Chapter 4 Gyrocompass Systems

CHAPTER 4

GYROCOMPASS SYSTEMS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

Discuss basic gyroscopic and gyrocompass theory.

Identify the major components of the Mk 23 gyrocompass systems, and explain

the procedures for starting, standing watch on, and securing the Mk 23

gyrocompasses.

Identify the major components of the Mk 27 gyrocompass system, and explain

the procedures for starting, standing watch on, and securing the Mk 27

gyrocompass.

Identify the major components of the Mk 19 Mod 3 gyrocompass systems, and

explain the procedures for starting, standing watch on, and securing the Mk 19

Mod 3 gyrocompasses.

Identify the major components of the AN/WSN-2 stabilized gyrocompass set, and

explain the procedures for starting, standing watch on, and securing the

AN/WSN-2 stabilized gyrocompass set.

Explain the purpose of the synchro signal amplifier used with the various

gyrocompass systems.

Explain the purpose of the ship's course indicators used with the various

gyrocompass systems.

Describe the entries to be made in the engineering logs, and the deck and watch

logs to be kept when standing watch on gyrocompass systems.

INTRODUCTION

gyrocompass systems installed on board Navy ships

today. We will also discuss the associated equipment

The ship's gyrocompass and its associated

used in conjunction with the gyrocompass systems. The

equipment is an important part of an IC Electrician's

topics include descriptions of the components and

responsibility. Gyrocompass systems provide

functions of the master compass, gyro control systems,

information that is used for remote indicators and

follow-up systems, alarm systems, and starting control

various navigational, radar, sonar, and fire control

systems. In addition, we will also point out the

systems throughout a ship. As an IC3, you will be

significant differences among the various modifications

responsible for starting, standing watch on, and securing

of the Mk 19 Mod 3 installation, and provide procedures

the ship's gyrocompass.

for operating the gyrocompass in normal and auxiliary

modes.

To understand how a gyrocompass operates, you

should be familiar with gyroscopic and gyrocompass

theory. A variety of gyrocompasses are presently in use

THE FREE GYROSCOPE

throughout the Navy. In this chapter, we will discuss

basic gyroscopic principles, and then we will develop

A free gyroscope is a universal-mounted, spinning

the basic gyroscope into a basic gyrocompass. We will

mass. In its simplest form, the universal mounting is a

then discuss the operation of some of the more common

system that allows three degrees of freedom of

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