Bell gyro and method of making same

Claim 2

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base having a floor and a post upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a housing including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom about said post and axis and secured to said floor, whereby said base and housing form a rigid platform; c. a first electrode secured to and forming a rigid integral structure with said post and having a face concentric about said axis, and a second electrode secured to said housing; d. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region supported by said platform along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said first and second electrodes; e. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and f. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side at a said nodal region produced thereat by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 3

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a device about an axis comprising: a. a housing comprised of first and second housing parts which when connected together form an enclosure; b. a bell-like conductive member having a center region fixed to one of said housing parts along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom and capable of high-Q radial vibration; c. at least two electrode means supported by the other housing part and disposed closely adjacent said sides of said bell-like unit, one of said electrode means operative to impart a radial vibration pattern to said sides defining nodal and anti-nodal regions When said housing does not rotate about said axis, the other of said electrode means located at a said nodal region and operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side of said bell; and d. means for rigidly securing said first and second housing parts together to define an enclosure which contains said bell-like member, said last named means including means permitting adjustment of one of said housing parts relative to the other about said axis and a sealing means engageable with said first and second housing parts for maintaining said enclosure substantially airtight during adjustment of one of said housing parts relative to the other.

Claim 4

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a device about an axis comprising: a. a housing comprised of first and second housing parts which when connected together form an enclosure; b. a bell-like conductive member having a center region fixed to one of said housing parts along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom and capable of high-Q radial vibration; c. at least two electrode means supported by the other housing part and disposed closely adjacent said sides of said bell-like unit, one of said electrode means operative to impart a radial vibration pattern to said sides defining nodal and anti-nodal regions When said housing does not rotate about said axis, the other of said electrode means located at a said nodal region and operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side of said bell; and d. means for rigidly securing said first and second housing parts together to define an enclosure which contains said bell-like member, said last named means including means permitting adjustment of one of said housing parts relative to the other about said axis and a sealing means engageable with said first and second housing parts for maintaining said enclosure substantially airtight during adjustment of one of said housing parts relative to the other.

Claim 5

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base member; b. a housing member including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom, said side wall located about said axis and secured to said base; c. at least two electrodes secured to one of said members; d. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom and rotatably supported by the other of said members along said axis, and sides flaring outwards therefrom and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides defining a periphery located adjacent said electrodes; e. first means adjustably securing said housing to said base permitting rotation therebetween about said axis and thereafter forming a rigid platform of said housing and base, and second means operatively connected to said shaft and said other of said members for rotating said sides relative to said electrodes about said axis and for thereafter securing said bell unit to said other member; f. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and g. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 6

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base member; b. a housing member including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom, said side wall located about said axis and secured to said base; c. at least two electrodes secured to one of said members; d. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom and rotatably supported by the other of said members along said axis, and sides flaring outwards therefrom and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides defining a periphery located adjacent said electrodes; e. first means adjustably securing said housing to said base permitting rotation therebetween about said axis and thereafter forming a rigid platform of said housing and base, and second means operatively connected to said shaft and said other of said members for rotating said sides relative to said electrodes about said axis and for thereafter securing said bell unit to said other member; f. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and g. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 7

In the apparatus of claim 3, first sealing means disposed between said base and said housing permitting rotation therebetween about said axis, and second sealing means disposed between said shaft and said other member permitting rotation therebetween about said axis.

Claim 8

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base having a floor and a post member upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a housing member including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom about said post member and axis and secured to said floor, whereby said base and housing member form a rigid platform; c. one electrode secured to said post member and another electrode secured to said housing member; d. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom and rotatably supported by one of said members along said axis, and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post member and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said electrodes; e. means operatively connected to said shaft for adjusting said sides relative to said members; f. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrodes and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and g. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side at a said nodal region produced thereat by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said aXis.

Claim 9

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base having a floor and a post member upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a housing member including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom about said post member and axis and secured to said floor, whereby said base and housing member form a rigid platform; c. one electrode secured to said post member and another electrode secured to said housing member; d. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom and rotatably supported by one of said members along said axis, and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post member and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said electrodes; e. means operatively connected to said shaft for adjusting said sides relative to said members; f. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrodes and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and g. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side at a said nodal region produced thereat by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said aXis.

