Planar Resonator Gyroscope Parasitic Mode Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical gyroscopes are large, expensive, and prone to errors due to external disturbance coupling and energy loss, limiting their performance in navigation and spacecraft applications, especially when scaled down for compact tactical inertial measurement units.
Innovation Solution
A planar resonator gyroscope with embedded capacitive electrodes is operated to actively damp parasitic vibrational modes using differential drive and sense signals, allowing for improved isolation and reduced noise, enabling enhanced navigation performance without increasing size or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mechanical gyroscopes are used, then navigation and orientation sensing is achieved, but the devices are large, heavy, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical spinning mass gyroscopes with a vibratory gyroscope that uses vibrational modes of a proof mass. This substitution eliminates the need for large spinning masses while maintaining the essential gyroscopic function of sensing inertial rotation, thereby significantly reducing weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes controlled mechanical vibration of the proof mass at specific resonant frequencies to generate the necessary gyroscopic effect. By exciting the proof mass in vibratory modes rather than using continuous rotation, the system achieves compact size while maintaining navigation sensing capability.
2Force
If vibratory momentum is transferred through the case to the vehicle platform, then mechanical coupling is achieved, but external disturbances and energy loss are admitted leading to sensing errors and drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible membrane as an intermediary element between the proof mass and the case. This membrane allows for controlled mechanical coupling necessary for operation while providing isolation that prevents external disturbances and energy loss from being transmitted to the proof mass, thereby maintaining sensing accuracy and reducing drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a flexible membrane structure to couple the proof mass to the case. This thin film provides the necessary mechanical connection while simultaneously acting as a disturbance barrier, allowing the system to maintain reliable sensing by isolating the proof mass from external vibrations and energy losses.
3Stability of the object's composition
If symmetric vibratory modes are used for inertial rate sensing, then the desired vibration symmetry is achieved, but parasitic modes can become excited and produce rate sensing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of parasitic mode excitation into a beneficial control opportunity by implementing active damping. The system uses feedback control to detect and actively suppress parasitic vibrations, transforming what would be a source of error into a controlled parameter that enhances overall sensing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements active feedback control to monitor and damp parasitic vibrational modes. By continuously sensing the vibration state and applying corrective forces through actuators, the system maintains the desired symmetric vibration pattern while actively suppressing parasitic modes that would otherwise produce rate sensing errors.
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 effectively reduces noise and drift in navigation systems by actively damping parasitic modes, enhancing the performance of compact planar gyroscopes while maintaining cost-effectiveness and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
sensing an amplitude of a parasitic vibration mode of a planar resonator with one or more sense electrodes of a plurality of capacitive electrodes adjacent to the planar resonator
Implementation Method 2
damping the parasitic mode by applying a drive voltage generated from the proportional voltage to at least one or more drive electrodes of the plurality of capacitive electrodes adjacent to the planar resonator
Data Source
AI summary
Operation of a planar resonator gyroscope with in-plane parasitic modes of vibration to obtain improved performance is disclosed. A planar resonator gyroscope, such as a disc resonator gyroscope, may be operated with embedded electrodes. The embedded electrodes may be disposed adjacent to the planar resonator and proximate to one or more anti-nodes of a parasitic vibration mode. A sensed amplitude of the parasitic mode is applied in differential signals used to operate the gyroscope. A feedback controller for damping the parasitic mode applies a drive voltage generated from the proportional voltage to one or more drive electrodes adjacent to the planar resonator disposed proximate to one or more anti-nodes of the parasitic vibration mode of the planar resonator. Parasitic in-plane modes may be thus damped in operating the gyroscope with active damping applied through an analog operational amplifier or digital feedback.