Magnetically damped azimuth resolver

A means for damping a low-friction azimuth resolver by use of an array of small magnets (14) acting on a metallic pendulum (6) attached to the resolver shaft (4). The magnetic field acts on the pendulum motion to induce a motional electromotive force and associated currents, which produce forces opposed to the motion, thereby acting as a non-contact damper on the resolver shaft. When the resolver shaft is at rest, no "eddy currents" are produced in the static magnetic field and no damping force exists. If the shaft moves, the attached pendulum cuts the magnetic flux lines and produces a drag force proportional to the shaft angular speed. The pendulum is typically made of diamagnetic material, such as lead or copper, thereby assuring that the induced forces arise solely from the motion. The magnetic field is produced by an array of small, but intense, samarium-cobalt magnets contained in a compact package providing for uniform damping throughout 360 DEG of resolver motion. The device is designed and constructed as a modification to standard resolvers and allows for application where tight clearances have previously been a constraint.