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The Rate Integrating Gyroscope (RIG), Part 1

From U.S. Dynamics Corporation

The gyroscope is an instrument where the input is a rate of turn (angular rate). Any gyroscope is a torque-in, torque-out device. Therefore, the output of the gyro is a change in the gimbal angle (the gimbal turns) in response to the rate of turn input, due to gyroscopic precession. The input is a turn about the input axis (IA). The output is a turn about the output axis (OA). The precession of the gimbal takes place only when the rotor is spinning, of course.

Conversely, a rotation imparted to the gimbal in its freedom axis (the OA), will cause a torque about the input axis (IA). Gyroscopes, therefore, will only provide an output response to a turn or spinning (angular) input motion, and will not respond to a linear input. Figure 1 depicts a RIG in simplistic form. It is what is known as a single degree of freedom type gyroscope. If the case is firmly tied to a structure, the freedom is in the output axis (OA), as the gimbal rolls in response to an input.

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