Patents by Inventor Lee K. Strandjord

Lee K. Strandjord has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11624614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing rotation sensing errors from laser source signal and modulation cross-talk are provided herein. An RFOG includes a fiber optic resonator; a first laser source that produces a first light wave at a first carrier frequency and a first cross-talked portion at a second carrier frequency wave for propagating in a first direction, wherein a second cross-talked portion propagates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; a second laser source that produces a second light wave for propagating in the second direction at a second carrier frequency, and having a third cross-talked portion that propagates in the first direction, a first modulator that modulates the first light wave by suppressing light at the first carrier frequency and the second cross-talked portion at the second carrier frequency, and photodetectors that generate signals from the modulated first light wave and the second light wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20230097179
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing rotation sensing errors from laser source signal and modulation cross-talk are provided herein. An RFOG includes a fiber optic resonator; a first laser source that produces a first light wave at a first carrier frequency and a first cross-talked portion at a second carrier frequency wave for propagating in a first direction, wherein a second cross-talked portion propagates in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; a second laser source that produces a second light wave for propagating in the second direction at a second carrier frequency, and having a third cross-talked portion that propagates in the first direction, a first modulator that modulates the first light wave by suppressing light at the first carrier frequency and the second cross-talked portion at the second carrier frequency, and photodetectors that generate signals from the modulated first light wave and the second light wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 11506495
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an injection locking RFOG are described herein. In certain embodiments, a system includes an optical resonator. The system also includes a laser source configured to launch a first laser for propagating within the optical resonator in a first direction and a second laser for propagating within the optical resonator in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, wherein the first laser is emitted at a first launch frequency and the second laser is emitted at a second launch frequency. Moreover, the system includes at least one return path that injects a first optical feedback for the first laser and a second optical feedback for the second laser, from the optical resonator, into the laser source, wherein the first and second optical feedbacks respectively lock the first and second launch frequencies to first and second resonance frequencies of the optical resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jianfeng Wu, Karl D. Nelson, Matthew Wade Puckett, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Patent number: 11402211
    Abstract: Improvements to optical power regulation in a gyroscopic system are described. The system can include an optical assembly (e.g., optical bench) which couples opposing optical signals to a resonator coil. The system can monitor the power of the optical signals through the resonator coil by including signal extraction optics in the optical assembly which are configured to extract a portion of the optical signals. The portions can be extracted via a single beamsplitter, wherein the beamsplitter reflects the portions at a single common surface, and can also reflect the portions to a respective photodetector in free space free from intervening optical components, such as polarizers or beamsplitters. One or more processors can be coupled to the optical assembly, wherein the processor(s) are configured to adjust the power of the optical signals in response to detecting a power difference between the optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Neil A. Krueger, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Marc Smiciklas
  • Publication number: 20220128362
    Abstract: Improvements to optical power regulation in a gyroscopic system are described. The system can include an optical assembly (e.g., optical bench) which couples opposing optical signals to a resonator coil. The system can monitor the power of the optical signals through the resonator coil by including signal extraction optics in the optical assembly which are configured to extract a portion of the optical signals. The portions can be extracted via a single beamsplitter, wherein the beamsplitter reflects the portions at a single common surface, and can also reflect the portions to a respective photodetector in free space free from intervening optical components, such as polarizers or beamplitters. One or more processors can be coupled to the optical assembly, wherein the processor(s) are configured to adjust the power of the optical signals in response to detecting a power difference between the optical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Neil A. Krueger, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Marc Smiciklas
  • Publication number: 20220026211
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an injection locking RFOG are described herein. In certain embodiments, a system includes an optical resonator. The system also includes a laser source configured to launch a first laser for propagating within the optical resonator in a first direction and a second laser for propagating within the optical resonator in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, wherein the first laser is emitted at a first launch frequency and the second laser is emitted at a second launch frequency. Moreover, the system includes at least one return path that injects a first optical feedback for the first laser and a second optical feedback for the second laser, from the optical resonator, into the laser source, wherein the first and second optical feedbacks respectively lock the first and second launch frequencies to first and second resonance frequencies of the optical resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jianfeng Wu, Karl D. Nelson, Matthew Wade Puckett, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Patent number: 11204246
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to reduce at least one differential harmonics of a resonance tracking modulation in a resonant fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG). The fundamental frequency of the resonance tracking modulation of each of the clockwise and counter clockwise optical signals is substantially identical; however, the amplitude and phase of the Nth harmonic of a clockwise (CW) resonance tracking modulation and the Nth harmonic of a clockwise (CCW) resonance tracking modulation may differ due to non-linearities in the RFOG. Embodiments of the invention diminish, e.g., reduce to zero such vectoral difference. Differential harmonics may be generated at one or more harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Norman Gerard Tarleton, Chuck Croker
  • Publication number: 20210389128
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to reduce at least one differential harmonics of a resonance tracking modulation in a resonant fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG). The fundamental frequency of the resonance tracking modulation of each of the clockwise and counter clockwise optical signals is substantially identical; however, the amplitude and phase of the Nth harmonic of a clockwise (CW) resonance tracking modulation and the Nth harmonic of a clockwise (CCW) resonance tracking modulation may differ due to non-linearities in the RFOG. Embodiments of the invention diminish, e.g., reduce to zero such vectoral difference. Differential harmonics may be generated at one or more harmonics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Norman Gerard Tarleton, Chuck Croker
