Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for mounting two accelerometers for use as a combined Coriolis rate and acceleration sensor, and decoupling extraneous motion that would introduce errors in an output from the sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting the accelerometers on two opposed mounting pads so that a preferred axis of each accelerometer is aligned with the other; (b) linking the opposed mounting pads in parallel alignment, with a flexing parallelogram frame enabling the accelerometers to vibrate back and forth in a direction transverse to their preferred axes; (c) attaching a central portion of the parallelogram frame to a supporting structure about which the parallelogram frame flexibly pivots; (d) rigidly coupling the two mounting pads along a path that extends in alignment with a line through a center of percussion associated with each accelerometer, insuring that both accelerometers are subjected to the same motion directed along their preferred axes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for mounting two accelerometers for use as a combined Coriolis rate and acceleration sensor, and decoupling extraneous motion that would introduce errors in an output from the sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting the accelerometers on two opposed mounting pads so that a preferred axis of each accelerometer is aligned with the other; (b) linking the opposed mounting pads in parallel alignment, with a flexing parallelogram frame enabling the accelerometers to vibrate back and forth in a direction transverse to their preferred axes; (c) attaching a central portion of the parallelogram frame to a supporting structure about which the parallelogram frame flexibly pivots; (d) rigidly coupling the two mounting pads along a path that extends in alignment with a line through a center of percussion associated with each accelerometer, insuring that both accelerometers are subjected to the same motion directed along their preferred axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the line also extends through a center of gravity associated with each mounting pad and the accelerometer mounted thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing mass symmetry in the parallelogram frame, both with respect to a first plane through the preferred axes of the accelerometers aligned with the direction of their back and forth vibration, and with respect to a second plane centered between the accelerometers and orthogonal to the first plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of compensating for a non-common mode tilting rotation of the accelerometers caused by a cross axis compliance associated with the parallelogram frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a Coriolis rate and acceleration sensor including two accelerometers, a method for decoupling extraneous motion that would introduce errors, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting the accelerometers on a frame including a plurality of flexible joints permitting the accelerometers to be vibrated back and forth with their preferred axes aligned in parallel; (b) orienting a plurality of the flexible joints so that they are aligned with the centers of percussion associated with the accelerometers, and with their bending axes and cross axes substantially transverse to the preferred axes of the accelerometers; and (c) rigidly coupling the two accelerometers along a path that extends in alignment with a line through their centers of percussion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a Coriolis rate and acceleration sensor including two accelerometers, a method for decoupling extraneous motion that would introduce errors, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting the accelerometers on a frame including a plurality of flexible joints permitting the accelerometers to be vibrated back and forth with their preferred axes aligned in parallel; (b) orienting a plurality of the flexible joints so that they are aligned with the centers of percussion associated with the accelerometers, and with their bending axes and cross axes substantially transverse to the preferred axes of the accelerometers; and (c) rigidly coupling the two accelerometers along a path that extends in alignment with a line through their centers of percussion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the accelerometers are mounted so that the line extends through the center of gravity of the frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing mass symmetry in the frame with respect to a plane aligned with the back and forth vibration of the accelerometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing mass symmetry in the frame with respect to a plane centered between the accelerometers and lying transverse to their preferred axes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of compensating for a noncommon mode tilting rotation of the accelerometers caused by a cross axis compliance associated with the flexible joints of the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of dynamically balancing the frame as it vibrates back and forth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of utilizing tuning straps for compensating the stiffness of the flexible joints.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of solidly linking the frame to a driver that causes the accelerometers to vibrate back and forth, so that an angular vibration about an axis parallel to the bending axes of the flexible joints acting on one of the frame and the driver also must act on the other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the moment of inertia of the driver equals the combined moment of inertia of the frame and the accelerometers.