Claim 10

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base having a floor and a post member upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a housing member including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom about said post member and axis and secured to said floor, whereby said base and housing form a rigid platform; c. means securing said side wall member to said floor permitting relative rotation therebetween about said axis and thereafter forming a rigid platform of said housing member and base; d. one electrode secured to said post member and another electrode secured to said housing member; e. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom and rotatably supported by one of said members along said axis, and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post member and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said post member and side wall and defining a periphery located adjacent said electrodes; f. means operatively connected to said shaft permitting adjustment between said side and said members relative to said axis; g. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrodes and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and h. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 11

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base having a floor and a post member upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a housing member including an end wall and a side wall depending therefrom about said post member and axis and secured to said floor, whereby said base and housing form a rigid platform; c. means securing said side wall member to said floor permitting relative rotation therebetween about said axis and thereafter forming a rigid platform of said housing member and base; d. one electrode secured to said post member and another electrode secured to said housing member; e. a bell-like conductive unit having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom and rotatably supported by one of said members along said axis, and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post member and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said post member and side wall and defining a periphery located adjacent said electrodes; f. means operatively connected to said shaft permitting adjustment between said side and said members relative to said axis; g. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrodes and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and h. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 12

In the apparatus of claim 6, first sealing means disposed between said floor and said side wall permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, and second sealing means disposed between said shaft and said one member permitting adjustment between said sides and said members relative to said axis, whereby said adjustments may be made while a predetermined atmosphere is contained by said platform.

Claim 13

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base including a post having a bore therethrough along said axis and defining at least one space formed therein located parallel to and radial from said axis, said space having an opening facing radially from said axis; b. a housing comprised of an end wall and a side wall extending therefrom and defining at least one space formed therein located parallel to and radial from said axis, said space having an opening facing radially towards said axis, said side wall located about said axis and post and secured to said base, and said housing and base forming a rigid platform; c. one electrode secured in a said space formed in said post and another electrode secured in said space formed in said side wall; d. a bell-like conductive member, enclosed by said platform and having a center region, a shaft extending from said center region along said axis through said bore and rotatably supported by said post, and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said post and side wall and defining an inner periphery located adjacent one of said electrodes and an outer periphery located adjacent the other of said second electrodes; e. a first seal disposed between said side wall and said base permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, and a second seal disposed between said shaft and said bore permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, whereby said adjustment may be made while a predetermined atmosphere is contained about said sides by said platform; f. means operatively connected to said shaft and base for rotating said sides relative to said electrodes and for securing said bell member to said post; g. first circuit means connecTed to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and h. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 14

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base including a post having a bore therethrough along said axis and defining at least one space formed therein located parallel to and radial from said axis, said space having an opening facing radially from said axis; b. a housing comprised of an end wall and a side wall extending therefrom and defining at least one space formed therein located parallel to and radial from said axis, said space having an opening facing radially towards said axis, said side wall located about said axis and post and secured to said base, and said housing and base forming a rigid platform; c. one electrode secured in a said space formed in said post and another electrode secured in said space formed in said side wall; d. a bell-like conductive member, enclosed by said platform and having a center region, a shaft extending from said center region along said axis through said bore and rotatably supported by said post, and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said post and side wall and defining an inner periphery located adjacent one of said electrodes and an outer periphery located adjacent the other of said second electrodes; e. a first seal disposed between said side wall and said base permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, and a second seal disposed between said shaft and said bore permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, whereby said adjustment may be made while a predetermined atmosphere is contained about said sides by said platform; f. means operatively connected to said shaft and base for rotating said sides relative to said electrodes and for securing said bell member to said post; g. first circuit means connecTed to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; and h. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 15

