Lesson 9: Magnetic and Gyro Compasses

Lesson 9: Magnetic and Gyrocompasses

AGENDA:
Directional reference systems The Magnetic Compass Magnetic Error (Variation and Deviation) Compass Conversion (T M) The Gyrocompass Gyrocompass Error

Applicable reading: Hobbs chapter 9.

Learning Objectives

1. The student will comprehend the basic principles of the operation of the gyrocompass and its advantages and disadvantages. 2. The student will apply correct procedures in determining and correcting for gyrocompass and magnetic error. 3. The student will comprehend the differences between true, magnetic, gyrocompass, and relative direction reference systems, and apply proper procedures to make direction conversions from any one system to any other.

Learning Objectives

4. The student will comprehend the basic principles of operation of the magnetic compass and its advantages and disadvantages. 5. The student will comprehend the reasons for variation and deviation and how these affect the magnetic compass. 6. The student will apply proper procedures in converting from true direction to compass direction and vice versa. 7. The student will apply correct procedures to determine variation using navigation charts.

Directional Reference Systems

Directional References
Relative Bearings (R) = bearings measured with reference to the ships longitudinal axis Magnetic Bearings (M) = bearings measured with respect to magnetic north. True Bearings (T) = bearings measured with respect to true of geographic north.

Ships Head ( or heading)

a special bearing denoting the direction in which the ship is pointing.

000 T 270 T 180 T 090 T

270 R

180 R

000 R

090 R

Magnetic Compasses

Operation Magnets within the compass tend to align themselves with the earths magnetic lines of force.

Construction The compass consists of a circular card, graduated with 360 degrees around the face. A pair of magnets is attached to the underside of the card, beneath the north-south axis. The card floats in the fluid to reduce friction and dampen the vibrations caused by ships movement.

Magnetic Compasses

Advantages of Magnetic Compasses

Little maintenance required No power source required Durability

Disadvantages of Magnetic Compasses

Does not seek True North Affected by surrounding materials Cannot be used near the poles

Magnetic Compass Error: Variation

Variation: the angle between a magnetic line of force and a geographic (true) meridian at any location on the earth. Variation exists because the earths magnetic and geographic poles are not in the same location. Magnetic anomalies in the earths crust also contribute to variation.

True North Pole

Magnetic North Pole Notice that the two poles arent together. The magnetic compass points to the magnetic pole, and this gives us VARIATION.

Magnetic Compass Error: Variation

Variation also changes from year to year as the earths magnetic poles tend to wander. Variation is printed inside compass roses on all navigation charts. Always use the compass rose nearest your current DR position.

Magnetic Compass Error: Variation

Magnetic Compass Error: Deviation

Deviation: the angle between the magnetic meridian and the north line on the compass card. Deviation is caused by the interaction of the ships metallic structure and electrical systems with the earths magnetic field.

DEVIATION
A ships compass also must deal with magnetic forces from the ship itself. The sum total of these forces pulls the compass slightly away from magnetic north, producing DEVIATION.

Magnetic Compass Error: Deviation

Deviation can be compensated for but never eliminated. A compass table is used, which provides the value of deviation for every 15 degrees of ships head. Entering argument for the table is oM and degaussing on or off (DG ON/DG OFF)

P. 154 in Hobbs

Swinging Ship

Swinging ship is the process used to determine the ships magnetic table.
Swing ship around 15 degrees to measure the magnetic deviation with each ships heading. Done when the deviation on any heading exceeds 3 degrees.

Compass Conversions

Converting Compass to True C D M V T (AE) [Can dead men vote twice (at elections)?]

Converting True to Compass

T V M D C (AW) [True virgins make dull companions (at weddings)]

Gyrocompasses

A north-seeking gyroscope The gyro spins at a very high velocity, and its spin axis remains aligned with terrestrial meridians. The gyro has three axes:
spin axis torque axis precession axis

Gyroscope Theory
Page 160 in Hobbs

Gyrocompass Advantages

Seeks geographic (true) north instead of magnetic north. Can be used near the earths magnetic poles, where magnetic compass is useless. Unaffected by surrounding material. Signal can be fed to other systems (INS, fire control, automatic steering)

Gyrocompass Disadvantages

Intricate electronic instrument. Requires a constant source of electrical power and is sensitive to power fluctuations. Requires periodic maintenance by highly skilled technicians.

Gyrocompass Error

Although the gyrocompass is a very accurate instrument, it normally has a small error associated with its readings. (normally less than 1o) Like the magnetic compass, this error is expressed as east or west.

Page 163 in Hobbs

Gyrocompass Error

To remember how to use the gyro error, two memory aids are commonly used:
If Gyro is best (higher), error is west; If Gyro is least (lower), error is east.

Also,

G.E.T. -- Gyro + East = True

Determining Gyro Error

Methods of determining gyro error:

Celestial Methods (to be discussed later) Observing a visual range. Observing bearing to an object while at a known location. Heading while pierside Trial and error adjustment of three or more simultaneous LOPs. Compare to gyrocompass of known error.

Questions?