초록 ▼

A method for testing a Coriolis transducer having a mass adapted vibrate along a vibratory direction in a resonant structure and undergo a displacement along a sensitive axis, perpendicular to the vibration, in response to an angular rate about a mutually perpendicular rate sensing axis. In the abse

A method for testing a Coriolis transducer having a mass adapted vibrate along a vibratory direction in a resonant structure and undergo a displacement along a sensitive axis, perpendicular to the vibration, in response to an angular rate about a mutually perpendicular rate sensing axis. In the absence of an angular rate about the rate sensing axis, forces, FTESTVIBRATORY and FTESTSENSITIVE, are applied on the mass along the direction of vibration and along the sensitive axis, respectively, in a predetermined ratio, N. The output VOUTTEST of the transducer is measured in response to the forces, FTESTVIBRATORY and FTESTSENSITIVE.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A Coriolis transducer, comprising: a mass arranged to vibrate along a vibratory direction in a resonant structure and undergo a displacement along a sensitive axis, perpendicular to the vibration, in response to an angular rate about a rate sensing axis, such displacement being perpendicular t

1. A Coriolis transducer, comprising: a mass arranged to vibrate along a vibratory direction in a resonant structure and undergo a displacement along a sensitive axis, perpendicular to the vibration, in response to an angular rate about a rate sensing axis, such displacement being perpendicular to both the vibration and the rate sensing axis; a vibratory direction force mechanism to apply a vibratory direction force, FTESTVIBRATORY, on the mass along the vibratory direction; and a sensitive axis force mechanism to apply simultaneously to the vibratory direction force, a force, FTESTSENSITIVE, to the mass along the sensitive axis. 2. The transducer recited in claim 1 wherein the vibratory direction force mechanism and the sensitive axis force mechanism are in proximate regions of the transducer. 3. The transducer recited in claim 1 wherein the vibratory direction force mechanism and the sensitive axis force mechanism have matched physical and electrical characteristics. 4. A Coriolis transducer, comprising: a resonant structure having a mass arranged to vibrate along a vibratory direction in a resonant structure and undergo a displacement along a sensitive axis, perpendicular to the vibration, in response to an angular rate about a rate sensing axis, such displacement being perpendicular to both the vibration and the rate sensing axis; a vibratory direction force mechanism to apply a vibratory direction force, FTESTVIBRATORY, on the mass along the vibratory direction during both a normal operating mode and during a test mode; a sensitive axis force mechanism to apply simultaneously to the vibratory direction force, a force, FTESTSENSITIVE, to the mass along the sensitive axis when such sensitive axis force mechanism is coupled to the mass; and a switch to couple the sensitive axis force mechanism to the mass during a test mode and being adapted to de-couple the sensitive axis force mechanism from the mass during a normal operating mode. 5. The transducer recited in claim 4 wherein the vibratory direction force mechanism and the sensitive axis force mechanism are in proximate regions of the transducer. 6. The transducer recited in claim 4 wherein the vibratory direction force mechanism and the sensitive axis force mechanism have matched physical and electrical characteristics.