Bell gyro and method of making same

Claim 2

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis extending in a predetermined direction: a. a platform; b. a post upstanding from said platform at said axis; c. a bell-like member having an axis substantially coincident with said axis, having a center region supported by said post, and depending from the top of the post to telescope over said post and to define a lip adjacent the platform and capable of low loss radial vibrations; d. forcer means supported from the platform and operative to impart radial lip vibrations defining nodal and antinodal regions spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor means supported from the platform and responsive to radial vibration of the lip at at least one of said nodal regions whereby the vibrations sensed thereat vary in accordance with the rotation of said platform about said axis; f. one of said forcer and sensor means supported by said post within the confines of the bell-like member and forming a rigid integral structure within said post; and g. one of said post and bell member having a stem and the other a bore to receive said stem for positioning said bell member radially with respect to said axis and for allowing said lip to be positioned circumferentially with respect to said one of said forcer and sensor means.

Claim 3

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis extending in a predetermined direction: a. a platform; b. a post carried by said platform and extending therefrom about said axis; c. a bell-like conductive member having a center region supported by said post and having annular sides symmetrical about said axis encircling said post and capable of low loss radial vibrations relative thereto; d. forcer electrode means forming an integral structure with said post and defining a conductive face concentric about said axis and in juxtaposition with an inside face of the member to impart when electrically energized radial vibrations in said sides to define nodal and anti-nodal regions therein spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor electrode means forming an integral structure with sAid post and defining a conductive face concentric about said axis and in juxtaposition with an inside face of the member to respond in impedance variation to movements of the member at said nodes, whereby the impedance sensed varies in accordance with the motion of said platform about said axis; f. guard electrode means enveloping the top, bottom, and sides, and inboard surfaces of said sensor electrode means and electrically isolated therefrom; g. a conductor insulatingly extending through said guard means to said sensor electrode; and h. one of said post and bell member having a stem and the other having a bore to receive said stem for positioning said bell member radially with respect to said axis and for allowing said sides to be positioned circumferentially with respect to one of said forcer and sensor electrode means.

Claim 4

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis extending in a predetermined direction: a. a platform; b. a post carried by said platform and extending therefrom about said axis; c. a bell-like conductive member having a center region supported by said post and having annular sides symmetrical about said axis encircling said post and capable of low loss radial vibrations relative thereto; d. forcer electrode means forming an integral structure with said post and defining a conductive face concentric about said axis and in juxtaposition with an inside face of the member to impart when electrically energized radial vibrations in said sides to define nodal and anti-nodal regions therein spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor electrode means forming an integral structure with sAid post and defining a conductive face concentric about said axis and in juxtaposition with an inside face of the member to respond in impedance variation to movements of the member at said nodes, whereby the impedance sensed varies in accordance with the motion of said platform about said axis; f. guard electrode means enveloping the top, bottom, and sides, and inboard surfaces of said sensor electrode means and electrically isolated therefrom; g. a conductor insulatingly extending through said guard means to said sensor electrode; and h. one of said post and bell member having a stem and the other having a bore to receive said stem for positioning said bell member radially with respect to said axis and for allowing said sides to be positioned circumferentially with respect to one of said forcer and sensor electrode means.

Claim 5

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis in a predetermined direction: a. a platform; b. a bell-like member having a center region supported from said platform by a stem along said axis, said center region having annular sides extending therefrom symmetrically about said axis and capable of low loss radial vibrations relative thereto; c. a post carried by said platform and extending therefrom towards said stem along said axis; d. forcer means disposed on said platform and operative to impart in said sides radial vibrations defining nodal and antinodal regions spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor means disposed on said platform and responsive to radial movements of a said nodal region thereof whereby the movements sensed thereat vary in accordance with motion of said platform about said axis; and f. one of said forcer and sensor means supported by said post within the confines of the bell member, forming a rigid integral structure with said post, and having a face concentric about said axis.

Claim 6

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis in a predetermined direction: a. a platform; b. a bell-like member having a center region supported from said platform by a stem along said axis, said center region having annular sides extending therefrom symmetrically about said axis and capable of low loss radial vibrations relative thereto; c. a post carried by said platform and extending therefrom towards said stem along said axis; d. forcer means disposed on said platform and operative to impart in said sides radial vibrations defining nodal and antinodal regions spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor means disposed on said platform and responsive to radial movements of a said nodal region thereof whereby the movements sensed thereat vary in accordance with motion of said platform about said axis; and f. one of said forcer and sensor means supported by said post within the confines of the bell member, forming a rigid integral structure with said post, and having a face concentric about said axis.

Claim 7

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis in a predetermined direction; a. a platform; b. a bell-like conductive member having a center region supported from said platform by a stem on said axis said center region having annular sides extending symmetrically therefrom along said axis and capable of low loss radial vibrations relative thereto; c. a post carried by said platform and extending therefrom towards said stem along said axis; d. forcer means forming a rigid integral structure with said post and having a face concentric about said axis, said forcer means operative to impart radial vibrations in said sides defining nodal and anti-nodal regions spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor electrode means forming a rigid integral structure with said post and having a face concentric about said axis, said sensor electrode means responsive to radial movements in said sides at said nodal region whereby the movements sensed vary in accordance with motion of said platform about said axis; f. guard electrode means enveloping the top, bottom and sides, and inboard surfaces of said sensor electrode means and electrically isolated therefrom; and g. a conductor insulatingly extending through said guard means to said sensor electrode means.

