The Readout-Axis Stability of Elastic Nearly Spherical Gyro Rotors.

Abstract

Precision autocollimator readout of nearly spherical free-rotor gyroscopes, using a reflecting optical flat, requires that the normal to the flat be aligned with the rotor axis of maximum inertia and that the alignment remains stable during gyro operation. The normal to the flat is defined as the readout axis of the instrument; angular misalignments between the normal and the axis of maximum inertia are called 'flat position errors.' In previous reaearch, initial alignment to within 2 arcseconds has been achieved; however, rotor flat-position errors were found to vary significantly when the gyro spin speed or temperature was changed. This investigation studies the variations as elastic phenomena so that the accuracy and stability of readout-axis orientation in arbitrary free-rotor gyroscopes can be understood. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0743972

Entities

People

  • Benjamin Lange
  • William N. Blanchard

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Bearing (Direction)
  • Errors
  • Gyroscopes
  • Misalignment
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Position Finding
  • Precision

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.