Counterbalanced silicon tuned multiple accelerometer-gyro

• US 6,474,160 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2001
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Litton Systems Incorporated, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Stewart, Robert E., Wyse, Stanley F.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOLLER, RICHARD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/864,598
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 735/040.2, 735/040.3, 735/040.4, 735/041.2
• US Class Current: 73/504.04
• 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 15/097 by vibratory elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/14 by making use of gyroscopes gyroscopes per se G01C19/00

Abstract

A simplified and smaller accelerometer-gyro is provided by combining gyro and accelerometer functions in a single sensor unit which has a pair of counter oscillating accelerometers each having a pendulum or sense element and a vibrating element. The pendulum and vibrating element of each accelerometer are designed to be symmetrical so that the center of mass for each accelerometer are on a line which is parallel to the dither motion of the unit. The geometry of these two pendulums is configured so that the centers of percussion of each is at the same point. Electrodes on the top and bottom cover of the sensor unit combine the pickoff and forcing function with the pendulum tuning function, thereby simplifying electrical connection. A pair of mounting tabs are fastened to the frame by respective compliant beams. The accelerometer-gyro may be mounted in an enclosure that maintains a pressure below atmospheric around the accelerometer-gyro.

Claims

1. An accelerometer-gyro for sensing angular rate and acceleration having a structure formed from a substantially planar, monolithic material having first and second major surfaces, the accelerometer-gyro comprising:

a frame defined within the first and second major surfaces;

a first vibrating structure having a top, bottom and sides disposed within said frame and connected to said frame by a flexure;

a first pendulum having a top and bottom disposed within said frame and connected to said first vibrating structure by a flexure;

a second vibrating structure having a top, bottom and sides disposed within said frame and connected the same frame by a flexure;

a second pendulum having a top and bottom disposed within said frame and connected to said second vibrating structure by a flexure; and

said first and second vibrating structures and said first and second pendulums structured to have their respective centers of mass lie on a line parallel to the motion of said first and second vibrating structure.

2. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 wherein said vibrating structures are each connected to said frame by four flexures.

3. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 wherein the geometry of the first and second pendulum is configured so that the center of percussion of each pendulum is at the same point.

4. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 3 further comprising:

a top cover having a plurality of electrode patterns on the underside thereof facing the vibrating structures and pendulums within the frame; and

a bottom cover having a plurality of electrode patterns on the underside thereof facing the vibrating structures and pendulums within the frame.

5. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 4 wherein the first and second vibrating structures and the first and second pendulums are slotted or grooved on their respective top and bottom surfaces by peaks and valleys.

6. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 5 wherein a pair of electrodes on the top cover overlay peaks or valleys in the top surface of the first and second pendulum.

7. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 6 wherein a pair of electrodes on the bottom cover overlay peaks or valleys in the bottom surface of the first and second pendulums.

8. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 wherein the first and second pendulums are slotted or grooved on their respective top and bottom surfaces.

9. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 further comprising:

a top cover having a plurality of electrode patterns on the underside thereof facing the vibrating structures and pendulums within the frame; and

a bottom cover having a plurality of electrode patterns on the underside thereof facing the vibrating structures and pendulums within the frame.

10. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 9 wherein the first and second vibrating structures and the first and second pendulums are slotted or grooved on their respective top and bottom surfaces by peaks and valleys.

11. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 10 wherein a pair of electrodes on the top cover overlay peaks or valleys in the top surface of the first and second pendulum.

12. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 11 wherein a pair of electrodes on the bottom cover overlay peaks or valleys in the bottom surface of the first and second pendulums.

13. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of mounting tabs attached to the frame for mounting the accelerometer-gyro.

14. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 13 further comprising a compliant beam for each mounting tab for connecting each mounting tab to the frame.

15. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 14 further comprising an enclosure for the accelerometer-gyro for maintaining the pressure around the accelerometer-gyro below atmospheric.

16. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 further comprising an enclosure for the accelerometer-gyro for maintaining the pressure around the accelerometer-gyro below atmospheric.

17. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of mounting tabs attached to the frame for mounting the accelerometer-gyro in the enclosure.

18. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 17 further comprising a compliant beam for each mounting tab for connecting each mounting tab to the frame.