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base comprised of a floor having an axially extending outer periphery, a post having a bore therethrough along said axis and axially extending openings located about the periphery thereof, said openings facing radially from said axis; b. a housing composed of an end wall and a side wall located about said axis, said side wall having an inner periphery with an abutment thereon and axially-extending openings therein located about and facing radially towards said axis; c. means secured to said side wall urging said floor of said base against said abutment of said side wall, permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, and thereafter forming a rigid platform of said base and housing; d. sealing means disposed between said inner periphery of said side wall and said outer periphery of said floor permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis; e. one electrode secured in a said opening formed in said post and another electrode secured in a said opening in said side wall; f. a bell-like conductive member enclosed by said platform having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom along said axis located axially by said post and radially by said bore, and side flaring outwards from said center region over said shaft and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said post and said side wall and defining an inner periphery located adjacent one of said electrodes and an outer periphery located adjacent the other of said electrodes; g. means operatively connected to said shaft and floor for adjusting said sides relative to said electrodes relative to said axis and for securing said bell member to said post; h. sealing means disposed between said shaft and said bore permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, whereby a predetermined atmosphere is contained about said sides by said platform; i. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; j. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 16

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a base comprised of a floor having an axially extending outer periphery, a post having a bore therethrough along said axis and axially extending openings located about the periphery thereof, said openings facing radially from said axis; b. a housing composed of an end wall and a side wall located about said axis, said side wall having an inner periphery with an abutment thereon and axially-extending openings therein located about and facing radially towards said axis; c. means secured to said side wall urging said floor of said base against said abutment of said side wall, permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, and thereafter forming a rigid platform of said base and housing; d. sealing means disposed between said inner periphery of said side wall and said outer periphery of said floor permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis; e. one electrode secured in a said opening formed in said post and another electrode secured in a said opening in said side wall; f. a bell-like conductive member enclosed by said platform having a center region, a shaft depending therefrom along said axis located axially by said post and radially by said bore, and side flaring outwards from said center region over said shaft and capable of high-Q radial vibration, said sides disposed between said post and said side wall and defining an inner periphery located adjacent one of said electrodes and an outer periphery located adjacent the other of said electrodes; g. means operatively connected to said shaft and floor for adjusting said sides relative to said electrodes relative to said axis and for securing said bell member to said post; h. sealing means disposed between said shaft and said bore permitting adjustment therebetween relative to said axis, whereby a predetermined atmosphere is contained about said sides by said platform; i. first circuit means connected to one of said electrodes and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said electrode and said side to establish therein a vibration pattern defining nodal and anti-nodal regions when the platform does not rotate; j. second circuit means connected to the other of said electrodes located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations of said side produced at a said nodal region thereof by the effects of said vibration pattern and the rotation of said platform about said axis.

Claim 17

In a method of manufacturing an apparatus for detecting rotation of a platform about an axis through the vibratory action of a bell-like member having an arcuate periphery of predetermined contour and supported along the axis by the platform: a. securing at least one conductive guard sleeve in a platform member having walls defining openings therein spaced equi-radially about said axis to receive a said sleeve in at least one opening, said sleeve having an axial portion defining inner and outer walls spaced from said wall opening; b. securing a rod of electrode material within at least one said guard sleeve, said rod having an axial portion defining an outer wall spaced from said inner wall of said sleeve axial portion; c. filling said spaces with insulating cement, said platform, sleeves, rods, and cement forming an integral structure; and D. removing material from the periphery of said platform member, sleeves, rods, and cement in a direction radial to said axis to points on said axial portions of said rods to define electrodes, said axial portions forming substantially the contour of the periphery of the bell-like member so as to receive the same.

Claim 18

In a method of manufacturing an apparatus for detecting rotation of a platform about an axis through the vibratory action of a bell-like member having an arcuate periphery of predetermined contour and supported along the axis by the platform: a. securing at least one conductive guard sleeve in a platform member having walls defining openings therein spaced equi-radially about said axis to receive a said sleeve in at least one opening, said sleeve having an axial portion defining inner and outer walls spaced from said wall opening; b. securing a rod of electrode material within at least one said guard sleeve, said rod having an axial portion defining an outer wall spaced from said inner wall of said sleeve axial portion; c. filling said spaces with insulating cement, said platform, sleeves, rods, and cement forming an integral structure; and D. removing material from the periphery of said platform member, sleeves, rods, and cement in a direction radial to said axis to points on said axial portions of said rods to define electrodes, said axial portions forming substantially the contour of the periphery of the bell-like member so as to receive the same.