Abstract: A flexure plate accelerometer system includes a flexure plate and two fixed plates on either side of the flexure plate. The flexure plate generates a flexure plate signal as a function of reference signals received in the fixed plates. A precision transformer generates the reference signals from a precision sine wave generated by a symbol generator controlled by a microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the symbol generator and activates an analog-to-digital converter in response to a signal coincident with a positive and negative peak of the precision sine wave. The analog-to-digital converter generates a digital word from the flexure plate signal, which is processed further in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A leveling system for a missile system includes a holder defining an xz-plane. Four flexure plate accelerometers are coupled to the holder at angles such that they are sensitive to movement in an xy-plane. The accelerometers all generate signals in response to movements of the flexure plates. An actuator activates an object control device in response to a platform control signal. A processor receives the accelerometer signals and generates the platform control signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A precision flexure plate includes a flat disk positioned between two capacitor plates and supported by S-shaped beams. Deflection of the disk due to gravitational loads and resulting capacitance change is used to measure the accelerations in the direction perpendicular to the disk.

Abstract: A method for constructing a compensated composite structure, including a support tube coupled to a flexure plate and enclosing a capacitor plate, includes selecting a material for the support tube whereby the coefficient of expansion is larger than that of the material of the capacitor plates. Further, the method includes selecting the lengths of the support tube and the capacitor plate such that the composite structure is insensitive to changes in temperature.

Abstract: A compass device includes a platform defining an xz-plane and an x-axis. A first accelerometer is coupled to the platform at an angle such that the first accelerometer is sensitive to movement of the first accelerometer in the xz-plane. The first accelerometer includes a first flexure plate generating a first accelerometer signal in response to movement of the first flexure plate. A second accelerometer is coupled to the platform at an angle such that the second accelerometer is sensitive to movement of the second accelerometer within the xz-plane. The second accelerometer includes a second flexure plate generating a second accelerometer signal in response to movement of the second flexure plate. A processor receives the first accelerometer signal and the second accelerometer signal and generates a platform control signal, thereby rotating the platform in response to an inequality between the first accelerometer signal and the second accelerometer signal.

Abstract: A bridge accelerometer system includes four capacitors, wherein two capacitors are formed on each side of a rigid member. The other two capacitors are similarly constructed, except that the rigid member is replaced by a flexured plate. The construction of the plates with respect to the flexured plate is substantially similar to the configuration formed by the rigid member and the other two capacitors, and the fixed capacitors and rigid plate are isolated from the flexured arrangement. The four capacitors are connected to form a bridge generating a bridge voltage signal as a function of a sine wave from a symbol generator. The bridge voltage signal is amplified and converted to digital word in an A/D converter. The digital word is linearized and filtered in a microprocessor, which also includes a precision clock controlling the symbol generator and a conversion clock controlling the A/D converter.

Abstract: An inertia control system includes an integrated inertial measurement unit coupled to an inertial platform. The integrated inertial measurement unit includes three accelerometer gimbals/axes (first, second, and third) respectively, each including a pair of flexure plate accelerometers. First and second accelerometers are coupled to the first gimbal, third and fourth accelerometers are coupled to the second gimbal, and fifth and sixth accelerometers are coupled to the third gimbal. The system further includes a processor utilizing outputs from the inertial measurement unit in three processor modes, including a leveling mode, a compass mode, and an operational mode.

Abstract: An accelerometer system includes a rigid plate system coupled to an inertial platform. A first flexure plate defines a first flex axis and is adjacent to the rigid plate system a first distance from the spin axis. The first flexure plate generates a first frequency signal in response to acceleration of the first flexure plate. A second flexure plate defines a second flex axis and is adjacent to the rigid plate system a second distance from the spin axis. The second flexure plate generates a second frequency signal in response to acceleration of the second flexure plate. A controller including receives the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal and generates an angular acceleration signal from a difference of the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal. The controller also generates a linear acceleration signal in response to an average of the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal.

