Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Richard G Beaudet

Rodney H Thorland

Leroy O Thielman

Thomas A Savard

Brittan L Zurn

A ring laser gyroscope is described which includes a laser cavity configured to provide an optical laser path for a pair of counter-propagating laser beams, an optical sensor configured to receive a portion of the energy from the counter-propagating laser beams, and a unit configured to receive outputs from the optical sensor. The unit is configured to utilize the output to generate at least a residual path length control signal, a laser intensity monitor signal, and readout signals.

Single sensor ring laser gyroscope

Disclosed is a path length control apparatus (PLC) for an optical device. The optical device, such as a ring laser gyroscope, is of the type that includes a block having an internal optical cavity that defines a closed optical path. A light source directs a light beam into the optical path, and a plurality of mirrors reflect the light beam about the path. The PLC includes a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) and a wireboard element. The PZT is mounted to one of the mirrors and alters, in response to a control voltage, the position of the mirror relative to the optical cavity to maintain a constant optical path length for the light beam. An adhesive having a ring shaped bonding pattern partially mechanically couples the wireboard element to the PZT so as to permit operation of the PZT free of resistance from the wireboard element.

Growing community of inventors

Inver Grove Heights, MN, United States of America

Richard G Beaudet