Gimballed ouroboros compass device with digital logic

Details Gimballed ouroboros compass device with digital logic Gimballed ouroboros compass device with digital logic

1996-06-26

1998-05-19

Fulton, Christopher W.

Geometrical instruments

Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media

Magnetic field responsive

33360, 33364, 33363K, 33354, 33391, 33397, G01C 1726, G01C 1718

Patent

active

057523223

ABSTRACT:
A gimballed compass apparatus with digital logic is disclosed which provides directional and attitudinal data. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted slotted disk wherein the slot is continuously varying in width around the circumference of the disk. The disk incorporates an elongated magnet which cause it to rotate in relation to an external magnetic field. A first and second aperture are located on the top and bottom elements of the chamber defining a light passage. The apertures have a rectangular length approximately the maximum width of the slot. The slotted disk is positioned intermediate the apertures. A light housing is provided below the chamber and includes a light source. A linear array of source detector are provided above the chamber. Each source detector element provides a response proportional to the specific amount of light incident upon it. The light beam is reflected from the aperture by a mirror to a beam focusing device. The position of the disk is thus determinable directly from the light detected by the linear array of source detectors. The assembly is gimbal mounted. Triangular slots with continuously variable width are inscribed in gimballed housings. The inclination of the housings relative to the horizon is similarly determined directly by a second and third linear array of source detectors mounted on the adjacent gimbal housing. The linear array of source detectors may be a charge coupled device (CCD). The azimuthal measurement is constrained to occur only when the compass card is in horizontal or measuring plane. The primary use of the invention is as a gimbal mounted digital compass including an alphanumeric display output of bearing, pitch and roll angles.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3128386 (1964-04-01), Hughes
patent: 4047168 (1977-09-01), Fowler
patent: 4117602 (1978-10-01), Lapeyre
patent: 4577414 (1986-03-01), Migliori
patent: 4720631 (1988-01-01), Lapeyre
patent: 5079845 (1992-01-01), Childers
patent: 5448835 (1995-09-01), Lewis
patent: 5469630 (1995-11-01), Lewis

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