How did Max Schuler contribute to the development of practical gyrocompasses?

Max Schuler was instrumental in the development of practical, shipborne gyrocompasses by establishing the fundamental principles required for their operation. His work was essential to the creation of the first seaworthy gyrocompass, which was produced by the firm of Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe in 1908.1

Schuler’s primary contribution to the instrument's stability was the development of a method to damp out oscillations, allowing the device to settle accurately on the meridian. This damping mechanism involves applying an antipendulous torque through the restricted flow of a viscous fluid that responds to the tilt of the gyroscopic element. By utilizing viscosity and controlled flow, the torque is applied in the correct phase to absorb energy and force the gyrocompass into a spiraling-in motion toward the north-seeking position. This technique remains a standard approach in most gyrocompass designs, with the notable exception of the Sperry compass, which utilizes a different, motor-driven damping system.2