Suspension component for a gyroscope in high shock environments

• US 7,497,139 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Anderson, Rick, Burlingame, Roger, Engelman, Sams, Olsen, Doug, Maier, Eric, Krieger, Larry Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; Tisha D
• Application Number:
  US11/289,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20070119250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 74/57, 74/5.F
• US Class Current: 74/5.7
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/16 Suspensions; Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1282 with rotor drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1293 Flexure hinges for gyros

Abstract

An apparatus in one example has: a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component; and the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain high linear spring rates, that are higher than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined increased dynamic loading of the suspension component.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component;

the suspension component having at least first and second pairs of suspension structures; and

each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures having at least a spring arm portion; and

at least one mechanical stop;

wherein the apparatus further comprises a rotor coupled to the second component, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing surrounding at least the rotor, and wherein the at least one mechanical stop is formed by a gap between a portion of the rotor and a portion of the housing.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing surrounding at least the suspension component, and wherein the at least one mechanical stop is formed by a gap between a portion of the suspension component and a portion of the housing.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures has at least first and second mirror image opposed meandering mechanical stops.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second mirror image opposed meandering mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to linear forces on the apparatus while allowing movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to angular forces on the apparatus.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and second mirror image opposed meandering mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another to approximately 0.003 inches.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the spring arm portion has a substantially figure eight configuration, and wherein the first and second components are operatively coupled only via the spring arm portion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pairs of suspension structures are substantially evenly spaced around the suspension component.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein suspension component is a gimbal, and wherein the first pair of suspension structures are operatively coupled between the gimbal and the first component, and wherein the second pair of suspension structures are operatively coupled between the gimbal and the second component.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures has at least first and second pairs of opposed mechanical stops, the pairs of opposed mechanical stops oriented at substantially 90 degrees relative to one another.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second pairs of opposed mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to linear forces on the apparatus while allowing movement of the first and second components relative to one another due to angular forces on the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second pairs of opposed mechanical stops limit movement of the first and second components relative to one another to approximately 0.003 inches.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the spring arm portion has a substantially I-shaped configuration, and wherein the first and second components are operatively coupled only via the spring arm portion.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suspension component is a one-piece component of 6AL-4V Titanium.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical stop is integral with the suspension component.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a shaft coupled to the first component, the shaft extending through the second component and the suspension component, and wherein the at least one mechanical stop is formed by a gap between a portion of the shaft and a portion of the second component.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a two degree of freedom gyroscope.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a one degree of freedom gyroscope.

18. A two degree of freedom rate gyroscope comprising:

a spinning mass having a longitudinal spin axis;

a shaft for rotating the spinning mass, the shaft aligned to the longitudinal spin axis;

a suspension component that operatively couples the shaft to the spinning mass;

the suspension component having at least first and second pairs of suspension structures; and

each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures having mechanical stops, and having a spring arm portion;

wherein the suspension component has at least first and second mirror image opposed mechanical stops; and

wherein the first and second mirror image opposed mechanical stops limit movement of the shaft and spinning mass relative to one another due to linear forces on the gyroscope while allowing movement of the shaft and spinning mass relative to one another due to angular forces on the gyroscope.

19. The two degree of freedom rate gyroscope according to claim 18, wherein the suspension component is a one-piece component of 6AL-4V Titanium.

20. A two degree of freedom rate gyroscope comprising:

a spinning mass having a longitudinal spin axis;

a shaft for rotating the spinning mass, the shaft aligned to the longitudinal spin axis;

a suspension component that operatively couples the shaft to the spinning mass;

the suspension component having at least first and second pairs of suspension structures; and

each suspension structure of the at least first and second pairs of suspension structures having mechanical stops, and having a spring arm portion;

wherein the shaft is coupled to a first end of the suspension component, and wherein the spinning mass surrounds a portion of the shaft and is coupled to a second end of the suspension component and wherein the portion of the shaft is space apart from the second end of the suspension component to thereby form a further stop for the suspension component.

21. The two degree of freedom rate gyroscope according to claim 20, wherein the suspension component is a one-piece component of 6AL-4V Titanium.