Patent ID: 7134171
Filing Date: 2006-11-14
Classification: G01C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a solid state angular rate sensor, comprising: preparing a generally circular base assembly by fabricating first and second outer layers of a piezo-electric ceramic material each built up from multiple layers of a ceramic sheet or film capable of being tape-cast and sintered, and providing between said outer layers an inner layer of a metallic material, sintering the prepared base assembly thereby to produce a piezo-electric base structure having an inner electrode between the sintered outer layers; shaping the sintered base structure to be disc-shaped with a circular cross-section and an outer periphery; providing on the outer faces of the outer layers respective first and second electrode structures, each such electrode structure comprising a plurality of independent separate sectors each having a radial extent, the first and second electrode structures being of the same configuration and arrangement and having their respective sectors in close alignment with each other; and providing means effecting connections to at least some of the sectors on the outer faces of the outer layers and to the inner electrode whereby the sectors may be separately driven with a signal which causes the disc to resonate in an in-plane mode.