May 13, 2025

US12298138 - Enhanced performance inertial measurement unit (IMU) system and method for error, offset, or drift correction or prevention

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) and methods with adaptations to eliminate or minimize sensor error, offset, or bias shift are presented. More particularly, the IMUs and methods for gun-fired projectiles herein are particularly adapted to accurately measure forces and to prevent or minimize the error, offset, or bias shift associated with events exhibiting high g shock, and/or high levels of vibration, and/or rotation. Even more particularly, the IMUs and methods herein utilize novel IMU packaging adapted to prevent or minimize sensor error, offset, or bias shift, and recalibration adaptations and methods adapted to correct or reset the error, offset, or bias shift from such an event. The IMUs are adapted to provide accurate measurements prior to, during and after such event, and to provide continuous accurate measurements during flight of gun-fired projectiles.

Assignee: Orbital Research Inc
Inventors: Frederick J. Lisy, Anthony Opperman, Edward J. Rapp, Angela M. Lisy, Scott Suren, Douglas E. Russell
Filing date: 2024-02-13

This patent describes an advanced inertial measurement unit (IMU) system designed to minimize errors and biases in measurements during high-impact events, such as gun-fired projectiles. The system features multiple IMUs housed in a protective case, equipped with flexible layers and a processor to ensure accurate data collection throughout the projectile’s flight.

Claim 1

A multiple inertial measurement unit (MIMU) system comprising: an outer housing or case; at least one printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the outer housing or case and comprising: a) an upper surface, b) a lower surface, and c) a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted on at least one of the surfaces, each IMU having a signal and comprising at least one accelerometer and/or at least one gyroscope, the IMUs adapted to be coupled together via firmware; at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer within the outer housing or case; at least one interface board within the outer housing or case, the interface board comprising an upper and a lower surface and being adapted to communicate with at least one external system; at least one interface potting layer within the outer housing or case and disposed between the at least one interface board and the at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer, the interface potting layer adapted to cover substantially all of the upper and/or lower surface of the interface board; a flexible connection within the outer housing or case and adapted to provide communication between the plurality of IMUs on the at least one PCB and the interface board; and a processor adapted to receive the signal from each IMU. an outer housing or case; at least one printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the outer housing or case and comprising: a) an upper surface, b) a lower surface, and c) a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted on at least one of the surfaces, each IMU having a signal and comprising at least one accelerometer and/or at least one gyroscope, the IMUs adapted to be coupled together via firmware; a) an upper surface, b) a lower surface, and c) a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted on at least one of the surfaces, each IMU having a signal and comprising at least one accelerometer and/or at least one gyroscope, the IMUs adapted to be coupled together via firmware; at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer within the outer housing or case; at least one interface board within the outer housing or case, the interface board comprising an upper and a lower surface and being adapted to communicate with at least one external system; at least one interface potting layer within the outer housing or case and disposed between the at least one interface board and the at least one flexible or viscoelastic layer, the interface potting layer adapted to cover substantially all of the upper and/or lower surface of the interface board; a flexible connection within the outer housing or case and adapted to provide communication between the plurality of IMUs on the at least one PCB and the interface board; and a processor adapted to receive the signal from each IMU.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12298138

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12298138