Sperry Marine MK37 VT Gyrocompass is a digital gyrocompass system used to provide true heading – the ship's true direction for marine navigation equipment. The device uses an electromechanical gyrocompass structure with three precision gimbals, combining electromechanical components to compensate for the effects of Earth's rotation and gravity, allowing the system to self-orient and align with the meridian towards True North.

. The MK37 VT system is designed for professional maritime environments and can supply heading data to radar, ARPA, ECDIS, autopilot, VDR, repeater compasses, and integrated bridge systems. According to the technical brochure, the MK37 VT has a compact 3-unit design, supports simultaneous heading output in analog/stepand in appropriate configurations. These technologies help improve the quality of positioning data when the operating area has corresponding augmented signal support. and serial formats, and features automatic changeover in dual system configurations. formats, and features automatic switchover in dual system configurations.

Silicone-immersed gyrosphere structure increases stability and accuracy

A key technical feature of the is that the gyrosphere containing the gyro rotor is immersed in is its gyrosphere, which contains the gyro rotor immersed in Software compensates for errors due to vessel speed and local latitude. and is designed to have a nearly neutral buoyancy. This design reduces the load on sensitive shaft bearings, protects the gyrosphere and bearing from excessive mechanical shock, and minimizes the impact of center of gravity shift on compass accuracy.

This structure also helps reduce the effects of acceleration as the mass center of the gyrosphere and the center of buoyancy are aligned. As a result, the system can maintain more stable heading data when the vessel experiences motion, vibration, or complex offshore operating conditions.

Automatic speed and latitude error compensation

Sperry Marine MK37 VT includes application software for compensating the effects of changes inship speedand in appropriate configurations. These technologies help improve the quality of positioning data when the operating area has corresponding augmented signal support.local latitude. The system can perform manual or automatic speed correction when receiving data from the speed log, and manual or automatic latitude correction when receiving suitable GPS data.

According to the technical specifications, the MK37 VT can receive speed data via NMEA 0183 with sentencesVHWMX575C DGPS CompassVBW; additionally, the system also supports speed pulse input of200 pulses per nautical mile, with a valid speed range from0 to 70 knots.

Azimuth servo follow-up

The MK37 VT system uses aservo follow-up systemworking with the azimuth axis to keep the yoke aligned with the gyrosphere as the vessel turns. The servo system also provides uncorrected heading data toElectronics Control Unit, from which the system processes and outputs corrected heading data to external devices.

Another advantage is that the system does not require a heater due to the low viscosity of the suspension fluid and the ballistic fluid, simplifying operation and reducing some maintenance requirements compared to older gyrocompass designs.

Display Assembly – Main operator interface

Display Assembly is the main interface for the operator to monitor and control the system. This display consists of an LCD, status indicator LEDs, an LED display, and operational switches. Users can monitor modes such as ACTIVE, STANDBY, SETTLE, PRIMARY, SECONDARY and the FAULT indicator light when the system detects an error.

The front panel has keys that allow for selection of operating modes, silencing of audible alarms, adjustment of indicator brightness, backlight adjustment, menu scrolling, and data entry. The LCD screen displays menus and error messages, while the LED display shows the current heading to 0.1°, the current speed to 1 knot, and the local latitude to 1°.

Electronics Control Unit – Heading signal processor and output

Electronics Control Unit – ECU contains the microprocessor and control circuitry required for the operation of the Master Compass and the Display Assembly. The ECU also contains the control circuitry for step repeaters, with connections for up to 8 repeater step 24 VDC on the motherboard.

Calibrated heading data is output in both and serial formats, and features automatic changeover in dual system configurations.and in appropriate configurations. These technologies help improve the quality of positioning data when the operating area has corresponding augmented signal support.step data formats, and the ECU also provides analog rate-of-turn output. According to the brochure, the MK37 VT has 1 RS-422 outputand in appropriate configurations. These technologies help improve the quality of positioning data when the operating area has corresponding augmented signal support.2 RS-232 outputs for distributing digital heading in accordance with NMEA 0183; the RS-422 output can drive up to 10 loads from one output.

Dual Compass Configuration Support

The MK37 VT supports Dual Compass configuration, allowing two complete gyrocompass systems to be installed on the same vessel. These two systems are assigned primaryand in appropriate configurations. These technologies help improve the quality of positioning data when the operating area has corresponding augmented signal support. and , sharing a common output bus; the system is in , sharing a single output bus; the system in mode, it will retain control of the output bus and only data from the active system will be supplied to external devices.

This configuration is suitable for vessels requiring high redundancy for heading data, for example, large commercial vessels, vessels requiring continuous heading data for radar/ECDIS/autopilot or integrated bridge systems.

