Eugene A Lasarge

US Patent:

45077371, Mar 26, 1985

Filed:

Oct 20, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/313207

Inventors:

Eugene A. LaSarge - Grandville MI
Franciscus Schermers - Grandville MI
Daniel L. Sugarbaker - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Lear Siegler, Inc. - Santa Monica CA

International Classification:

G06F 1550

US Classification:

364453

Abstract:

A heading reference system (100) for sensing vehicle heading relative to fixed inertial space is mountable in a vehicle such as a land-based vehicle and includes a two-degree-of-freedom (TDF) dynamically tuned gyroscope (150) responsive to vehicle rotation about pitch and yaw axes for generating rate signals indicative of the rotation. A caging loop (160) generates force signals for torquing the gyroscope (150) to a null position. A pair of accelerometers (186, 187) are responsive to misalignment of the vehicle relative to a horizontal plane formed by the pitch and roll axes. Processor circuitry (180) is responsive to the force signals, the misalignment of the vehicle relative to pitch and roll axes, and distance signals generated by an odometer unit (140) to apply heading signals to an indicator unit (120) for visually indicating to a vehicle operator the directional heading.

US Patent:

39410013, Mar 2, 1976

Filed:

Nov 9, 1973

Appl. No.:

5/414260

Inventors:

Eugene A. LaSarge - Grandville MI

Assignee:

Lear Siegler, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

G01C 1904

US Classification:

74 52

Abstract:

A control mechanism to dampen gimbal tumbling and to orient the axes of rotation of the rotor and the gimbals of a gyroscope when in an inoperative state. The control mechanism serves as an overriding stop to gimbal lock, dampens the gimbal rotation leading to tumbling and restores the gimbals to a given orientation upon the cessation of gimbal rotation. The overriding stop and dampening force in one embodiment are the plurality of cams and cam followers rotatably mounted and operatively connecting the inner and outer gimbals with the gyroscope frame, and in another embodiment a cam and cam follower arrangement rotatably mounted and operatively connecting the inner and outer gimbal in combination with a bearing surface operatively connecting the inner and outer gimbal with the gyroscope frame.