Nested-Winding Optical Resonator Coils Without Added Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

Increasing the round trip path length in optical resonator coils without significantly enlarging their size is challenging, as conventional methods require additional windings that increase coil size, which is undesirable in space-constrained applications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a resonator coil with nested winding optical waveguides optically coupled by couplers, allowing for increased path length without increasing the cross-sectional area or volume, achieved by using planar optical waveguides and optical couplers with adiabatic tapers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If more windings are added to increase round trip path length, then performance is improved, but coil size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveround trip path lengthVSAvoidcoil size

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nested winding optical waveguides where inner waveguides are positioned within the spatial envelope of outer waveguides. This nesting arrangement allows multiple windings to be packed into a compact footprint, increasing the round trip path length without proportionally increasing the coil's cross-sectional area or volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional planar winding arrangements to three-dimensional nested structures. By utilizing vertical and radial dimensions in addition to the traditional winding path, the design achieves longer path lengths within a constrained footprint, effectively moving the problem solution into higher dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If more windings are added to increase round trip path length, then performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveround trip path lengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the resonator coil into discrete modular units, each consisting of a specific number of windings (e.g., first unit with first number of windings, second unit with second number of windings). This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and characterized independently, then assembled to achieve the desired total path length, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal coupling structures and standardized winding patterns that can be reused across different resonator units. The coupling mechanisms between windings are designed to be identical or variations thereof, enabling mass production techniques and reducing the need for custom manufacturing for each winding configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional winding arrangements are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but path length per unit area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpath length density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite structural designs combining different waveguide materials and coupling mechanisms within the nested winding arrangement. This composite approach enables optimized optical properties and enhanced path length density while maintaining manufacturability through established fabrication techniques for each material component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach decreases the free spectral range, increases resonance density, and enhances sensitivity and reduces phase noise in optical systems, particularly in optical gyroscopes, by maintaining a high quality factor and lower finesse.

Implementation Method 1

achieved by using planar optical waveguides and optical couplers with adiabatic tapers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic taper:

Implementation Method 2

a resonator coil of optical waveguide including a first winding optical waveguide including a first waveguide port, a second waveguide port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical waveguide propagation: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 3

This approach decreases the free spectral range, increases resonance density, and enhances sensitivity and reduces phase noise in optical systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS20250321102A1Techniques for increasing round trip path length through an optical resonator coil without substantially increasing optical resonator coil size

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An optical resonator with increased free spectral range and substantially no increase in volume is provided. The optical resonator includes N winding optical waveguides where each n−1 winding optical waveguide is within a corresponding n winding optical waveguide and N is an integer greater than one. The n−1 and n winding optical waveguides are optically coupled by an optical coupler having substantially one hundred percent optical coupling.