Accelerometer systems and methods

US9229026B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NORTHROP GRUMMAN GUIDANCE AND ELECTRONICS COMPANY, INC. · US

Inventors

• Robert E. Stewart · Calabasas, US
• Daryl K. Sakaida · Simi Valley, US
• Michael D. Bulatowicz · Sun Prairie, US
• Ming-Shuan Li · Singapore, SG
• John T. Douglass · Calabasas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 13, 2011
• Grant date: Jan 5, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01P2015/0834
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An accelerometer system can include a sensor element comprising first and second proofmasses, the first proofmass accelerating in a first direction and the second proofmass accelerating in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to an external acceleration. A force rebalance controller applies control signals to at least one control element to provide a first force to accelerate the first proofmass toward a first null position and to at least one control element to provide a second force to accelerate the second proofmass toward a second null position. The force rebalance controller can also generate opposite polarity first and second output signals associated with respective displacements of the first and second proofmasses relative to the respective first and second null positions. An acceleration component calculates the external acceleration based on the first and second output signals.