Earth inductor compass

The Earth inductor compass (or simply induction compass[1]) is a compass that determines directions using the principle of electromagnetic induction, with the Earth's magnetic field acting as the induction field for an electric generator.[2] The electrical output of the generator will vary depending on its orientation with respect to the Earth's magnetic field. This variation in the generated voltage is measured, allowing the Earth inductor compass to determine direction.

History

The earth inductor compass was invented in 1924 by Morris Titterington at the Pioneer Instrument Company in the United States. Designed to compensate for the weaknesses of the magnetic compass, the Earth inductor compass provided pilots with a more stable and reliable reference instrument.[3] They were used in the Douglas DWCs during the 1924 U.S. Army Air Corps Around-the-World flight.[3] Charles Lindbergh used the compass on his transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927. [4]

Patents

References

  1. ^ Graf, Rudolf F (1999). Modern dictionary of electronics. ISBN 9780750698665. http://books.google.com/books?id=o2I1JWPpdusC&pg=PA370. ""induction compass"" 
  2. ^ Goldsborough, Brice (June 1927). The Earth inductor compass. Aero Digest. http://www.vintageaircraft.org/featured/2005%20-%20Vol.%2033,%20No.%2004%20-%20The%20Earth%20Inductor%20Compass.pdf. 
  3. ^ a b "The Earth Inductor Compass". Wings Publishing. Archived from the original. Error: If you specify |archiveurl=, you must also specify |archivedate=. http://wayback.archive.org/web/20090601000000*/http://www.oldbeacon.com/beacon/earth_inductor_compass.htm. 
  4. ^ Lindberg, Charles A (1953). The Spirit of St Louis. Poolbeg Press. pp. 153,194. ISBN 1853719129. 
Pitot-static
Gyroscopic
Navigational
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