality of sidewalls of a cradle member, wherein said isolators are disposed between said support structure and said sidewalls of said cradle member at a plurality of corners of said support structure; and

suspending said cradle member at first and second ends from a pair of brackets secured fixedly to a surface of said aircraft.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of fastening a center portion of said cradle to said aircraft.

12. An assembly for use in isolating a gyro and a gyro electronics assembly disposed on a vehicle, comprising:

a support structure comprising a box, said support structure being adapted to be supported by a surface of said aircraft and being adapted to house said gyro and an electronics assembly within said box;

a cradle member having a base and a plurality of wall portions extending therefrom for suspending said support structure said cradle member having at least one central attachment point for attachment to said support structure;

a pair of brackets attached to opposite ends of said cradle member for supporting a first end and a second end of said cradle member in a suspended manner relative to a surface of said vehicle; and

a bond strap coupled to said support structure and said cradle member for grounding said electronics assembly.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said pair of brackets are generally L-shaped and include a base portion and an upright portion extending generally perpendicular to said base portion, said upright portions of said brackets being fastened to first and second ends of said cradle member.