US4702599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotation rate measuring instrument
Assignee: Alcatel Lucent NV
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Filing: 1985-06-26
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Granted: 1987-10-27
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Expires: 2005-06-26
Abstract
Abstract In the rotation rate measuring instrument, two light beams traverse a coiled optical fiber (1) in opposite directions. The two beams emerging from the optical fiber are combined, and the rotation rate is determined from the Sagnac phase difference between the two beams. The optical fiber (1), which may be embedded in a sealing compound (4), is contained in a double-walled housing (8, 9) having its two walls linked by heat bridges (10, 10'). The material of the housing is a good thermal conductor. The heat bridges between the two walls are located so that external heat will act on the coiled optical fiber (1) at predetermined points.
Inventors
- 👤 Friedemann Mohr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/72; G01C19/721; G01C19/722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
Rotation rate measuring instrument wherein two light beams having travelled in opposite directions over at least one closed light path formed by a coiled optical fiber are combined, and wherein the Sagnac phase difference between the two light beams is evaluated, characterized in that the optical fiber is contained in a double-walled housing, that the walls of the housing are made of a good thermal conductor, and that at least one heat bridge is provided between the walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
Rotation rate measuring instrument wherein two light beams having travelled in opposite directions over at least one closed light path formed by a coiled optical fiber are combined, and wherein the Sagnac phase difference between the two light beams is evaluated, characterized in that the optical fiber is contained in a double-walled housing, that the walls of the housing are made of a good thermal conductor, and that at least one heat bridge is provided between the walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the axis of symmetry of the heat bridge is the coil axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the housing has the shape of two hollow cylinders fitted within one another and each having a cover at the top and a cover at the bottom, and that the heat bridge links two adjacent covers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that both the covers at the tops and the covers at the bottoms are linked by a heat bridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the housing has the shape of a double-walled hollow ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that both the inner wall and the outer wall of the hollow ring are rectangular in section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of heat bridges including said at least one heat bridge is provided between said walls and every two portions of the double wall which are opposite each other in a direction parallel to the coil axis are linked by a particular one of said plurality of heat bridges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said at least one heat bridge is ring-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the radius of the ring is approximately equal to the radius of the central winding of the coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the heat bridge is located so that the action of heat on the light path is as symmetrical as possible.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the optical fiber is embedded in a sealing compound of high thermal conductivity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that each said particular one of said plurality of heat bridges is ring-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the radius of the ring is approximately equal to the radius of the central winding of the coil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that each said particular one of said heat bridges is located so that the action of heat on the light path is as symmetrical as possible.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the optical fiber is embedded in a sealing compound of high thermal conductivity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4534222A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |