Rotary Gyroscope Patents (Class 73/504.08)
  • Patent number: 11867714
    Abstract: An accelerometer for measuring acceleration in the direction of a z-axis which is perpendicular to an xy-plane, where a first proof mass is suspended from a first side anchor point with a first suspension structure which allows the first proof mass to undergo rotation about a first rotation axis. A second proof mass is suspended from a second side anchor point with a second suspension structure. The second suspension structure allows the second proof mass to undergo rotation about a second rotation axis. The torsion elements in the first and second suspension structure lie further away from the center of the accelerometer than the corresponding side anchor points from which the masses are suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matti Liukku, Ville-Pekka Rytkönen, Anssi Blomqvist
  • Patent number: 11668585
    Abstract: A gyroscopic sensor unit detects a phase drift between a demodulated output signal and demodulation signal during output of a quadrature test signal. A delay calculator detects the phase drift based on changes in the demodulated output signal during application of the quadrature test signal. A delay compensation circuit compensates for the phase drift by delaying the demodulation signal by the phase drift value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Guerinoni, Gabriele Gattere
  • Patent number: 11099013
    Abstract: A sensor includes a substrate having a first electrode arrangement; a first mass oscillator having (a) a first mass, (b) a first mass centroid, and (c) a second electrode arrangement including a first area centroid coinciding with the first mass centroid; and a second mass oscillator having (a) a second mass equal to the first mass, (b) a second mass centroid coinciding with the first mass centroid, and (c) a third electrode arrangement including a second area centroid coinciding with the first area centroid. Areas of the second and third electrode arrangements are equal. The sensor detects respective rotation rates around axes parallel to and perpendicular to a substrate extension. The oscillators are oscillatorily connected to each other and to the substrate, are deflectable, and experience respective forces in the directions of extension of the axes upon respective rotations around the other of the axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Degenfeld-Schonburg, Andreas Lassl, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Niels Bode, Nils Felix Kuhlmann, Reinhard Neul
  • Patent number: 10648813
    Abstract: A demodulator demodulates an in-phase component of an input signal which is in-phase and quadrature modulated. The demodulator includes a register storing a phase calibration value having an integer part and a fractional part. A noise-shaping modulator generates a succession of quantized values of integer type, the quantized values having a mean equal to the phase calibration value. A generating stage generates a demodulating signal phase locked with the input signal, the demodulating signal having a phase which depends linearly on the quantized values. A demodulating stage demodulates the input signal by means of the demodulating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Mecchia, Matteo Quartiroli, Paolo Pesenti
  • Patent number: 10502569
    Abstract: A rotation rate sensor includes a first rotationally suspended mass that exhibits a first axis of rotation. The first mass includes a first rotation-rate-measuring element that captures a first rate of rotation about the first axis of rotation and that outputs the first rate of rotation in a first signal. The sensor further includes a second rotationally suspended mass that exhibits a second axis of rotation and is arranged parallel to the first axis of rotation. The second mass includes a second rotation-rate-measuring element that captures a second rate of rotation about the second axis of rotation and that outputs the second rate of rotation in a second signal. The sensor further includes a propulsion device that propels the first and second mass and an evaluating device that outputs a difference of the signals as a third rate of rotation to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Maul, Mirko Hattass, Christian Hoeppner
  • Patent number: 10113873
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a gyroscope comprising a central anchor, a plurality of internal flexures, a plurality of masses, each mass coupled to the central anchor via at least one of the plurality of internal flexures and configured to translate in a plane of the gyroscope, and a plurality of mass-to-mass couplers, each mass-to-mass coupler coupled between two adjacent masses of the plurality of masses, and a plurality of transducers, each configured to perform at least one of driving and sensing motion of a corresponding one of the plurality of masses, wherein the plurality of transducers is configured to drive the plurality of masses in at least a first vibratory mode and a second vibratory mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene H. Cook, Marc S. Weinberg, Jonathan J. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 10036635
    Abstract: A MEMS rate sensor device. In an embodiment, the sensor device includes a MEMS rate sensor configured overlying a CMOS substrate. The MEMS rate sensor can include a driver set, with four driver elements, and a sensor set, with six sensing elements, configured for 3-axis rotational sensing. This sensor architecture allows low damping in driving masses and high damping in sensing masses, which is ideal for a MEMS rate sensor design. Low driver damping is beneficial to MEMS rate power consumption and performance, with low driving electrical potential to achieve high oscillation amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: mCube Inc.
