Inertial measurement unit (IMU) multi-point thermal control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A thermally controlled gas bearing supported inertial measurement unit (IMU) system, comprising:
- a sensor assembly enclosing one or more sensors;
a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of heating elements is proximal to the sensor assembly;
a plurality of temperature sensors configured to determine a temperature of a region of the sensor assembly; and
a control unit configured to adjust a temperature of at least one of the plurality of heating elements based on feedback from the at least one temperature sensor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermally controlled gas bearing supported inertial measurement unit (IMU) system is provided. The system comprises a sensor assembly enclosing one or more sensors and a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of heating elements is proximal to the sensor assembly. The system also comprises a plurality of temperature sensors configured to determine a temperature of a region of the sensor assembly and a control unit configured to adjust a temperature of at least one of the plurality of heating elements based on feedback from the at least one temperature sensor.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A thermally controlled gas bearing supported inertial measurement unit (IMU) system, comprising:
-
a sensor assembly enclosing one or more sensors; a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of heating elements is proximal to the sensor assembly; a plurality of temperature sensors configured to determine a temperature of a region of the sensor assembly; and a control unit configured to adjust a temperature of at least one of the plurality of heating elements based on feedback from the at least one temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An inertial navigation system (INS) onboard an aerial vehicle, comprising:
-
an inertial measurement unit (IMU) comprising; a sensor assembly, wherein the sensor assembly is approximately spherical in shape; at least one motion sensor; and a plurality of temperature sensors; a gas jet control assembly, comprising; a plurality of gas pads that output pressurized gas to support the sensor assembly, wherein the sensor assembly is free to rotate; and a plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of heating element is affixed to one of the plurality of gas pads, wherein the plurality of heating elements warm the pressurized gas; and a control unit configured to adjust the temperature of each of the plurality of heating elements based on the relative temperature of the surface of the sensor assembly proximate to the plurality of heating elements, wherein the control unit comprises; a processing unit configured to execute a thermal control routine to control the temperature of the sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
-
Specification