US4006989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser gyroscope
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1974-12-11
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Granted: 1977-02-08
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Expires: 1994-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A laser gyroscope system which detects frequency shifts in which waves are propagated along a path in opposite directions at different frequencies to minimize interaction between the waves with frequency separation of the waves maintained by both reciprocal and nonreciprocal polarization dispersion in which frequencies of the two waves propagating in one direction lie between the two frequencies of waves propagating in the opposite direction. Rotation of the system produces shifts of the frequencies so that variation in the difference between the separation between the two upper frequencies, which propagate in opposite directions, and the separation between the two lower frequencies, which propagate in opposite directions, is used to measure rotation rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Keimpe Andringa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/36; G01P3/366; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/66; G01C19/667; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/08; H01S3/081; H01S3/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
The method comprising the steps of: simultaneously directing a plurality of radiant energy waves having at least a plurality of substantially coherent frequencies in opposite directions through a polarization dispersive medium; amplifying said waves in an amplifying medium which is common to at least a portion of the path of each of said waves; deflecting said waves at a plurality of points in said path with reflecting filter means; and varying the frequencies of said waves by moving said mediums and said reflecting filter means as a unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
The method comprising the steps of: simultaneously directing a plurality of radiant energy waves having at least a plurality of substantially coherent frequencies in opposite directions through a polarization dispersive medium; amplifying said waves in an amplifying medium which is common to at least a portion of the path of each of said waves; deflecting said waves at a plurality of points in said path with reflecting filter means; and varying the frequencies of said waves by moving said mediums and said reflecting filter means as a unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said step of deflecting said waves comprises reflecting all of said waves from each of a plurality of frequency responsive filter means spaced along said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said step of varying said frequencies comprises shifting said frequencies in opposite directions as a function of the rotation of said path around an axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said step of amplifying said waves comprises producing a population inversion in at least one of a plurality of possible energy states in said amplifying medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said band of frequencies has a free space wavelength in the region of 6,328 Angstroms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said step of directing said plurality of substantially coherent frequencies through a polarization dispersive medium comprises directing said waves through a medium providing reciprocal polarization dispersion and nonreciprocal polarization dispersion of said waves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said amplifying medium comprises a gaseous mixture of helium and neon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein: said step of amplifying said waves comprises producing a population inversion in at least one of a plurality of energy states in said amplifying medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said step of directing said waves comprises directing at least two pairs of waves in mutually opposite directions through said medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in accordance with claim 9 wherein: said step of varying said frequencies by moving said mediums comprises rotating said path about an axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3854819A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |