GyroscopesGyroscopes

A brief look into gyroscope technology and A brief look into gyroscope technology and products available.products available.

What is a gyroscope?What is a gyroscope?

The gyroscope effect was discovered in 1817 by Johann Bohnenberger and invented and named in 1852 by Léon Foucault for an experiment involving the rotation of the Earth.

What is a gyroscope?What is a gyroscope?

“ “...a device for measuring or ...a device for measuring or maintaining orientation,…”maintaining orientation,…”

Gyroscope EffectGyroscope Effect

Motion in a gyroscope is perpendicular to the Motion in a gyroscope is perpendicular to the motion of the force applied to the gyroscope, this motion of the force applied to the gyroscope, this

motion is called precession.motion is called precession.

Where are they used?Where are they used?

Aircraft autopilots rely on gyroscopes to Aircraft autopilots rely on gyroscopes to account for changes in direction & altitude.account for changes in direction & altitude.

Spacecraft rely on gyroscopes for Spacecraft rely on gyroscopes for orientation while in space.orientation while in space.

Remote control flying devices, helicopters, Remote control flying devices, helicopters, some hovercraft, some planes, etc. rely on some hovercraft, some planes, etc. rely on gyroscopes to prevent them from flipping gyroscopes to prevent them from flipping over or going into a spin.over or going into a spin.

How does a gyroscope work?How does a gyroscope work?

Angular momentum of the Angular momentum of the wheel causes the gyroscope wheel causes the gyroscope to resist changes in to resist changes in orientation and angular orientation and angular momentum.momentum.

These changes can be These changes can be detected and used for detected and used for directional and acceleration directional and acceleration feedback to the operator or feedback to the operator or system.system.

How does a gyroscope work?How does a gyroscope work?

Based on the gyroscope Based on the gyroscope effect.effect.Gyroscopes can work on Gyroscopes can work on multiple axis.multiple axis.Mechanical equivalents Mechanical equivalents can be substituted for one can be substituted for one or more gyroscope or more gyroscope components.components.Fluid can be used in Fluid can be used in place of mounted gimbals place of mounted gimbals to suspend the to suspend the gyroscope.gyroscope.

How does a gyroscope work?How does a gyroscope work?

What type of gyroscopes are What type of gyroscopes are available?available?

Spinning Mass GyroSpinning Mass Gyro Mass spins stadily within the gyro with free movables axis Mass spins stadily within the gyro with free movables axis

(gimbals).(gimbals).

Optical GyroscopeOptical Gyroscope Laser rays reflect many times within an enclosure, any changes Laser rays reflect many times within an enclosure, any changes

in orientation will be registered as changes between the moment in orientation will be registered as changes between the moment of the laser emittance to eventual reception.of the laser emittance to eventual reception.

Vibrating GyroscopeVibrating Gyroscope Determines rate of turn by a vibrating resonator and its change Determines rate of turn by a vibrating resonator and its change

in vibrations from the original vibrating direction.in vibrations from the original vibrating direction.

Gas Rate GyroGas Rate Gyro Sprays gas on heated coils, when a change in direction occurs Sprays gas on heated coils, when a change in direction occurs

the spray is curved resulting in a change in the temperature of the spray is curved resulting in a change in the temperature of the coils. (Currently unpractical because of the numerous the coils. (Currently unpractical because of the numerous factors involved.)factors involved.)

Questions?Questions?