Interlaced Spiral Optical Gyroscope Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical gyroscopes face challenges with accuracy due to sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, laser frequency, and back reflections, and require high precision alignment and expensive, bulky components, while MEMS-based gyroscopes lack precision.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical gyroscope design featuring interlaced spiral optical rings and a switching system that delivers a laser beam alternately to two paths, using photodetectors and trans-impedance amplifiers to generate a combined signal, with heating elements to tune the rings and minimize noise, and a Mach Zehnder interferometer for switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ring laser gyroscopes or fiber optic gyroscopes are used to achieve high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple discrete components including spiral optical rings, optical switches, photodetectors, and trans-impedance amplifiers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional linear or circular optical paths to a three-dimensional interlaced spiral configuration. This dimensional change increases the effective optical path area without proportionally increasing device volume, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity
2Device complexity
If conventional gyroscopes use single bi-directional path to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but sensitivity to temperature fluctuations and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality differentiation by creating distinct optical paths with specific characteristics (clockwise and counter-clockwise propagation). Each path experiences environmental effects differently, allowing differential measurement that cancels common-mode noise and temperature drifts, thereby improving reliability without requiring excessive system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between different optical paths using optical switches. This parameter change strategy allows the system to adapt to environmental conditions and maintain reliability by selecting optimal paths while managing device complexity
3Measurement precision
If high precision alignment and high-quality laser sources are used to minimize noise, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with integrated optical waveguides and spiral ring structures that provide inherent alignment. This substitution eliminates the need for high-precision mechanical adjustment while maintaining measurement precision, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into integrated components: the spiral optical rings serve as both the measurement element and the alignment reference, while photodetectors and amplifiers are integrated into compact modules. This merging reduces the number of discrete high-precision components needed, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining precision
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
The design achieves high precision, reduced noise immunity, and cost-effectiveness, with enhanced stability against environmental drifts and noise sources, allowing for accurate rotation detection.
Implementation Method 1
The optical switch includes a Mach Zehnder interferometer
Implementation Method 2
Fiber-optic gyroscopes measure their rate of rotation by measuring the relativistic Sagnac effect. The Sagnac effect causes propagating light to experience a time shift proportional to the rate of rotation of its inertial frame
Implementation Method 3
one or more heating elements adapted to tune the spiral optical rings
Data Source
AI summary
An optical gyroscope includes, in part, an optical switch, a pair of spiral optical rings and a pair of photodetectors. The optical switch supplies a laser beam. The first spiral optical ring delivers a first portion of the beam in a clockwise direction during the first half of a period, and a first portion of the beam in a counter clockwise direction during the second half of the period. The second spiral optical ring delivers a second portion of the beam in a counter clockwise direction during the first half of the period, and a second portion of the beam in a clockwise direction during the second half of the period. The first photodetector receives the beams delivered by the first and second optical rings during the first half of the period. The second photodetector receives the beams delivered by the first and second optical rings during the second half of the period.