Vibration monolithic gyroscope
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vibration monolithic gyroscope comprising:
- a mounting post fixedly attached to a base and defining a first axis;
a mass, including a generally flat layer of material having opposed major surfaces, fixedly attached to the post for vibrational movement and positioned in a plane perpendicular to the post, the mass defining second and third axes mutually perpendicular to each other and to the first axis;
a plurality of arms, each affixed at one end to the post and at another end to the mass, the arms mounting the mass generally uniformly disposed about the mounting post and in spaced relation thereto for vibrational movement;
driving apparatus mounted adjacent to the mass for causing the mass to move in a vibrational motion about the second axis; and
sensing apparatus positioned adjacent to the mass for sensing movement about the third axis in response to movement of the gyroscope about the first axis.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vibration gyroscope including a central mounting post and a planar mass symmetrically affixed thereto for vibrational movement. The post and mass are formed from a single layer of semiconductor material deposited on a substrate, such as silicon. Capacitive plates positioned below and above the mass, formed by depositing two additional layers of semiconductor material, are utilized for driving the mass and sensing vibration produced by the Coriolis effect.
64 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A vibration monolithic gyroscope comprising:
-
a mounting post fixedly attached to a base and defining a first axis; a mass, including a generally flat layer of material having opposed major surfaces, fixedly attached to the post for vibrational movement and positioned in a plane perpendicular to the post, the mass defining second and third axes mutually perpendicular to each other and to the first axis; a plurality of arms, each affixed at one end to the post and at another end to the mass, the arms mounting the mass generally uniformly disposed about the mounting post and in spaced relation thereto for vibrational movement; driving apparatus mounted adjacent to the mass for causing the mass to move in a vibrational motion about the second axis; and sensing apparatus positioned adjacent to the mass for sensing movement about the third axis in response to movement of the gyroscope about the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A vibration monolithic gyroscope comprising:
-
a mounting post fixedly attached to a base and defining a first axis; a mass positioned in a plane perpendicular to the post and spaced therefrom, the mass defining second and third axes mutually perpendicular to each other and to the first axis; an arm affixed at one end to the post and at another end to the mass and mounting the mass for vibrational movement about the second axis; driving apparatus mounted adjacent to the mass for causing the mass to move in a vibrational motion about the second axis; and sensing apparatus positioned adjacent the mass for sensing movement about the third axis in response to movement of the gyroscope about the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A vibration monolithic gyroscope comprising:
-
a mounting post fixedly attached to a semiconductor substrate and forming an integral part therewith, the post defining a first axis; a generally flat symmetrically shaped mass having a central opening therethrough and positioned symmetrically about the post, the mass being further positioned in a plane perpendicular to the post so as to define second and third axes mutually perpendicular to each other and to the first axis; a plurality of arms affixed at one end to the post and at another end to the mass and mounting the mass for vibrational movement about the second axis; driving plates mounted parallel to and adjacent the mass for causing the mass to move in a vibrational motion about the second axis; and sensing plates positioned parallel to and adjacent the mass for sensing movement about the third axis in response to movement of the gyroscope about the first axis.
-
-
14. A method of operation of a vibration monolithic gyroscope including a mounting post fixedly attached to a base and defining a first axis, a mass fixedly attached to the post for vibrational movement and positioned in a plane perpendicular to the post, the mass defining second and third axes mutually perpendicular to each other and to the first axis, driving plates mounted adjacent to the mass for causing the mass to move in a vibrational motion about the second axis, and sensing plates positioned adjacent to the mass for sensing movement about the third axis in response to movement of the gyroscope about the first axis, the method of operation comprising the steps of:
-
vibrating the gyroscope about the second axis by applying an electrostatic force to the driving plates to drive the mass in a first direction about the second axis, sensing a first predetermined change of capacitance between the driving plates produced by movement of the mass in a first direction about the second axis and applying an electrostatic force to the driving plates to drive the mass in an opposite direction about the second axis until a second predetermined change of capacitance is sensed; and sensing changes in differential capacitance between the sensing plates during a first time period, which changes represent movement of the gyroscope about the first axis, and applying an electrostatic force to the sensing plates to center the mass during a second time period. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
Specification