ION Navigation
Museum
Electrically Suspended Gyroscope (ESG)
Item Details
Model Number: ESG
Period of Use: 1978-9 to Present
Description:
Inertial navigation systems based on the electrically suspended gyroscope (ESG) have proven to be... the most accurate implementation of inertial navigation. Uses a free-rotor, two-degree-of-freedom gyro where a spinning rotor ball is suspended by an electric field in a vacuum. Primarily used in submarine and strategic navigation applications.
Inertial navigation systems based on the electrically suspended gyroscope (ESG) have proven to be... the most accurate implementation of inertial navigation. Uses a free-rotor, two-degree-of-freedom gyro where a spinning rotor ball is suspended by an electric field in a vacuum. Primarily used in submarine and strategic navigation applications.
Item History:
Developed by Honeywell Corporation, initially conceptualized by Professor Arnold Nordsieck in 1954. Technical Specifications: Rotor made of hollow beryllium. Includes ceramic envelope, vacuum pump, optical pickoffs, suspension electronics. Rotor spins at approximately 2,590 revolutions per second.
Developed by Honeywell Corporation, initially conceptualized by Professor Arnold Nordsieck in 1954. Technical Specifications: Rotor made of hollow beryllium. Includes ceramic envelope, vacuum pump, optical pickoffs, suspension electronics. Rotor spins at approximately 2,590 revolutions per second.
Additional Images
Exploded view of MESG
MESG build-up with Vac-Ion Pump
XN88A Binnacle Platform
Location/Ownership: ARL Penn State
Submission Author: Marvin May, ARL Penn State
ION Museum
Advancing Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
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