US4274742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive ring laser rate of turn devices
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1979-11-29
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Granted: 1981-06-23
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Expires: 1999-11-29
Abstract
Abstract Passive ring resonators utilize counter-rotational beams of electromagnetic energy to sense the rate of rotation of the passive ring through detecting a consequence of the shift in resonator frequency induced by such rotation. The clockwise and counter-clockwise resonant frequencies are oscillated between respective first and second values. Detectors produce signals indicative of the amplitudes of the first and second beams. Algebraic combinations of the amplitude signals are used to generate a rotational rate signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude D. Lustig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/72; G01C19/727
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A passive ring resonator rate of turn device including: first mirror means forming passive resonator means for the propagation of clockwise and counter-clockwise beams of electromagnetic energy and having clockwise and counter-clockwise resonant frequencies, source means for introducing said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams into said passive resonator means, modulator means for oscillating said clockwise and counter-clockwise resonant frequencies between respective first and second frequencies, detector means for producing signals representative of the instantaneous amplitudes of said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams, circuit means responsive to said detector means for producing an output representative of an algebraic combination of the amplitudes of said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams, and utilization means responsive to said circuit means output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A passive ring resonator rate of turn device including: first mirror means forming passive resonator means for the propagation of clockwise and counter-clockwise beams of electromagnetic energy and having clockwise and counter-clockwise resonant frequencies, source means for introducing said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams into said passive resonator means, modulator means for oscillating said clockwise and counter-clockwise resonant frequencies between respective first and second frequencies, detector means for producing signals representative of the instantaneous amplitudes of said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams, circuit means responsive to said detector means for producing an output representative of an algebraic combination of the amplitudes of said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams, and utilization means responsive to said circuit means output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said source means includes: second mirror means for directing said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams into said first mirror means, and laser means external of said first and second mirror means for exciting said second mirror means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said source means includes: second mirror means forming active mode-locked resonator means such that said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams have the same frequency, and laser means internal of said active mode-locked resonator means for excitation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said source means includes: optical beam splitter means forming input means to said passive resonator means, and laser means for directly exciting said passive resonator means via said optical beam splitter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said modulator means comprises: vibratable mirror means forming one mirror of said first mirror means, and means for vibrating said one mirror means substantially perpendicular to its reflecting surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said means for vibrating said vibratable mirror means comprises piezoelectric transducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said means for vibrating said vibratable mirror means comprises magnetoelectric means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said circuit means includes means for subtracting said amplitudes of said clockwise and counter-clockwise signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said circuit means includes means for adding said amplitudes of said clockwise and counter-clockwise signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as described in claim 9 further including: movable mirror means forming a second of said first mirror means, and servo means responsive to said adding means for positioning said movable mirror means in a direction substantially perpendicular to its reflecting surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as described in claim 10 further including servo means for altering the frequency of operation of said source means in response to said adding means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes modulation depth detection means for providing an output representative of the rate of rotation of said passive ring resonator rate of turn device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first mirror means forming passive resonator means includes at least one partially transmitting reflector for clockwise and counter-clockwise beams opposite said source means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as described in claim 13 further including: multiple turn coiled optical wave guiding means having first and second ends, means for projecting said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams into said respective ends whereby the sensitivity of said apparatus is improved in proportion to the number of said turns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as described in claim 14 further including additional mirror means for sampling said clockwise and counter-clockwise beams for activating said detector means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said passive resonator means and said active mode-locked resonator means are coupled by partially reflecting mirror means for stabilizing the operation thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said modulator means comprises a magnetic field sensitive mirror.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4135822A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-22 | 1984-12-22 | 1985-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-22 | 1988-12-22 | 1989-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-22 | 1992-12-22 | 1993-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |