Abstract: A method comprises: receiving a first optical signal and a second optical signal; injecting a portion of the first optical signal into an optical resonator; injecting a portion of the second optical signal into the optical resonator, where the first optical signal and the second optical signal propagate in opposite directions in the optical resonator; emitting a portion of the first optical signal; emitting a portion of the second optical signal; coupling, by free space optics, a portion of the emitted first optical signal to a first power detector; coupling, by free space optics, a portion of the emitted second optical signal to a second power detector; adjusting the power level of the received first optical signal based upon a first detected power level detected by the first power detector; and adjusting the power level of the received second optical signal based upon a second detected power level detected by the second power detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new improved large planetary gear system used on the input stage of wind turbine power generators. This improved planetary gear system reduces or eliminates lubricant debris traditionally generated from the gear teeth, thereby eliminating an initiating source for bearing failure. To achieve these results, some and preferably all of the gear teeth within the planetary gear system are superfinished using chemically accelerated vibratory finishing to a surface roughness of approximately 0.25 micron or less. Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a gearbox with reduced metal debris, improved bearing life, reduced wear, reduced vibro-frictional noise, improved contact fatigue, improved fretting resistance, improved lubrication, to simplify the run-in process, and to enhance the durability and efficiency of the gearbox.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new improved large planetary gear system used on the input stage of wind turbine power generators. This improved planetary gear system reduces or eliminates lubricant debris traditionally generated from the gear teeth, thereby eliminating an initiating source for bearing failure. To achieve these results, some and preferably all of the gear teeth within the planetary gear system are superfinished using chemically accelerated vibratory finishing to a surface roughness of approximately 0.25 micron or less. Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a gearbox with reduced metal debris, improved bearing life, reduced wear, reduced vibro-frictional noise, improved contact fatigue, improved fretting resistance, improved lubrication, to simplify the run-in process, and to enhance the durability and efficiency of the gearbox.

Abstract: A sensing coil assembly and method for attaching a sensing coil to a support structure are provided for a fiber optic gyroscope. The method comprises affixing a first support surface of the support structure to a first mounting surface of the sensing coil via a first preformed adhesive, and affixing a second support surface of the support structure to a second mounting surface of the sensing coil via a second preformed adhesive. The sensing coil assembly comprises a support structure having first and second support surfaces and having a substantially cylindrical hub coupled between the first and second opposing surfaces, an optical fiber coil surrounding at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical hub, and first and second preformed adhesive patterns affixing the optical fiber coil to the first and second opposing surfaces. The first support surface opposes the second support surface.

Abstract: Adhesive system and method are provided for affixing a fiber optic coil to a hub with an adhesive in a fiber optic gyroscope. The adhesive system comprises a fiber optic coil, a substantially cylindrical hub configured to couple with the fiber optic coil, and an array of adhesive dots affixing the fiber optic coil to the substantially cylindrical hub. The method comprises forming an array of adhesive dots on an outer surface of the hub, and affixing the fiber optic coil to the outer surface of the hub via the array of adhesive dots.

Abstract: A sensing coil assembly and method for attaching a sensing coil to a support structure are provided for a fiber optic gyroscope. The method comprises affixing a first support surface of the support structure to a first mounting surface of the sensing coil via a first preformed adhesive, and affixing a second support surface of the support structure to a second mounting surface of the sensing coil via a second preformed adhesive. The sensing coil assembly comprises a support structure having first and second support surfaces and having a substantially cylindrical hub coupled between the first and second opposing surfaces, an optical fiber coil surrounding at least a portion of the substantially cylindrical hub, and first and second preformed adhesive patterns affixing the optical fiber coil to the first and second opposing surfaces. The first support surface opposes the second support surface.

Abstract: Adhesive system and method are provided for affixing a fiber optic coil to a hub with an adhesive in a fiber optic gyroscope. The adhesive system comprises a fiber optic coil, a substantially cylindrical hub configured to couple with the fiber optic coil, and an array of adhesive dots affixing the fiber optic coil to the substantially cylindrical hub. The method comprises forming an array of adhesive dots on an outer surface of the hub, and affixing the fiber optic coil to the outer surface of the hub via the array of adhesive dots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new improved large planetary gear system used on the input stage of wind turbine power generators. This improved planetary gear system reduces or eliminates lubricant debris traditionally generated from the gear teeth, thereby eliminating an initiating source for bearing failure. To achieve these results, some and preferably all of the gear teeth within the planetary gear system are superfinished using chemically accelerated vibratory finishing to a surface roughness of approximately 0.25 micron or less. Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a gearbox with reduced metal debris, improved bearing life, reduced wear, reduced vibro-frictional noise, improved contact fatigue, improved fretting resistance, improved lubrication, to simplify the run-in process, and to enhance the durability and efficiency of the gearbox.

Abstract: A design for an environmentally robust fiber depolarizer for a fiber optic gyroscope is disclosed. The design comprises; substantially a clockwise propagating leg and a counterclockwise propagating leg, distally coupled at opposite ends of a gyroscope sensing coil, said depolarizer fiber leg wound in a that is rotation insensitive pattern and that is also a symmetrical winding pattern. Moreover, axial, radial and embedded sensing coil mounting methods for the fiber depolarizer to reduce the depolarizer sensitivity to thermal variations are also disclosed. Specific attention to the design of the fiber depolarizer of a gyroscope provides enhanced immunity to the stress of environmental variation.