Super Invar magnetic return path for high performance accelerometers

A force rebalance accelerometer (20) includes a silicon dioxide-based proof mass (28) having capacitive elements (40) engaged with excitation rings (61) made from alloys of Super Invar. The magnet assembly includes an excitation ring, a magnet, and a pole piece (65). The Super Invar of the excitation rings (61) substantially matches the coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon dioxide-based proof mass (28) to substantially reduce distortion signals caused by temperature changes. Movement of the accelerometer causes the capacitive elements (40) to produce a signal proportional to the movement acceleration and not by temperature changes experienced by the accelerometer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Force rebalance accelerometers which include a proof mass suspended between one or more magnet assemblies are generally known in the art. Examples of such accelerometers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,182,187; 4,250,757; 4,394,405; 4,399,700; 4,400,979; 4,441,366; 4,555,944; 4,555,945; 4,592,234; 4,620,442; 4,697,455; 4,726,228; 4,932,258; 4,944,184; 5,024,089; 5,085,079; 5,090,243; 5,097,172; 5,111,694; 5,182,949; 5,203,210; 5,212,984; and 5,220,831, all herein incorporated by reference. Such force rebalance accelerometers normally include a proof mass, known to be formed from amorphous quartz, suspended by one or more flexures to enable the proof mass to deflect in response to forces or accelerations along a sensitive axis, generally perpendicular to the plane of the proof mass. At rest, the proof mass is normally suspended equidistantly between upper and lower excitation rings. Electrically conductive material forming pick-off capacitance plates, is disposed on opposing sides of the proof mass to form capacitive elements with the excitation rings. An acceleration or force applied along the sensitive axis causes the proof mass to deflect either upwardly or downwardly which causes the distance between the pick-off capacitance plates and the upper and lower excitation rings to vary. This change in the distance between the pick-off capacitance plates and the upper and lower excitation rings causes a change in the capacitance of the capacitive elements. The difference in the capacitances of the capacitive elements is thus representative of the displacement of the proof mass along the sensitive axis. This displacement signal is applied to a servo system that includes one or more electromagnets which function to return the proof mass to its null or at-rest position. The magnitude of the drive currents applied to the electromagnets, in turn, is representative of the acceleration or force along the sensitive axis.

The electromagnets are known to include a magnet formed from, for example, alnico, normally bonded to an excitation ring formed from a material having relatively high permeability, such as Invar, to form a magnetic return path. The materials used for the magnet and the excitation ring will have different coefficients of thermal expansion, since the materials are different. As such, the interface defined between the magnet and the excitation ring will be subject to stress as a function of temperature. Such stress over a period of time and/or temperature degrades the performance of the accelerometer.

In order to resolve this problem, compliant epoxies have been used to bond the magnet to the excitation ring. However, such compliant epoxies degrade the long term stability of the accelerometer. Moreover, the alloys used in the excitation ring do not optimally match the expansion coefficient of the silicon dioxide-based capacitance plates, creating temperature-induced false acceleration signal, compromising the precision and accuracy of motion-sourced acceleration.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments include a force rebalance accelerometer that more precisely and accurately provides accelerometer values attributable to changes in motion and not falsely signaled by changes in temperature. Embodiments more accurately provide true accelerometer readings due to changes in velocity by minimizing non-velocity related or noise related contributions that would otherwise falsely indicate a change in velocity. Embodiments include accelerometer components made from materials having substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

