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Multi-element micro gyro

  • US 5,955,668 A
  • Filed: 10/05/1998
  • Issued: 09/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A micro-gyro device for detecting rotational movement about an input axis, comprising:

  • a drive element which vibrates in a drive direction to generate Coriolis force in response to movement about the input axis, said drive element vibrating at or near its resonant frequency in the drive direction;

    an output element which receives Coriolis force from the drive element to cause the output element to vibrate in an output direction perpendicular to the drive direction, said output element under Coriolis force vibrating at or near its resonant frequency in the output direction, which frequency is substantially similar to the resonant frequency of the drive element in the drive direction, in order to enhance transfer of Coriolis force from the drive element to the output element;

    said drive element having a resonant frequency in the output direction which is substantially different from its resonant frequency in the drive direction; and

    linkage connecting the drive element to the output element to transfer Coriolis force, said linkage permitting the drive element and output element to be essentially decoupled from one another except for transfer of Coriolis force, so that vibrating motion of the drive element in the drive direction does not cause substantial motion of the output element in the drive direction, and vibrating motion of the output element in the output direction does not cause substantial motion of the drive element in the output direction.

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