Optically rebalanced accelerometer

US6867411B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William P. Kelleher · Acton, US
• Stephen P. Smith · Acton, US
• Richard E. Stoner · Framingham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 25, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2005
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01P15/093
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical accelerometer for detecting an acceleration of a proof mass includes a source of optical radiation for generating a pair of beams of output radiation. The pair of beams of optical radiation exerts radiation pressure on the proof mass, so as to maintain the proof mass in an equilibrium position along a sensing axis. A position detecting system detects a displacement from the equilibrium position of the proof mass along the sensing axis in response to an inertial force acting on the proof mass. A modulator adjusts the intensity of each one of the pair of beams, so as to restore the proof mass to the equilibrium position along the sensing axis. The difference in the adjusted intensities of each one of the pair of beams is representative of the acceleration, resulting from the inertial force, of the proof mass along the sensing axis.