Abstract: A human-portable MEMS azimuth sensing unit and method that determines the azimuth of a target. There is a spinning support structure, with at least a gyroscope carried by the support structure. The gyroscope has an input axis and an output signal. There is an angle resolver that measures the spin angle of the support structure relative to a reference direction and that has an output signal. Circuitry determines the target azimuth based on the phase difference between the output signals of the gyroscope and the angle resolver. The phase difference can be based on the time between zero crossings of the sinusoidal gyro and angle resolver signals. An accelerometer can also be carried by the support structure, in which case its output can be used to level the unit.

Abstract: A system and method for separating bias instability of MEMS inertial instruments such as gyroscopes or accelerometers from the instrument signal, in which the inertial measurement instrument has an input axis and an output signal, and the bias instability has a frequency. The instrument is rotated about a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the input axis, at a frequency that is greater than the bias instability frequency. The instrument output signal is detected, and demodulated with a phase-sensitive detection method referenced to the instrument rotation.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) for a spinning aerial vehicle that spins about a spin axis having a substrate defining a plane, the substrate fixed to the vehicle with the plane essentially orthogonal to the spin axis so that the substrate spins about the spin axis as the vehicle does, at least one generally planar gyroscope coupled to the substrate, the gyroscope defining a gyro input axis that is essentially parallel to the plane and generating a gyro output signal, at least one generally planar accelerometer coupled to the substrate, the accelerometer defining an accelerometer input axis that is essentially parallel to the plane and generating an accelerometer output signal, and a system for demodulating the gyro output signal with a phase-sensitive demodulation referenced to the accelerometer output signal. Also featured is a method of providing guidance information for a spinning aerial vehicle that spins about a spin axis using the described system.

Abstract: A planar MEMS accelerometer that detects acceleration along an input axis that is orthogonal to the plane. There are spaced bonding pads coupled to a substrate. A generally planar Servo Member (SM) is flexibly coupled to the bonding pads by servo member flexures such that the SM is capable of oscillatory motion about a servo axis that is orthogonal to the plane. A generally planar plate Torque Summing Member (TSM) is located within, coplanar with, and flexibly coupled to the SM such that the TSM is capable of rotational motion about an output axis that is in the plane and orthogonal to the servo axis. The TSM is mass-imbalanced relative to the output axis. A generally planar plate rotor is located within, coplanar with, and flexibly coupled to the TSM such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the TSM about a rotor axis that is in the plane. Rotor drives directly oscillate the rotor about the rotor axis at a rotor oscillation frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: A gyroscope that lies generally in a plane, for detecting rotation rate about a gyro input axis. The gyroscope has a substrate, and a generally planar outer member flexibly coupled to the substrate such that it is capable of oscillatory motion about a drive axis that is orthogonal to the input axis. There is also a generally planar inner member coplanar with and flexibly coupled to the outer member such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the outer member about an output axis that is orthogonal to the plane of the members. There are one or more drives for directly or indirectly oscillating the outer member about the drive axis, and one or more sensors that detect oscillation of the inner member about the output axis.

Abstract: Gyroscopes and pendulous gyroscopic accelerometers with adjustable scale factor are accomplished through control of the net angular momentum of a gyroscopic element such as a rotating or oscillating wheel or other mass. The sensitivity of a gravity gradiometer can be enhanced through use of such instruments, allowing the development of man-portable gravity gradiometers.

Abstract: A system and method for separating bias instability of MEMS inertial instruments such as gyroscopes or accelerometers from the instrument signal, in which the inertial measurement instrument has an input axis and an output signal, and the bias instability has a frequency. The instrument is oscillated about an oscillation axis that is orthogonal to the input axis, at a frequency that is greater than the bias instability frequency. The instrument output signal is detected, and demodulated with a phase-sensitive detection method referenced to the instrument rotation.

Abstract: A gyroscope that lies generally in a plane, for detecting rotation rate about a gyro input axis. The gyroscope has a substrate, and a generally planar support member flexibly coupled to the substrate such that it is capable of oscillatory motion about a drive axis that is orthogonal to the input axis. There is also a generally planar gyro member coplanar with and flexibly coupled to the support member such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the support member about an output axis that is orthogonal to the plane of the members. There are one or more drives for directly or indirectly oscillating the gyro member about the drive axis, and one or more gyro output sensors that detect oscillation of the gyro member about the output axis.

Abstract: Three magnetic substrates are provided, the first substrate forms the rotor and the other two form the outer stator. A series of spaced concentric grooves and spaced spiral grooves are formed in the central region of both faces of the first substrate. A hole is placed at the center of the spiral grooves, and filled with magnetic material. A conductor is then deposited into the spiral grooves, forming a central wheel. A series of spaced serpentine grooves and generally radial grooves are formed on each active face of the other two substrates. A conductor is then deposited into the serpentine grooves, and a magnetic material is deposited into the generally radial grooves. The two outer substrates are then bonded against the first substrate such that the outer end of each magnetic path overlays a filled hole in the first substrate, creating the stator of an axial air gap reluctance motor.

