Counterbalanced silicon tuned multiple accelerometer-gyro

• US 6,557,415 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Stewart, Robert E., Wyse, Stanley F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moller, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US10/198,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 291 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 rates and acceleration 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 plurality of mounting tabs attached to the frame by respective compliant beams;

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

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

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

3. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 wherein said vibrating structure is slotted or grooved on its top and bottom surfaces.

4. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 1 wherein the pendulum is slotted or grooved on its top and bottom surfaces.

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

a top cover having a plurality of electrode patterns on the underside thereof facing the pendulum within the frame.

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 pendulum.

7. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 5 further comprising a bottom cover having a plurality of electrode patterns on the underside thereof facing the pendulum within the frame;

and

wherein a pair of electrodes on the bottom cover overlay peaks or valleys in the bottom surface of the pendulum.

8. An accelerometer-gyro for sensing angular rate and acceleration 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 vibrating structure having a top, bottom and sides disposed with said frame and connected to said frame;

a pendulum having a top and bottom disposed with said frame and connected to said vibrating structure; and

an enclosure for the accelerometer-gyro for maintaining the pressure around the accelerometer-gyro below atmospheric.

9. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 8 wherein said vibrating structure is connected to said frame by a plurality of flexures.

10. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 8 wherein the pendulum is slotted or grooved on its respective top and bottom surfaces.

11. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 8 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.

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

13. 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 pendulum.

14. The accelerometer-gyro of claim 8 comprising a plurality of mounting tabs attached to the frame by respective compliant beams.