A system for the generation of static and very low frequency reference accelerations

Laboratory instruments exploit linear motion to calibrate accelerometers. They are commonly used in the frequency range from a few Hz up to several kHz. When very low frequency or, at the end point condition, static acceleration are involved, some difficulties arise due to the too much long displacement needed. To overcome this problem, a system has been developed based on the rotary motion and using the centrifugal acceleration associated with it: the accelerometer under test is subject to a static and dynamic acceleration whose frequency and amplitude can be adjusted between 0 to 3 Hz and up to 500 m/sec² respectively. The system has been cross-calibrated with a reference accelerometer and the experimental data are reported