Navigation and Seamanship

2.1.2.1. Working principle of gyrocompass

Gyrocompass is working with the high speed gyro rotor (gyroscope) to accurately seek the direction of true north. It operates by seeking an equilibrium direction under the combined effects of the force of gravity and the rotation of earth.

A Gyroscope (from the Greek ‘gyro’ means turn or revolution and ‘skopein’, means to view) is an apparatus in which a heavy flywheel or top rotates at high speed, the turning movement resisting change of direction of axis. There are 4 laws or facts act upon which gyrocompass operation depends, the first two are internal properties of the gyroscope namely.

i. Gyroscopic inertia (rigidly in space)

ii. Precession

The third and fourth are relate to the earth and are the earth’s rotation and gravitation.