Patent ID: 6023972
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: F02G,F16F,F16L,G01C,G01P,Y10S

Abstract:
An angular rate sensor comprising:a) a generally planar substrate, having an angular rate sensing axis and a vibration axis normal to each other and parallel to a plane of said substrate;b) a mounting frame formed in said substrate;c) a first accelerometer formed in said substrate and located within said mounting frame on a first side of said angular rate sensing axis, said first accelerometer includinga first accelerometer frame,a first proof mass located within said first accelerometer frame,a first flexure rotatably attaching a first end of said first proof mass to said first accelerometer frame,a first suspension member connecting a second end of said first proof mass to said first accelerometer frame, anda first force detector connected between said first proof mass and said first accelerometer frame;d) a second accelerometer formed in said substrate, located within said mounting frame on a second side of said angular rate sensing axis, said second accelerometer includinga second accelerometer frame,a second proof mass located within said second accelerometer frame,a second flexure rotatable attaching a first end of said second proof mass to said second accelerometer frame,a second suspension member connecting a second end of said second proof mass to said second accelerometer frame and a second force detector connected between said second proof mass and said second accelerometer frame;e) a first and second frame flexure connecting said first and second accelerometer frames to said mounting frame;f) a link member mechanically coupling said first accelerometer to said second accelerometer;g) vibration means for vibrating said first and second accelerometers along said vibration axis at a predetermined frequency; andh) processing means responsive to said first and second force detectors for generating an angular rotation signal representing the angular rotation of the sensor about said angular rate axis.