The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 1995
Filed:
Oct. 01, 1993
Joseph E Killpatrick, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Dale F Berndt, Plymouth, MN (US);
Keith R Fritze, Long Lake, MN (US);
Honeywell Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A laser digital path length control method and apparatus for precisely controlling a laser path length to obtain a laser mode and change a laser mode. The invention uses a microprocessor to control a path length control circuit that continuously adjusts the position of path length control mirrors. The mirrors may be positioned in response to the microprocessor to acquire a particular mode of the laser or change the mode of the laser. While the gyro mode is changed the microprocessor increases the gyro run current to prevent loss of gyro function returning the current to its normal value following the mode change. The microprocessor adjusts the position of the two path length control mirrors such that total path length follows a predetermined or dynamic range. The invention allows the calculation of volts per mode of the laser by providing a means to monitor laser intensity as a function of voltage supplied to the laser path length controllers. The method and apparatus of the invention may be used in a laser gyro to improve system path length control and to help compensate for changes in system component parameters.