Patent ID: 6393914
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G01C,G01P

Abstract:
An angular accelerometer comprising:a substrate; a fixed electrode supported on the substrate and including a first plurality of fixed capacitive plates; a rotational inertia mass substantially suspended over a cavity and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with said first plurality of fixed capacitive plates, said rotational inertia mass configured as a substantially annular ring and rotationally movable relative to said fixed electrode; a central member fixed to said substrate and located substantially in the center of said rotational inertia mass; a plurality of support arms extending between said central member and said rotational inertia mass for supporting said rotational inertia mass relative to said fixed electrode and allowing rotational movement of the rotational inertia mass upon experiencing an angular acceleration; an input electrically coupled to one of the fixed electrode and the rotational inertia mass for receiving an input signal; and an output electrically coupled to the other of the fixed electrode and the rotational inertia mass for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of angular acceleration.