Robert O. Westhaver - Westwood MA Donald W. Carow - East Walpole MA Frank R. Archibald - Needham MA
Assignee:
Northrop Corporation - Los Angeles CA
International Classification:
G01C 1902
US Classification:
74 5F
Abstract:
A flexure mount assembly particularly adapted for use in a dynamically tuned two-degree-of-freedom gyroscope to provide a universal coupling between a rotor element and a drive shaft. The mount features a substantially planar "spider" member normally oriented transversely to the spin axis of the rotor. The spider has four webs, each web extending radially from an inner central area associated with an inner gimbal ring to an outer annular area. The outer annular area is associated with an outer ring which is divided into four independent sectors. Each web has two sections and each section has the shape of two parabolas which intersect at their vertices. A central aperture roughly elliptical in shape is thus formed in each web. At both ends of each aperture, narrow radial slots are formed. Two mutually perpendicular "vertical" or cross flexure members each have key portions that extend in planes parallel to the spin axis through the radial slots.
Flexure Mount Assembly For A Dynamically Tuned Gyroscope And Method Of Manufacturing Same
Robert O. Westhaver - Westwood MA Gary Walker - Dover MA Menno G. Koning - Dover MA
Assignee:
Northrop Corporation - Los Angeles CA
International Classification:
G01C 1922
US Classification:
74 5F
Abstract:
A flexure mount particularly adapted for use in a dynamically tuned gyroscope provides a universal coupling between a rotor element and a drive shaft. The mount features a substantially planar "spider" member oriented transversely to the spin axis of the rotor. The spider has four webs that each extend radially from an inner gimbal ring to a segmented outer ring having four independent sectors each associated with and centered on one of the webs. Two mutually perpendicular "vertical" or cross flexure members each have key portions that extend through radial slots in the webs of the spider. The inner gimbal ring and the spider have central apertures coaxial with the spin axis. An alignment member is seated in the aligned apertures. The vertical flexure members are seated in a set of mutually perpendicular and axially extending slots formed in the alignment member. The spider and the cross members are preferably etched or stamped from precision rolled sheet material.