Current control biasing to protect electrode seals
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsSteven P. Ecklund, Timothy J. Callaghan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims26
A system for biasing a ring laser gyroscope to protect electrode seals, comprising in combination:
- a frame, wherein a plurality of electrodes are attached to the frame, wherein an electric field generated between the plurality of electrodes during operation of a gyroscope causes ions in the frame to migrate toward a lowest electrical potential;
- a plurality of seals each located between one of the plurality of electrodes and the frame;
- a power supply to provide a positive potential, wherein the power supply has a ground side and a non-ground side;
- a current control electrically located on the non-ground side of the power supply;
- and
- a mounting structure electrically connected to be at the lowest electrical potential, whereby degradation of the plurality of seals is minimized.
A method for biasing a ring laser gyroscope to protect electrode seals, comprising in combination:
- connecting a cathode to a ground side of a power supply;
- and
- connecting a current control to a non-ground side of the power supply causing a mounting structure to be at a lowest electrical potential, whereby degradation of the electrode seals is minimized.
In a continuous application of a ring laser gyroscope system the improvement comprising:
- biasing the ring laser gyroscope system so that ion migration is directed substantially towards a mounting structure, thereby minimizing migration to a plurality of electrodes.
A system for biasing a ring laser gyroscope to protect electrode seals in a continuous application, comprising in combination:
- a frame constructed of glass ceramic, wherein a plurality of electrodes are attached to the frame, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes at least one cathode and at least one anode, wherein an electric field is generated between the plurality of electrodes during operation of the gyroscope causing ions in the frame to migrate toward a lowest electrical potential;
- a plurality of seals constructed of indium, each located between one of the plurality of electrodes and the frame;
- a power supply to provide a positive potential of substantially +600 volts, wherein the power supply has a ground side and a non-ground side;
- a current control electrically located on the non-ground side of the power supply;
- and
- a mounting structure electrically connected to be at the lowest electrical potential, wherein the ions migrate to the mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is not damaged by ion accumulation, and wherein the mounting structure is a dither motor, whereby migration to the plurality of electrodes is minimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.