US4710668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibrating string resonator
Assignee: Office National d'Études et de Recherches Aérospatiales
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Filing: 1985-12-02
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2005-12-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a string resonator vibrating under flexion whose oscillation is maintained by piezoelectric, electrostatic or magnetic exitation means. Decoupling is obtained by inertia masses which oscillate in the vibration plane of the string, between the string and fixing supports, with a movement of rotation about an axis orthogonal to the vibration plane of the string and at the level of flexible elements. The resonator is easy to manufacture, inexpensive and hase a good coefficient of quality. It may be used for force, pressure sensors or gyroscopes.
Inventors
- 👤 Henri Fima
- 👤 Denis Janiaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:42
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H9/00; H03H9/15; H03H9/17; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/10; G01L1/106; G01L1/16; G01L1/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A resonator, comprising: a beam capable of vibrating under flexion; a pair of fixing means for fixing said beam at both of its ends; a pair of inertia mass means disposed between said beam and respective ones of said fixing means for providing a vibratory decoupling between said beam and said pair of fixing means; a pair of flexible articulation means disposed between and interconnecting respective ones of said inertia mass means and said fixing means; a pair of flexible articulation means disposed between and interconnecting respective ones of said inertia mass means and said fixing means; each inertia mass means being mounted to oscillate in a vibration plane in which said beam vibrates and to pivot about a pivot axis orthogonal to said vibration plane, said pivot axis being situated at one of said flexible articulation means; each inertia mass being rigid, compact and having a convex contor and being connected at its face opposite to said beam to one of said flexible articulation means; each inertia mass means being driven to rotate only about said pivot axis in response to vibration of said beam; and the pair of inertia mass means having predetermined sizes to yield in said vibration plane a substantially zero resulting force applied to said pair of fixing means by said beam, said pair of inertia mass means and said pair of flexible articulation means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A resonator, comprising: a beam capable of vibrating under flexion; a pair of fixing means for fixing said beam at both of its ends; a pair of inertia mass means disposed between said beam and respective ones of said fixing means for providing a vibratory decoupling between said beam and said pair of fixing means; a pair of flexible articulation means disposed between and interconnecting respective ones of said inertia mass means and said fixing means; a pair of flexible articulation means disposed between and interconnecting respective ones of said inertia mass means and said fixing means; each inertia mass means being mounted to oscillate in a vibration plane in which said beam vibrates and to pivot about a pivot axis orthogonal to said vibration plane, said pivot axis being situated at one of said flexible articulation means; each inertia mass being rigid, compact and having a convex contor and being connected at its face opposite to said beam to one of said flexible articulation means; each inertia mass means being driven to rotate only about said pivot axis in response to vibration of said beam; and the pair of inertia mass means having predetermined sizes to yield in said vibration plane a substantially zero resulting force applied to said pair of fixing means by said beam, said pair of inertia mass means and said pair of flexible articulation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
180 words
A resonator, comprising: a beam capable of vibrating under flexion and having one free end; a fixing means for fixing said beam at its other end; an inertia mass disposed between said fixing means and said beam for providing a vibratory decoupling between said beam and said fixing means; a flexible articulation means disposed between and interconnecting said inertia mass and said fixing means; said inertia mass being mounted to oscillate in a vibration plane of said beam and to pivot about a pivot axis orthogonal to said vibration plane, said pivot axis being situated at the flexible articulation means; said inertia mass being rigid, compact and having a convex contour and being connected at its face opposite to said beam to said flexible articulation means; said inertia mass being driven to pivot only about said pivot axis in response to vibration of said beam; and said inertia mass having a predetermined size to yield in said vibration plane a substantially zero resulting force applied to said fixing means by said beam, said inertia mass and said flexible articulation means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
A resonator, comprising: a beam capable of vibrating under flexion and having one free end; a fixing means for fixing said beam at its other end; an inertia mass disposed between said fixing means and said beam for providing a vibratory decoupling between said beam and said fixing means; a flexible articulation means disposed between and interconnecting said inertia mass and said fixing means; said inertia mass being mounted to oscillate in a vibration plane of said beam and to pivot about a pivot axis orthogonal to said vibration plane, said pivot axis being situated at the flexible articulation means; said inertia mass being rigid, compact and having a convex contour and being connected at its face opposite to said beam to said flexible articulation means; said inertia mass being driven to pivot only about said pivot axis in response to vibration of said beam; and said inertia mass having a predetermined size to yield in said vibration plane a substantially zero resulting force applied to said fixing means by said beam, said inertia mass and said flexible articulation means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said inertia mass comprises at least two elementary masses connected together by a flexible element allowing rotation of each elementary mass in the vibration plane of said string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the natural resonance frequency of said inertia masses is higher than that of said vibrating string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said string is adapted for vibrating in a fundamental flexion mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said string is adapted for vibrating in a partial flexion mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in the vibration plane of the string, said inertia masses have the form of a rectangle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in the vibration plane of the string, said inertia masses have the form of an ellipse.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The resonator as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, having a one piece structure and being cut out from a slab of material of uniform thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The resonator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the material of uniform thickness is a quartz string kept on one of its resonance frequencies by piezoelectric effect.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The resonator as claimed in claim 10, obtained by ultrasonic machining in a single operation using a single tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |