Multi-element micro gyro
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A micro-gyro device is disclosed combining an element which oscillates around the drive axis and an element which rocks around the output axis, so arranged that Coriolis force is transmitted from one element of the other without any substantial transfer of motion of either element to the other in its own direction of motion. In other words, the masses of the two elements operate independently of one another, providing improved performance, and individual adjustability to compensate for any manufacturing imprecision. The presently-preferred device combines an outer ring which oscillates around the drive axis with an inner disk which rocks around the output axis, whenever external rotating motion occurs about the rate axis.
193 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A micro-gyro device for detecting rotational movement about an input axis, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A micro-gyro device for detecting rotational movement about an input axis, comprising:
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a drive element which vibrates in a drive direction to generate Coriolis force in response to movement about the input axis; 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 constituting the primary mass which is driven by the Coriolis force; and flexures connecting the drive element to the output element to transfer Coriolis force, said flexures 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. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification