Vibratory gyroscope

A vibratory gyroscopes comprising:

• a vibratory element;
• means for inducing a mode of vibration into said vibratory element;
• means for detecting strain in said vibratory element;
• and
• processing means for generating, in response to a change in strain detected in said vibratory element, a signal indicative of a rate of rotation about an axis of said vibratory element corresponding to a rotation imparted to said vibratory element subsequent to an inducing of said vibration,
• wherein said means for detecting strain comprises a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) device mounted to said vibratory element and in electrical communication with said processing means by a capacitive or inductive couple.

A vibratory gyroscope, comprising

• a vibratory element;
• means for inducing a mode of vibration into said vibratory element;
• means for detecting strain in said vibratory element;
• and
• processing means for generating, in response to a change in strain detected in said vibratory element, a signal indicative of a rate of rotation about an axis of said vibratory element corresponding to a rotation imparted to said vibratory element subsequent to an inducing of said vibration,
• wherein said means for detecting strain comprises:
• a first capacitor plate mounted to a portion of said vibratory element which moves, during vibration of said element, relative to a fixture;
• and
• a second capacitor plate mounted to said fixture adjacent the first capacitor plate.

A vibratory gyroscope, comprising

• a vibratory element;
• means for inducing a mode of vibration into said vibratory element;
• means for detecting strain in said vibratory element;
• and
• processing means for generating, in response to a change in strain detected in said vibratory element, a signal indicative of a rate of rotation about an axis of said vibratory element wherein said corresponding to a rotation is that imparted to said vibratory element subsequent to an inducing of said vibration, and
• wherein said means for detecting strain comprises an interferometer that, in turn, includes means for reflecting light from a portion of said vibratory element which moves, during vibration of said element, relative to a fixture.