Tunneling-based rate gyros with simple drive and sense axis coupling
US6109105A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P21/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various structures for cantilever beam tunneling rate gyro devices formed on a single substrate are disclosed. A cantilever electrode having a plurality of portions extending from the substrate with one end of the cantilever is suspended above the substrate at a distance from a tunneling electrode so that a tunneling current flows through the cantilever and tunneling electrode in response to an applied bias voltage. The cantilever and tunneling electrodes form a circuit that produces an output signal. A force applied to the sensor urges the cantilever electrode to deflect relative to the tunneling electrode to modulate the output signal. The output signal is a control voltage that is applied between the cantilever electrode and a control electrode to maintain a constant tunneling current. In the preferred embodiment, two cantilever portions extend from the wafer surface forming a Y-shape. In a further embodiment, a strap is fabricated on the cantilever electrode. In an alternate embodiment, a ridge emitter is formed such that it remains under the cantilever electrode during lateral motion of the cantilever. In an alternate embodiment, a cantilever having a varying width is fabricat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.