METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEGREGATING SENSORS WITHIN A HOUSING

• US 20080000294A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Gregory A., Dukich, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,661,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/493
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/00 Gyroscopes; Turn-sensitive devices using vibrating masses; Turn-sensitive devices without moving masses; Measuring angular rate using gyroscopic effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/24 Housings ; Casings for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/023 for acceleration measuring devices

Abstract

An inertial measurement unit is described that includes a first subassembly comprising one or more inertial sensors, a second subassembly comprising support electronics for the one or more inertial sensors, and at least one pair of mating connectors configured to provide an interface between the first subassembly and the second subassembly.

Claims

1. An inertial measurement unit comprising:

a first subassembly comprising one or more inertial sensors;

a second subassembly comprising support electronics for said one or more inertial sensors; and

at least one pair of mating connectors configured to provide an interface between said first subassembly and said second subassembly.

2. An inertial measurement unit according to claim 1 wherein said second subassembly and said first subassembly are configured for attachment to one another with a sealing engagement therebetween.

3. An inertial measurement unit according to claim 1 wherein said second subassembly and said first subassembly are provide a housing of said inertial measurement unit.

4. An inertial measurement unit according to claim 1 wherein said one or more inertial sensors comprise at least one gyroscope.

5. An inertial measurement unit according to claim 1 wherein said one or more inertial sensors comprise at least one accelerometer.

6. An inertial measurement unit according to claim 1 wherein said second subassembly comprises at least one connector configured to provide an external interface for said IMU.

7. A method for fabricating an inertial measurement unit, said method comprising:

providing a first subassembly having one or more inertial sensors mounted therein;

providing a second subassembly including support electronics therein for the one or more inertial sensors; and

interconnecting the first subassembly and the second subassembly to form a housing for the inertial measurement unit.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein interconnecting the first subassembly and the second subassembly comprises interconnecting at least one pair of mating connectors, a first connector of the pair associated with the first subassembly, a second connector of the pair associated with the second subassembly.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein interconnecting the first subassembly and the second subassembly comprises providing for a sealing engagement therebetween.

10. A method according to claim 7 wherein providing a first subassembly having one or more inertial sensors mounted therein comprises providing at least one gyroscope mounted in the first subassembly.

11. A method according to claim 7 wherein providing a first subassembly having one or more inertial sensors mounted therein comprises providing at least one accelerometer mounted in the first subassembly.