British Aerospace Public Limited Company

Timothy S Norris

Malcolm P Varnham

Diana M Hodgins

James McInnes

Huw D Thomas

Hugh D Thomas

Charles Day

A method of and apparatus for scale factor compensation for piezo-electric rate sensors maintains the magnitude of vibration at a primary pick-off point substantially constant to enable one of the variables of a vibrating structure--the piezo-electric charge coefficient .beta. to be determined, and thereby enables variation of the scale factor of the sensor from a calibrated value to be determined. This enables correction of the sensor output by a computational scale factor control unit to ensure that the output therefrom allows for a more accurate sensor. Thus, sensors are provided for applications requiring a higher degree of accuracy than they were previously able to provide for.

Scale factor compensation for piezo-electric rate sensors

A vibrating planar ring or hoop-like structure is disclosed. The structure is suspended in space by a suitable support mount for detecting turning rate, linear acceleration and angular acceleration. Turning rate is sensed by detecting vibrations coupled by Coriolis forces, whereas linear acceleration and angular acceleration are sensed by lateral, vertical and rocking movement of the entire ring or hoop-like structure within its mount.

Vibrating planar gyro

This invention relates to a single axis solid state attitude sensor in which, the spatial orientation of a resonant rode on a resonant body is maintained in alignment with the inertial angle K8 of the resonant body.

Growing community of inventors

Herts, United Kingdom

Timothy S Norris