Fiber Optic Gyroscope Sensing Coil Preformed Adhesive Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic gyroscope systems face challenges in attaching sensing coils to mounting structures due to environmental factors like temperature fluctuations, which cause mechanical stress and require labor-intensive custom machining, leading to inefficiencies in the manufacturing process and potential distortion of the sensing coil.
Innovation Solution
A preformed adhesive pattern, such as a dry visco-elastic dampening polymer, is applied to the radial mating surface of the mounting structure and the inner surface of the sensing coil, minimizing stress and simplifying the attachment process by using a preloaded adhesive with a predetermined thickness to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a compliant adhesive is used to accommodate thermal expansion, then mechanical stress on the sensing coil is reduced, but the adhesive application process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is preformed into a specific pattern and thickness before application, with predetermined compression already built in. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time application processes while ensuring the adhesive can accommodate thermal expansion from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive's physical parameters are specifically engineered - preformed with a predetermined thickness and compression characteristics that match the thermal expansion parameters of the sensing coil assembly. This parameter matching allows the adhesive to naturally accommodate expansion without requiring complex application procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom machining is performed to achieve precise clearance alignment, then attachment precision is improved, but manufacturing time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The preformed adhesive includes a predetermined thickness that is specifically designed to match the required clearance between the sensing coil and mounting structure. This preliminary dimensioning eliminates the need for custom machining operations to achieve precise alignment, as the adhesive itself provides the necessary clearance compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the clearance alignment function from the mechanical machining process and transfers it to the adhesive layer. Instead of machining components to achieve precise fit, the preformed adhesive's predetermined thickness handles the clearance alignment, separating this function from the machining operations.
3Ease of operation
If liquid adhesive is used for attachment, then ease of application is improved, but stress distribution and alignment precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is changed from a liquid state to a preformed solid or semi-solid pattern with predetermined geometric parameters. This parameter change allows the adhesive to maintain ease of application through simple placement while the preformed structure ensures precise thickness and stress distribution characteristics that liquid adhesive cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is applied as a preformed pattern with specific local qualities - predetermined thickness, compression characteristics, and geometric configuration - rather than as a uniform liquid. This local quality optimization ensures that each area of the adhesive interface has the precise properties needed for stress distribution and alignment, while the overall application remains simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the complexity and time required for attaching the sensing coil, minimizes mechanical stress from environmental factors, and maintains the accuracy of the fiber optic gyroscope by using a preformed adhesive that accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, thereby reducing distortion and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A preformed adhesive pattern, such as a dry visco-elastic dampening polymer, is applied to the radial mating surface of the mounting structure
Implementation Method 2
the hub radially expands faster than the fiber optic coil expands, as a whole, and imparts stress on the fiber optic coil
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing coil assembly and method for attaching a sensing coil to a support structure are provided for a fiber optic gyroscope. The method comprises affixing a preformed adhesive to a mating surface of a mounting structure, and coupling an inner surface of the sensing coil to the mating surface of the mounting structure via the preformed adhesive. The mating surface is substantially cylindrical or conical. The sensing coil assembly comprises a hub having a mating surface, an optical fiber coil having an inner surface encircling at least a portion of the mating surface, and a preformed adhesive pattern affixing the mating surface to the inner surface. The mating surface of the hub is substantially cylindrical or conical.