Isolated resonator gyroscope with isolation trimming using a secondary element

• US 6,990,863 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology, The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology, The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Shcheglov, Kirill V., Challoner, A. Dorian
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN JR, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US10/423,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20030188577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 735/041.2, 735/041.4, 735/040.2
• US Class Current: 73/504.12
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5719 using planar vibrating masses driven in a translation vibration along an axis

Abstract

The present invention discloses a resonator gyroscope including an isolated resonator. One or more flexures support the isolated resonator and a baseplate is affixed to the resonator by the flexures. Drive and sense elements are affixed to the baseplate and used to excite the resonator and sense movement of the gyroscope. In addition, at least one secondary element (e.g., another electrode) is affixed to the baseplate and used for trimming isolation of the resonator. The resonator operates such that it transfers substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited. Typically, the isolated resonator comprises a proof mass and a counterbalancing plate.

Claims

1. A resonator gyroscope, comprising:

an isolated resonator;

one or more flexures for supporting the isolated resonator;

a baseplate affixed to the resonator by the one or more flexures;

drive and sense elements affixed to the baseplate for exciting the resonator sensing movement of the gyroscope; and

at least one secondary element affixed to the baseplate for trimming isolation of the resonator;

wherein the isolated resonator transfers substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited.

2. The resonator gyroscope of claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary element comprises an electrode.

3. The resonator gyroscope of claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary element provides electrostatic control of a differential rocking mode of the isolated resonator.

4. The resonator gyroscope of claim 1, wherein the isolated resonator comprises a proof mass and a counterbalancing plate.

5. The resonator gyroscope of claim 4, wherein the counterbalancing plate and proof mass each have a center of mass and transverse inertia symmetry about an axis that are substantially coincident and together form two differential rocking modes of vibration transverse to the axis with substantially equal frequencies.

6. The resonator gyroscope of claim 4, wherein the proof mass comprises a vertical portion attached to a support plate portion elastically connected to the counterbalancing plate.

7. The resonator gyroscope of claim 6, wherein the vertical portion comprises a post attached to the support plate portion.

8. The resonator gyroscope of claim 6, wherein the isolation of the resonator is adjustable and varies according to a length of the vertical portion.

9. The resonator gyroscope of claim 6, wherein the at least one secondary element reacts with the support plate portion.

10. The resonator gyroscope of claim 4, wherein the sense and drive elements are disposed to react with the counterbalancing plate.

11. The resonator gyroscope of claim 10, wherein the counterbalancing plate includes an extensive planar region for reacting against the sense and drive elements.

12. The resonator gyroscope of claim 4, wherein the one or more flexures are arranged around a perimeter of the proof mass, each with a first end attached to the counterbalancing plate and a second end attached to the proof mass.

13. The resonator gyroscope of claim 4, further comprising a mounting plate attached to the baseplate through at least one mounting plate flexure.

14. A method, comprising the steps of:

providing an isolated resonator;

supporting the isolated resonator with one or more flexures;

affix drive and sense electrodes to the baseplate for exciting the resonator and movement of the gyroscope;

affix at least one secondary element for trimming isolation of the resonator; and

affixing a baseplate to the resonator by the one or more flexures;

wherein the isolated resonator transfers substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one secondary element comprises an electrode.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one secondary element comprises a secondary electrode and provides electrostatic control of a differential mode of the isolated resonator.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the isolated resonator comprises a proof mass and a counterbalancing plate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the counterbalancing plate and proof mass each have a center of mass and transverse inertia symmetry about an axis are substantially coincident and together form two differential rocking modes of vibration transverse to the axis with substantially equal frequencies.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the proof mass comprises a vertical portion attached to a support plate portion elastically connected to the counterbalancing plate.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the vertical portion comprises a post attached to the support plate portion.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the resonator is isolated by changing a length of the vertical portion.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one secondary element reacts with the support plate portion.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the sense and drive elements are disposed to react with the counterbalancing plate.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the counterbalancing plate includes an extensive planar region for reacting against the sense and drive elements.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more flexures are arranged around a perimeter of the proof mass, each with a first end attacked to the counterbalancing plate and a second end attached to the proof mass.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising a mounting plate attached to the baseplate through at least one mounting plate flexure.