Patent ID: 6257062
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
An angular accelerometer comprising:a substrate;a first 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 being rotationally movable relative to said first fixed electrode;a support member for supporting said rotational inertia mass and biasing said rotational inertia mass relative to said fixed electrode during rotational movement of the rotational inertia mass;an input coupled to one of said first plurality of fixed capacitive plates and said plurality of movable capacitive plates for receiving an input signal; andan output coupled to the other of said first plurality of fixed capacitive plates and said plurality of movable capacitive plates for providing an output signal which varies as a function of said capacitive coupling and is indicative of angular acceleration.