Hitachi Cable, Inc.

Nkk Corporation

Hirokazu Shiga

Tatsuo Teraoka

Yoshiyuki Hiramoto

Shigeo Toya

Yasunori Yoshie

Koichi Abe

Koji Sasaki

Each fiber-optic gyroscope unit is shaped like a tetragonal cone. A square plate (51) is used as a base which holds a light source module (52), a light receiving unit (detector) (53) and an optical fiber coil (54). Directional couplers (56a), (56b) are also mounted on the base (51). A phase modulator (55) which includes a piezoelectric element is disposed inside the optical fiber coil (54). A signal processing circuit board (58) which has pedestals (59) stands on the base (51) such that it positions above the optical fiber coil (54). A polarizer (510) is wound around the optical fiber coil (54). A reinforcement member (511) is also provided. All these components are so arranged as not to extend out of the tetragonal cone (OABCO*) which defines its own unit region. Three identical fiber-optic gyroscope units are combined by connecting members (512, 513, 514) to form a single fiber-optic gyroscope to detect rotational angular velocities about three orthogonal axes. Since identical units ( 50) are used, the assembly is easy, and since the three units (50) are combined with respect to the axis of symmetry, the combined units (50) form a compact gyroscope.

Multi-axis fiber-optic gyroscope assembly in which each gyroscope

Metal pipes containing optical fibers are connected to each other directly or indirectly by use of a sleeve. In case of using the sleeve, the sleeve is connected at one end to one of the metal pipes, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the sleeve is elongated by a predetermined length, so that the sleeve is connected at the other end to the other metal pipe. Consequently, no tensile stress resides in the connected optical fibers in the connected structure. When the metal pipes are connected directly to each other, one or both of the metal pipes are elongated, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the metal pipes are connected by use of the elongated portions. Consequently, the same result is obtained as using the sleeve.

Method for connecting optical fibers sealed in metal pipes

Metal pipes containing optical fibers are connected to each other directly or indirectly by use of a sleeve. In case of using the sleeve, the sleeve is connected at one end to one of the metal pipes, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the sleeve is elongated by a predetermined length, so that the sleeve is connected at the other end to the other metal pipe. Consequently, no tensile stress resides in the connected optical fibers in the connected structure. When the metal pipes are connected directly to each other, one or both of the metal pipes are elongated, after the optical fibers are connected. Then, the metal pipes are connected by used of the elongated portions. Consequently, the same result is obtained as using the sleeve.

Connection structure of optical fibers sealed in metal pipes and method

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Ibaraki, Japan

Hirokazu Shiga