Vibratory gyro-sensor using vertically set quartz crystal trident-type tuning fork resonator

In this study we deal with a new type of vibratory gyro-sensor using a vert ically set quartz crystal trident-type tuning fork resonator. The sensor is made of X-cut quartz crystal wafer formed by rotating 2 degrees about the X-axis, applying the wire saw cutting method. The slits that form three arm s are cut along the Y-axis direction. In such a trident-type tuning fork re sonator, two resonance vibration modes ali: used: one has vibrational displ acement in the vertical direction (X-axis) of the tuning fork plane and the other has that in the horizontal direction (Z'-axis). When an angular rate (Omega(Y')) around the Y'-axis is applied to the trident-type tuning fork gyro-sensor vibrating in the V-MODE, Coriolis forces, due to the Omega(Y'), are applied on the three arms in the X'-axis direction and the H-MODE vibr ation is induced. Therefore: the angular rate (Omega(Y')) can be determined by detecting the signals of H-MODE vibration. The experimental results hav e proved that the vibratory gyro-sensor that uses such a quartz crystal tun ing fork resonator has good characteristics.