Abstract: Readout signals of a dithered ring laser inertial integrating rate sensor are processed by a signal combining circuit which forms part of a closed loop scheme for removing the dither signal other than the base motion component thereof. The output of the signal combining circuit has a computed base motion component removed therefrom by a second signal combining circuit. The output of the second signal combining circuit is used to control a correction signal that is subtracted from the gyro output signal by the first signal combining means. The correction signal is multiplied by a ratio of the rotational inertia of the sensor over the sum of the rotational inertia of the sensor and the rotational inertia of the base to obtain the computed base motion component of the dither signal.

Abstract: A high voltage start circuit includes a high voltage start module and high voltage pulse generator apparatus. The high voltage pulse generator amplifies a five volt pulse at 60 KHz duty cycle to an output of 280 volts pulses at approximately 50% duty cycle. A PN junction high voltage diode with a high forward voltage drop and a resistor divider drives and holds a first transistor out of saturation. A low voltage diode creates a dead band such that two high voltage start module transistors are never on at the same time. The high voltage module contains two high voltage blocking diodes which protect the laser gyro active current control circuitry during start up. Two small ballast resistors and a parallel 10 times voltage multiplier generate at least a 2500 VDC output. The high voltage start circuit is contained within a laser gyro housing and is configured to have a volume less than the volume of the ring laser gyro block.

Abstract: A dither stripper for laser gyro dither including a digital microcomputer which controls the stripping of the dither signal from the inertial navigation signal of the laser gyro. The dither stripper schedules internal A/D conversions using an A/D conversion arbitration scheme as well as calculates the expected system sample clock. Accurate dither stripping is achieved using a phase locked loop feedback system which compensates for real time changes in dither pickoff components while incorporating an accurate gain control mechanism.

Abstract: A method for attaching dither motors to a ring laser gyro block such that the dither motors do not induce a large amount of stress into the laser gyro block. Attachment is achieved by the use of a center post having a diameter substantially smaller than the size of the laser gyro block.

Abstract: A direct digital dither drive for a laser gyro dither motor including a digital microcomputer which controls the dithering of a laser gyro to prevent lock in of the laser beams. The digital drive senses a dither position and schedules internal A/D conversions using an A/D conversion arbitration scheme. The period frequency and location of the minimum and maximum drive are determined using the microcontroller. Accurate dither drive is accomplished using a digital analog feedback system which compensates for real time changes in dither pickoff and dither drive components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a housing and support plate assembly for use with a dithered ring laser gyroscope which attenuates thermal and structural changes due to a varying environment. A dither mechanism is structurally supported between a housing and a support plate in a manner which serves to attenuate cross-axis movement and input axis tilting of the gyro assembly, and torsional stress.

Abstract: Two electrically isolated photodetectors are responsive to an interference pattern output of a ring laser angular rate sensor. The two photodetectors are constructed to have a periodic pattern of photosensitive zones. The photodetectors are positioned such that the periodic pattern is selectively oriented relative to the interference pattern fringes so as to produce a pair of output signals out of phase with each other in the presence of rotation.

Abstract: Readout signals of a dithered ring laser angular sensor are processed by a signal combining circuit which forms part of a closed-loop dither signal remover scheme. The output of the signal combining circuit is demodulated as a function of the dither applied to the ring laser sensor and subsequently utilized to control a correction signal. The signal combining circuit combines the readout signal and the correction signal to yield an output signal stripped of substantially any dither signal components.

Abstract: A pair of flexure plates having an outer toroidal rim extended from a hub by a plurality of radial springs are utilized to rigidly sandwich a laser block. A housing having an aperture for receiving the sandwiched assembly is welded to the outer toroidal rims to provide a dither suspension mechanism for a ring laser angular rate sensor.

Abstract: 13. In a control system by means of which a dirigible craft may be controlled, means on said craft for detecting electric fields through which said craft may be moving and for producing three signals indicative of orthogonal components of the electric field detected thereby; first and second computing networks each comprising input means and output means; and means connecting said detecting and signal producing means to said networks so the first and second of said signals are applied to the input means of one of said networks and so that the second and third of said signals are applied to the input means of the other of said networks, said networks being characterized by producing output signals at the output means thereof indicative of the product of magnitude of the smaller of the signals applied thereto and a trigonometric function of the phase angle between the signals applied thereto.