US5353656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope
Assignee: Perfect Galaxy International Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-08-18
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Granted: 1994-10-11
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Expires: 2012-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An integrated electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope with a rotor encompassed within a rotor cavity and electrostatically spun within the cavity. The gyroscope includes a plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators above and below the rotor for controlling the axial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity, and a plurality of radial electrostatic actuators spaced circumferentially around the rotor for controlling the radial and tilt position of the rotor within the cavity. The position of the rotor within the cavity is then resolved to determine the external forces acting on the rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy Hawkey
- 👤 Richard Torti
- 👤 Bruce Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/16; G01C19/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1229; Y10T74/1232; Y10T74/1261; Y10T74/1275; Y10T74/1282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope, comprising: a disc-shaped rotor; a rotor cavity encompassing said rotor; means for electrostatically spinning said rotor within said rotor cavity; a plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators above and below said rotor for providing exclusive control of the axial and tilt position of said rotor within said rotor cavity; a plurality of radial electrostatic actuators spaced circumferentially around said rotor for providing exclusive control of the radial and tilt position of said rotor within said rotor cavity; and means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity to determine the external forces acting on said rotor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope, comprising: a disc-shaped rotor; a rotor cavity encompassing said rotor; means for electrostatically spinning said rotor within said rotor cavity; a plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators above and below said rotor for providing exclusive control of the axial and tilt position of said rotor within said rotor cavity; a plurality of radial electrostatic actuators spaced circumferentially around said rotor for providing exclusive control of the radial and tilt position of said rotor within said rotor cavity; and means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity to determine the external forces acting on said rotor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said means for electrostatically spinning said rotor includes an electrostatic motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 2 in which said motor is synchronous.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 2 in which said motor includes a motor rotor member in said rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 4 in which said motor further includes a motor stator member surrounding said rotor member around the periphery of said cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said plurality of axial electrostatic rotor actuators includes four actuators below said rotor and four actuators above said rotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said plurality of radial electrostatic actuators includes a plurality of actuators spaced around the periphery of said cavity at two axially-spaced locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 7 in which there are four spaced radial actuators at each of said two axially-spaced locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity is responsive to said axial and said radial actuators.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity includes means for determining said rotor position in six degrees of freedom relative to said rotor cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 further including means for controlling the position of said rotor within said cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 11 in which said means for controlling the position of said rotor within said cavity is responsive to said axial and said radial actuators.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 12 in which said means for controlling the position of said rotor within said cavity includes means for selectively applying electrostatic rotor positioning signals to said axial and said radial actuators.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said means for controlling the position of said rotor within said cavity includes means for altering in six degrees of freedom said rotor in relation to said cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity includes a plurality of capacitive sensor means spaced around said rotor cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 1 in which said gyroscope is integrated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
78 words
An integrated, electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope, comprising: an integrated mechanical gyroscope system including: a disc-shaped rotor; a rotor cavity encompassing said rotor; means for electrostatically spinning said rotor within said rotor cavity; a plurality of electrostatic rotor-positioning actuators spaced around the inside of said cavity for providing exclusive control of the position of said rotor within said cavity; and means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity to determine the external forces acting on said rotor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
An integrated, electrostatically-controlled micromechanical gyroscope, comprising: an integrated mechanical gyroscope system including: a disc-shaped rotor; a rotor cavity encompassing said rotor; means for electrostatically spinning said rotor within said rotor cavity; a plurality of electrostatic rotor-positioning actuators spaced around the inside of said cavity for providing exclusive control of the position of said rotor within said cavity; and means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity to determine the external forces acting on said rotor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The integrated electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 17 in which said means for resolving the position of said rotor within said cavity includes a plurality of capacitive position sensors in said integrated mechanical gyroscope system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The integrated, electrostatically controlled micromechanical gyroscope of claim 18 in which at least one of said capacitive position sensors includes a said electrostatic rotor-positioning actuator.
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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) | 1997-10-10 | 1998-04-11 | 1998-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | 2002-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-10 | 2006-04-11 | 2006-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |