Abstract:
In an ring laser gyro, a path length modulation signal is applied to an amplifier with two gain levels and the amplifier's output is added to a path length transducer drive signal that changes the gyro's path length. When a path length reset signal is produced, the higher gain signal is selected and maintained for a short interval after the reset signal.
Abstract:
Apparatus for improving the bias stability of a ring laser gyro by selecting a secondary transverse mode and controlling the path length of the gyro to maintain the selected mode.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for thermal gradient compensation for ring laser gyroscopes are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing bias compensated angular rate measurements from a ring laser gyroscope comprises: sampling an angle measurement output from a laser block sensor to obtain an angular rate measurement; obtaining an laser block temperature measurement (Tblock) for the laser block sensor; obtaining a temperature gradient measurement (Tdiff) for at least one gradient line across a portion of the laser block sensor; calculating a rate bias error by applying parameters produced from the temperature measurement (Tblock) and the temperature gradient measurement (Tdiff) to a thermal gradient compensation model, wherein the thermal gradient compensation model includes at least one coefficient corresponding to the temperature gradient measurement (Tdiff); and calculating a difference between the angle rate measurement and the rate bias error to produce a bias compensated angular rate measurement.
Abstract:
A method for maintaining measurement accuracy of a ring laser gyroscope is disclosed. The method involves periodically measuring a path length control voltage in the ring laser gyroscope over a prescribed temperature range. When a first path length controlled by the path length control voltage deviates at least one wavelength from a nominal path length, the method detects the change in the path length as a mode shift. For each mode shift, the method applies a path length correction to maintain the first path length at a target path length over the prescribed temperature range. The method can apply a correction to a measurement signal output of the ring laser gyroscope by adjusting a calibrated scale factor depending on an actual integer number of wavelengths achieved during a mode shift.
Abstract:
Current control biasing of a ring laser gyroscope is employed to protect electrode seals. A frame of a ring laser gyroscope has more than one electrode attached to it. An electric field is created between the electrodes during the operation of the gyroscope, which causes ions in the frame to migrate towards a lowest electrical potential. Electrode seals are located between the electrodes and the frame. By providing a positive power supply voltage and connecting the current control to the non-ground side of the power supply, the mounting structure may be at the lowest electrical potential. The ions will then migrate towards the mounting structure, which significantly reduces migration to the electrodes.
Abstract:
Mirrors are tested separately at different distances to plasma in separate ring laser gyros. Testing mirrors a predetermined distance away from plasma in the gyros allows accelerated testing of the environment of the mirrors in gyros. The test results are graphed to also allow prediction of ring laser gyro life.
Abstract:
An integrator in a ring laser gyro that produces an output for changing the path length is reset synchronously with a gyro dither signal to reduce gyro errors from the dithering operation during the reset.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for thermal gradient compensation for ring laser gyroscopes are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing bias compensated angular rate measurements from a ring laser gyroscope comprises: sampling an angle measurement output from a laser block sensor to obtain an angular rate measurement; obtaining an laser block temperature measurement (Tblock) for the laser block sensor; obtaining a temperature gradient measurement (Tdiff) for at least one gradient line across a portion of the laser block sensor; calculating a rate bias error by applying parameters produced from the temperature measurement (Tblock) and the temperature gradient measurement (Tdiff) to a thermal gradient compensation model, wherein the thermal gradient compensation model includes at least one coefficient corresponding to the temperature gradient measurement (Tdiff); and calculating a difference between the angle rate measurement and the rate bias error to produce a bias compensated angular rate measurement.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for improved ring laser gyroscope devices through mix ratio optimization are provided. In one embodiment, a ring laser gyroscope device comprises: a laser block assembly having a cavity therein that defines a ring shaped laser beam path around the laser block assembly, the cavity containing a fill gas mixture comprising Helium and Neon, wherein the laser block assembly is characterized as having a Neon depletion life limiter; and a readout assembly optically coupled to the laser block assembly. The readout assembly outputs a laser intensity monitor (LIM) voltage that represents optical energy within the cavity. The fill gas mixture has a Helium to Neon ratio richer in Neon than a ratio that would produce a peak LIM voltage from the readout assembly.
Abstract:
A gas discharge tube such as a ring laser gyroscope includes a block. A cathode has an inwardly extending foot that engages the block. Additionally, or alternatively, an insulator is arranged to inhibit shorting between plasma in the block and a flange of the cathode.