The dynamics of a vibrating-ring multi-axis rate gyroscope

A novel, multi-axis rate sensor based on the vibration properties of a ring structure is presented. Vibrating ring structures have been used successfully to detect rates applied about the axis perpendicular to the plane of the ring using Coriolis coupling between in-plane displacements. The presented multi-axis sensor is capable of detecting rate applied about three mutually perpendicular axes using Coriolis coupling between in-plane and out-of-plane displacements. The steady state amplitude of the induced displacements are proportional to the applied rate. Coriolis coupling is only present for certain combinations of in-plane and out-of-plane displacement patterns, which allows a number of feasible concepts for two- and three-axis rate sensitivity.