Analog integrating gyroscope
 |
Built from a 1980s RC helicopter mechanical rate gyro (futaba) and continuous rotation servo. The gyro normally has centering springs but they have been removed to increase sensitivity. The gyro has a hall effect sensor in it and an analog circuit which generates PWM pulses that the servo uses as a velocity control. A 3 axis version of this arrangement is what made the Apollo guidance computer so accurate at knowing its own pose over long distances and times. This single axis version could be a gyrocompass in a robot or aircraft, to maintain heading even if the magnetic compass quits working etc Now we have laser ring gyros and other extremely accurate solid state sensors and amazing computational power and algorithms to integrate the readings to probably surpass any internal flywheel arrangements accuracy. submitted by /u/chrismofer |
