An electrohydrodynamic gyroscope

Abstract A novel configuration of gyroscope using an electro-hydrodynamics flow circulating in a confined space is developed. The configuration includes three corona discharge based actuators to generate ionic flows inside three separated sub-channels which are connected to the main chamber. Ionic flows are merged together while they move through a nozzle installed at the main chamber entrance. After the merging phase, the conflated flow is diverged to move back to sub-channels where each accelerates at the discharge actuator. A master ring is installed at the end of the nozzle to remove any residual charge of the conflated ion flow. The ion flow velocity is measured using several hotwires installed in the main chamber. Since the configuration does not require any vibrating components, the present device is robust, cost-effective and consumes low power, hence, very potential in application of inertial sensing.