Inner-forcer milli-hemispherical resonator gyro
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc.
InventorsYoungmin A. Choi, David M. Rozelle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The Inner-Forcer milli-Hemispherical Resonator Gyro (mHRG) is a small, low cost, high performance gyroscope. It may have an extremely simplified design, with in one embodiment of the present method and apparatus only five major parts total, with most parts filling multiple functions. The method and apparatus in one embodiment may have: a resonator; and a body operatively coupled to the resonator, the unitary body integrally having electrodes, an electrode support unit, a weld ring and a plurality of electrically conductive pins, the plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to the electrically conductive pins.
Claims30
An apparatus, comprising:
- a resonator with a metallized inner surface;
- a body operatively coupled to the resonator;
- a cap operatively coupled to the body such that the cap and body form a vacuum sealed chamber that contains the resonator;
- a buffer with electrical circuitry that provides, via the body, readout pickoff signals and forcer voltages for interfacing with the resonator;
- and
- a cover operatively coupled to the body such that the cover and the body form a space that contains the electronics;
- wherein the body functions to support the resonator and to convey the readout pickoff signals and forcer voltages between the electronics and the resonator.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a resonator;
- and
- a body operatively coupled to the resonator, the unitary body integrally having electrodes, an electrode support unit, a weld ring, a plurality of electrically conductive pins, the plurality of electrodes operatively coupled to the electrically conductive pins, and a resonator electrical connection operatively coupled to an electrically conductive pin.
A method, comprising:
- metallization of a resonator;
- balancing of the resonator;
- metallization of an electrode support unit to form electrodes thereon;
- alignment of the resonator relative to the electrodes on the electrode support unit;
- bonding the resonator to the body;
- evacuating and sealing;
- and
- mounting of a buffer and cover to the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.