Abstract: Inertial Measurement Units based on integrated designs to reduce alignment and assembly costs. Integration also leads to performance improvement, increased miniaturization and simplification as well as reduced cost. Also disclosed are gyroscopes and accelerometers that are identical, yet by their mechanization, can be made to act as separate sensors. Miniaturization and simplification is improved by combining instruments that can share a common member. Savings in space and complexity are also possible in the electronics when elements are shared.

Abstract: MEMS-Integrated IMUs are possible based on a common substrate that provides a common oscillatory drive for the operation of the gyroscopes and accelerometers. The common substrate becomes the stable member utilized in conventional IMUs. The advantages of the embodiments are smallest size, flexibility in how IMUs are configured, reduced electronics and a single package. MEMS integration also reduces uncertainties due to separately developed instruments based on different fabrication processes, materials, assembly and alignment.

Abstract: The planarization of inductive components by reducing standard coiled designs to single turn, open ended designs from which the required parameters are obtained by scaling the length. Single turn designs having magnetic material encircling the conductors along their full length enable the thinnest form. The single turn, open ended form also enables the inductive component to be routed according to any shape in the plane or on any conformal surface. The single turn inductors do not need to coil hence there is no overlap necessary in the plane. The planar form allows integration of inductive components with integrated circuits. These inductive components can be embedded in other materials. They can also be fabricated directly onto parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Coriolis Oscillating Gyroscopic instrument, comprising: a Double Ended Tuning Fork (DETF) having two stems and two tines; a Torque Summing Member (TSM) rigidly coupled to the DETF stems; drives located at least partially on the TSM for vibrating the tines sinusoidally in opposition along a first axis, the tines' motion having a constant amplitude, a frequency and a phase; a case; a plurality of flexures connecting the TSM to the case, to allow the TSM and the DETF to rotationally oscillate together relative to the case about a second axis transverse to the first axis; and a sensor and associated instrumentation for resolving rotation of the TSM relative to the case.

Abstract: This invention describes a technique for measuring the peak amplitude and phase of an oscillating member without using any external precision references other than stable precision frequencies. The technique relies upon stable reference dimension of the oscillating member and stable dimensions of a stationary system which the member is oscillating with respect to. The technique uses a stable precision crystal clock oscillator to measure the time at which the oscillating member arrives at certain reference angles. The reference angles may be established on the member or by interferometry, with respect to sensors on a stationary member. Using inputs from the sensors, a precision clock, and counters the system determines the period of oscillation of the vibrating member and the phase of the maximum excursions of the vibrating member based on the time required for the oscillating member to move through the reference angles established on the reference member.

Abstract: A tuned flexure accelerometer, comprising, a housing; a gimbal coupled to the housing for oscillation about a gimbal oscillation axis; and a reference mass coupled by one or more pivots to the gimbal to allow pivoting motion of the reference mass relative to the gimbal about a pivot axis which is transverse to the gimbal oscillation axis, the one or more pivots having an effective elastic restraint. The gimbal is oscillated about its oscillation axis, to thereby induce on the one or more pivots an oscillating negative elastic restraint, to reduce the effective elastic restraint of the pivots.

Abstract: This invention relates to the planarization of inductive components by reducing standard coiled designs to single turn designs from which the required parameters are obtained by scaling the length. Single turn designs having magnetic material encircling the conductors along their full length enable the thinnest form. The single turn form also enables the inductive component to be routed according to any shape in the plane or on any conformal surface. The single turn inductors do not need to coil hence there is no overlap necessary in the plane. The planar form allows integration of inductive components with integrated circuits. These inductive components can be embedded in other materials. They can also be fabricated directly onto parts. The differential current transformer by virtue of its fabrication next to a capacitive pick-off enables the preservation of the purity of the signal obtained by taking signal differences close to the transducer and minimizing pick-up from leads.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator for accomplishing relative movement between an excited actuator member and a passive actuator member, comprising: a magnetic excited actuator member configured to define along its active surface a series of external teeth separated by slots, with a back iron area behind the teeth and slots to complete the flux paths within the excited member, with actuating electrical conductors disposed within the slots to accomplish a distributed conductor electric coil arranged such that the current flows in opposite directions in the conductors in each adjacent slot, to create oppositely-directed flux paths that additively combine in the tooth between the adjacent slots to accomplish a high level of magnetic force with a lower back iron thickness; and a magnetic passive member proximate, and spaced from, the excited member active surface, the passive member completing the flux paths; whereby the position of the passive member relative to the excited member can be controlled through control of the curre

Abstract: A flat pack gyroscope fabricated of a number of discrete flat layers, which, when assembled together, accomplish a version of a single degree of freedom, spinning wheel gyroscope.

Abstract: A pendulous oscillating gyroscopic accelerometer, comprising: a fixed case; a servo driven member mounted to the case for oscillation about a servo axis; a torque summing member mounted to the servo driven member for rotation about an output axis transverse to the servo axis; a rotor driven member mounted to the torque summing member for oscillation about a reference axis transverse to both the output axis and the servo axis; a pendulosity carried by at least one of the torque summing member and the rotor driven member to create a mass imbalance about an output axis; a first oscillation device for oscillating the rotor driven member about the reference axis, the oscillation having a first amplitude, a first frequency and a first phase; a second oscillation device for oscillating the servo driven member about the servo axis, the oscillation having a second amplitude, a second frequency and a second phase; a measurement device for determining the rotation of the torque summing member about the output axis resul