US4406966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Isolating and temperature compensating system for resonators
Assignee: Avery Weigh Tronix Ltd
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Filing: 1980-01-28
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Granted: 1983-09-27
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Expires: 2000-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A mounting structure for crystal resonators used as frequency standards and transducers which maximizes performance and reduces the sensitivity to environmental errors. In one embodiment, force sensitive crystal resonators having inherent unmounted temperature sensitivities are used in conjunction with reactive spring-like mounting arrangements having predetermined temperature stress characteristics such that the thermally induced mechanical stress of the mounting arrangements changes, compensates, and optimizes the overall combined temperature characteristics. In another embodiment crystal resonators are isolated from the external environment so that they are capable of sensing forces while operating in a vacuum or inert atmosphere. Environmental isolation is provided by bellows and/or diaphragm arrangements used alone or in conjunction with air-tight enclosures which enable forces to be applied to stress-sensitive crystals while isolating the crystals from the external force producing environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome M. Paros
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:07
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03H; H03H9/00; H03H9/02; H03H9/05; H03H9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A system for isolating a resonator having a pair of mounts from a force producing environment, comprising an elongated, resilient bellows having its ends closed by respective rigid end covers to which said mounts are secured such that forces imparted to the ends of said bellows are coupled to said resonator while said bellows isolates said resonator from the force producing environment external to said bellows.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A system for isolating a resonator having a pair of mounts from a force producing environment, comprising an elongated, resilient bellows having its ends closed by respective rigid end covers to which said mounts are secured such that forces imparted to the ends of said bellows are coupled to said resonator while said bellows isolates said resonator from the force producing environment external to said bellows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The isolating system of claim 1, wherein said resonator is a relatively low frequency, flexurally vibrating piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The isolating system of claim 2, wherein said resonator is a tuning fork having a pair of tines extending between said mounts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The isolating system of claim 2, wherein said resonator is a resonant beam extending between said mounts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The isolating system of claim 1, wherein said bellows has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of said resonator such that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
The isolating system of claim 1, further including a second bellows positioned in a coaxial alignment with the bellows surrounding said resonator, the adjacent ends of said bellows being connected to opposite faces of a force receiving member and the remaining ends of said bellows being connected to a rigid frame, the pressures in said bellows being equal to each other such that stress is applied to said resonator responsive to forces on said force receiving member while pressure variations are coupled equally to opposite sides of said force receiving member by said bellows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The isolating system of claim 6, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion, dimensions, and reactive spring rates are chosen so that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such as way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for isolating a resonator having a pair of mounts from a force producing environment, comprising an airtight enclosure to which one of said mounts is secured, said enclosure having an opening covered by one end of an elongated, flexible bellows, with the other end of said bellows being closed by a rigid end cap to which the other of said mounts is secured such that forces may be applied to said resonator through said bellows while said enclosure and bellows isolate said resonator from a force producing environment external to said enclosure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for isolating a resonator having a pair of mounts from a force producing environment, comprising an airtight enclosure to which one of said mounts is secured, said enclosure having an opening covered by one end of an elongated, flexible bellows, with the other end of said bellows being closed by a rigid end cap to which the other of said mounts is secured such that forces may be applied to said resonator through said bellows while said enclosure and bellows isolate said resonator from a force producing environment external to said enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The isolating system of claim 8, wherein said resonator is a tuning fork having a pair of tines extending between said mounts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The isolating system of claim 8, wherein said resonator is a resonant beam extending between said mounts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The isolating system of claim 8, wherein said bellows has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the combination of said resonator and enclosure so that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for isolating a resonator from an external environment, said system comprising a rigid, elongated force transmitting beam, pivotally mounted on the base by a flexure hinge which is relatively compliant about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the length of said beam, and a resonator extending between said beam and said base, said beam, base, flexure hinge and resonator being positioned in a air-tight enclosure having an opening covered by one end of the flexible bellows extending along the axis which is perpendicular to said pivot axis, the other end of said bellows being closed by an end cap which is secured to said beam such that pressure or forces may be applied from said external environment to said beam through said bellows while said enclosure and bellows isolate said resonator from said external environment.