Angular Rate Sensor Thermal Insulation via Low Conductivity Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angular rate sensors with annular resonators face limitations in increasing the Q value due to structural constraints on slot lengths and numbers, which restrict the effectiveness of heat transfer reduction and overall performance improvement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an annular low thermal conductor made of a material with lower thermal conductivity than the resonator's base material, sandwiched between regions of the resonator, to reduce heat loss and increase the Q value without structural limitations, while maintaining resonator rigidity and allowing for optimized wiring configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If slots are provided in the resonator to increase the Q value by reducing heat transfer, then the heat loss due to heat transfer is decreased, but structural constraints on the lengths and numbers of slots limit the effectiveness and rigidity of the resonator is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A low thermal conductivity layer is introduced as an intermediary between the inner peripheral region and outer peripheral region of the resonator. This layer acts as a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer between these regions without requiring slots that would compromise structural integrity. The low thermal conductivity layer achieves the same heat isolation function while maintaining resonator rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity parameter is changed by introducing a material with low thermal conductivity into the resonator structure. This material property change enables effective heat transfer reduction without altering the structural geometry (i.e., without creating slots), thereby maintaining both the heat isolation performance and structural rigidity simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If slots are provided in the resonator to increase the Q value, then the heat transfer path length is increased, but the number and length of slots are limited to ensure resonator rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The low thermal conductivity layer serves as a continuous intermediary barrier that eliminates the need for multiple discrete slots. This single structural element provides comprehensive heat isolation across the resonator without the complexity of designing and constraining multiple slot geometries, numbers, and positions.
3Reliability
If the number of slots is increased to reduce heat transfer, then the Q value is increased, but the structural constraints on slot configuration limit further performance improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The low thermal conductivity layer provides a continuous thermal barrier that achieves maximum Q value improvement without the diminishing returns associated with adding more slots. This intermediary structure eliminates the need to optimize slot number, position, and geometry, thereby removing all configuration constraints while maintaining high reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces heat transfer and increases the Q value, enhancing the overall performance of the angular rate sensor by alleviating structural constraints and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an annular first low thermal conductor made of a second material having a lower thermal conductivity than the first material... a heat loss due to heat transfer from the inside of the resonator to the outside of the resonator or from the outside of the resonator to the inside of the resonator can be significantly reduced or prevented by the first low thermal conductor
Data Source
AI summary
An angular rate sensor includes an annular resonator. The resonator includes an annular base material made of a first material, and an annular first low thermal conductor made of a second material having a lower thermal conductivity than the first material, the first low thermal conductor being sandwiched between an annular first region and an annular second region on an inner side of the first region in the base material over substantially an entire circumference of the resonator.