Patent ID: 7067964

Claim:
A piezoelectric resonator acceleration-induced stress relief apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric resonator plate, having a given frequency, is positioned on a piezoelectric restraint assembly; a rigid upper plate and a gasket being stacked on said piezoelectric resonator plate, said upper plate having a first opening and being enclosed by an upper lid; a rigid lower plate being positioned under said piezoelectric restraint assembly, said lower plate having a second opening and being enclosed by a lower lid; said openings define a plurality of traction-free surfaces on a plurality of piezoelectrically active areas of said piezoelectric resonator plate; said upper plate and said lower plate being configured to move laterally with said piezoelectric resonator plate and still restrain a vertical displacement of said piezoelectric resonator plate; said piezoelectric resonator plate being stacked between said upper plate and said piezoelectric restraint assembly causes a precise orientation of said piezoelectric resonator plate and a reduced out-of-plane acceleration-induced deformation; said reduced out-of-plane acceleration-induced deformation being readily negated by an aspect-ratio compensation applied through said openings; said piezoelectric restraint assembly, having a means for lateral restraint further comprising a plurality of spring cushions impinging said piezoelectric resonator plate provides said piezoelectric resonator plate with a rigid peripheral support, permitting an in-plane stress relief minimizing unwanted lateral movement and a reduced in-plane acceleration-induced deformation; and said reduced out-of-plane acceleration-induced deformation and said reduced in-plane acceleration-induced deformation resulting in a more precise aspect ratio yield, a decreased acceleration sensitivity and a decreased amount of acceleration-induced frequency shifts in said piezoelectric resonator plate.