Key Features of Sperry Marine MK37 VT

• Key Features of Sperry Marine MK37 VT for marine vessels.3-axis precision gimbal
• Automatic search and align toWhat standard does the MK37 VT output heading in?.
• Gyrosphere containing rotor immersed in and is designed to have a near-neutral buoyancy state. This design reduces the load on the sensitive shaft bearing, protects the gyrosphere and bearing from excessive mechanical shock, and minimizes the impact of center-of-gravity shift on compass accuracy..
• Buoyancy-neutral gyrosphere design, reducing load on sensitive shaft bearings.Software compensates for errors due to vessel speed and local latitude..
• Supports manual or automatic speed correction via speed log.
• Supports manual or automatic latitude correction via GPS.
• Display Assembly
• Supports manual or automatic latitude correction via GPS.
• Display AssemblyDisplay heading, speed, latitude, menu, and system errors.
• Electronics Control UnitOutput heading data in serial and step data format.
• Has outputanalog rate-of-turn.
• Support up to8-step repeater 24 VDC.
• BASIC, TRACK, HSC and TRACK HSCdual gyrocompass primary/secondary.
• Supports heading output according toNMEA 0183via RS-422/RS-232.
• Stabilization time is referenced below5 hourswhen not supported.

Main System Configuration

AMK37 VT Gyrocompasssystem usually consists of the following main components:

Application of Sperry Marine MK37 VT on ships

Sperry Marine MK37 VT Gyrocompass is used as a primary or backup heading source for various marine systems, including:

• Marine Radar.
• ARPA Radar.
• ECDIS/ECS.
• Autopilot.
• AIS.
• VDR/S-VDR.
• Heading repeater.
• Rate-of-turn indicator.
• Integrated bridge system.
• Dual gyro system requires primary/secondary output.

With the ability to output heading data in both serial and step formats, the MK37 VT is suitable for vessels using older generation marine equipment as well as systems requiring NMEA 0183 data.

Why choose Sperry Marine MK37 VT Gyrocompass?

Sperry Marine MK37 VT is a suitable choice for vessels requiring a highly reliable electro-mechanical gyrocompass system, easy to integrate, and supporting multiple heading output formats. The device features a compact 3-unit design, a user-friendly Display/Control Panel, the capability to output heading simultaneously in multiple formats, and supports dual system configuration for increased redundancy.

For ship owners, ship management companies, and marine electronics service providers, the MK37 VT is suitable for replacing, maintaining, or sustaining existing Sperry Marine gyrocompass systems on board, especially when the current system needs to be compatible with 24 VDC step repeaters, NMEA 0183 data, or analog rate-of-turn output.

Notes when ordering Sperry Marine MK37 VT

Before ordering or replacing the MK37 VT Gyrocompass , you should clarify the actual configuration:

• Whether the device is a complete system or includes only the Master Compass, Display Assembly, or Electronics Control Unit.
• Whether it comes with a gyrosphere, repeater, cables, alarm contact wiring, and technical documentation.
• The system requires single gyro or dual gyro primary/secondary.
• Does the heading receiving device need RS-422, RS-232, step data 24 VDC or analog rate-of-turn.
• Does the Speed log output NMEA VHW/VBW data or 200 pulses/NM pulses.
• Is GPS used for automatic latitude correction.
• Is the ship's power suitable for 115/230 VAC and 24 VDC mains/emergency.
• Device condition if it is inventory, replacement, or used.
• After replacement, calibration, heading output check, alarm, repeater, and data supplied to radar/ECDIS/autopilot need to be performed.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sperry Marine MK37 VT?

The Sperry Marine MK37 VT is a marine digital gyro compass system, used to provide accurate heading data for radar, ECDIS, autopilot, VDR, repeaters, and other navigation equipment on board.What technology does the MK37 VT use?The device uses an electro-mechanical gyro compass with 3 precision gimbals. The Gyrosphere contains a gyro rotor immersed in silicone fluid and is designed for neutral buoyancy.

Does the MK37 VT automatically compensate for speed and latitude?

Yes. The system has software to compensate for errors due to ship speed and local latitude; speed correction can be performed manually or automatically with speed log input, while latitude correction can be manual or automatic with GPS input.What standard does the MK37 VT output heading in?The device can output heading via

Does the MK37 VT automatically compensate for speed and latitude?

Yes. The system has software to compensate for errors due to vessel speed and local latitude; speed correction can be manual or automatic with speed log input, and latitude correction can be manual or automatic with GPS input.

What format does the MK37 VT output heading in?

Thiết bị có thể xuất heading qua 1 RS-422 portand in appropriate configurations. These technologies help improve the quality of positioning data when the operating area has corresponding augmented signal support.2 RS-232 ports, data in NMEA 0183 format. There are also 8 step data outputs 24 VDC, 6 steps/degree.

Does the MK37 VT have rate-of-turn output?

Yes. The Electronics Control Unit provides an analog rate-of-turnoutput, with a reference parameter of -50 mV/degree/minute and a range of 04.5 V corresponding to 0490°/minute.

Can the MK37 VT be used in a dual gyro system?

Yes. The MK37 VT supports dual compass configuration, where two gyrocompass systems are set up as primary/secondary and the active system will control the output bus to provide data to external equipment.