Axi-Symmetric Small-Footprint Gyroscope With Interchangeable Whole-Angle And Rate Operation

Brief Description

The invention is a compact, degenerate mode gyroscope capable of achieving high Q-factor in both whole-angle and rate operation modes.

Full Description

Degenerate mode Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscopes (CVGs) have several advantages over non-degenerate mode CVGs in terms of rate sensitivity, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, and potential to implement whole angle mechanization. However, degenerate mode CVGs have difficulty achieving high Q-factor and frequency symmetry in a compact size.

University researchers have developed a toroidal ring gyroscope with a robust outer perimeter anchor designed for energy loss minimization. The distributed support structure prevents vibrational motion from propagating to the outer anchor, providing a Q-factor of >100,000 in a 1760μm diameter device. The outer ring anchor makes a robust device that can be instrumented in whole angle mechanization applications which require high rate sensitivity and resistance to high g-forces. Performance characterization using force-rebalance mechanization revealed Angle Random Walk (ARW) of 0.047°/√hr and an in-run bias stability of 0.65deg/hr.

State Of Development

Working Prototype

Advantages

§ High Q-factor in a compact, degenerate mode design

§ Robustness due to rigid suspension and large distributed anchor system

§ Capable of operating in both whole angle and rate operation modes depending on sensitivity and robustness demands

Patent Status