Claim 8

In an apparatus for sensing motion having a component about an axis in a predetermined direction; a. a platform; b. a bell-like conductive member having a center region supported from said platform by a stem on said axis said center region having annular sides extending symmetrically therefrom along said axis and capable of low loss radial vibrations relative thereto; c. a post carried by said platform and extending therefrom towards said stem along said axis; d. forcer means forming a rigid integral structure with said post and having a face concentric about said axis, said forcer means operative to impart radial vibrations in said sides defining nodal and anti-nodal regions spaced circumferentially thereabout; e. sensor electrode means forming a rigid integral structure with said post and having a face concentric about said axis, said sensor electrode means responsive to radial movements in said sides at said nodal region whereby the movements sensed vary in accordance with motion of said platform about said axis; f. guard electrode means enveloping the top, bottom and sides, and inboard surfaces of said sensor electrode means and electrically isolated therefrom; and g. a conductor insulatingly extending through said guard means to said sensor electrode means.

Claim 9

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a platform defining a floor and a cylindrical post upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a spider-like conducting shield ring having a cylindrical hub in secure engagement with said post and plurality of spokes extending radially from said hub thereby defining a series of segmental spaces; c. a guard tab secured in each said space by insulating cement and spaced thereby from said floor and spikes; d. a guard cage in each said space comprised of a top, a cylindrical web portion depending therefrom and mated to said guard tab, and sets of arms mated to and bounding said web portion and extending radially therefrom, said web portion secured in spaced juxtaposition from said shield hub by insulating cement, and sAid arms bounding said shield spokes and secured spaced therefrom by insulating cement; e. an electrode tooth secured in each said space by insulating cement and spaced thereby from said top, said tab, said web portion, and said arms; f. a bell-like member having a center region supported along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and said outer surfaces of said electrode teeth, said sides capable of low loss radial vibrations; g. first circuit means connected to a first of said electrode teeth and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said tooth 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 a second electrode tooth located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibration developed at said nodal region by the effects of said side vibrations and rotation of the platform about said axis.

Claim 10

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a platform defining a floor and a cylindrical post upstanding therefrom along said axis; b. a spider-like conducting shield ring having a cylindrical hub in secure engagement with said post and plurality of spokes extending radially from said hub thereby defining a series of segmental spaces; c. a guard tab secured in each said space by insulating cement and spaced thereby from said floor and spikes; d. a guard cage in each said space comprised of a top, a cylindrical web portion depending therefrom and mated to said guard tab, and sets of arms mated to and bounding said web portion and extending radially therefrom, said web portion secured in spaced juxtaposition from said shield hub by insulating cement, and sAid arms bounding said shield spokes and secured spaced therefrom by insulating cement; e. an electrode tooth secured in each said space by insulating cement and spaced thereby from said top, said tab, said web portion, and said arms; f. a bell-like member having a center region supported along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and said outer surfaces of said electrode teeth, said sides capable of low loss radial vibrations; g. first circuit means connected to a first of said electrode teeth and operative to develop a varying potential difference between said tooth 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 a second electrode tooth located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibration developed at said nodal region by the effects of said side vibrations and rotation of the platform about said axis.

Claim 11

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 inner periphery of predetermined contour and supported by a cylindrical post telescoped within the same, the steps comprising: a. securing a disk of electrode material in a cup-like member defining a floor and said cylindrical post, the disk having a base adjacent said floor and being composed of an outer ring with internally-extending radially-oriented teeth, one tooth for each electrode, the teeth defining at their inboard ends a cylindrical surface in spaced relation to said post, the teeth being insulatingly separated from each other, the post, and the floor, and the entire assembly forming a rigid integral structure; and b. removing electrode material from the periphery of the disk to points inboard of the outer ring to form tooth fragments insulated from each other and defining electrodes, the outer face of the resulting device being substantially the contour of the inner periphery of the bell-like member so as to receive the same.

Claim 12

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 inner periphery of predetermined contour and supported by a cylindrical post telescoped within the same, the steps comprising: a. securing a disk of electrode material in a cup-like member defining a floor and said cylindrical post, the disk having a base adjacent said floor and being composed of an outer ring with internally-extending radially-oriented teeth, one tooth for each electrode, the teeth defining at their inboard ends a cylindrical surface in spaced relation to said post, the teeth being insulatingly separated from each other, the post, and the floor, and the entire assembly forming a rigid integral structure; and b. removing electrode material from the periphery of the disk to points inboard of the outer ring to form tooth fragments insulated from each other and defining electrodes, the outer face of the resulting device being substantially the contour of the inner periphery of the bell-like member so as to receive the same.

