Abstract: Mechanical resonator and method in which electrodes or other driving and sensing elements are energized with an AC voltage to produce oscillations in a tine. The electrodes or other driving and sensing elements have at least two parameters which are adjusted to selectively enhance oscillations in one mode, e.g. the fundamental mode, and/or to selectively suppress oscillations in one or more other modes, e.g. an overtone mode. The parameters which can be adjusted include the endpoints of electrodes, the width of a gap between adjacent ends of electrodes, and corresponding features of other driving and sensing elements.

Abstract: Proofmass assembly for an accelerometer having transducers fabricated of crystalline quartz and other components fabricated of fused quartz. The assembly includes a main support, a frame pivotally connected to the support for pendulous movement about a hinge axis such that the frame moves with a component of motion along the sensing axis of the accelerometer, a proofmass connected to the frame for movement about a compensation axis spaced from and generally parallel to the hinge axis, and a pair of transducers connected between the proofmass and the support for sensing forces produced by acceleration of the proofmass along the sensing axis. Differences in thermal expansion between the transducers and the fused quartz components are taken up by rotation of the proofmass about the compensation axis, and the two parallel axes permit translational motion of the proofmass in response to acceleration along the sensing axis without rotation of the proofmass relative to the support.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for controlling the voltage of a bus powered by N solar cell arrays. Digital shunts are coupled to N-1 of the arrays. A linear shunt is coupled to the remaining array. Current passing through the remaining array is sensed by the linear shunt which, in response thereto, turns on and off various ones of the digital shunts to maintain the desired voltage on the bus.