Patent US3207352A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4804875A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4804875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Monolythic resonator vibrating beam accelerometer
Assignee: KEARFOTT Corp
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Filing: 1982-09-16
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Granted: 1989-02-14
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Expires: 2002-09-16
Abstract
Abstract In order to implement a vibrating beam accelerometer, preferably in a dual beam configuration, a monolithic piezoelectric structure which includes at least a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface spaced therefrom and between the mounting surfaces and coupled thereto a vibrating beam, is provided. The two mounting surfaces are connected to each other by flexures so that relative movement between them is possible. This structure results in a closed path from mounting surface to vibrating beam to mounting surface avoiding problems present in prior art devices in which there were joints at three different points within the closed path.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Albert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/097; G01P2015/0805; G01P2015/0808; G01P2015/0811; G01P2015/0817; G01P2015/0822; G01P2015/0825; G01P2015/0828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A monolithic resonator and flexure structure for a vibrating beam accelerometer comprising: (a) a planar member of piezoelectric material having a first portion with a first mounting surface, a second portion with a second mounting surface spaced therefrom, and a vibrating beam disposed in an intermediate portion disposed between said first and second portions and respective mounting surfaces; (b) first and second flexures disposed at the top and bottom of said intermediate portion, coupling said first and second portions with the respective mounting surfaces; and (c) a first arm rigidly connected to said first portion and coupling said vibrating beam to said first portion with the first mounting surface at the top of said vibrating beam, and a second arm rigidly connected to said second portion and coupling said vibrating beam to said second portion with the second mounting surface at the bottom of said vibrating beam whereby relative movement of said first and second portions with respective mounting surfaces, permissible because of said first and second flexures, will cause said beam to be placed under compression or tension, depending on the relative direction of movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A monolithic resonator and flexure structure for a vibrating beam accelerometer comprising: (a) a planar member of piezoelectric material having a first portion with a first mounting surface, a second portion with a second mounting surface spaced therefrom, and a vibrating beam disposed in an intermediate portion disposed between said first and second portions and respective mounting surfaces; (b) first and second flexures disposed at the top and bottom of said intermediate portion, coupling said first and second portions with the respective mounting surfaces; and (c) a first arm rigidly connected to said first portion and coupling said vibrating beam to said first portion with the first mounting surface at the top of said vibrating beam, and a second arm rigidly connected to said second portion and coupling said vibrating beam to said second portion with the second mounting surface at the bottom of said vibrating beam whereby relative movement of said first and second portions with respective mounting surfaces, permissible because of said first and second flexures, will cause said beam to be placed under compression or tension, depending on the relative direction of movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further including a base, said first mounting surface rigidly connected to said base and a proof mass, said proof mass rigidly connected to said second mounted surface; and means for exciting said vibrating beam to oscillation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 and further including a second structure, the first mounting surface of said second structure rigidly connected to said proof mass and the second mounting surface rigidly connected to said base and means for exciting the beam in said second structure to vibration whereby when said proof mass is subjected to acceleration, one of said beams will be placed in tension and the other in compression.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and second structures are disposed parallel to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and second structures are at right angles to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, and further including a damping plate connected to said base and spaced from said proof mass on each end thereof whereby with a gas between said damping plate and said proof mass gas film damping will take place.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, and further including a casing and cover, said apparatus mounted within said casing with said base secured to said casing and said cover in place covering said casing, said cover sealed to said case and a damping gas filling said casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, and further including a third mounting surface spaced from said second mounting surface, a second beam between said second mounting surface and third mounting surface, third and fourth flexures coupling said second and third mounting surfaces, a third arm at the top coupling said third mounting surface to said beam and a fourth arm at the bottom coupling said second mounting surface to said beam whereby a proof mass may be attached to said second mounting surface and said first and third mounting surfaces attached to a common base causing force applied to said proof mass to place one of said beams in compression and the other of said beams in tension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 8 and further including between each of said arms and said beam, an isolator mass and isolator spring.
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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) | 1992-02-14 | 1992-08-15 | 1993-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-14 | 1996-08-15 | 1997-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-14 | 2000-08-15 | 2001-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |