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US 8,806,939 B2Granted
Distributed mass hemispherical resonator gyroscope
AssigneeCustom Sensors & Technologies, Inc.
InventorChris Painter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A micro-scale hemispherical resonator gyroscope includes a hemispherical resonator with a plurality of masses positioned around the periphery of the hemispherical resonator. At least some of the masses may be made of a heavy metal, such as tungsten, gold, platinum, or lead, and may be positioned at points of maximum deflection or velocity of the resonator. The hemispherical resonator may have a 2 mm diameter and a ring down time of at least 500 seconds.
Claims27
A rotation sensor comprising:
- a hemispherical resonator comprising a plurality of masses electroformed affixed along a planar surface of a periphery of the hemispherical resonator's outer rim;
- a ring forcer electrode in communication with the hemispherical resonator and configured to drive the hemispherical resonator;
- and
- a plurality of electrodes disposed in proximity to the hemispherical resonator and configured to sense an orientation of a vibration pattern of the hemispherical resonator.
1 more element
A rotation sensor comprising:
- a hemispherical resonator including a first equivalent mass;
- means for increasing the equivalent mass of the resonator from the first equivalent mass to a second equivalent mass, wherein the means for increasing the equivalent mass comprise a plurality of masses electroformed affixed along a planar surface of a periphery of the hemispherical resonator's outer rim;
- means for driving the hemispherical resonator;
- and
- means for sensing an orientation of a vibration pattern of the hemispherical resonator.
2 more elements
A gyroscope comprising:
- a hemispherical resonator;
- and
- a plurality of masses electroformed affixed along a planar surface of a periphery of the hemispherical resonator's outer rim, wherein at least some of the plurality of masses are positioned at points of maximum deflection of the hemispherical resonator and are configured to increase an equivalent mass of the hemispherical resonator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.