AN ELASTIC SUSPENSION DESIGN FRAMEWORK FOR TUNED GYROSCOPES

This paper presents a design for a new tuned gyroscope framework consi sting of a heavy rotor supported by a heli-flex suspension. Inherently free of 2 omega drift-error the gyro can be precisely tuned by adjust ing pre-extension between two ends of its helix. The symmetrical suppo rt structure of this isotropic helical suspension design significantly reduces error moment caused by linear acceleration, and the device el iminates G(2) drift by virtue of its desirable anisoelasticity charact eristic. The gyro design is simple, highly manufacturable, and when ap propriate suspension parameters are used, produces a long-term drift-r ate of 0.01 deg./hr.