Inertial sensor with an integrated temperature probe

• US 6,796,176 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Sagem SA (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Renault, Alain, Featonby, Paul, Vandebeuque, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): KWOK, HELEN C
• Application Number:
  US10/412,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20040011131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 735/142.9, 734/97, 735/141.8, 735/143.8, 738/625.9, 735/143.3, 310/321, 310/338
• US Class Current: 73/497
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/006 used for thermal compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/097 by vibratory elements

Abstract

The acceleration detection sensor comprises a plate in which there are defined a support portion, at least one vibrating element carried by the support portion and sensitive to the movements to which the sensor is subjected, and at least one additional portion connected to the vibrating element and active in detecting acceleration, the sensor including a temperature probe comprising a conductive track which is fixed on at least the additional active portion and which is of resistance that varies as a function of ambient temperature.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting acceleration, comprising:

a plate having a support portion;

a mass connected by at least one hinge to the support portion;

at least one vibrating element having a first extremity connected to the support portion and a second extremity connected to said mass portion;

an excitation circuit which extends on the plate and is connected to the vibrating element; and

a temperature probe comprising a conductive track which is of a resistance that varies as a function of ambient temperature and which has a portion fixed on at least the hinge and the mass.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature probe extends symmetrically relative to the vibrating element.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the conductive track fixed on at least the hinge and the mass has a high resistance in the vicinity of the vibrating element.

4. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein said portion of the conductive track has a smaller cross section than other portions of said conductive track.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first extremity of the vibrating element and the hinge of the mass are connected to the support portion by a decoupling frame disposed between the support portion, the hinge and the vibrating element, said portion of the conductive track fixed on the hinge and the mass extending on the decoupling frame.

6. The sensor fore detecting acceleration, comprising:

a plate having a support portion and a decoupling frame carried by the support portion;

a mass connected to the decoupling frame by at least one hinge;

at least one vibrating element having a first extremity connected to said decoupling frame and a second extremity connected to said mass; and

a temperature probe comprising a conductive track which is of a resistance that varies as a function of ambient temperature and which has a portion fixed on each of the mass, the hinge, and the decoupling frame.

7. The sensor according to claim 6, wherein the temperature probe extends symmetrically relative to the vibrating element.

8. The sensor according to claim 6, wherein said portion of the conductive track has a higher resistance in the vicinity of the vibrating element.

9. The sensor according to claim 8, wherein the portion presenting higher resistance has a smaller cross-section than other portions of said conductive track.

10. The sensor for detecting acceleration, comprising:

a plate having a support portion;

a mass connected by at least one hinge to the support portion;

at least one vibrating element having a first end connected to the support portion and a second end connected to said mass portion;

an excitation circuit which extends on the plate and is connected to the vibrating element; and

a temperature probe comprising a conductive track that is of a resistance that varies as a function of ambient temperature and that has a portion extending on at least the hinge and the mass and that substantially surrounds said vibrating element.