Coupling apparatus for inertial sensors
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for coupling sensor elements of an inertial sensor, the apparatus comprising:
- a bar coupled between first and second sensor element frames; and
a plurality of anchor flexures supporting the bar above a substrate underlying the frames, each anchor flexure including a structure anchored at one end to the substrate and folded back 180 degrees to meet with the bar, the anchor flexures allowing the bar to rotate at a pivot point when the frames move in anti-phase to one another along separate substantially parallel axes but substantially preventing in-phase movements of the frames, wherein the anchor flexures are anchored adjacent to the bar about the pivot point.
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Abstract
A coupling apparatus allows anti-phase movements of inertial sensor element frames along parallel axes but substantially prevents in-phase movements of the frames. The coupling apparatus includes a bar coupled between first and second sensor element frames and at least one supporting structure supporting the bar. The at least one structure is coupled to a substrate underlying the frames. The structures allow the bar to rotate at a pivot point when the frames move in anti-phase to one another along substantially parallel axes but substantially prevent in-phase movements of the frames.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. Apparatus for coupling sensor elements of an inertial sensor, the apparatus comprising:
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a bar coupled between first and second sensor element frames; and a plurality of anchor flexures supporting the bar above a substrate underlying the frames, each anchor flexure including a structure anchored at one end to the substrate and folded back 180 degrees to meet with the bar, the anchor flexures allowing the bar to rotate at a pivot point when the frames move in anti-phase to one another along separate substantially parallel axes but substantially preventing in-phase movements of the frames, wherein the anchor flexures are anchored adjacent to the bar about the pivot point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. Apparatus for coupling sensor elements of an inertial sensor, the apparatus comprising:
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coupling means for coupling first and second sensor element frames; and supporting means for supporting the coupling means above a substrate underlying the frames, the supporting means including a plurality of anchor flexures, each anchor flexure including a structure anchored at one end to the substrate and folded back 180 degrees to meet with the coupling means, the supporting means allowing the coupling means to rotate at a pivot point when the frames move in anti-phase to one another along separate substantially parallel axes but substantially preventing in-phase movements of the frames, wherein the anchor flexures are anchored adjacent to the coupling means about the pivot point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16)
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Specification