Claim 13

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 inner periphery of predetermined contour and supported by a cylindrical post telescoped within the same, the unit including shielded and guarded electrodes, the steps comprising: a. nesting, in a cup-like member defining a floor, said cylindrical post and a floor lip and a cylindrical rim, a spider-like conducting shield ring having a plurality of spokes terminating in spaced relation to the inner face of said rim and having a cylindrical hub in secure engagement with the post, thereby defining a series of segmental spaces; b. sliding a conducting guard base over the shield ring to seat on said floor lip, said guard base having a circular outer periphery in juxtaposition with the interior face of said rim and radial slots fitting over the spokes; c. telescoping a conducting disk into the assembly as thus made, the disk having a base mating with the top face of the guard base and being composed of an outer ring with internally-extending radially oriented teeth, one tooth for each electrode, the teeth fitting into the aforesaid segmental spaces, the teeth being in spaced relation to the shield ring at their inboard ends and sides; d. telescoping a conducting guard cage assembly inside of and between the teeth of the disk, the guard cage assembly comprising a top ring member seated on the outer ring having dependent radially extending conducting guard ring arms sandwiching the spokes of the shield ring and inboard part-cylindrical web portions located inside the teeth and joining adjacent ones of the guard ring arms; e. filling with an insulating cement the spaces between adjacent portions of said floor and guard cage, said shield hub and said guard web, sAid shield spokes and said guard arms, and said teeth and said guard base hub, arms, and top ring; and f. removing material from the periphery of the assembly thus made to points inboard of the outer ring to form electrodes from the tooth fragments having guard electrodes and shield electrodes between them.

Claim 14

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 inner periphery of predetermined contour and supported by a cylindrical post telescoped within the same, the unit including shielded and guarded electrodes, the steps comprising: a. nesting, in a cup-like member defining a floor, said cylindrical post and a floor lip and a cylindrical rim, a spider-like conducting shield ring having a plurality of spokes terminating in spaced relation to the inner face of said rim and having a cylindrical hub in secure engagement with the post, thereby defining a series of segmental spaces; b. sliding a conducting guard base over the shield ring to seat on said floor lip, said guard base having a circular outer periphery in juxtaposition with the interior face of said rim and radial slots fitting over the spokes; c. telescoping a conducting disk into the assembly as thus made, the disk having a base mating with the top face of the guard base and being composed of an outer ring with internally-extending radially oriented teeth, one tooth for each electrode, the teeth fitting into the aforesaid segmental spaces, the teeth being in spaced relation to the shield ring at their inboard ends and sides; d. telescoping a conducting guard cage assembly inside of and between the teeth of the disk, the guard cage assembly comprising a top ring member seated on the outer ring having dependent radially extending conducting guard ring arms sandwiching the spokes of the shield ring and inboard part-cylindrical web portions located inside the teeth and joining adjacent ones of the guard ring arms; e. filling with an insulating cement the spaces between adjacent portions of said floor and guard cage, said shield hub and said guard web, sAid shield spokes and said guard arms, and said teeth and said guard base hub, arms, and top ring; and f. removing material from the periphery of the assembly thus made to points inboard of the outer ring to form electrodes from the tooth fragments having guard electrodes and shield electrodes between them.

Claim 15

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a platform member including a base, a post upstanding therefrom along said axis, and at least one space formed in said platform radially from the axis; b. a guard located in said space and supported therein by electrical insulating means and defining a cage having an open end facing radially outwardly; c. a first electrode located in said cage and secured thereto by electrical insulating means disposed between the cage and said first electrode, said post, electrode, cage, ad insulating means forming a rigid integral structure; d. a bell-like conductive member having a center region supported along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and first electrode, said sides capable of low-loss radial vibrations; e. first circuit means connected to a second electrode and connected to be 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; f. second circuit means connected to said first electrode located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations developed at said nodal region by the effects of said side vibrations and rotation of the platform about said axis; and g. imperforate housing means affixed to said platform, telescoped over said bell member, whereby the atmosphere enveloping said bell may be predetermined.

Claim 16

In an apparatus for detecting motion of a platform about an axis: a. a platform member including a base, a post upstanding therefrom along said axis, and at least one space formed in said platform radially from the axis; b. a guard located in said space and supported therein by electrical insulating means and defining a cage having an open end facing radially outwardly; c. a first electrode located in said cage and secured thereto by electrical insulating means disposed between the cage and said first electrode, said post, electrode, cage, ad insulating means forming a rigid integral structure; d. a bell-like conductive member having a center region supported along said axis and sides flaring outwards therefrom over said post and first electrode, said sides capable of low-loss radial vibrations; e. first circuit means connected to a second electrode and connected to be 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; f. second circuit means connected to said first electrode located at a said nodal region, said second circuit operative to develop signals varying with the radial vibrations developed at said nodal region by the effects of said side vibrations and rotation of the platform about said axis; and g. imperforate housing means affixed to said platform, telescoped over said bell member, whereby the atmosphere enveloping said bell may be predetermined.