US4533248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ring laser gyroscope
Assignee: Honeywell GmbH
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Filing: 1982-09-23
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Granted: 1985-08-06
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Expires: 2002-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A resiliently mounted ring laser gyro is dithered below its resonant frequency with a waveform differing from the sine waveform. This is achieved by a piezoelectric motor formed by several piezoelectric elements in a pile. The motor is acting tangentially on a support for the laser and the support takes the form of a strong biased torsion spring.
Inventors
- 👤 Rainer Baumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/66; G01C19/68; G01C19/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A ring laser gyroscope comprising: a first block for providing a path for light waves; a mounting block; torsion spring means for rotating said first block spring means having a first portion fixed to said first block and a second portion fixed to said mounting block; and linear motor means positively locked and tangentially coupled to said first block for oscillating said first block relative to said mounting block in response to a driving signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A ring laser gyroscope comprising: a first block for providing a path for light waves; a mounting block; torsion spring means for rotating said first block spring means having a first portion fixed to said first block and a second portion fixed to said mounting block; and linear motor means positively locked and tangentially coupled to said first block for oscillating said first block relative to said mounting block in response to a driving signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said linear motor is adapted to be controlled by a non-sinusoidal signal thereby providing said rotational oscillations differing substantially from sinusoidal shaped oscillations and having substantially shortened reversal intervals with respect to a sinusoidal shaped oscillation such that sensor lock-in dead time is minimized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said linear motor is positioned in such a manner so as to preload said torsion spring means in an unoperated condition of said linear motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said linear motor is a piezoelectric motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric motor comprises stacked piezoelectric devices operative in unison so as to provide longitudinal displacement along said stack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rate of rotation of said support structure produced by said rotational oscillations is characterized by substantially a triangular shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said linear motor is controlled by a triangular shaped control signal of a first frequency for providing a varying rate of rotation of said support structure, resulting from said rotational oscillations which is characterized by substantially a triangular shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said rotational oscillations are below the resonant frequency of said spring-mass system comprising said first block, said torsion spring means, and said mounting block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for altering said control signal for providing a stochastically distributed symmetrical frequency modulation of said triangular shaped oscillations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for altering said control signal for providing amplitude modulation of said triangular shaped oscillations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising means for providing a random small oscillation component of said control signal so as to provide random amplitude modulation of said triangular shaped oscillations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-08-05 | 1989-02-04 | 1989-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-05 | 1993-02-04 | 1993-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-05 | 1997-02-04 | 1997-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |