US 12,298,138 B1Granted

Enhanced performance inertial measurement unit (IMU) system and method for error, offset, or drift correction or prevention

AssigneeOrbital Research Inc.

InventorsFrederick J. Lisy, Anthony Opperman, Edward J. Rapp, Angela M. Lisy, Scott Suren, Douglas E. Russell

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Abstract

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) and methods with adaptations to eliminate or minimize sensor error, offset, or bias shift are presented. More particularly, the IMUs and methods for gun-fired projectiles herein are particularly adapted to accurately measure forces and to prevent or minimize the error, offset, or bias shift associated with events exhibiting high g shock, and/or high levels of vibration, and/or rotation. Even more particularly, the IMUs and methods herein utilize novel IMU packaging adapted to prevent or minimize sensor error, offset, or bias shift, and recalibration adaptations and methods adapted to correct or reset the error, offset, or bias shift from such an event. The IMUs are adapted to provide accurate measurements prior to, during and after such event, and to provide continuous accurate measurements during flight of gun-fired projectiles.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multiple inertial measurement unit (MIMU) system comprising:

an outer housing or case;
at least one printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the outer housing or case and comprising:
a) an upper surface,
b) a lower surface, and
c) a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted on at least one of the surfaces,
each IMU having a signal and comprising at least one accelerometer and/or at least one gyroscope, the IMUs adapted to be coupled together via firmware;
at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer within the outer housing or case;
at least one interface board within the outer housing or case, the interface board comprising an upper and a lower surface and being adapted to communicate with at least one external system;
at least one interface potting layer within the outer housing or case and disposed between the at least one interface board and the at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer, the interface potting layer adapted to cover substantially all of the upper and/or lower surface of the interface board;
a flexible connection within the outer housing or case and adapted to provide communication between the plurality of IMUs on the at least one PCB and the interface board;
and
a processor adapted to receive the signal from each IMU.

9 more elements

A multiple inertial measurement unit (MIMU) system comprising:

a rigid outer housing or case;
at least one printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the rigid outer housing or case and comprising:
a) an upper surface,
b) a lower surface, and
c) a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted on at least one of the surfaces,
each IMU having a signal and comprising at least one accelerometer and/or at least one gyroscope, the IMUs adapted to be coupled together via firmware;
at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer within the rigid outer housing or case and adapted to be layered on the at least one rigid potting layer;
at least one interface board within the rigid outer housing or case, the interface board comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and being adapted to communicate with at least one external system, the at least one external system being a manned vehicle, unmanned vehicle, munition, or projectile;
at least one rigid interface potting layer within the rigid outer housing or case and disposed between the at least one interface board and any rigid potting layer or flexible or viscoelastic layer, the interface rigid potting layer adapted to cover substantially all of the upper and/or lower surface of the interface board;
a flexible connection within the rigid outer housing or case and adapted to provide communication between the plurality of IMUs on the at least one PCB and the interface board;
and
a processor adapted to receive the signal from each IMU.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/440,086Filed 13 Feb 2024 · continuation
Priority: 10 Oct 2017
Granted: 13 May 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01C 21/16
Executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning: by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
F42B 15/01
Self-propelled projectiles or missiles, e.g. rockets; Guided missiles: arrangements thereon for guidance or control
G01C 21/166
By integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation: mechanical, construction or arrangement details of inertial navigation systems
G01C 25/005
Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass: initial alignment,…

Family

Application62/570,288Us provisional application · filed 10 Oct 2017
Application15/869,208Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 Jan 2018
Application15/880,591Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Jan 2018
Application62/887,246Us provisional application · filed 15 Aug 2019
Application16/695,449Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 26 Nov 2019
US 10,527,425 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 7 Jan 2020
US 10,527,427 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 7 Jan 2020
Application16/993,336Parent of this continuation · filed 14 Aug 2020
US 11,118,909 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Sep 2021
Application18/081,822Parent of this continuation · filed 15 Dec 2022
US 11,585,660 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Feb 2023
US 11,976,925 B1Parent of this continuation
Application16/993,336Parent of this continuation-in-part
Application16/695,449Parent of this continuation
Application15/880,591Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 12,298,138 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.