489results about "Acceleration measurement using gyroscopes" patented technology

Angular rate sensor for detecting rotation about first, second and third mutually perpendicular input axes having a plurality of generally planar proof masses coupled together for linear drive-mode oscillation along multi-directional drive axes in a plane formed by the first and second input axes. The masses are mounted on a generally planar sense frame for linear movements relative to the sense frame in drive-mode and for rotation together with the sense frame in sense modes. The sense frame is mounted for rotation with the masses in sense modes about the first, second, and third input axes independent of each other, in response to Coriolis forces produced by rotation of the masses about the first, second, and third input axes respectively. And capacitance sensors responsive to the rotational movements of the masses and the sense frame in sense modes are employed for monitoring rate of rotation.

An angular velocity sensor for detecting an angular velocity component includes an oscillator having mass, a sensor casing for accommodating the oscillator therewithin, a flexible member for connecting the oscillator to the sensor casing so that the oscillator can be moved with respect to the sensor casing, and capacitance elements including a first electrode provided on a surface of the oscillator and a second electrode provided on a surface of a fixed member fixed to the sensor casing.

A method of operating an anti-phase six degree-of-freedom tuning fork gyroscope system comprises the steps of driving a first three degree-of-freedom gyroscope subsystem, and driving a second three degree-of freedom gyroscope subsystem in an anti-phase mode with the first gyroscope subsystem at an anti-phase resonant frequency. Acceleration or an angular rate of motion is sensed by the first and second three degree-of-freedom gyroscope subsystems operating in a flat frequency response range where the anti-phase resonant frequency is designed. Response gain and phase are stable and environmental and fabrication perturbations are avoided by such operation. A anti-phase six degree-of-freedom tuning fork gyroscope system which operates as described is also characterized.

The present invention discloses a resonator gyroscope comprising a resonator including two bodies, each with a center of mass and transverse inertia symmetry about an axis that are substantially coincident and each supported by one or more elastic elements and wherein the bodies together forming two differential rocking modes of vibration transverse to the axis with substantially equal frequencies and wherein the two bodies transfer substantially no net momentum to the baseplate when the resonator is excited. The gyroscope further includes a baseplate affixed to the resonator by the one or more elastic elements and sense and drive elements each affixed to the resonator and baseplate.

A sensor structure using vibrating sensor elements which can detect an angular rate and accelerations in two axes at the same time is provided. 2 sets of vibration units which vibrate in out-of-phase mode (tunning-fork vibration) and include four vibrating sensor elements of the approximately same shape supported on a substrate in a vibratile state are provided and the vibrating sensor elements are disposed so that vibration axes of the vibration units cross each other at right angles. Each of the vibrating sensor elements includes a pair of detection units and adjustment units for adjusting a vibration frequency. The vibrating sensor elements constitute a combined sensor having supporting structure for supporting the vibrating sensor elements independently so that the vibrating sensor elements do not interfere with each other.

The present invention is related to sensor arrangements and particularly to sensor arrangements for symmetric response in a x-, y- and z-coordinate system. The arrangement comprises four gyroscopes with one axis arranged into different directions of sensitivity.

A communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to emit a periodic function with a parameter correlated to the speed of the vehicle, an acceleration monitoring system, a braking system engagement detector to detect a braking status of the vehicle, an alerting device capable of signaling other drivers of a deceleration condition of the vehicle, and a control device. The acceleration monitoring system is configured to compute the acceleration of the vehicle from variations in the parameter of the periodic function of the vehicle speed sensor and to output a deceleration status of the vehicle. The control device is coupled to the acceleration monitoring system, the braking system engagement detector, and the alerting device, wherein the acceleration monitoring system sends signals to the control device and the control device operates the alerting device in a manner dependent on the deceleration status of the vehicle.

The present invention relates to a z-axial solid-state gyroscope. Its main configuration is manufactured with a conductive material and includes two sets of a proof mass and two driver bodies suspended between two plates by an elastic beam assembly. Both surfaces of the driver bodies and the proof masses respectively include a number of grooves respectively perpendicular to a first axis and a second axis. The surfaces of the driver bodies and the proof masses and the corresponding stripe electrodes of the plates thereof are respectively formed a driving capacitors and a sensing capacitors. The driving capacitor drives the proof masses to vibrate in the opposite direction along the first axis. If a z-axial angular velocity input, a Coriolis force makes the two masses vibrate in the opposite direction along the second axis. If a first axial acceleration input, a specific force makes the two masses move in the same direction along the first axis. If a second axial acceleration input, a specific force makes the two masses move in the same direction along the second axis. Both inertial forces make the sensing capacitances change. One z-axial solid-state gyroscopes and two in-plane axial gyroscopes can be designed on a single chip to form a complete three-axis inertial measurement unit.

A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signal, and the inclination signal to produce an absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal.

Four sensor units (SUA1 to SUA4) are disposed symmetrically about a point, on both top and bottom and left and right centering around one point of a support (15e). Furthermore, four sensor units (SUA1 to SUA4) are designed so that all the components are fully in tuning-fork structure. Drive frames (5, 5) of the sensor units (SUA1, SUA2) disposed adjacent to each other in a first direction (Y) are vibrated in mutually inverted phases, and drive frames of the other sensor units (SUA3, SUA4) disposed adjacent to each other in a second direction (X) are vibrated in mutually inverted phases as well. Moreover, the drive frames of the sensor units (SUA1, SUA2) and the drive frames of the other sensor units (SUA3, SUA4) are operated in synchronization in the state in which phases are shifted by 90 degrees. Whereby, it is possible to reduce or prevent vibration coupling in the driving direction and in the detection direction, and the leakage (loss) of excitation energy and Coriolis force. Thereby, performance of an inertial sensor is improved.