Inclinometer Error Correction Using Rate Gyro Tangential Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gravity referenced inclinometers used in construction equipment face measurement errors due to tangential and radial accelerations when the equipment rotates, leading to unreliable output signals and latency issues when filtering is applied to stabilize the readings.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an inclinometer and a rate gyro on a rotatable platform, where the rate gyro output is differentiated to determine angular acceleration, multiplied by the distance from the axis of rotation to calculate tangential acceleration, and then subtracted from the inclinometer outputs to correct for errors, and similarly, radial acceleration is calculated and subtracted to provide accurate inclination measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If low-pass filtering is applied to inclinometer output to reduce jitter, then signal stability is improved, but measurement latency increases and accuracy during movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of motion-induced acceleration into a beneficial correction by using a rate gyro to measure the motion, calculating the expected acceleration error, and subtracting it from the inclinometer reading. This allows accurate inclination measurements during movement by transforming the problem of acceleration interference into a solvable calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rate gyro acts as an intermediary device that measures rotational motion and provides data to calculate acceleration corrections. This intermediary measurement enables the system to compensate for acceleration effects without requiring the inclinometer itself to be stationary, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy during movement.
2Ease of manufacture
If the inclinometer is located away from the axis of rotation, then ease of installation and structural considerations are improved, but tangential acceleration errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the rate gyro to continuously monitor rotational speed and calculate the resulting tangential acceleration. This feedback loop enables real-time correction of acceleration errors, allowing the inclinometer to be positioned away from the rotation axis while maintaining measurement accuracy through active compensation.
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
This approach enhances the speed and accuracy of inclinometer readings by directly correcting for tangential and radial acceleration errors, eliminating the need for equipment to be stationary and reducing latency, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the control systems.
Implementation Method 1
A rate gyro is mounted on the platform. The rate gyro senses the rotational speed w of the platform about the axis of rotation
Implementation Method 2
The sensor responds to the vector component of gravitational acceleration that lies along a sensitive axis or axes
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method sense the inclination of a machine element, such as a platform, and eliminate tangential and radial acceleration errors. The platform defines orthogonal X and Y axes, and is rotatable about a Z axis. An inclinometer, mounted on the platform at a location spaced from the axis of rotation by a distance r, provides inclinometer outputs indicating acceleration in the X and Y directions, Ix and Iy, respectively. A rate gyro on the platform senses the rotational speed w of the platform. The rate gyro output w is differentiated and multiplied by r to determined tangential acceleration at the inclinometer. A circuit resolves the tangential acceleration into X axis and Y axis components, which are used to correct the inclinometer outputs Ix and Iy for errors that would otherwise result from tangential acceleration.