Axis alignment method

• US 6,273,514 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hulsing, Rand H. II
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLINS, BURTON S
• Application Number:
  US09/418,446
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 310/306, 310/307, 310/328, 310/329, 735/142.9, 735/143.6, 735/143.7, 735/040.2, 735/040.4, 735/041.2
• US Class Current: 310/306
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 1/044 having at least two working members, e.g. pistons, delivering power output
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 1/0445 Engine plants with combined cycles, e.g. Vuilleumier
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 2250/18 Vuilleumier cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 2253/03 Stem seals
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2230/0052 Physically guiding or influencing
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2230/34 Flexural hinges
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/24 in which the connection is made by inserting one member axially into the other and rotating it to a limited extent, e.g. with bayonet action
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5719 using planar vibrating masses driven in a translation vibration along an axis
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5747 each sensing mass being connected to a driving mass, e.g. driving frames
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0802 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/097 by vibratory elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 2015/0828 the mass being of the paddle type being suspended at one of its longitudinal ends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 73/01 Vibration

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining the rate of angular rotation of a moving body and, in particular, for alignment of the dither motion and the Coriolis acceleration sensing direction in a sensor adapted to be formed, i.e. micromachined, from a silicon substrate.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting the angular orientation of a first device to a second device from which the first device is pliantly suspended, the method comprising:

suspending the first device from the second device with a torsional flexure disposed between the first and second devices; and

exerting a torsional force on said torsional flexure to rotate the first device relative to the second device.

2. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising fixing said torsional flexure to each of said first and second devices.

3. The method recited in claim 2, wherein said exerting a torsional force comprises heating a torsional force member disposed between said torsional flexure and said second device using an electricronic circuit.

4. The method recited in claim 3, wherein said heating further comprises inducing an electric current in a highly resistive conductor portion of said torsional force member.

5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein said current is of a fixed amperage.

6. The method recited in claim 4, wherein said current is of a variable amperage.

7. The method recited in claim 6, wherein the amperage is varied in response to the measured angular orientation of the first device to the second device.

8. The method recited in claim 2, wherein said torsional flexure comprises an extruded shape.

9. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the shape is extruded along a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second devices.

10. The method recited in claim 9, wherein the extruded shape is an X-shape.

11. The method recited in claim 10, wherein the X-shape comprises four members projecting radially from the extruded axis.

12. The method recited in claim 11, wherein said four members are mechanically coupled at a common juncture with each of the first and second devices.

13. The method recited in claim 12, wherein said four members are also mechanically coupled along the length of said extruded axis.