Isolated resonator gyroscope with a drive and sense plate
AssigneesThe Boeing Company, California Institute of Technology
InventorsA. Dorian Challoner, Kirill V. Shcheglov
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a resonator gyroscope comprising a vibrationally isolated resonator including a proof mass, a counterbalancing plate having an extensive planar region, and one or more flexures interconnecting the proof mass and counterbalancing plate. A baseplate is affixed to the resonator by the one or more flexures and sense and drive electrodes are affixed to the baseplate proximate to the extensive planar region of the counterbalancing plate for exciting the resonator and sensing movement of the gyroscope. The isolated resonator transfers substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited.
Claims22
A resonator gyroscope, comprising:
- an isolated resonator including:
- a proof mass;
- a counterbalancing plate having a planar region;
- and
- one or more flexures interconnecting the proof mass and the counterbalancing plate;
- where the planar region extends toward the proof mass beyond attachment points of the one or more flexures interconnected to the counterbalancing plate;
- a baseplate affixed to the resonator by the one or more flexures;
- and
- drive and sense electrodes affixed to the baseplate proximate to the planar region of the counterbalancing plate for exciting the resonator and sensing movement of the gyroscope;
- wherein the isolated resonator transfers substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited.
A method of producing a resonator gyroscope, comprising the steps of:
- providing an isolated resonator including:
- a proof mass;
- a counterbalancing plate having a planar region;
- and
- one or more flexures interconnecting the proof mass and the counterbalancing plate;
- where the planar region extends toward the proof mass beyond attachment points of the one or more flexures interconnected to the counterbalancing plate;
- affixing drive and sense electrodes to a baseplate;
- and
- affixing the resonator to the baseplate by the one or more flexures such that the drive and sense electrodes are disposed proximate to the planar region of the counterbalancing plate;
- wherein the isolated resonator transfers substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.