초록 ▼

A multifunction sensor provides two axes of angular rate and two axes of linear acceleration information from a single instrument. The multifunction sensor utilizes an air bearing rotor to support the spinning transducers. Angular rate measurements are made by utilizing two thin film transistors mou

A multifunction sensor provides two axes of angular rate and two axes of linear acceleration information from a single instrument. The multifunction sensor utilizes an air bearing rotor to support the spinning transducers. Angular rate measurements are made by utilizing two thin film transistors mounted on the rotor and oriented to sense strain about axes in a first plane orthogonal to the rotor spin axis. The two transducers output signals are summed to provide common mode rejection. A second set of thin film transistors are mounted on the rotor in a second plane orthogonal to that of the first set of transistors and oriented to sense strain along the axes orthogonal to the rotor spin axis. Two axes of acceleration can be measured by integrating this output signal at the proper time using a clock frequency. Angular rate and linear acceleration signals may be extracted from the rotating member via slip ring contacts or inductive pickoffs. These AC signals are amplified and demodulated to provide voltages which are proportional to angular rate and linear acceleration.

대표청구항 ▼

A rotating body which rotates at a high speed about a first axis, the improvement comprising a first flexible joint mounted on said body in a first plane orthogonal to said first axis whereby acceleration of said body will cause said flexible joint to flex; a first transducer mounted in said flexibl

A rotating body which rotates at a high speed about a first axis, the improvement comprising a first flexible joint mounted on said body in a first plane orthogonal to said first axis whereby acceleration of said body will cause said flexible joint to flex; a first transducer mounted in said flexible joint so as to detect at its output the amount of strain in said flexible joint caused by said acceleration; first measurement means connected to said first transducer for measuring said acceleration; a second flexible joint mounted on said body in a second plane which is orthogonal to said first plane; a second transducer connected to said second joint so as to detect at its output the amount of strain in said second joint caused by acceleration of said body; and second measurement means connected to said second transducer for measuring the output of said second transducer.