Angular rate sensor
US6282958A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C19/5684
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An angular rate sensor or gyro includes a ring-like resonator (1) mounted by support beams (2) extending from the inner periphery of the ring (1) to a boss (4) on a base (3). The support beams (2) are flexible and allow the resonator (1) to vibrate in response to an electrostatic drive (6, 8) in a substantially undamped oscillation mode to permit the resonator to move relative to the support in response to turning rate. The support beams (2) and resonator (1) are made from crystalline silicon. Electrostatic sensors (7, 9) are provided for sensing movement of the resonator (1). The drive (6, 8) and sensors (7, 9) have plate-like elements made from crystalline silicon having surfaces located substantially normal to the plane of the resonator (1) at a spacing from the adjacent outer periphery of the resonator (1). The ratio of the thickness of the resonator (1) at the outer periphery (1b) to the width of the spacing (11) between the periphery (1b) and the element surfaces (10) is in the range of from 10:1 to 40:1.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.