Embedded interferometric fiber optic gyroscope systems and methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorAngelo Truncale
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Abstract
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes a gyroscope and a flight vehicle operatively connected to the gyroscope. The gyroscope includes a length of fiber optic cable arranged in loop and configured to surround an interior loop region. The gyroscope further includes a control unit configured to send and receive light through the fiber optic cable and measure a rate of rotation of the gyroscope. A portion of the flight vehicle is located within the interior loop region.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a gyroscope comprising:
- a length of fiber optic cable arranged in a loop and configured to surround an interior loop region;
- and
- a control unit configured to send and receive light through the fiber optic cable and determine a rate of rotation of the gyroscope;
- and
- a flight vehicle operatively coupled to the gyroscope, wherein a portion of the flight vehicle is disposed within the interior loop region.
A system, comprising:
- a frame of a flight vehicle configured to support a plurality of system components;
- and
- a fiber optic gyroscope mounted on the frame and operatively coupled to the flight vehicle, the gyroscope comprising
- a fiber optic cable arranged in a loop and forming an interior loop region disposed around a portion of the frame to provide physical support for the fiber optic cable;
- and
- a control unit coupled to the fiber optic cable, the control unit being configured to send and receive light through the fiber optic cable and determine a rate of rotation of the gyroscope.
A method of manufacturing a system with an embedded fiber optic gyroscope, the system including a frame of a flight vehicle for supporting a plurality of components including the fiber optic gyroscope, the method comprising:
- forming a fiber optic cable into a loop having an interior loop region;
- placing the interior loop region over a portion of the frame;
- configuring a control unit to send and receive light through the fiber optic cable to determine a rate of rotation;
- and
- coupling the control unit operatively to the flight vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.