Abstract: An angular rate sensor is provided which measures the angular rate of a moving object such as an automotive vehicle. The angular rate sensor includes an installation base and an oscillator. The oscillator is excited to oscillate in a preselected direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the moving object and provides a signal indicative thereof. The installation base is used for installation of the sensor on the moving object and has an improved orientation structure for orienting the oscillator relative to the installation base during installation of the oscillator on the installation base so that the oscillator may oscillate in the preselected direction. The angular rate sensor is disposed within a casing through improved vibration isolators for absorbing unwanted vibrations impinging upon an operation of the sensor.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a piezoelectric type actuator wherein a compressive force is exerted on a piezoelectric laminate, using a coil spring having a relatively small spring constant and a coned disc spring having a relatively large spring constant, the said compressive force being in the range of 4.0 to 50 in terms of the ratio of the spring constant of the coned disc spring to that of the coil spring.Under the above construction, the performance of the piezoelectric laminate is not deteriorated under any conditions during use, and the size of the piezoelectric type actuator can be reduced.