Patent ID: 8887567

Claim:
An accelerometer comprising: an accelerometer base; a proof mass flexibly connected to the accelerometer base; a double-ended tuning fork (DETF) coupled to the proof mass and the accelerometer base, the DETF comprising: a DETF base attached to the accelerometer base; an outrigger that extends from a first side of the DETF base; and two tines that extend from a side of the outrigger that is opposite the first side of the DETF base; and a drive mechanism configured to cause opposing forces in different halves of the outrigger, thereby causing the tines to oscillate, wherein the drive mechanism comprises: a first structure located adjacent to a first edge of the outrigger, the first structure comprising a metalized pad; and a second structure located adjacent to a second edge of the outrigger, the second structure comprising a metalized pad.