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:
Dec. 09, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2006
Grenville Hughes, Wayzata, MN (US);
Glen A. Sanders, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Lee K. Strandjord, Tonka Bay, MN (US);
Grenville Hughes, Wayzata, MN (US);
Glen A. Sanders, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Lee K. Strandjord, Tonka Bay, MN (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the rotational rate of an optical gyro. An optical gyro comprises at least one substrate, a multi-frequency light source (MFLS) mounted on the substrate, and a resonator coupled to the MFLS. The MFLS is configured to produce a first light beam having a first frequency and a second light beam having a second frequency and phase locked with the first light beam. The resonator comprises an optical fiber coil having a hollow core. The resonator is configured to circulate a portion of each of the first and second light beams through the hollow core. The portion of the first light beam propagates in a first counter-propagating direction, and the portion of the second light beam propagates in a second counter-propagating direction. A measured difference between the first and second frequencies indicates a frequency shift proportional to the rotation rate of the optical gyro.