    Inventors: Wenhua Zhang, Sudheer Sridharamurthy, Shingo Yoneoka, Terrence Lee
  • Publication number: 20150142362
    Abstract: A gyroscopic rotational monitoring system may be utilized for monitoring one or more properties of rotatable container or vessel, and/or one or more properties of a displaceable material contained in the rotatable vessels. An exemplary aspect relates to the use of a gyroscope and periodicity sensor (e.g., accelerometer) to determine rotational speed of a concrete mixing drum, so that the slump or other property of the concrete can be monitored or adjusted such as by dosing with water, chemical admixtures, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Richard K. Jordan, Yan Glina, Mark F. Roberts, Eric P. Koehler
  • Publication number: 20140305204
    Abstract: Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques for utilizing gyroscopes in biometric monitoring devices are provided. Such techniques may, in some implementations, involve obtaining swimming metrics regarding stroke cycle count, lap count, and stroke type. Such techniques may also, in some implementations, involve obtaining performance metrics for bicycling activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Jung Ook Hong, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Patent number: 8776600
    Abstract: A gyroscope sensor includes a gyro disk. A first light source is configured to provide a first light beam. A first light receiver is configured to receive the first light beam for sensing a vibration at a first direction of the gyro disk. A second light source is configured to provide a second light beam substantially parallel with the first light beam. A second light receiver is configured to receive the second light beam for sensing a vibration in a second direction of the gyro disk. The second direction is different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Hau Wu, Chun-Ren Cheng, Jiou-Kang Lee, Jung-Huei Peng, Shang-Ying Tsai
  • Patent number: 8701485
    Abstract: A sensor device includes: a sensor component including a package, connection terminals including first connection terminals on a terminal forming surface of the package and a sensor element housed in the package; a resin part covering the sensor component; and mounting leads including a one-end part coupled to one first connection terminal in the resin part so that a main surface thereof faces a main surface of the one first connection terminal face; an intermediate part extending toward a mounting surface of the sensor device from the one-end part; and another-end part externally exposed from the resin part. The sensor component is tilted or orthogonal relative to the mounting surface. The connection terminals are provided along one of the sides forming an outline of the terminal forming surface, the one side being tilted or orthogonal with respect to the mounting surface. The intermediate part includes an angled part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20140090468
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensor includes first, second, and third fixed electrodes, a first translational element to translate along a first direction, first mobile electrodes extending from the first translation element and being interdigitated with the first fixed electrodes to form first sensor assemblies, a second translation element to translate along a second direction, second mobile electrodes extending from the second translation element and being interdigitated with the second fixed electrodes to form second sensor assemblies, and a rotation element to rotate about the second direction, the rotation element having a surface opposite the third fixed electrodes to form third sensor assemblies, wherein the third fixed electrode being displaced from the surface of the rotation element along a third direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Advanced NuMicro Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Advanced NuMicro Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8661898
    Abstract: An apparatus and/or method that corrects for tuning errors in vibrating structure gyroscopes that are configured to be driven along a plurality of axes without the need for dedicated torque elements. The correction is accomplished by introducing a phase offset in the drive signal of one or more of the drive elements relative to other drive elements to minimize or reduce the quadrature signal. The tuning may be accomplished as a one time “set and forget” adjustment, as a manual adjustment performed at the discretion of the user, or as a closed loop active correction system. The technique improves the tuning of the resonator assembly, rather than merely compensating for the mistuning. Accordingly, for various embodiments of the invention, the destructive interference between the plurality of drive axes is reduced. Conservation of vibrational energy present in the resonator is thus enhanced, with less vibrational energy transferred to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Watson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Watson
  • Publication number: 20140013844
    Abstract: A terminal device is described that includes a housing configured to accommodate various components of the terminal device; a first sensing unit configured to collect first status information of the terminal device; a second sensing unit configured to collect second status information of the terminal device; and a processing unit configured to determine a manner that a user holds the terminal device based on the first status information and the second status information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Qian Zhao, Hanfeng Zheng, Hao Chen, Yufei Zhang, Chenghu Wu, Tao Cheng, Xiaofei Xu, Xiaoming Liu
  • Patent number: 8596121