Particular embodiments of the rebalance accelerometer include a cylinder or canister having a silicon dioxide-based proof mass with capacitive elements that engage with a magnet assembly made of Super Invar. The Super Invar alloys provide substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion to the silicon dioxide-based proof mass. The proof mass is suspended by one or more flexures between stationary mounted upper and lower excitation rings. The proof mass is isolated from the interior walls of the cylinder via an air gap interposed between the proof mass and interior walls. The air gap is filled with an inert gas. Pick-off capacitance plates are formed or otherwise mounted to the opposing sides of the proof mass. The pick-off capacitance plates provide capacitance elements whose capacitance varies in response to displacement of the proof mass to provide a displacement signal proportional to the acceleration of the movement experienced by the rebalance accelerometer. False signals mimicking acceleration attributable to changing temperatures are substantially reduced in accelerometers of the particular embodiments made from materials having substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a force rebalance accelerometer20. The force rebalance accelerometer20includes one or more magnet assemblies22and a proof mass assembly24. The proof mass assembly24includes a mounting ring26and a generally paddle-shaped proof mass28. The proof mass28is suspended relative to the mounting ring26by way of a pair of flexures30to enable the proof mass28to rotate relative to the mounting ring26. Cylindrically shaped bobbins32and34are formed on opposing surfaces of the proof mass28. The bobbins32and34are used to carry torquer coils36and38. A conductive material40is deposited on the opposing surfaces of the proof mass28to form pick-off capacitance plates.

The magnet assemblies22include a permanent magnet42and a generally cylindrical excitation ring or flux concentrator44. The excitation ring44is configured to have a generally C-shaped cross section. The material for the excitation ring44is selected to have relatively high permeability, such as Super Invar, to form a magnetic return path. Inwardly facing surfaces46on the excitation rings44form in combination with the conductive material40on the opposing sides of the proof mass28form variable capacitance elements PO1and PO2as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. A pole piece65is attached to the magnet42.

Referring toFIG. 2, the proof mass28is shown at an at-rest or null position. In this position, the distance between the surfaces46of the upper and lower excitations rings44and the pick-off capacitance plates40are equal. Since capacitance is a function of the distance between the plates, the capacitance values of the capacitors PO1and PO2are equal during this condition.

In response to an acceleration or force along a sensitive axis S, generally perpendicular to the plane of the proof mass28, the proof mass28moves toward one or the other of the excitation rings44. This displacement of the proof mass28changes the respective distances between the surfaces on the pick-off capacitance plates46formed on the opposing sides of the proof mass28relative to the upper and lower excitation rings44. This change in the distance results in a change in the capacitance of the capacitive elements PO1and PO2. Circuitry for measuring this change in capacitance is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,965 herein incorporated by reference.

The difference in the values of the capacitances PO1and PO2is representative of the displacement of the proof mass28either upwardly or downwardly along the sensitive axis S. This displacement signal is applied to a servo system which includes the magnet assemblies22and the torquer coils36and38which form electromagnets to return the proof mass28to its null position. The magnitude of the drive current to the electromagnets is a measure of the acceleration of the proof mass28along the sensitive axis S.

As shown inFIG. 3each magnet assembly22includes the excitation ring44, the magnet42and a pole piece65. The excitation ring44is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a C cross section. The magnet42has opposing bonding surfaces64that are centrally secured to a base portion66of the excitation ring44via an adhesive patch68. The pole piece65is secured to the magnet42by an adhesive patch69.

To substantially reduce temperature-derived distortion signals, the excitation ring44is made from Super Invar alloys that substantially match the thermo coefficient of expansion of the silicon dioxide-based proof mass28. Accordingly, movement of the proof mass28causes the capacitive elements40to produce a signal attributable to the motion experienced by the accelerometer20, and not distorted signals caused by differences or changes in temperatures that the magnet assembly22or other components of the accelerometer20would experience.

The Super Invar used in the excitation ring44is an alloy of approximately 31% Nickel, 5% Cobalt, and 64% Iron.

Several modifications and variations of the present embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Other compositions of the Nickel-Cobalt-Iron Super Invar may be used. For example, an alloy composition of approximately 32.0% Nickel, 5.4% Cobalt, less than 1% Carbon, less than 1% Silicon, less than 1% Manganese, less than 1% Sulfur, less than 1% Chromium, less than 1% Aluminum, less than 1% Copper, and the remaining percentage balance Iron may be used.

Thus, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, another Super Invar alloy composition would include 31.75% Nickel, 5.36% Cobalt, 0.05% Carbon, 0.09% Silicon, 0.39% Manganese, 0.01% Sulfur, 0.03% Chromium, 0.07% Aluminum, 0.08% Copper, and the remaining percentage balance Iron.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.