Schuler pendulum

(mechanics) Any apparatus which swings, because of gravity, with a natural period of 84.4 minutes, that is, with the same period as a hypothetical simple pendulum whose length is the earth's radius; the pendulum arm remains vertical despite any motion of its pivot, and the apparatus is therefore useful in navigation.

Any apparatus which swings, because of gravity, with a natural period of 84.4 min, that is, with the same period as a hypothetical simple pendulum whose length is the Earth's radius. In 1923 Max Schuler showed that such an apparatus has the unique property that the pendulum arm will remain vertical despite any motions of its pivot. It is therefore useful as a base for navigational instruments. Schuler also showed how gyroscopes can be used to increase the period of a physical pendulum to the desired 84.4 min.

Gyrocompasses employ the Schuler principle to avoid errors due to ship accelerations. The principle has become the foundation of the science of inertial navigation. See also Gyrocompass; Inertial guidance system.