    Abstract: A structural member having a plurality of conductive regions electrically insulated from each other, in which the plurality of conductive regions are electrically insulated from each other by continuous oxidized regions, and the oxidized regions are each formed of an oxide made of a material having a plurality of through holes or trenches formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kandori, Chienliu Chang
  • Publication number: 20130312518
    Abstract: An inertial unit comprising an inertial core (3) that is connected to a control unit. (50) and that includes three gyros (9, 10, 11) that are mounted relative to one another so as to have sensing axes (X, Y, Z) that are substantially perpendicular to one another, the gyros being vibrating axisymmetric gyros with hemispherical resonators, the unit being characterized in that the core is mounted on a carousel (2) arranged to drive the inertial core in rotation about an axis of rotation (4) at at least one frequency that corresponds to a minimum for spectral error density of the gyros. An angle-measurement method making use of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Alain RENAULT, Christian LIGNON, Etienne BRUNSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20130305823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gyroscope. Particularly, a ring-shaped rotary core in which magnetic bodies and nonmagnetic bodies are alternately arranged is provided to simplify the structure of the gyroscope and reduce the weight of the gyroscope. Also, due to reduced frictional resistance, noise can be minimized, and the speed at which the gyroscope rotates is markedly increased. As necessary, the gyroscope may be disposed within a sealed container to minimize a frictional loss and improve energy efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: INCT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Man-Yop Han
  • Patent number: 8584522
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Some gyroscopes include a drive frame, a central anchor and a plurality of drive beams disposed on opposing sides of the central anchor. The drive beams may connect the drive frame to the central anchor. The drive beams may include a piezoelectric layer and may be configured to cause the drive frame to oscillate torsionally in a plane of the drive beams. The gyroscope may also include a proof mass and a plurality of piezoelectric sense beams. At least some components may be formed from plated metal. The drive frame may be disposed within the proof mass. The drive beams may constrain the drive frame to rotate substantially in the plane of the drive beams. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cenk Acar, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Justin Phelps Black, Kurt Edward Petersen, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi, Philip Jason Stephanou
  • Publication number: 20130291637
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a mechanically coupled structure with a first sensor configured to determine at predetermined times its orientation relative to Earth's rotation axis as a first measurement. The first sensor is connectable with a first part of the mechanically coupled structure with at least one second sensor which has a known first orientation to the first sensor at startup of the system and which is configured to determine a rotation rate or an acceleration as a second measurement. The at least one second sensor is connectable with a second part of the mechanically coupled structure with a central unit and with a communication network over which the central unit is connected with the first sensor and the second sensor wherein the first sensor is configured to transmit the first measurement to the central unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Georg Dorner, Andreas Rasch, Heiner Igel, Ulrich Schreiber, Joachim Wassermann
  • Patent number: 8544323
    Abstract: A sensor device includes: a sensor component including a package, connection terminals including first connection terminals on a terminal forming surface of the package and a sensor element housed in the package; and mounting leads including a one-end part coupled to one first connection terminal so that a main surface thereof faces a main surface of the one first connection terminal face; an intermediate part extending toward a mounting surface of the sensor device from the one-end part; and another-end part. The sensor component is tilted or orthogonal relative to the mounting surface. The connection terminals are provided along one of the sides forming an outline of the terminal forming surface, the one side being tilted or orthogonal with respect to the mounting surface. The intermediate part includes an angled part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8516887
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Such gyroscopes may include a central anchor, a sense frame disposed around the central anchor, a plurality of sense beams configured for connecting the sense frame to the central anchor and a drive frame disposed around and coupled to the sense frame. The gyroscope may include pairs of drive beams disposed on opposing sides of the sense frame. The gyroscope may include a drive frame suspension for substantially restricting a drive motion of the drive frame to that of a substantially linear displacement along the first axis. The sense frame may be substantially decoupled from drive motions of the drive frame. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cenk Acar, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Justin Phelps Black, Kurt Edward Petersen, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi, Philip Jason Stephanou
  • Patent number: 8516886
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Such gyroscopes may include a sense frame, a proof mass disposed outside the sense frame, a pair of anchors and a plurality of drive beams. The plurality of drive beams may be disposed on opposing sides of the sense frame and between the pair of anchors. The drive beams may connect the sense frame to the proof mass. The drive beams may be configured to cause torsional oscillations of the proof mass substantially in a first plane of the drive beams. The sense frame may be substantially decoupled from the drive motions of the proof mass. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cenk Acar, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Justin Phelps Black, Kurt Edward Petersen, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi, Philip Jason Stephanou
  • Publication number: 20130192362
    Abstract: A MEMS structure comprises an anchor, a spring, and a seismic mass that is suspended to the anchor via the spring to pivot around an axis of rotation. Errors from unwanted vibration modes are reduced by including in the MEMS structure a spring structure that extends from the seismic mass to the anchor. Said spring structure comprises a side arm that is connected to the seismic mass or the anchor. At least part of the spring structure is formed by a side arm that extends in the spring structure in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the seismic mass; and is attached to one end of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA ELECTRONICS OY
    Inventor: MURATA ELECTRONICS OY
  • Patent number: 8429970
    Abstract: A microgryroscope for determining rotational movements about an x, y or z axis. At least one anchor is fastened to a substrate. A plurality of, in particular four, masses that oscillate radially with respect to the anchor are fastened to the anchor by springs. Drive elements are used to vibrate at least individual ones of the masses in an oscillatory manner in the x or y direction in order to produce Coriolis forces when the substrate is deflected. Sensor elements are used to detect deflections of the masses on account of the Coriolis forces produced. The oscillating masses are connected to at least one additional, non-oscillating mass which can, however, rotate together with the oscillating masses on the substrate about the at least one anchor. A further sensor element is associated with this additional mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products GmbH
    Inventor: Alessandro Rocchi
  • Publication number: 20130061672
    Abstract: An integrated microelectromechanical structure is provided with: a driving mass, anchored to a substrate via elastic anchorage elements and moved in a plane with a driving movement; and a first sensing mass, suspended inside, and coupled to, the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to be fixed with respect to the driving mass in the driving movement and to perform a detection movement of rotation out of the plane in response to a first angular velocity; the elastic anchorage elements and the elastic supporting elements cause the detection movement to be decoupled from the driving movement. The elastic supporting elements are coupled to the first sensing mass at an end portion thereof, and the axis of rotation of the detection movement extends, within the first sensing mass, only through the end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Coronato, Gabriele Cazzaniga, Sarah Zerbini
  • Patent number: 8375791
    Abstract: A capacitive MEMS gyroscope and a method of making the same are disclosed. The capacitive MEMS gyroscope comprises a semiconductor substrate and a suspended composite wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Herb He Huang
  • Patent number: 8311757
    Abstract: An innovative configuration of Miniaturized Smart Self-calibration EPD for mortar applications, as the azimuth/heading and elevation measurement device. This innovative EPD configuration uses only two FOGs or DTG and accelerometers and it is self-contained. This leads to a new EPD implementation that produces a small and light device with lower cost and adequate accuracy for the small dismounted mortar applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: American GNC Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Fang Lin
  • Patent number: 8281658
    Abstract: A gyroscope sensor includes a gyro disk. A first light source is configured to provide a first light beam adjacent to a first edge of the gyro disk. A first light receiver is configured to receive the first light beam for sensing a vibration at a first direction of the gyro disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Hau Wu, Chun-Ren Cheng, Jiou-Kang Lee, Jung-Huei Peng, Shang-Ying Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120234093
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, apparatus, and devices and methods of fabrication for electromechanical devices. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a metal proof mass and a piezoelectric component as part of a MEMS device. Such apparatus can be particularly useful for MEMS gyroscope devices. For instance, the metal proof mass, which may have a density several times larger than that of silicon, is capable of reducing the quadrature and bias error in a MEMS gyroscope device, and capable of increasing the sensitivity of the MEMS gyroscope device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Phelps Black, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi, Philip Jason Stephanou, Kurt Edward Petersen, Cenk Acar, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Nicholas Ian Buchan
  • Publication number: 20120227487
    Abstract: A Coriolis-based bulk acoustic wave gyroscope includes a center-supported resonating element with capacitively-coupled drive, sense, and control electrodes. The resonating element has a first substantially solid or perforated region which is connected to the center-support by a second region characterized by a plurality of spokes or beams. When operating in a resonance state, the first region undergoes a bulk acoustic mode of vibration while the second region undergoes a flexural mode of vibration. Energy losses associated with the flexural mode of vibration reduce the overall quality factor (Q) at high resonance frequencies creating a large bandwidth and a fast response time without needing vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Farrokh Ayazi, Wang-kyung Sung, Mohammad Faisal Zaman
