摘要:
Techniques are provided to determine an initial quaternion transform that is used to transform measurements received from accelerometer, rate sensor and inertial reference subsystems from a vehicle coordinate frame to an inertial navigation frame. Methods disclosed determine corrective angular rates to use as a feedback signal to rotate the quaternion transform to counter errors that result when transforming a gravity vector and an inertial reference vector (e.g., a magnetic North reference vector) that are being measured by the accelerometer and an inertial reference subsystems, respectively. The initial quaternion determination is performed during a time period when the only substantial acceleration on the vehicle is due to gravity. The initial quaternion can be used for processing various guidance, navigation and control functions.
摘要:
Dithering mechanism and method for eliminating the effects of zero-rate bias in a rate sensor or gyroscope. Both continuously moving and indexing embodiments are disclosed. The mechanism includes a first part mounted in a fixed position centered about a dither axis perpendicular to the input axis of the gyroscope, a second part disposed coaxially of the first part and affixed to the sensing element of the gyroscope, and a plurality of piezoelectrically driven quartz flexure beams extending radially between the first and second parts for dithering the second part about the dither axis. In some embodiments, the dithering mechanism is formed separately from and affixed to the sensing element of the gyroscope, and in others it is formed integrally with the sensing element. In the indexing embodiments, radial arms and fixed stops limit movement of the mechanism between two fixed positions, and drive signals and holding potentials are applied alternately to dither the mechanism between the two positions and to hold it alternately in those positions during successive data acquisition periods.
摘要:
An actuator is provided in which one or more separate compensating coils are employed to alter the distribution of the magnetic flux density in the air gap to produce a substantially constant force throughout the stroke; and in which current in the separate compensating coils can be adjusted with the stroke using separate power supplies and position feedback.
摘要:
Inertial measurement system and method in which a gyroscope is periodically dithered about an axis perpendicular to its input axis, a signal from the gyroscope is delayed to provide a delayed signal which lags the gyroscope signal by one-half of the dithering period, and the delayed signal and the signal from the gyroscope are combined to provide an output signal from which the bias has been cancelled.
摘要:
A micro-scale hemispherical resonator gyroscope includes a hemispherical resonator with a plurality of masses positioned around the periphery of the hemispherical resonator. At least some of the masses may be made of a heavy metal, such as tungsten, gold, platinum, or lead, and may be positioned at points of maximum deflection or velocity of the resonator. The hemispherical resonator may have a 2 mm diameter and a ring down time of at least 500 seconds.
摘要:
Inertial rate sensor and method for sensing inertial rate whereby the inertial rate sensor comprises a vibratory rate sensing element, a drive circuit for applying a drive signal to the rate sensing element, a pickup circuit coupled to the rate sensing element for providing a rate signal corresponding to movement of the rate sensing element, a memory in which compensation values are stored in the form of digital data, means for converting data retrieved from the memory to analog compensation signals, means for adjusting the rate signal in accordance with the compensation signals, a temperature sensor for providing an analog temperature signal, means for convert-ing the analog temperature signal to a digital signal for use in addressing the memory to retrieve temperature compensation data.
摘要:
Solid state switching device having a heatsink, a solid state switching element in heat conductive relationship with the heatsink, and an enclosure having ventilation openings adjacent to the heatsink through which air can flow to remove heat from the heatsink. In some disclosed embodiments, the heatsink has fins and ducts aligned with ventilation openings in the enclosure for removing heat by radiation and convection. In others, the heatsink is a generally planar baseplate, with ventilation openings in a side wall of the enclosure next to the baseplate for removing heat from the device. Spacers project laterally from the devices and permit a plurality of the devices to mounted side-by-side with space between the devices through which air can flow.