Abstract: The polarization state of a light wave is changed by a fiber polanrzation retardation device constructed by a method including employment of a pair of clamping fixtures, and a series of steps including clamping, cleaving, splicing, releasing, clamping, and cleaving, so as to achieve precise optical fiber lengths to achieve a desired polarization retarding device.

Abstract: The polarization state of a light wave is changed by a fiber polarization retardation device constructed by a method including employment of a pair of clamping fixtures, and a series of steps including clamping, cleaving, splicing, releasing, clamping, and cleaving, so as to achieve precise optical fiber lengths to achieve a desired polarization retarding device.

Abstract: In many optics applications, it is desirable to retard the polarization of a light wave, i.e., to change the polarization state of a light wave. In a method for retarding polarization of a light wave, a first linear polarization-maintaining fiber having a first beat length is spliced to a second polarization-maintaining fiber having a high birefringence and a second beat length. The second fiber is then cleaved to a length which is a fraction of the second beat length. The first fiber and the second fiber may be secured in a removable or permanent capillary. A light wave is transmitted into the first fiber and the polarization state of the light wave is determined. To adjust the polarization state, the second fiber may be lapped against an abrasive substance. The second fiber may be repeatedly lapped until a desired polarization state is achieved.

Abstract: In a fiber optic coil arrangement for use in rotation sensors, for example, axial or radial errors can be reduced or substantially eliminated by negatively trimming the fiber optic coil. As a result of the negative trimming, a sufficient amount of the predictable turns of the optical fiber is removed from the fiber optic coil so as to interrupt the predetermined pattern with which the fiber optic coil is wound in order to thereby reduce axial or radial related errors which would have otherwise resulted. Alternatively, the fiber optic coil may be negatively trimmed by terminating winding of the fiber optic coil before the predetermined pattern of the fiber optic coil has been completed. The point at which winding is terminated may be selected so as to reduce axial or radial related errors to a desired level.

Abstract: A light coupler comprises a light source and a light conductor coupled together by a housing. The housing is permanently deformed to increase light coupling between the light source and the light conductor.

Abstract: In a optical fiber coil arrangement for use in rotation sensors, for example, axial and/or radial errors can be reduced or substantially eliminated by employing trimming lengths of the first and second ends of the optical fiber used to wind the coil. The first and second ends are spatially separated from one another so as to reduce such errors. The trimming lengths may be in the form of trimming turns. To eliminate axial errors, the first end is formed into a first number of trimming turns and the second end is formed into a second number of trimming turns so that the first and second number of trimming turns are spatially offset from each other in an axial direction. To eliminate radial errors, the first end is formed into a first number of trimming turns and the second end is formed into a second number of trimming turns so that the first and second number of trimming turns are spatially offset from each other in a radial direction. Radial and axial compensation may be combined.

Abstract: In a optical fiber coil arrangement for use in rotation sensors, for example, axial and/or radial errors can be reduced or substantially eliminated by employing trimming lengths of the first and second ends of the optical fiber used to wind the coil. The first and second ends are spatially separated from one another so as to reduce such errors. The trimming lengths may be in the form of trimming turns. To eliminate axial errors, the first end is formed into a first number of trimming turns and the second end is formed into a second number of trimming turns so that the first and second number of trimming turns are spatially offset from each other in an axial direction. To eliminate radial errors, the first end is formed into a first number of trimming turns and the second end is formed into a second number of trimming turns so that the first and second number of trimming turns are spatially offset from each other in a radial direction. Radial and axial compensation may be combined.

Abstract: In a optical fiber coil arrangement for use in rotation sensors, for example, errors resulting from axial and/or radial time varying temperature gradients can be minimized or substantially eliminated by employing reverse quadrupoles for the sensor coil. One of the quadrupoles is wound in a + - - + winding configuration. However, the next adjacent quadrupole is wound in a - + + - winding configuration. This reverse quadrupole arrangement substantially eliminates radial time varying temperature gradient dependent errors and reduces axial time varying temperature gradient dependent errors. The axial time varying temperature gradient dependent errors can be substantially eliminated by winding a reverse octupole arrangement. Accordingly, a reverse octupole arrangement is wound with a + - - + - + + - - + + - + - - + winding configuration.

Abstract: A two-degree of freedom, open loop, spring restrained rate gyro apparatus includes a motor mounted in a housing with a conductive device provided for conducting operating voltages into and out of the housing. A shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing and is connected to be driven by the motor. A ring, having a hub, is connected to the shaft. The ring and hub are interconnected by a torsion bar. A stop is connected to the shaft adjacent the ring so as to define an air gap between the ring and the stop. A pair of variable reluctance pickoffs are mounted in the housing adjacent the ring. The pickoffs also define an air gap between each of the pickoffs and the ring. An optical pickoff is also mounted adjacent the ring. A signal processor is connected to the pair of variable reluctance pickoffs and to the optical pickoff for measuring the rate of the gyro.

Abstract: An inker wheel comprising a pair of axially mateable plastic molded discs defining a centrally apertured hub and a concentric annular channel mounting a flexible annular inking ring. One disc carries plural concentric rim pairs arranged to define the mounting channel when the discs are assembled. One rim of each pair is narrow to fix the channel width at one dimension to accommodate one width ring, the narrow rim being selectively removed if a second wider ring is to be accommodated. The pair of discs being selectively machinable to remove an outer portion thereof so that an inner pair of rims define the mounting channel for an inking ring of lesser, yet predetermined diameter can be accommodated. Grommet-plunger fasteners are provided to effect a releasable coupling. Thus a pair of molded members are provided for making at least four differently dimensioned inking wheels.