Vibrating sensor with thermal shield

• US 6,948,368 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Onfroy, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): KWOK, HELEN C
• Application Number:
  US10/777,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20040163473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 735/142.1, 735/142.2, 735/142.3, 735/142.4, 734/97, 738/625.9, 735/142.9, 735/141.6
• US Class Current: 73/514.21
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/006 used for thermal compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/097 by vibratory elements

Abstract

The vibrating sensor includes a cell fixed in a housing, the cell including a support member and a vibrating member connected to the support member, together with a thermal masking element extending between the vibrating member and a wall of the housing.

Claims

1. A vibrating sensor comprising a cell fixed in a housing, the cell having a support member and a vibrating member connected to the support member and powered by an excitation circuit so as to be sensitive to the movements to which the sensor is subjected, the sensor including at least one thermal masking element independent of the excitation circuit and extending between the vibrating member and at least one wall of the housing so that said at least one thermal masking element only partly covers a surface of the cell facing said at least one wall of the housing.

2. A vibrating sensor according to claim 1, wherein the masking element is fixed to the housing while being spaced apart therefrom and spaced apart from the cell.

3. A vibrating sensor according to claim 2, wherein the masking element is carried by a link part.

4. A vibrating sensor according to claim 3, wherein the link part includes a portion of greater thickness.

5. A vibrating sensor according to claim 3, wherein the link part is made of a suitable material and presents a cross-section and a length that are adapted to control heating of the masking element by conduction.

6. A vibrating sensor according to claim 3, wherein the link part extends facing a portion of the cell adjacent to the vibrating member.

7. A vibrating sensor according to claim 2, wherein a face of the masking element facing towards the vibrating member carries a reflective layer.

8. A vibrating sensor according to claim 1, wherein the masking element is carried by the cell.

9. A vibrating sensor according to claim 1, wherein the masking element comprises a reflective layer applied to the vibrating element.

10. A vibrating sensor according to claim 9, wherein the reflective layer also extends over a portion of the cell adjacent to the vibrating member.

11. A vibrating sensor comprising a cell fixed in a housing, the cell having a support member and a vibrating member connected to the support member and powered by an excitation circuit so as to be sensitive to the movements to which the sensor is subjected, the sensor including at least one thermal masking element independent of the excitation circuit and extending between the vibrating member and at least one wall of the housing, wherein the masking element is carried by a link part.

12. A vibrating sensor according to claim 11, wherein the link part includes a portion of greater thickness.

13. A vibrating sensor according to claim 11, wherein the link part is made of a suitable material and presents a cross-section and a length that are adapted to control heating of the masking element by conduction.

14. A vibrating sensor according to claim 11, wherein the link part extends facing a portion of the cell adjacent to the vibrating member.

15. A vibrating sensor comprising:

a housing;

a cell fixed in the housing, the cell having a support member and a vibrating member connected to the support member and powered by an excitation circuit so as to be sensitive to movements to which the sensor is subjected, the vibrating member having a thermal mass smaller than a thermal mass of remaining portions of the cell;

a thermal masking element, independent of the excitation circuit, extending between the vibrating member and at least one wall of the housing to minimize parasitic stresses in the cell, wherein,

said thermal masking element only partly covers a surface of the cell facing said at least one wall of the housing to locally thermally isolate the vibrating member, and

said thermal masking element stops heat being transmitted by radiation between the housing and the vibrating member so that the vibrating member and the remaining portions of the cell rise in temperature in a substantially matched manner whereby said thermal masking element minimizes parasitic stresses in the cell.

16. A vibrating sensor according to claim 15, wherein the masking element is fixed to the housing while being spaced apart therefrom and spaced apart from the cell.