Composite Ring Gyroscope Resonator Design for Vibration Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrating ring gyroscopes lack additional degrees of freedom to optimize sensitivity to specific modes of vibration, limiting their design parameters and performance.
Innovation Solution
A composite ring resonator with multiple concentric rings coupled by radial beams and a compliant support structure, allowing for varied annular widths and beam stiffness, along with strategically placed drive and sense electrodes, to enhance oscillatory modes and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single annulus is suspended by a compliant support structure, then the device is simple in structure, but additional degrees of freedom are lacking to optimize sensitivity to particular modes of vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The single annulus is segmented into multiple concentric rings (first ring, second ring, third ring) coupled by radial beams. This segmentation provides additional degrees of freedom for optimizing sensitivity to particular modes of vibration while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of identical or similar components arranged in a pattern.
2Measurement precision
If coupling beams are made stiff to enhance oscillatory modes, then sensitivity improves, but non-linearity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling beams are designed with specific local properties (stiffness, dimensions) that differ from the rings themselves. The beams have controlled stiffness to enhance oscillatory modes while the overall symmetric arrangement and compliant support structure help maintain linearity by distributing stresses evenly throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for adjustment of beam stiffness parameters and ring dimensions to optimize the balance between sensitivity and linearity. By carefully selecting beam thickness, length, and material properties, the system can achieve enhanced oscillatory modes while maintaining acceptable non-linearity levels through parameter optimization.
3Measurement precision
If electrode placement is optimized to increase signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes serve multiple functions: drive electrodes excite oscillatory modes, sense electrodes detect vibration, and tuning electrodes adjust resonance characteristics. This multi-functionality is achieved through a symmetric electrode configuration that can be controlled by identical or similar circuitry, reducing overall system complexity despite the multiple electrode functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode configuration utilizes asymmetric placement patterns (e.g., specific angular positions around the rings) to optimize signal-to-noise ratio for particular modes of vibration. The asymmetric placement allows selective excitation and detection of specific oscillatory modes while the overall system maintains rotational symmetry for balanced performance.
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
The solution increases the oscillation energy and signal-to-noise ratio, reduces non-linearity, and improves shock tolerance by optimizing ring displacement and electrode placement, thereby enhancing the gyroscope's sensitivity and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant support structure adapted to suspend the plurality of rings relative to a substrate
Implementation Method 2
at least one actuator configured to drive the plurality of rings in a plurality of coupled oscillatory modes
Implementation Method 3
at least one sensing electrode for sensing vibration amplitude of one of the plurality of concentric rings
Data Source
AI summary
Novel structural features applicable to a variety of inertial sensors. A composite ring composed of concentric subrings is supported by a compliant support structure suspending the composite ring relative to a substrate. The compliant support structure may either be interior or exterior to the composite ring. The compliant support may be composed of multiple substantially concentric rings coupled to neighboring rings by transverse members regularly spaced at intervals that vary with radius relative to a central axis of symmetry. Subrings making up the composite ring may vary in width so as to provide larger displacement amplitudes at intermediate radii, for example. In other embodiments, electrodes are arranged to reduce sensitivity to vibration and temperature, and shock stops are provided to preclude shorting in response to shocks.