Finite element analysis of single crystal tuning forks for gyroscopes

The single crystal tuning fork gyroscopes are analyzed by using the finite element method. The vibrational displacements of the gyroscope are calculated. As the calculated results of an x-cut quartz crystal tuning fork, whose base length is equal to the arm length, it becomes clear as the following. (1) For the horizontal driving mode, the displacements at the bottom of the base are below 1/1000 times as compared with the maximum displacement at the arm end. (2) For the vertical detecting made, the displacements at the base bottom are almost equal to 1/10 times in comparison with the maximum value. The validity of calculated result is experimentally confirmed. Then, the experimental results of the sensitivity and the response characteristics of the crystal gyroscope are shown.