Angular velocity sensor making use of tuning fork vibration

An angular velocity sensor comprising:

• a fixed frame oriented in a reference plane and having an inner void, said fixed frame being adapted for rotation about a tuning axis parallel to said reference plane;
• a tuning fork vibrator positioned within said inner void and having a pair of vibrating elements that oscillate in opposite directions perpendicular to said tuning axis and parallel to said reference plane when an electrical input is applied thereto, said vibrating elements being structured and arranged to generate a torque about said tuning axis when said fixed frame is rotated about the tuning axis;
• a detection torsional vibrator positioned within said inner void around said tuning fork vibrator, said detection torsional vibrator coupling said tuning fork vibrator to said fixed frame such that said tuning fork vibrator and said detection torsional vibrator can rotate around said tuning axis relative to said fixed frame, said detection torsional vibrator producing a torsional vibration in response to the torque generated by said vibrating elements, said torsional vibration having a magnitude substantially proportional to an angular velocity of said fixed frame about the tuning axis.