US4644793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibrational gyroscope
Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1985-08-29
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Granted: 1987-02-24
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Expires: 2005-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A vibrational gyroscope is provided with a vibrating member in the form of a flexible annular shell extending from a flat flexible plate. In use, the flat plate is vibrated and excites radial vibrations in the lip of the annular shell. When the gyroscope is rotated about the shell axis, the nodes of these radial vibrations shift around the circumference of the lip, due to the action of Coriolis forces. The radial nodes of the vibrations in the plate shift similarly and their movement is detected by sensing means on the plate, giving an indication of the rotation rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter D. Church
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/56; G01C19/567; G01C19/5691
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A vibrational gyroscope comprising a flat flexible plate, a flexible annular shell extending from said plate, driving means for causing said plate to vibrate in such a way as to excite radial vibration in said annular shell and sensing means for sensing changes in the vibration of said plate in response to changes in said radial vibrations induced by rotation about the shell axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A vibrational gyroscope comprising a flat flexible plate, a flexible annular shell extending from said plate, driving means for causing said plate to vibrate in such a way as to excite radial vibration in said annular shell and sensing means for sensing changes in the vibration of said plate in response to changes in said radial vibrations induced by rotation about the shell axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular shell is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular shell is substantially right cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate extends outside said annular shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate is annular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 5 wherein said plate is supported by a mounting at a nodal point or line of a free vibration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate is supported by a mounting at its edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate extends inside said shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate is a disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annular shell extends from both sides of said plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said driving means and said sensing means comprise respective sets of electrodes on a common body of piezoelectric material, said body being attached to said plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electrodes are provided with connection tabs located at a nodal region of said plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 12 wherein said body of piezoelectric material is provided with damping electrodes for applying a damping signal to said shell via said plate for controlling the Q-factor of said radial vibrations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 13 wherein said body is composed of zinc oxide epitaxially deposited on said plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 13 wherein said body is composed of lead zirconate titanate (P.Z.T.) bonded to said plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 13 wherein said body is composed of lithium niobate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vibrational cyroscope as claimed in claim 11 wherein no part of said shell projects beyond that surface of said plate on which said body of piezoelectric material is mounted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 17 and further comprising an integrated circuit, said vibrational gyroscope being mounted on said integrated circuit and said integrated circuit incorporating driving and sensing circuitry associated with said driving and sensing electrodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 18 wherein said integrated circuit is provided with input power terminals and one or more output terminals at which a signal is generated representative of rotation of the gyroscope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vibrational gyroscope as claimed in claim 19 wherein said integrated circuit is provided with one or more input terminals for controlling the sensitivity of the gyroscope.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-23 | 1990-08-25 | 1991-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-23 | 1994-08-25 | 1995-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-23 | 1998-08-25 | 1999-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |