Laminar rate sensor

Claim 1

A laminar fluidic angular rate sensing device for sensing the rate of angular rotation of the device in a plane for use with a fluid having a Reynolds number less than 1,500 comprising: a. a substantially linear supply passageway having at its downstream end a nozzle portion for forming a laminar fluid stream, the length of said supply passageway being at least 10 times the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said nozzle portion; b. two substantially linear receiver passageways capable of receiving a portion of said laminar fluid stream from said supply passageway, the cross-sectional area of each of said receiver passageways being no less than the cross-sectional area of said nozzle portion; c. a substantially closed cavity located between said supply and receiver passageways and through which said laminar fluid stream flows; and d. venting means in communication with said cavity a portion of which is located between said receiver passageways for helping to maintain said fluid stream flowing through said cavity in the laminar state by presenting substantially no impedance to fluid flow therethrough; whereby rotation of said device in a plane which includes the exit of said supply passageway and the entrances of said receiver passageways causes deflection of said laminar fluid stream to produce a pressure differential between and within said receiver passageways which is proportional to the angular rate of rotation of said device within the plane.