Piezoelectric transducer configured for use as a path length control apparatus for an optical device comprising a central void region
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorChristina M. Schober
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A path length control apparatus (PLC) for a ring laser gyroscope (RLG) provides a flattened surface for reflecting a laser beam. The flattened surface is achieved by providing a void behind the mirror in the laser beam area thus separating this area from stresses induced by temperature, voltage and/or displacement.
Claims17
A piezoelectric transducer assembly configured for use as a path length control apparatus of an optical device, comprising:
- a piezoelectric transducer having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface and a thickness that is less than a length or width of the top and bottom surfaces;
- and
- a mirror attached directly or indirectly to the piezoelectric wafer;
- the assembly comprising a void located in a central region of the piezoelectric transducer between the top and bottom planar surfaces, the central region including the center of the piezoelectric transducer as defined approximately by its top or bottom planar centroid.
A piezoelectric transducer assembly configured for use as a path length control apparatus of an optical device, comprising:
- a piezoelectric transducer having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface;
- an attached element attached to a bottom side of the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the attached element comprises an unfilled void region, the void region lying along a central axis perpendicular to the top planar surface of the piezoelectric transducer, the central region including the center of the piezoelectric wafer as defined approximately by its top or bottom planar centroid, the central axis passing through the center of the piezoelectric wafer.
A piezoelectric transducer assembly configured for use as a path length control apparatus of an optical device, comprising:
- a piezoelectric transducer having a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface and a thickness that is less than a length or width of the top and bottom surfaces;
- and
- a mirror attached directly or indirectly to the piezoelectric wafer below the bottom planar surface to that its top surface faces the bottom planar surface of the piezoelectric transducer;
- the assembly comprising a void located in a central region of the piezoelectric transducer along a central axis perpendicular to the top planar surface, the central region including the center of the piezoelectric wafer as defined approximately by its top or bottom planar centroid, the central axis passing through the center of the piezoelectric wafer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.