Abstract: A compass system includes a platform defining an x-axis, a y-axis and an xy-plane, wherein a z-axis is orthogonal to the xz-plane. A beam is rotatably coupled to the platform such that the beam rotates about the y-axis. An accelerometer including a flexure plate perpendicular to the y-axis is coupled to the beam a distance from the y-axis. The accelerometer generates an accelerometer signal in response to movement of the flexure plate. An angular position sensor senses angular position of the beam relative to the x-axis and y-axis, the angular position sensor generating an angular position signal therefrom. A processor receives the accelerometer signal and the angular position signal and generates an East-West signal therefrom.

Abstract: A capacitance acceleration derivative detector includes a housing, and a first plate fixed within the housing. A second plate is also fixed within the housing and spaced apart from and in parallel relation to the first plate. A flexure plate is disposed between and in substantially parallel relation to the first and second plates. The flexure plate is coupled to the housing along at least an edge. The flexure plate and first plate define a first distance and the flexure plate and the second plate define a second distance. The first and second distances vary in response to acceleration forces acting upon the flexure plate. The flexure plate and the first fixed plate generate a first charge displacement capacitance signal, and the second fixed plate and the flexure plate generate a second charge displacement capacitance signal.

Abstract: A capacitance accelerometer includes a housing, and a plate fixed within the housing. A moveable plate is disposed in substantially parallel relation to the fixed plate and is coupled to the housing along at least an edge. The moveable plate and the fixed plate define a distance. The distance varies in response to acceleration forces acting upon the moveable plate, and wherein the moveable plate and the fixed plate generate a charge displacement capacitance signal. A transimpedance amplifier receives the charge displacement capacitance signal and generates a scaled voltage signal therefrom. An acceleration signal is generated from the scaled voltage signal.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes an inertial platform maintaining an attitude in response to a platform stabilizing controller signal and defining a spin axis and a reference plane. An accelerometer, coupled to the inertial platform a distance from the spin axis, defines a flex axis, which is perpendicular to the stability axis. The accelerometer generates an accelerometer signal in response to acceleration of the accelerometer. A second accelerometer defines a second flex axis also perpendicular to the stability axis, and is also coupled to the inertial platform a distance from the spin axis. The second accelerometer generates a second accelerometer signal in response to acceleration of the second accelerometer. A controller, including an angular acceleration signal generator, receives the first accelerometer signal and the second accelerometer signal and generates an angular acceleration signal from a difference in amplitudes between the first accelerometer signal and the second accelerometer signal.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes an inertial platform maintaining an attitude in response to a platform stabilizing controller signal and defining a spin axis and a reference plane. An accelerometer, coupled to the inertial platform a distance from the spin axis, defines a flex axis. The accelerometer generates an accelerometer signal in response to acceleration of the accelerometer. A second accelerometer defines a second flex axis, and is also coupled to the inertial platform a distance from the spin axis. The second accelerometer generates a second accelerometer signal in response to acceleration of the second accelerometer. A controller receives the first accelerometer signal and the second accelerometer signal and generates a linear acceleration signal in response to a sum of the first accelerometer signal and the second accelerometer signal and generates an angular acceleration signal from the difference.

Abstract: A bridge accelerometer system includes four capacitors, wherein two capacitors are formed on each side of a rigid member. The other two capacitors are similarly constructed, except that the rigid member is replaced by a flexured plate. The construction of the plates with respect to the flexured plate is substantially similar to the configuration formed by the rigid member and the other two capacitors, and the fixed capacitors and rigid plate are isolated from the flexured arrangement. The four capacitors are connected to form a bridge generating a bridge voltage signal. The bridge voltage signal is signal processed to generate a digital word. The digital word is linearized and filtered and received in computer for attitude adjustment and velocity control.

Abstract: A bridge accelerometer system includes four capacitors, wherein two capacitors are formed on each side of a rigid member. The other two capacitors are similarly constructed, except that the rigid member is replaced by a flexured plate. The construction of the plates with respect to the flexured plate is substantially similar to the configuration formed by the rigid member and the other two capacitors, and the fixed capacitors and rigid plate are isolated from the flexured arrangement. The four capacitors are connected to form a bridge generating a bridge voltage signal. The bridge voltage signal is signal processed to generate a digital word. The digital word is linearized and filtered and received in computer for attitude adjustment and velocity control.