Compass.

Abstract

This invention relates to a non-magnetic compass for use in a moving military land vehicle, comprising a rapidly rotating platform having a north star-seeking columnar element that carries a sun-seeking telescope. Fibre optic bundles transmit sun rays from the telescope to a selected light sensor in a stationary circular sensor system concentric with the platform rotational axis. During one instant during each rotating cycle of the platform the telescope will sight the sun while the columnar element is simultaneously oriented to the north star; light rays are transmitted from the scope to a north-oriented sensor in the sensor system. The columnar element and telescope are periodically adjusted to take into account the geographical location of the vehicle and time of year.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 04, 1981
Accession Number
ADD008819

Entities

People

  • John G. Bennett

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Inventions
  • Platforms
  • Stationary
  • Telescopes

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.

Technology Areas

  • Space