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for isolating a resonator from an external environment, said system comprising a rigid, elongated force transmitting beam, pivotally mounted on the base by a flexure hinge which is relatively compliant about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the length of said beam, and a resonator extending between said beam and said base, said beam, base, flexure hinge and resonator being positioned in a air-tight enclosure having an opening covered by one end of the flexible bellows extending along the axis which is perpendicular to said pivot axis, the other end of said bellows being closed by an end cap which is secured to said beam such that pressure or forces may be applied from said external environment to said beam through said bellows while said enclosure and bellows isolate said resonator from said external environment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion, dimensions, and reactive spring rates are chosen so that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 12, further including a second bellows extending between a surface of said beam opposite said first bellows to a second opening in said enclosure, the cross-sectional areas and positions of said bellows being selected to cause the moment imparted to said beam by the pressure in said first bellows to counteract the moment imparted to said beam by the pressure in said second bellows such that the force applied to said beam through one of said bellows is independent of pressure variations of said external environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said bellows are of equal cross-sectional area and said bellows extend along a common longitudinal axis.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for temperature compensating a relatively low frequency, flexurally vibrating resonator having a pair of mounts, comprising an elongated spring having its ends connected to respective mounts of said resonator to resiliently bias said resonator, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion, dimensions, and reactive spring rates are chosen so that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for temperature compensating a relatively low frequency, flexurally vibrating resonator having a pair of mounts, comprising an elongated spring having its ends connected to respective mounts of said resonator to resiliently bias said resonator, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion, dimensions, and reactive spring rates are chosen so that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The isolating system of claim 16, wherein said resonator is a tuning fork having a pair of tines extending between said mounts.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The isolating system of claim 16, wherein said resonator is a resonant beam extending between said mounts.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said spring and resonator are arranged in substantially parallel relationship with the ends of said spring connected directly to the ends of said resonator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said spring and resonator are arranged in a substantially series relationship with one end of said spring connected directly to one end of said resonator and the other end of said spring indirectly connected to the other end of said resonator through an enclosure surrounding said spring and resonator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said spring is in the form of a bellows isolating said resonator from an external environment.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for temperature compensating a relatively low frequency, flexurally vibrating resonator having a pair of mounts, said system comprising a rigid, elongated beam pivotally mounted on a base by a flexure hinge which is relatively compliant about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the length of said beam, said resonator having one of its mounts secured to one end of said beam while the other of its mounts is carried by said base, the coefficient of thermal expansion and the reactive spring rate of said flexure hinge being chosen such that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for temperature compensating a relatively low frequency, flexurally vibrating resonator having a pair of mounts, said system comprising a rigid, elongated beam pivotally mounted on a base by a flexure hinge which is relatively compliant about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the length of said beam, said resonator having one of its mounts secured to one end of said beam while the other of its mounts is carried by said base, the coefficient of thermal expansion and the reactive spring rate of said flexure hinge being chosen such that thermally induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 22, further including an air-tight container enclosing said base, beam and resonator, and a bellows extending along an axis perpendicular to said pivot axis from the end of said beam opposite said resonator to an opening in said container, thereby allowing external pressures or forces to be applied to said beam while said enclosure and bellows isolate said crystal resonator from an external environment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 23, wherein the coefficients of thermal expansion, dimensions and reactive spring rates of said bellows and enclosure are chosen so that thermal induced stress acts on said resonator in such a way as to result in an overall temperature sensitivity which is lower than the unmounted temperature sensitivity of said resonator at the operating temperature of said resonator.
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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) | 1986-09-26 | 1987-03-28 | 1987-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-26 | 1991-03-28 | 1991-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-26 | 1995-03-28 | 1995-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |