Three-axis accelerometer having improved magnet configuration

摘要

A proof mass for an accelerometer is electromagnetically constrained in three orthogonal directions. An array of filaments forms an elastic suspension for the proof mass to constrain it in the remaining degrees of freedom. The resulting instrument has the potential for low cost and high-accuracy operation over a wide temperature range without the use of temperature controls. In a preferred embodiment, forcing along the longitudinal axis of the proof mass is provided by a single helical coil disposed in a magnetic field directed radially relative the proof mass longitudinal axis. The polarity of the magnetic field is fixed around the periphery of the helical coil.