  • Patent number: 8256288
    Abstract: A sensor device includes: a sensor component including a package, connection terminals having first terminals on a terminal forming surface of the package, and a sensor element that has a detection axis and is housed in the package; a resin part covering the sensor component; and mounting leads, each of the mounting leads including, a one-end part formed by being folded so as to be coupled to one of the first connection terminals in the resin part so that a main surface of the one-end part and a main surface of the one of the first connection terminals face each other, an intermediate part extending toward a mounting surface of the sensor device from the one-end part, and an other-end part formed by being folded so as to be externally exposed from the resin part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20120180566
    Abstract: A sensor device includes: a sensor component including a package, connection terminals including first connection terminals on a terminal forming surface of the package and a sensor element housed in the package; a resin part covering the sensor component; and mounting leads including a one-end part coupled to one first connection terminal in the resin part so that a main surface thereof faces a main surface of the one first connection terminal face; an intermediate part extending toward a mounting surface of the sensor device from the one-end part; and another-end part externally exposed from the resin part. The sensor component is tilted or orthogonal relative to the mounting surface. The connection terminals are provided along one of the sides forming an outline of the terminal forming surface, the one side being tilted or orthogonal with respect to the mounting surface. The intermediate part includes an angled part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20120160027
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device having an electrical insulating structure. The MEMS device includes at least one moving part, at least one anchor, at least one spring and an insulating layer. The spring is connected to the anchor and to the moving part. The insulating layer is disposed in the moving part and the anchor. Each of the moving part and the anchor is divided into two conductive portions by the insulating layer. Whereby, the electrical signals of different moving parts are transmitted through the insulated electrical paths which are not electrically connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIALTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yu Wen HSU, Shih Ting Lin, Jen Yi Chen, Chao Ta Huang
  • Publication number: 20120144916
    Abstract: Methods and systems may include a single gyroscope and gait logic to receive angular velocity data from the single gyroscope. The gait logic can also determine a stride length of an individual based on the angular velocity data. In one example, the gait logic integrates the angular velocity data to obtain angular displacement data and determines a stride length based at least in part on the angular displacement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Emer Doheny, Barry R. Greene
  • Publication number: 20120084050
    Abstract: Methods and systems for azimuth measurements using a gyroscope unit are disclosed. The method includes acquiring a ratio value between two earth rate components orthogonal to each other by using the gyroscope unit at a measuring position; acquiring three gravity vector components orthogonal to each other at the measuring position; and determining an azimuth with respect to a reference axis predetermined in the gyroscope unit, based on the ratio value, the three gravity vector components and a geodetic latitude of the measuring position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Shigeru Sato, Juei Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20120048016
    Abstract: A micromechanical rotation rate sensor, comprising at least one substrate, wherein the rotation rate sensor has at least a first and a second seismic mass which are coupled to one another by means of at least one coupling beam, and wherein the rotation rate sensor is embodied in such a way that it can detect rotation rates about at least a first and a second sensitive axis, wherein each seismic mass is assigned at least one actuator unit with which the deflection behavior of the seismic mass can be influenced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Bernhard Schmid, Stefan Günthner, Ramnath Sivaraman
  • Publication number: 20110282591
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection device, for example a pipeline inspection gauge or pig, is configured for inspecting a pipeline. The pipeline includes a plurality of pipes of varying orientations and a radio frequency identification device (RFID) provided on each pipe. Each RFID contains information indicative of the identity of each respective pipe. The inspection device includes a RF transceiver configured to receive the identity information from each RFID; an inertial navigation unit configured to generate three-space position information indicative of the position of the inspection device in the pipeline; and a processor configured to synchronize the identity information of each RFID with the position information to determine a three-space location of each pipe in the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: WTF INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: William COGEN, Michael Burz
  • Publication number: 20110265565
