Patent · US Active

Force rebalancing and parametric amplification of MEMS inertial sensors

US7444869B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 16, 2006
Grant dateNov 4, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01C19/5726
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

MEMS devices and methods for measuring Coriolis forces using force rebalancing and parametric gain amplification techniques are disclosed. A MEMS inertial sensor can include one or more proof masses, at least one sense electrode positioned adjacent to each proof mass, a number of torquer electrodes for electrostatically nulling quadrature and Coriolis-related proof mass motion, and a number of pump electrodes for producing a pumping force on the proof masses. Force rebalancing voltages can be applied to some torquer electrodes to electrostatically null quadrature and/or Coriolis-related proof mass motion along a sense axis of the device. A pumping voltage at approximately twice the motor drive frequency of the proof masses can be used to pump the proof masses along the sense axis.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.