Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A rotary motion sensor, which comprises: means for generating a coherent optical signal at a first frequency; a multiple-turn fiber interferometer coupled to receive said coherent optical signal from said generating means and having first and second ends for respectively transmitting said coherent optical signal in first and second opposed directions therein; means coupled to receive said coherent optical signal from said multiple-turn fiber interferometer and said reference optical signal from said means for generating same for mixing said coherent optical signals transmitted in said first and second directions with said reference optical signal to produce first and second signals each at said second frequency; and means coupled to receive the output from said mixing means for detecting the relative phase shift between said first and second signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A rotary motion sensor, which comprises: means for generating a coherent optical signal at a first frequency; a multiple-turn fiber interferometer coupled to receive said coherent optical signal from said generating means and having first and second ends for respectively transmitting said coherent optical signal in first and second opposed directions therein; means coupled to receive said coherent optical signal from said multiple-turn fiber interferometer and said reference optical signal from said means for generating same for mixing said coherent optical signals transmitted in said first and second directions with said reference optical signal to produce first and second signals each at said second frequency; and means coupled to receive the output from said mixing means for detecting the relative phase shift between said first and second signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for generating a reference optical signal comprises an acousto-optic grating driven at an acoustic frequency which equals said second frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for generating said coherent optical signal comprises a fiber laser, and further comprising first waveguide means for receiving said coherent optical signal from said fiber laser, said means for generating said reference optical signal being positioned adjacent said first waveguide means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for generating said reference optical signal also comprises means for coupling a portion of said coherent optical signal into a second waveguide means also positioned adjacent said reference optical signal generating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for generating said reference optical signal comprises an acousto-optic waveguide having transducer means positioned at one end thereof for generating traveling acoustic waves along said acousto-optic waveguide at said second frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 5, further comprising means for coupling said coherent optical signal from said first waveguide means into said first and second ends of said multiple-turn fiber interferometer for producing a pair of signals traveling in said first and second opposed directions in said fiber interferometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for coupling comprises first and second directional couplers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 6, further comprising means for extracting said pair of signals from said multiple turn fiber interferometer after said pair of signals have each respectively traversed the length of said fiber interferometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means for extracting comprises third and fourth directional couplers positioned respectively near said first and second ends of said fiber interferometer for receiving said optical signals traveling in said second and first directions, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The rotary motion sensor as set forth in claim 9, wherein said mixing means comprises first and second heterodyne detectors each connected to receive said reference optical signal from said second waveguide means, and connected to receive the signals from said third and fourth directional couplers, respectively.