Multi-axis micro gyro structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A unitary three-axis micro-gyro structure that comprises:
- a monolithic substrate that defines a plane of the micro-gyro, and three micro-gyro devices formed simultaneously as a layer on the substrate by successive steps of depositing material, delineating desired material shapes by lithography, and etching to remove unwanted material, the first micro-gyro device being so constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around a first rate axis extending in the plane of the micro-gyro, the second micro-gyro device being so constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro gyro structure around a second rate axis extending in the plane of the micro-gyro and perpendicular to the first rate axis; and
the third micro-gyro device being so constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the micro-gyro.
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Abstract
A three-axis micro-gyro structure having first and second micro-gyro devices that measure angular velocity around first and second rate axes extending in a plane of the micro-gyro structure and a third micro-gyro that measures angular velocity around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the micro-gyro structure.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A unitary three-axis micro-gyro structure that comprises:
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a monolithic substrate that defines a plane of the micro-gyro, and three micro-gyro devices formed simultaneously as a layer on the substrate by successive steps of depositing material, delineating desired material shapes by lithography, and etching to remove unwanted material, the first micro-gyro device being so constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around a first rate axis extending in the plane of the micro-gyro, the second micro-gyro device being so constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro gyro structure around a second rate axis extending in the plane of the micro-gyro and perpendicular to the first rate axis; and
the third micro-gyro device being so constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the micro-gyro. - View Dependent Claims (2)
a first momentum creating element formed as an outer element having an open center, and a second Coriolis sensing element formed as an inner element located in said center.
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3. A three-axis micro-gyro structure of planar construction comprising:
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first and second micro-gyro devices that measure angular velocity around first and second rate axes extending in the plane of the micro-gyro structure; and
a third micro-gyro device that measures angular velocity around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the micro-gyro structure. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A three-axis micro-gyro structure of planar construction comprising:
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first and second micro-gyro devices that are substantially identical in construction, the first and second micro-gyro devices being constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around first and second rate axes extending in the plane of the micro-gyro structure, the first and second micro-gyro devices being oriented relative to one another in a plane of the micro-gyro structure to position the second rate axis perpendicular to the first rate axis; and
a third micro-gyro device being constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the micro-gyro structure. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A three-axis micro-gyro structure comprising:
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a planar substrate;
a first micro-gyro device supported by the planar substrate and constructed as to measure angular velocity around a first rate axis extending in the plane of the substrate, a second micro-gyro device supported by the planar substrate and constructed as to measure angular velocity around a second rate axis extending in the plane of the substrate and perpendicular to the first rate axis; and
a third micro-gyro device supported by the planar substrate and constructed as to measure angular velocity of the micro-gyro structure around a third rate axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method of measuring angular velocity about three orthogonal axes comprising the steps of:
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providing first, second and third micro-gyros on a planar substrate;
orienting the first micro-gyro to measure angular velocity about a first axis parallel to the substrate;
orienting the second micro-gyro to measure angular velocity about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the substrate; and
orienting the third micro-gyro to measure angular velocity about a third axis perpendicular to the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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Specification