Abstract: A flexure in a force transducer, as an inertial guidance accelerometer, for securing a force sensitive element to a mounting base includes one or more flexure sections having one or more recessed surfaces which are substantially coincident with the neutral bending plane of the flexure. Electrically conductive coating on the recessed surfaces provide electrical connections to components located on the force sensitive element. The conductive coatings on or near the neutral bending plane of the flexure sections minimizes bending moments caused by stresses set up between the conductive coatings and the flexure which may in turn lead to bias errors. At the same time, the flexure configuration provides for the desired strength and spring rate for the force sensitive element.

Abstract: In an assembly, for use in transducer type instruments such as accelerometers, having a position sensing movable member including a pick-off element, wherein the movable member is secured to a support member by a flexure or hinge and the support member in turn is cantilevered between two stator members, instrument bias errors resulting from the securing of the non-cantilevered portion of the support member between the stator members can be reduced by aligning the edges of the surfaces of the stators that contact the support member with the centroid of the pick-off element so that the axis of cantilever rotation passes through the centroid of the pick-off area. In transducers having electrical leads on the movable member, the flexure and the support member for electrically connecting the pick-off element to the support member, bias errors can be further reduced by including the area of the electrical leads in calculating the centroid.

Abstract: In order to reduce bias errors resulting from mounting of a force restoring coil assembly element of a force balancing transducer, the force coil assembly is suspended by means of one or more hinges from a force sensing movable member, which includes position pick-off means, that in turn is connected by hinging means to a support member. The effects of strain may further be reduced by locating the first hinges essentially along the axis of the centroid of the pick-off means.

Abstract: A servo system has a moving member supported for movement therein and a pickoff device for sensing the position of the moving member relative to a reference position. The pickoff provides a position output which is connected to an attenuator at the input of a high gain amplifier having a feedback loop for attaining gain stability. The feedback loop contains circuit components which provide stability in the servo system. An amplifier output attenuator reduces the feedback loop signal levels. Amplifier output is coupled to motive means for driving the moving member toward the reference position. A timing circuit produces a timed output which dissipates over a predetermined period of time. The timed output operates to enable a field effect transistor which causes the input divider to attentuate the position output to the high gain amplifier.

Abstract: Kinematic mounting of an optical mirror cube in an athermal system is obtained wherein the optical mirror cube has a mounting post extending from a support surface thereon. The mirror cube also has an optical surface and a registration surface. A mounting pedestal extends from a structural surface upon which the mirror cube is fastened. The mounting pedestal has a mounting bore formed therein passing through a pedestal support surface for contacting the mirror cube support surface. The bore is formed to loosely receive the mounting post and a pedestal registration surface is provided for matching the mirror cube registration surface. The pedestal has a pair of lateral bores therethrough formed to intersect the mounting bore at substantially right angles. The mounting post has a pair of lateral bores therethrough with axes aligned with the lateral pedestal bores.