Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Howard B French

Gordon F Rouse

Michael L Rhodes

Mark W Weber

Ryan Supino

James E Lenz

Erick C Nehls, Iii

A method for calibrating a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) vibrating structure gyroscope is provided. The method includes obtaining an indication of a position of at least one proof mass with respect to at least one drive electrode and applying an electrostatic force to the at least one proof mass as a function of the indication, the electrostatic force configured to position the at least one proof mass in a first position with respect to at least one drive electrode.

Adjusting a MEMS gyroscope to reduce thermally varying bias

Devices and methods for reducing errors in a MEMS-type gyroscope are disclosed. A MEMS-type gyroscope in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include one or more proof masses configured to oscillate in a drive plane above a sense electrode for measuring Coriolis forces exerted on the one or more proof masses resulting from motion of the gyroscope about an input axis. One or more quad steering voltage members can be positioned adjacent each of the one or more proof masses and activated to electrostatically attract the proof masses toward the sense electrodes to reduce any undesired motion of the proof masses due to quadrature and/or temperature effects. The voltage applied to each of the quad steering voltage members can be time-varying, and, in some cases, can be derived from the same voltage signal used to drive the proof masses.

Use of electrodes to cancel lift effects in inertial sensors

A vehicle detecting system and method for use on a specific location such as an airport, including a sensor string nominally perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel at the location. The sensor string includes at least one magnetic field sensor and a transmitter for transmitting signals from the at least one sensor to a monitoring point. A plurality of sensors is preferred. The transmitter includes a control unit for receiving the signals and a sender for sending the signals to the monitoring point. The preferred magnetic field sensor is a magnetoresisteive sensor having a field range of at least &plusmn;5 gauss. A preferred location for the sensor string is in a groove in the surface.

Magnetic checkpoint

Systems and methods are discussed that detect the position of an actuator. One aspect of the present invention includes a system to detect a position of an actuator. The system includes a magnetic source coupled to the actuator radiating a field, at least two sensors to generate a response based on angles of the field, and an analyzer receptive to the response to produce an enhanced position of the magnetic source. Such analysis occurs in the presence of undesired effects arising from misalignment of the at least two sensors. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for detecting a position of an actuator. The method includes interpolating a response of at least two sensors to form a quantity. The quantity is indicative of a position of a magnetic source coupled to the actuator. The method further includes adjusting the quantity by selecting one of two compensation techniques. One compensation technique is based on maximum slopes of the response curve. Another compensation technique is based on minimum separation of a cubic fit of the response curve.

Enhanced methods for sensing positions of an actuator moving longitudinally

A switched-magnetization closed-loop magnetometer having a magnetoresistive bridge for sensing external magnetic fields. The output signal from the bridge to an amplifier, is magnetically nulled by a feedback coil. Each of the bridge elements have a magnetic easy axis that is periodically and magnetically flipped by a reset coil. The output of the amplifier goes to an analog switch and an integrator in one or the other order. The output of the analog switch or the integrator may go on to a sample and hold circuit, or other sampling device, that alternately samples the output to it in synchronism with the reset coil. The output is processed by a low pass amplifier. A clock provides signals to the reset coil, the analog switch and the sample and hold switch.

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Falcon Heights, MN, United States of America

Howard B French