Patent ID: 6698271
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
A process for reducing bias error in a vibrating structure sensor comprising:a vibrating structure, primary and secondary drive means for causing the vibrating structure to vibrate at resonance and primary and secondary pick-off means for detecting vibration of the vibrating structure, which the primary and secondary pick-off means are separated by a fixed angular amount with respect to the vibrating structure, wherein the vibrating structure is a substantially cylindrical or substantially planar ring- or hoop-like structure, and including the steps of summing a proportion of a primary pick-off means output signal into a secondary pick-off means output signal or subtracting a proportion of the primary pick-off means output signal from the secondary pick-off means output signal, equivalent to reducing or increasing the angular separation of the secondary pick-off means from the primary drive means by an amount sufficient to set a rate output signal from the vibrating structure to zero and thereby minimize bias error.