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Some gyroscopes include a drive frame, a central anchor and a plurality of drive beams disposed on opposing sides of the central anchor. The drive beams may connect the drive frame to the central anchor. The drive beams may include a piezoelectric layer and may be configured to cause the drive frame to oscillate torsionally in a plane of the drive beams. The gyroscope may also include a proof mass and a plurality of piezoelectric sense beams. At least some components may be formed from plated metal. The drive frame may be disposed within the proof mass. The drive beams may constrain the drive frame to rotate substantially in the plane of the drive beams. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cenk Acar, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Justin Phelps Black, Kurt Edward Petersen, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi, Philip Jason Stephanou
  • Publication number: 20110265564
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Such gyroscopes may include a sense frame, a proof mass disposed outside the sense frame, a pair of anchors and a plurality of drive beams. The plurality of drive beams may be disposed on opposing sides of the sense frame and between the pair of anchors. The drive beams may connect the sense frame to the proof mass. The drive beams may be configured to cause torsional oscillations of the proof mass substantially in a first plane of the drive beams. The sense frame may be substantially decoupled from the drive motions of the proof mass. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cenk Acar, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Justin Phelps Black, Kurt Edward Petersen, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi, Philip Jason Stephanou
  • Patent number: 8042393
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor, being excited and measured by means of capacitive drive elements, and the rotation of said sensor in an axis, excited by a rotation in another axis by means of the Coriolis force, being measured by means of capacitive measuring elements. Excitation voltages can be supplied to the fixed electrodes of the drive elements, the frequency of said voltages corresponding to the resonance frequency or the subharmonic of the resonance frequency of the vibration sensor. An alternating voltage having a first measuring frequency which is higher than the excitation frequency can be supplied to capacitive elements for measuring the excited vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Continental Automotive GmbH, SensorDynamics AG
    Inventors: Lothar Gier, Volker Kempe, Drago Strle
  • Patent number: 8005635
    Abstract: A method and system for Self-calibrated Azimuth and Attitude Accuracy Enhancing are disclosed, wherein SAAAEMS approach is based on fully auto-calibration self-contained INS principles, not depending on magnetometers for azimuth/heading determination, and thus the system outputs and performance are not affected by the environmental magnetic fields. In order to reduce the system size and cost, this new innovative methods and algorithms are used for SAAAEMS system configuration and integration. Compared to a conventional INS for gyrocompassing, AGNC's approach uses a smaller number of high accuracy sensors: SAAAEMS uses only one 2-axis high accuracy gyro (for example, one DTG) instead of 3-axis; the third axis gyro is a MEMS gyro. It uses only 2 high accuracy accelerometers instead of 3, since the two accelerometers are used only for gyrocompassing not for navigation. These two changes to the conventional INS system configuration remarkably reduce the whole system size and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Ching-Fang Lin
  • Publication number: 20110179866
    Abstract: Gyroscopes that can compensate frequency mismatch are provided. In this regard, a representative gyroscope, among others, includes a top substrate including an outermost structure, a first driving structure and a first sensing structure. The first driving structure and the first sensing structure are disposed within the outermost structure. The first driving structure and the first sensing structure include a first driving electrode and a first sensing electrode that are disposed on a bottom surface of the first driving structure and first sensing structure, respectively. A portion of the mass on the top surface of the first sensing structure is removed. The gyroscope further includes a bottom substrate that is disposed below the top substrate. The bottom substrate includes a second driving electrode and a second sensing electrode that are disposed on a top surface of the bottom substrate and below the first driving electrode and the first sensing electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wenhua Zhang, Robert G. Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20110094301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microgyroscope for determining rotational movements about an x, y or z axis. At least one anchor is fastened to a substrate. A plurality of, in particular four, masses which oscillate radially with respect to the anchor are fastened to the anchor by means of springs. Drive elements are used to vibrate at least individual ones of the masses in an oscillatory manner in the x or y direction in order to produce Coriolis forces when the substrate is deflected. Sensor elements are used to detect deflections of the masses on account of the Coriolis forces produced. The oscillating masses are connected to at least one further, non-oscillating mass which can, however, rotate together with the oscillating masses on the substrate about the at least one anchor. A further sensor element is associated with this further mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SENSORDYNAMICS AG
    Inventor: Alessandro Rocchi
  • Publication number: 20110055769
