Gyro compass

Free Gyroscope
A free gyroscope
is one mounted
so that it is free
to turn itself and
is known as the
3 degrees of
freedom of
movement.
Free Gyroscope

The 3 degrees of
freedom of movement:
1. Spin on its axle.
2. Incline to the
horizontal (tilt).
3. Turn in azimuth
(drift).
Free Gyroscope

Properties of a free gyroscope:

1. Gyroscopic inertia (rigidity in space)
This is the property of a spinning body by
which it tends to maintain its axis in space.

2. Precession: This is its tendency when

subjected to a torque (rotational force) to turn
about an axis at right angles to the axle of the
torque.
Rate of precession = applied torque / moment of inertia x rate of spin
Free Gyroscope

Properties of a free gyroscope:

1. Gyroscopic inertia (rigidity in space)
This is the property of a spinning body by
which it tends to maintain its axis in space.
The first property – Gyroscopic inertia

Gyroscopic inertia:
This is the property of a spinning body
by which it tends to maintain its axis in
space. Pointing to a fix point in space.
This is also known as Rigidity in space.
The first property – Gyroscopic inertia

Rigidity in space: Means the axle points will

maintain pointing at a fix point in space (all
the time). If the earth stays still (does not
rotate and revolve) then the gyroscope will
maintain pointing at the same direction.
However, we know that the earth rotates on its
axis therefore the gyro axle move to maintain
its point in space.
The apparent motion of the axle will be in the
same direction as the movement of the earth.
The first property – Gyroscopic inertia

Since the axle points at a fix point in space we

can refer the action of the axle to a star.
When the free gyroscope is set spinning it will
maintain following the star that is on the gyro
axle.
We can learn how the axle move by finding how
the star moves.
This can be done using figure drawings or
equidistant projections that you are familiar.
The first property – Gyroscopic inertia

We can separate the movement of the

axle into two parts: Tilt and Drift.
The axle will tilt and drift as a result of the
movement of the earth – rotate and
revolve)
The first property – Gyroscopic inertia
Definitions

Tilt is the angle of inclination of a gyro

axle to the horizontal plane correspond
to altitude.

Drift is the angle through the gyro axle to

the vertical plane correspond to
azimuth.
The first property – Gyroscopic inertia

Gyroscopic inertia:
This is the property of a spinning body
by which it tends to maintain its axis in
space. Pointing to a fix point in space.
This is also known as Rigidity in space.
 Earth rotates on its axis

Top View

N Pole

One of the properties of a free gyroscope is Gyroscopic

inertia. This is the ability of the axle of the free gyroscope
to maintain pointing to a fixed point in space. However
the earth rotates the axle to maintain pointing in the
same direction in space will appear to move just like the
stars we observe it to rise and set.
 Meridian
Apparent motion
of the heavens
(observer looking
northwards)

Pole Star

Horizon Horizon
W N E
 Meridian
Apparent motion In North Latitudes
of the heavens
(observer looking
northwards)

Pole Star

Easterly drift Easterly drift

Downward tilt Upward tilt

Horizon Horizon
W N E
 Meridian
Apparent motion On the Equator
of the heavens
(observer looking
northwards)

No drift No drift
Downward tilt Upward tilt
Pole Star
Horizon Horizon

W N E
 Meridian
Apparent motion In South Latitudes
of the heavens
(observer looking
northwards)

Westerly drift Westerly drift

Downward tilt Upward tilt
Horizon Horizon

W N E
Pole Star
 Example 1
Earth – observer at the equator

Top View

Star
N Pole

A
Observer “A” -- Star
 Example 1
Earth – observer at the equator A to E

Top View D

Star
N Pole
E C

A
Arrows show the same direction, pointing at the star.
 Example 1
Earth – observer at the equator A to E
Axle
Top View horizontal
point west.D

Axle
horizontal
Axle point up.
horizontal N Pole
point E C
down.
B

Note how the axle Axle A

horizontal
position/direction
point east.
after time
 Example 2
Observer at Equator; axle horizontal and points North
Axle horizontal point north

D
Axle
Axle horizontal
horizontal point north.
point N Pole
north.
E C

A
Top View Axle
horizontal
point
north.
 Example 2
Observer at Equator; axle horizontal and points North
N Pole

Axle Axle Axle

horizontal horizontal horizontal
point point point
north C north north B

Side View
 Example 3
Observer at Pole; axle horizontal

Top View

N Pole
Axle N Pole
0 Hour
horizontal

Observe the
Land moves
 Example 3
Observer at Pole; axle horizontal
6 Hours

Top View

N Pole
Axle N Pole
horizontal
 Example 3
Observer at Pole; axle horizontal

Top View

N Pole
Axle N Pole
12 Hours
horizontal
 Example 3
Observer at Pole; axle horizontal

Top View

N Pole
Axle N Pole
horizontal

18 Hours
Free Gyroscope
Summary of the movement of the axle:

At the Equator (0o) only tilt no drift.

At the Pole (90o) no tilt only drifting.

 Result
No Position of Gyro Orientation Point Tilt Drift
1 Equator Horizontal East Maximum Zero
2 Equator Horizontal North Zero Zero
3 North Pole Horizontal Any Zero Maximum
4 North Pole Vertical Up Zero Zero
Free Gyroscope

Tilt
Axle East Max (1)
Axle North Min (0)
Sin Azimuth
Rate of Tiltingo/hr = 15o cos lat sin az

Drift
At Equator(0o) Min (0)
At Pole (90o) Max (1)
Rate of Driftingo/hr = 15o sin lat
Only holds good for small angles of tilt
 Example 4
Observer at Equator; axle horizontal and 30o to the right of the meridian.

N Pole

Side View

C B
A
 Example 4
Observer at Equator; axle horizontal and 30o to the right of the meridian.

Equidistant Projection
Declination = 60oN
N Pole

After 12 hrs
After 6 hrs
 Example 4
Observer at 20oN; axle horizontal and 60o to the right of the meridian.

Equidistant Projection
Sin Ampl = sin Decl x Sec lat
Declination = 28oN

N Pole

0000 hrs
about 12 hrs

about 6 hrs
 Example 5
Observer at 30oN; axle horizontal and 240o to the right of the meridian.

N Pole

Side View

C A B
 Example
Example4 5
Observer at 30oN; axle horizontal and 240o to the right of the meridian.

Equidistant Projection
Sin Ampl = Sin Decl x Sec lat
N Pole
Declination = 25.7oS

A
Free Gyroscope

Summary
When the axle is horizontal and in the
meridian there is still drift east or west
depending on latitude.
In North Latitude
Axle horizontal east of the meridian the axle
will TILT UP and DRIFT EAST.
In South Latitude
Axle horizontal east of the meridian the axle
will TILT UP and DRIFT WEST.
Free Gyroscope

Summary
Regardless of Latitude the spin axis:
Tilts UP when east of meridian.
Tilts DOWN when west of the meridian.