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handbook of modern sensors

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8.6 Gyroscopes 313<br />

8.6 Gyroscopes<br />

Next to a magnetic compass, a gyroscope is probably the most common navigation<br />

sensor. In many cases, where a geomagnetic field is either absent (in space) or is<br />

altered by the presence <strong>of</strong> some disturbances, a gyroscope is an indispensable sensor<br />

for defining the position <strong>of</strong> a vehicle. A gyroscope, or a gyro for short, is a “keeper<br />

<strong>of</strong> direction,” like a pendulum in a clock is a “keeper <strong>of</strong> time.” A gyro operation is<br />

based on the fundamental principle <strong>of</strong> the conservation <strong>of</strong> angular momentum: In any<br />

system <strong>of</strong> particles, the total angular momentum <strong>of</strong> the system relative to any point<br />

fixed in space remains constant, provided no external forces act on the system.<br />

8.6.1 Rotor Gyroscope<br />

A mechanical gyro is comprised <strong>of</strong> a massive disk free to rotate about a spin axis (Fig.<br />

8.10) which itself is confined within a framework that is free to rotate about one or<br />

two axes. Hence, depending on the number <strong>of</strong> rotating axes, gyros can be either <strong>of</strong><br />

a single-, or two-degree-<strong>of</strong>-freedom type. The two qualities <strong>of</strong> a gyro account for it<br />

usefulness are as follows: (1) the spin axis <strong>of</strong> a free gyroscope will remain fixed with<br />

respect to space, provided there are no external forces to act upon it and (2) a gyro<br />

can be made to deliver a torque (or output signal) which is proportional to the angular<br />

velocity about an axis perpendicular to the spin axis.<br />

When the wheel (rotor) freely rotates, it tends to preserve its axial position. If the<br />

gyro platform rotates around the input axis, the gyro will develop a torque around<br />

a perpendicular (output) axis, thus turning its spin axis around the output axis. This<br />

phenomenon is called the precession <strong>of</strong> a gyro. It can be explained by Newton’s law<br />

<strong>of</strong> motion for rotation: The time rate <strong>of</strong> change <strong>of</strong> angular momentum about any given<br />

axis is equal to the torque applied about the given axis. That is to say, when a torque<br />

T is applied about the input axis, and the speed ω <strong>of</strong> the wheel is held constant, the<br />

Fig. 8.10. Mechanical gyroscope with a single degree <strong>of</strong> freedom.

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