Rotation rate sensor with uncoupled mutually perpendicular primary and secondary oscillations

US6349597B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für Angewandte Forschung e. V. · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Folkmer · Villingen-Schwenningen, DE
• Wolfram Geiger · Gomaringen, DE
• Walter Lang · Rochester, US
• Udo Sobe · Oberbobritzsch, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 1999
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2002
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01C19/5712
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A rotational rate gyroscope (100) for detecting rotation thereof comprises a base member (102), a primary oscillator (106) supported by its primary oscillator suspension (104) so as to be movable with respect to the base member (102), and a secondary oscillator (114) supported by a secondary oscillator suspension (112), separate from primary oscillator suspension (104), so as to be movable with respect to the primary oscillator (106). The secondary oscillator suspension (112) is designed such that movement that can be applied to the primary oscillator (106) can be transferred to the secondary oscillator (114), whereas the movement of the secondary oscillator (114) effected by the Coriolis force substantially is not transferred back to the primary oscillator (106). In addition thereto, the major surfaces of the primary oscillator (106) and of the secondary oscillator (114) extend substantially in the same plane, with the movement of the primary oscillator (106) and/or of the secondary oscillator (114) also taking place in this plane.