Tunneling-based rate gyros with simple drive and sense axis coupling

• US 5,756,895 A
• Filed: 09/01/1995
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Kubena, Randall L., Challoner, Dorian, Atkinson, Gary M., Sunada, Wallace
• Primary Examiner(s): Oda, Christine K.
• Application Number:
  US08/522,878
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 73/504.12, 73/504.15, 73/504.18, 73/514.15, 73/514.16, 73/514.21, 73/514.29, 73/514.36, 73/510, 73/862.635, 250/306
• US Class Current: 73/504.15
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/56 Turn-sensitive devices using vibrating masses, e.g. vibratory angular rate sensors based on Coriolis forces
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0894 by non-contact electron transfer, i.e. electron tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/131 with electrostatic counterbalancing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the preceding groups

Abstract

Various structures for cantilever beam tunneling rate gyro devices formed on a single substrate are disclosed. A cantilever electrode having a plurality of portions extending from the substrate with one end of the cantilever is suspended above the substrate at a distance from a tunneling electrode so that a tunneling current flows through the cantilever and tunneling electrode in response to an applied bias voltage. The cantilever and tunneling electrodes form a circuit that produces an output signal. A force applied to the sensor urges the cantilever electrode to deflect relative to the tunneling electrode to modulate the output signal. The output signal is a control voltage that is applied between the cantilever electrode and a control electrode to maintain a constant tunneling current. In the preferred embodiment, two cantilever portions extend from the wafer surface forming a Y-shape. In a further embodiment, a strap is fabricated on the cantilever electrode. In an alternate embodiment, a ridge emitter is formed such that it remains under the cantilever electrode during lateral motion of the cantilever In an alternate embodiment, a cantilever having a varying width is fabricated.

Claims

1. A tunneling rotation sensor, comprising:

a substrate;

a cantilever having an end extending from said substrate and a cantilever arm positioned away from said substrate;

said cantilever arm comprising a first section and a second section;

a tunneling electrode on said substrate;

a tunneling gap through which current can flow, said tunneling gap formed between said tunneling electrode and said first section;

said cantilever arm further comprising flexible material and being constructed such that;

a) said first section is capable of deflection toward and away from said substrate;

b) said second section is capable of deflection toward and away from said substrate; and

c) said first section is more restricted than said second section from making movements other than said deflection toward and away from said substrate.

2. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said tunneling electrode comprises a tunneling tip.

3. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said first section comprises a tunneling tip.

4. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a semiconductor.

5. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said current flows through said first section when a voltage is established between said first section and said tunneling electrode.

6. The tunneling electrode sensor of claim 1, wherein said first section is substantially more restricted than said second section from making movements other than said deflection toward and away from said substrate.

7. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, further comprising a first lateral control electrode and a second lateral control electrode both disposed on said substrate adjacent said second section.

8. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 7, wherein oscillation of said second section occurs in directions not modifying said deflection when a voltage is established between said first and second lateral control electrodes and said cantilever arm such that when said sensor is rotated at a rate about an axis defined by said cantilever arm a Coriolis force is exerted upon said cantilever arm in proportion to said rate.

9. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 8, wherein said tunneling electrode remains opposite said first section during said oscillation of said second section.

10. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said cantilever has a further end extending from said substrate and both said first-named end and said further end join to form a V-shape.

11. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 10, wherein said second section extends from said first section, thereby forming a Y-shape.

12. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said cantilever has a first further end and a second further end, both extending from said substrate and joining such that said first further end and said second further end make up a cantilever strap.

13. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 12, wherein said cantilever strap is centered along a length of said cantilever arm defined by an end of said second section and said first-named end.

14. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said first section is wider than said second section.

15. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 14, wherein said first section has at least twice the width of said second section.

16. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 1, wherein said cantilever and said tunneling electrode form part of a circuit that produces an output signal responsive to an applied force which modifies said deflection of said cantilever arm.

17. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 16, further comprising a control electrode on said substrate below said cantilever arm, said circuit applying a control voltage as s aid output signal across said cantilever arm and said control electrode to control said deflection, and modulating said control voltage to offset said applied force to maintain said current at a substantially constant level.

18. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 17, further comprising a calibration electrode on said substrate below said cantilever arm for applying a test force to said cantilever arm to produce a calibration signal when a test voltage is established between said calibration electrode and said cantilever arm.

19. A tunneling rotation sensor, comprising:

a substrate;

a cantilever having an end extending from said substrate and a cantilever arm positioned away from said substrate, said cantilever arm comprising;

a) a first section and a second section; and

b) a flexible material to allow deflection of said cantilever arm toward and away from said substrate;

a tunneling electrode disposed on said substrate opposite said first section;

a tunneling gap through which current can flow, said tunneling gap formed between said tunneling electrode and said first section;

a lateral control electrode disposed on said substrate adjacent said second section for movement of said second section other than said deflection toward and away from said substrate;

said first section remaining opposite said tunneling electrode during said movement of said second section.

20. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 19, wherein said substrate comprises a semiconductor.

21. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 19, wherein said current flows through said first section when a voltage is established between said first section and said tunneling electrode.

22. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 19, further comprising a further lateral control electrode disposed on said substrate adjacent said second section arm.

23. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 22, wherein said second section oscillates in directions not modifying said deflection when a voltage is established between said first-named lateral control electrode and said further lateral control electrode and said second section such that when said sensor is rotated at a rate about an axis defined by said cantilever arm a Coriolis force is exerted upon said cantilever arm in proportion to said rate.

24. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 23, wherein said cantilever and said tunneling electrode form part of a circuit that produces an output signal responsive to an applied force which modifies said deflection of said cantilever arm.

25. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 24, further comprising a control electrode on said substrate below said cantilever, said circuit applying a control voltage as said output signal across said cantilever arm and said control electrode to control said deflection of said cantilever arm, and modulating said control voltage to offset said applied force to maintain said current at a substantially constant level.

26. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 25, further comprising a calibration electrode on said substrate below said cantilever arm for applying a test force to said cantilever arm to produce a calibration signal when a test voltage is established between said calibration electrode and said cantilever arm.

27. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 26, wherein:

said cantilever has a further end extending from said substrate and both said first-named end and said further end of said cantilever join to form a V-shape; and

said second section of said cantilever arm extends from said first section of said cantilever arm, thereby forming a Y-shape.

28. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 26, wherein:

said cantilever has a first further end and a second further end, both said first further end and said second further end extending from said substrate and together with said first-named end joining said first section; and

said second section extends from said first section; and

said first further end and said second further end make up a cantilever strap.

29. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 28, wherein said cantilever strap is centered along a length of said cantilever arm defined by an end of said second section and said first-named end.

30. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 26, wherein said tunneling electrode comprises a ridge emitter tunneling electrode.

31. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 26, wherein said first section is wider than said second section.

32. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 31, wherein said first section has at least twice the width of said second section.

33. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 19, wherein the tunneling electrode comprises

a ridge emitter tunneling electrode.

34. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 33, wherein said current flows through said cantilever arm when a voltage is established between said cantilever arm and said ridge emitter tunneling electrode.

35. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 34, further comprising a first lateral control electrode and a second lateral control electrode both disposed on said substrate adjacent said cantilever arm.

36. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 35, wherein oscillation of said cantilever arm occurs in directions not modifying deflection of said cantilever arm toward and away from said substrate when a voltage is established between said first and second lateral control electrodes and said cantilever arm such that when said sensor is rotated at a rate about an axis defined by said cantilever arm a Coriolis force is exerted on said cantilever arm in proportion to said rate.

37. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 36, wherein said ridge emitter tunneling electrode remains opposite said cantilever arm during said oscillation of said cantilever arm.

38. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 37, wherein said cantilever and said ridge emitter tunneling electrode form part of a circuit that produces an output signal responsive to an applied force which modifies said deflection of said cantilever arm.

39. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 38, further comprising a control electrode on said substrate below said cantilever arm, said circuit applying a control voltage as said output signal across said cantilever arm and said control electrode to control said deflection of said cantilever arm, and modulating said control voltage to offset said applied force to maintain said current at a substantially constant level.

40. A tunneling rotation sensor, comprising:

a substrate;

a cantilever comprising a first portion and a second portion extending from said substrate and a cantilever arm positioned away from said substrate;

said cantilever arm comprising a first section and a second section;

a tunneling electrode on said substrate;

a tunneling gap through which a current can flow, said tunneling gap formed between said tunneling electrode and said first section of said cantilever arm;

said cantilever arm further comprising flexible material and being constructed such that;

a) said first section and said second section of said cantilever arm join with said first portion and said second portion of said cantilever to form a Y-shape;

b) said cantilever arm is capable of deflection toward and away from said substrate; and

c) said first section is more restricted than said second section from making movements other than said deflection toward and away from said substrate.

41. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 40, wherein said current flows through said cantilever arm when a voltage is established between said cantilever arm and said tunneling electrode.

42. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 41, further comprising a first lateral control electrode and a second lateral control electrode both disposed on said substrate adjacent said second section of said cantilever arm.

43. The tunneling rotation sensor of claim 42, wherein said second section of said cantilever arm oscillates in directions not modifying said deflection when a voltage is established between said first and second lateral control electrodes and said cantilever arm such that when said sensor is rotated at a rate about an axis defined by said cantilever arm a Coriolis force is exerted on said cantilever arm in proportion to said rate.