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Torsional rate measuring gyroscope

  • US 9,581,445 B2
  • Filed: 06/04/2012
  • Issued: 02/28/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A torsional gyroscope comprising:

  • a drive tine having a length along a first axis, the drive tine comprising a piezoelectric material;

    a pickup tine having a length along a second axis, the pickup tine comprising a piezoelectric material, the pickup tine being transverse to the drive tine, the drive tine having a first end attached to the pickup tine;

    a plurality of pickup electrodes disposed along the pickup tine;

    a plurality of drive electrodes disposed along the drive tine; and

    a drive mass attached to a second end of the drive tine opposite the first end of the drive tine;

    wherein the plurality of drive electrodes and the drive tine are configured such that an electric field applied to the plurality of drive electrodes induces a rotational oscillation of the drive tine such that the drive tine rotates about the first axis, inducing the drive mass to rotate about the first axis; and

    wherein an angular rotation of the drive mass about a third axis induces a torque in the pickup tine that induces an electric field in the pickup tine that induces an electrical charge to build up in the plurality of pickup electrodes.

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