Low-frequency sensitive force-balance linear standard accelerometer

An accelerometer based on an automatic force-balance principle has been developed with a view to measuring linear acceleration from 0.01 to 1.0 g, with overall accuracy of 0.1% under static as well as dynamic conditions in the frequency range from 0 to 70 Hz. The analysis of errors of components of various blocks and its experimental verification, the exact determination of damping ratio, and the phenomenon of reduction of undamped natural frequency arising out of the so called `piston effect¿¿, caused by the highly viscous damping fluid, are some of the highlights in the determination of the performance. Finally, it is concluded that this linear accelerometer, using a new technique of calibration and an accurate measuring device, can be considered as a standard accelerometer.