Dual axis vibration rate gyroscope
First Claim
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1. A vibratory rotational rate sensor comprising:
- a vibratory element including a pair of vibratory masses disposed symmetrically along a common axis for vibration along the axis;
a driver coupled to only one of the vibratory masses for inducing periodic counter-phase motion in the pair of vibratory masses along the axis;
a first sense circuit coupled to only one of the vibratory masses for sensing motion of the vibratory mass in only one direction orthogonal to the vibratory axis; and
a second sense circuit coupled to the same one of the vibratory masses for sensing motion of the vibratory mass in only another direction orthogonal to the vibratory axis.
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Abstract
A dual-axis rotational rate sensor having two vibratory masses coupled to a restoring element and driven in a resonant counter-phase motion, wherein the two masses vibrate with equal but opposite amplitudes along a single axis. The vibratory structure also accommodates motion of the masses in a plane orthogonal to the vibratory axis. Measurement of the motion of the masses in two axes in this plane provides signals directly responsive to rotation of the sensor about two orthogonal axes. Measurement and drive is facilitated by the use of magnetic masses and electromagnetic drive and sense transducers.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vibratory rotational rate sensor comprising:
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a vibratory element including a pair of vibratory masses disposed symmetrically along a common axis for vibration along the axis; a driver coupled to only one of the vibratory masses for inducing periodic counter-phase motion in the pair of vibratory masses along the axis; a first sense circuit coupled to only one of the vibratory masses for sensing motion of the vibratory mass in only one direction orthogonal to the vibratory axis; and a second sense circuit coupled to the same one of the vibratory masses for sensing motion of the vibratory mass in only another direction orthogonal to the vibratory axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for operating a vibratory rotational rate sensor, the rate sensor including a pair of vibratory masses disposed symmetrically along a common axis for vibration along the axis, the method comprising the steps of:
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driving only one of the vibratory masses for inducing periodic counter-phase motion in the pair of vibratory masses along the axis; sensing motion of only one of the vibratory masses in only a first direction orthogonal to the vibratory axis; and sensing motion of the same one of the vibratory masses in a second direction orthogonal to the vibratory axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification