Patent ID: 6456939
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
A micro inertial measurement unit, comprising:an angular rate producer for producing X axis, Y axis and Z axis angular rate electrical signals; an acceleration producer for producing X axis, Y axis and Z axis acceleration electrical signals; an angular increment and velocity increment producer for converting said X axis, Y axis and Z axis angular rate electrical signals into digital angular increments and converting said input X axis, Y axis and Z axis acceleration electrical signals into digital velocity increments; and a thermal controlling means comprising a thermal sensing producer device, a heater device and a thermal processor for maintaining a predetermined operating temperature of said angular rate producer, said acceleration producer and said angular increment and velocity increment producer, wherein said thermal sensing producer device, which produces temperature signals, is processed in parallel with said angular rate producer and said acceleration producer for maintaining a predetermined operating temperature of said angular rate producer and said acceleration producer and angular increment and velocity increment producer, wherein said predetermined operating temperature is a constant designated temperature selected between 150Â° F. and 185Â° F., wherein said temperature signals produced from said thermal sensing producer device are input to said thermal processor for computing temperature control commands using said temperature signals, a temperature scale factor, and a predetermined operating temperature of said angular rate producer and said acceleration producer, and produce driving signals to said heater device using said temperature control commands for controlling said heater device to provide adequate heat for maintaining said predetermined operating temperature in said micro inertial measurement unit.