Abstract: A micromachined three-plate capacitive accelerometer incorporates hinges attached to top and bottom surfaces of the proof mass that are symmetric about X and Y axes and also about diagonal axes; passageways for gas film damping in the fixed members that do not affect the capacitance to any significant degree; and provision for independently selecting two of the parameters sensitivity, capacitance and maximum acceleration.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor is provided having a specially shaped nozzle which shapes the velocity profile of a gas stream passing through a nozzle so that a linear portion of the profile impinges upon the resistive elements of the sensor even when large angular rates of turn in a plane of sensitivity are encountered. The nozzle is generally rectangularly shaped having a pair of parallel sides arranged perpendicularly to the resistive elements of the sensor and a pair of connecting sides.

Abstract: A metal diaphragm impulse pump with no valves is disclosed. The pump may be used in an angular velocity sensor utilizing the Coriolis effect on a fluid jet. A magnetic core is mounted within an anvil and a drive coil is wound around the core. The drive coil may be driven sinusoidally and the diaphragm, which is mounted on the anvil responds with a vibratory motion in like manner. Sensing poles are provided in quadrature with the drive coils and may be used to sense the vibratory motion and thereby control the fluid flow.

Abstract: An integrated optic IO device chip with anisotropic thermal expansion properties is packaged in a material enclosure by first bonding the chip to a substrate having anisotropic thermal expansion properties substantially equivalent to those of the IO device and substrate thickness substantially greater than that of the IO device, and bonding the substrate to the enclosure.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor utilizing the Coriolis effect on a fluid jet employs a metal diaphragm impulse jet pump with no valves to reduce temperature sensitivity. The pump anvil, the nozzle block and the sensor plug may all be fabricated of the same material to further reduce temperature sensitivity. The thickness of the sensing elements is selected to reduce temperature sensitivity still further.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor utilizing the Coriolis effect on a fluid jet employs increased spacing between the sensing elements to increase the scale factor and to reduce flow disturbances. A metal diaphragm pump is utilized to improve the ability to control the flow rate. Flow disturbances are further reduced by using a single, symmetrical central flowhole, eliminating curtain holes, and providing only two discharge paths oriented 180.degree. apart.

Abstract: The sensor wires (16, 18) of an angular rate sensor (ARS) on sensor plug assembly (12) are mounted to their respective mounting posts (20-23) using dual laser beams (30, 32) spaced on opposite sides of the wire (16) so as to melt the post surface without direct heating of the wire.

Abstract: A piezoelectric phase modulator for a fiber optic sensor is disclosed. The disclosed modulator is capable of relatively large amplitude mechanical vibrations, i.e., having a large converse piezoelectric effect, while at the same time having a relatively predictable and well-behaved direct piezoelectric effect. This result is accomplished by bonding a relatively active piezoelectric material, such as PZT, to a relatively stable piezoelectric material, such as quartz. An optical fiber may then be bonded to the relatively stable material, or to a structure attached thereto, as part of a fiber optic sensor loop. Excitation of the relatively active piezoelectric material will then produce a mechanical vibration in the relatively stable material and in the attached fiber comparable in magnitude to that experienced by the active material. Several embodiments of the invention are shown which are illustrative of devices which may be made according to the teachings disclosed.

Abstract: A metal diaphragm impulse jet pump with no valves is disclosed. The pump may be used in an angular velocity sensor utilizing the Coriolis effect on a fluid jet. A magnetic core is mounted within an anvil and a drive coil is wound around the core. The drive coil may be driven sinusoidally and the diaphragm responds with a vibratory motion in like manner. Sensing poles are provided in quadrature with the drive coils and may be used to sense the vibratory motion and thereby control the fluid flow.

Abstract: A differential torquer having at least one bifilar winding mounted on the torquer is disclosed. The bifilar winding has opposing polarities and the torquer is particularly well suited for use in reducing the temperature sensitivity of torquer servo loops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for sensing orthogonal components of angular velocity of rotation of the sensor about any axis in a plane perpendicular to a reference jet axis within the sensor, wherein a fluid jet is deflected relative to two pairs of electrically resistive, temperature sensitive elements in response to rotation of the sensor, wherein each pair of elements forms the sensing branch of a bridge circuit, the jet deflection causing differential cooling and bridge unbalance which is an indication of the deflection of the fluid jet from the reference jet axis which is in turn an indication of the rate and direction of angular rotation, wherein each pair of elements is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the reference jet axis, each pair sensing an orthogonal component of angular velocity of rotation.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor includes an improved impulse pump structure for providing fluid under pressure to a nozzle disposed at one end of a jet chamber to form a constant flow fluid jet, the jet chamber including a pair of temperature sensitive elements disposed at the other end in such a manner as to be differentially cooled by the fluid jet in dependence on the angular rotation of the sensor.