The use of multilayer wrap for gyro thermal gradient suppression

A multilayer wrap of alternating high and low thermal conductivity materials has been developed to provide passive temperature-gradient control of third-generation floated gyros. The low-conductivity material isolates the instrument from mounting-flange temperature gradients, while the high-conductivity material augments this isolation by smoothing temperature gradients which would otherwise induce error torques in the instrument. Analytical solutions of the gradient attenuation provided are derived. Numerical solutions are also given to verify and extend the analytical solutions. The theory is compared with experimental measurements of the temperatures in a typical configuration. Also, practical considerations of fabrication are addressed.