US5044749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fiber-optic bender beam interferometer rate sensor
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1989-07-31
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Granted: 1991-09-03
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Expires: 2009-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An inertial measurement instrument including a gyroscope utilizes fiber optics to measure gyro rates in two orthogonal axes. Bender beam fiber optic transducers are mounted on a rotating shaft and signals representative of force effects on the bending beams are provided at the rotor in an optical format. The signals are then optically transmitted to the stator thereby eliminating the need for slip rings and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert T. Califano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/16; G01B11/18; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/28; G01C19/58; G01C19/64; G01C19/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor comprising: a rate sensor rotatable around a spin axis comprising means for receiving optical energy and for providing a rate sensor optical output representative of rotational rate, wherein said rate sensor comprises one or more bender beam fiber optic transducers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor comprising: a rate sensor rotatable around a spin axis comprising means for receiving optical energy and for providing a rate sensor optical output representative of rotational rate, wherein said rate sensor comprises one or more bender beam fiber optic transducers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 1 further comprising: means to transmit optically said rate sensor optical output to a receiver which is fixed in rotation, said rate sensor optical output being substantially unchanged when transmitted to said receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 1 further comprising: means to convert said rate sensor optical output to an electrical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 1 wherein said rate sensor senses two axis of inertial rate information via coriolis accelerations acting to deflect said one or more bender beam fiber optic transducers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 1 wherein said rate sensor is mounted to a shaft which rotates around a spin axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 3 wherein said electrical signal representative of said rate sensor optical output is either digital or analog or a combination of digital and analog to provide both fine and course output resolution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 1 wherein said rate sensor comprises: integrated optics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor as described in claim 1 wherein said rate sensor comprises: discrete element optical components configured with fiber optic cable.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of measuring inertial rate by an angular velocity sensing device comprising: mounting one or more bendable beams radially on a shaft rotating about a spin axis, said one or more bendable beams having optical fiber, receiving optical energy and providing a rate sensor optical output representative of rotational rate; transmitting optically said rate sensor optical output to a receiver which is fixed in rotation, said rate sensor optical output being substantially unchanged when transmitted to said receiver; and converting said rate sensor optical output to an electrical signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of measuring inertial rate by an angular velocity sensing device comprising: mounting one or more bendable beams radially on a shaft rotating about a spin axis, said one or more bendable beams having optical fiber, receiving optical energy and providing a rate sensor optical output representative of rotational rate; transmitting optically said rate sensor optical output to a receiver which is fixed in rotation, said rate sensor optical output being substantially unchanged when transmitted to said receiver; and converting said rate sensor optical output to an electrical signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor comprising: a housing; a plurality of fiber optic rate sensing masses supported within said housing for relative rotation therewith; means, rotatable with said plurality of fiber optic rate sensing masses, for sensing deflection of said plurality of fiber optical rate sensing masses, said means for sensing deflection, receiving optical energy and providing an optical output which changes in response to a change in said deflection; and means to communicate said optical output from said means for sensing to a receiver fixed to said housing such that said optical output is substantially unchanged when it is communicated to said receiver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
A fiber-optic interferometer rate sensor comprising: a housing; a plurality of fiber optic rate sensing masses supported within said housing for relative rotation therewith; means, rotatable with said plurality of fiber optic rate sensing masses, for sensing deflection of said plurality of fiber optical rate sensing masses, said means for sensing deflection, receiving optical energy and providing an optical output which changes in response to a change in said deflection; and means to communicate said optical output from said means for sensing to a receiver fixed to said housing such that said optical output is substantially unchanged when it is communicated to said receiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4265541A
Cited
US4191470A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |