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Apparatus for measuring the rate of rotation and linear accelleration of a moving body in two perpendicular axes

  • US 5,339,690 A
  • Filed: 02/03/1993
  • Issued: 08/23/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for measuring angular velocity components about first and second orthogonal axes of a moving body rotating about an axis of rotation located in the plane of said first and second axes and when the body is accelerating along an axis of acceleration within the same plane, for optionally also measuring the linear acceleration components of the moving body along said first and second axes, which apparatus comprises:

  • (i) an integral flexing unit comprising a base, a central shaft in alignment with a third normal to said first and second axes and having a free end, an axisymmetric flexure zone with two degrees of flexing freedom interposed between said base and shaft, and a deflector member at the free end of said shaft;

    (ii) a proof mass resiliently mounted on said shaft remote from said flexure zone with one degree of freedom of oscillation in parallel to said third axis;

    (iii) electric means with associated control means for causing said proof mass to oscillate;

    (iv) whereby upon either or both of any rotation of said body around said axis of rotation and any acceleration of said body along said axis of acceleration, said flexure unit flexes in an oscillating fashion at the flexure zone thereof;

    (v) electro-optical means for detecting any deflection of said deflector member; and

    (vi) processor means for calculating either or both of the angular velocity components about and the linear acceleration components along said first and second axes from the deflection of said deflector member.

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