Three axis inertial measurement unit with counterbalanced mechanical oscillator
First Claim
1. A three axis inertial measurement unit, comprising:
- two counterbalanced mechanisms each mounted for mechanical oscillation at a natural frequency about a single axis wherein one mechanism counterbalances the other;
said two counterbalanced mechanisms mounted by mounting means for imparting rotational motion thereto only in a respective plane of rotation perpendicular to said single axis;
a plurality of accelerometers mounted on at least one of said counterbalanced mechanisms;
each accelerometer having at least an input axis;
said plurality of accelerometers mounted upon said at least one counterbalanced mechanism such that said input axis of each acceleromoter is at a predetermined angle to said single axis and to said single plane of rotation of said counterbalanced mechanisms.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inertial measurement unit capable of providing information relating to all six degrees of freedom in an orthogonal three axis system is shown having a mechanical oscillator constructed from two counterbalanced platforms which form a single unit for rotation about a single torsional axis. A plurality of accelerometers are mounted upon at least one of the counterbalanced platforms. Each accelerometer has an input axis, an output axis, and a pendulous axis. Each accelerometer is mounted such that the input axis is at a predetermined angle to the single axis of rotation and the counterbalanced platform. The accelerometers are used to measure angular rate along the pendulous axis and linear acceleration along the input axis. These signals may then be electronically separated to produce acceleration and angular rate outputs for a three axis orthogonal system.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A three axis inertial measurement unit, comprising:
-
two counterbalanced mechanisms each mounted for mechanical oscillation at a natural frequency about a single axis wherein one mechanism counterbalances the other; said two counterbalanced mechanisms mounted by mounting means for imparting rotational motion thereto only in a respective plane of rotation perpendicular to said single axis; a plurality of accelerometers mounted on at least one of said counterbalanced mechanisms; each accelerometer having at least an input axis; said plurality of accelerometers mounted upon said at least one counterbalanced mechanism such that said input axis of each acceleromoter is at a predetermined angle to said single axis and to said single plane of rotation of said counterbalanced mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)
-
-
7. A three axis inertial measurement unit, comprising:
-
two counterbalanced platforms each mounted for mechanical oscillation at a natural frequency about a single torsional axis wherein the first platform counterbalances the second; a plurality of accelerometers mounted on at least one of said platforms; each accelerometer having at least an input axis, said plurality of accelerometers mounted upon said at least one platform such that said input axis of each accelerometer is at a predetermined angle to said single torsional axis and said platform; said two counterbalanced platforms each having; a Y-shaped mounting member; a rotor member surrounding said Y-shaped mounting member; and web members joining said Y-shaped mounting member to said rotor member; said accelerometers mounted upon said at least one of said platforms mounted upon said rotor member thereof at said predetermined angle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 11)
-
Specification