    Abstract: A system to provide a three-dimensional (3D) location image includes a Global Positioning System device to identify location data corresponding to image data generated by a camera, a transmission unit to transmit the image data and the location data to a 3D location information server, a receiving unit to receive location display data from the 3D location information server, a generation unit to generate 3D location image data using the location display data, and a providing unit to display the 3D location image data. A method for providing a 3D location image includes generating image data, identifying location data associated with the image, transmitting the image data and the location data to a 3D location information server, receiving location display data from the 3D location information server, and generating and displaying 3D location image data using the location display data and the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: PANTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong U. Lim
  • Publication number: 20110051144
    Abstract: An integrated interferometric gyroscope and accelerometer device. An example device includes a cantilever beam, a package having a post connected to one end of the beam, a piezoresistor driver, a piezoresistor sensor, and a semiconductor interferometric optical gyro. The piezoresistor driver is incorporated within the beam at a first area proximate to the post. The driver electro-thermally resonates the beam. The piezoresistor sensor is incorporated within the beam at the first area. The sensor piezoresitively senses a signal that relates to an acceleration force out-of-plane of the beam. The semiconductor interferometric optical gyro is also incorporated within the beam at a second area of the beam. The gyro senses rotational motion about an axis approximately equivalent to the acceleration force out-of-plane of the beam. The gyro includes a waveguide, a laser source and a light detector. The beam is formed from a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ray Wilfinger, Eric Bailey, Carl Wingard
  • Publication number: 20110041601
    Abstract: A signal processing method and device for measuring the input rate of an FM micro-gyro having a modulation frequency FM and having an oscillator sense element having a nominal frequency FOSC is disclosed. In a first aspect of the invention, the method comprises defining a first time interval TWN and a second time interval TWP and measuring the first time interval and the second time interval by counting the number of periods of a predetermined reference frequency. The nominal frequency of the oscillator sense element FOSC is measured along with the modulation frequency FM. From these measurements, the proof mass period NW is calculated. The time difference ?t is calculated from the above measurements. The method then comprises calculating a modulation M that produced the measured ?t, preferably using an iterative method. From the above, the input rate ? is calculated by dividing M by a sensitivity S of the FM micro-gyro.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Irvine Sensors Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Hsu, Gary Gottlieb, Clint Kopper
  • Publication number: 20110029161
    Abstract: This present invention describes a novel vision-based control strategy for autonomous cruise flight in possibly cluttered environments such as—but not limited to—cities, forests, valleys, or mountains. The present invention is to provide an autopilot that relies exclusively on visual and gyroscopic information, with no requirement for explicit state estimation nor additional stabilisation mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: EPFL-SRI
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Zufferey, Antoine Beyeler, Dario Floreano
  • Publication number: 20100175479
    Abstract: A gyroscope sensor includes a gyro disk. A first light source is configured to provide a first light beam adjacent to a first edge of the gyro disk. A first light receiver is configured to receive the first light beam for sensing a vibration at a first direction of the gyro disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ting-Hau Wu, Chun-Ren Cheng, Jiou-Kang Lee, Jung-Huei Peng, Shang-Ying Tsai
  • Patent number: RE42731
    Abstract: A structure and arrangement for improving the accuracy and efficiency of an angular rate sensing gyroscope is herein disclosed. Voltage pick-off conductors are applied to an area of the surface of a resonating element of an angular rate sensing gyroscope that is subject to substantially zero stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. Actuator conductors are similarly applied to a resonating element at a location bounded by areas of the resonating element subject to substantially uniform levels of stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. A method for improving the voltage response of a piezoelectric resonating element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Watson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Watson
  • Patent number: RE43755
    Abstract: A structure and arrangement for improving the accuracy and efficiency of an angular rate sensing gyroscope is herein disclosed. Voltage pick-off conductors are applied to an area of the surface of a resonating element of an angular rate sensing gyroscope that is subject to substantially zero stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. Actuator conductors are similarly applied to a resonating element at a location bounded by areas of the resonating element subject to substantially uniform levels of stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. A method for improving the voltage response of a piezoelectric resonating element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Watson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Watson