Improvement of Range and Sensitivity of the Direct Ion Wind Gyroscope

The direct ion wind gyroscope is a sensor using an ion wind generator that detects Coriolis deflection by measuring electric current in the ion wind cathodes. By dividing the cathode into two separate electrodes and comparing the currents being collected in each, the overall angular velocity is measured. This iteration of the direct ion wind gyroscope features a loop back air channel and pin-to-parallel-plate electrode configuration, representing a significant advance over the pin-to-mesh in a closed cubic volume design. Improved simulation platform facilitated exploration and characterization of several geometric variations. Specifically, it was determined that adjusting key dimensions allows for the optimization of sensing range against sensing precision. The exploration of diverse geometric variations provides a pathway for continuing development, offering insights to refine and optimize for diverse applications. A prototype validated the simulation, demonstrating a sixfold extension in sensor range from 180°/s to an experimentally verified 1080°/s while doubling sensitivity. The simulation and experiment showed excellent agreement. In addition, significant improvement in power consumption was realized, lowering the ion wind power from 4 mW to
$100~\boldsymbol {\mu }$
W.