  • Patent number: 11196430
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a phase lock loop circuit includes a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to input an estimation having a second frequency and a second phase. The second frequency is selected from a range of frequencies including a first frequency from an acquired signal. A numerically controlled oscillator is coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control an output response of the numerically controlled oscillator. The numerically controlled oscillator is configured to receive the estimation from the control circuit and generate an output signal in response to the estimation. A phase detector is coupled to the control circuit and the numerically controlled oscillator, wherein the phase detector is configured to compare the first signal and the output signal and produce a comparison output, the comparison output indicative of a phase difference between the first signal and the estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Gerard Tarleton, Chuck Croker, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Patent number: 11181374
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) that includes at least one laser, a resonator and a resonator hopping control system is provided. The resonator is in operational communication with the at least one laser to receive a clockwise (CW) laser light and counterclockwise (CCW) laser light produced by the at least one laser. The resonance hopping control system is in communication with an output of the resonator and the at least one laser. The resonance hopping control system is configured to control an output of the at least one laser to periodically unlock, hop and lock frequencies of the laser light traveling in the CW and CCW directions in the resonator to resonance frequencies of the resonator to mitigate bias errors due to resonance asymmetries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Smiciklas, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Publication number: 20210262799
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) that includes at least one laser, a resonator and a resonator hopping control system is provided. The resonator is in operational communication with the at least one laser to receive a clockwise (CW) laser light and counterclockwise (CCW) laser light produced by the at least one laser. The resonance hopping control system is in communication with an output of the resonator and the at least one laser. The resonance hopping control system is configured to control an output of the at least one laser to periodically unlock, hop and lock frequencies of the laser light traveling in the CW and CCW directions in the resonator to resonance frequencies of the resonator to mitigate bias errors due to resonance asymmetries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Smiciklas, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Publication number: 20210254977
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a phase lock loop circuit includes a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to input an estimation having a second frequency and a second phase. The second frequency is selected from a range of frequencies including a first frequency from an acquired signal. A numerically controlled oscillator is coupled to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control an output response of the numerically controlled oscillator. The numerically controlled oscillator is configured to receive the estimation from the control circuit and generate an output signal in response to the estimation. A phase detector is coupled to the control circuit and the numerically controlled oscillator, wherein the phase detector is configured to compare the first signal and the output signal and produce a comparison output, the comparison output indicative of a phase difference between the first signal and the estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Gerard Tarleton, Chuck Croker, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Patent number: 11002545
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing SHD switching for RFOGS are provided herein. A system includes a resonator in which light resonates; at least one laser source that produces first and second optical beams; heterodyne modulators that modulate the first and second optical beams at a heterodyne frequency plus a modulation frequency offset to produce multiple sideband optical beams, wherein the modulation frequency offset has a different sign for the first and second optical beams; a frequency switching controller that alternatingly switches the signs of the modulation frequency offset applied to the first and second optical beams, wherein the heterodyne modulation of the first and second optical beams are on average at the heterodyne frequency; at least one coupler that couples the sideband optical beams into the resonator; a feedback control that detects the sideband optical beams transmitted from the resonator and, in response, adjusts frequencies of the optical beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Jianfeng Wu, Tiequn Qiu, Marc Smiciklas
  • Patent number: 11002544
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) resonance hopping are described herein. For example, an RFOG includes a fiber optic resonator. The RFOG also includes a plurality of laser sources that each launch a respective laser for propagation within the fiber optic resonator. Further, the RFOG includes a threshold detector that determines when the operation of at least one laser source in the plurality of laser sources exceeds a threshold associated with the operational range of an aspect of the at least one laser source. Additionally, the RFOG includes a hop control logic that adjusts the frequency of at least one laser produced by the at least one laser source one or more resonant modes of the fiber optic resonator such that the aspect of the at least one laser moves away from the threshold towards a nominal value within the operational range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Marc Smiciklas, Jianfeng Wu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20210055108
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing SHD switching for RFOGS are provided herein. A system includes a resonator in which light resonates; at least one laser source that produces first and second optical beams; heterodyne modulators that modulate the first and second optical beams at a heterodyne frequency plus a modulation frequency offset to produce multiple sideband optical beams, wherein the modulation frequency offset has a different sign for the first and second optical beams; a frequency switching controller that alternatingly switches the signs of the modulation frequency offset applied to the first and second optical beams, wherein the heterodyne modulation of the first and second optical beams are on average at the heterodyne frequency; at least one coupler that couples the sideband optical beams into the resonator; a feedback control that detects the sideband optical beams transmitted from the resonator and, in response, adjusts frequencies of the optical beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Jianfeng Wu, Tiequn Qiu, Marc Smiciklas
  • Patent number: 10914587
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for correcting for time varying changes to a gyroscope incorporating a resonator and/or to an environment in which the gyroscope is located, and which affect the resonator. Free spectral range of the gyroscope, which varies with such changes, is determined and is used to correct at least one of gyroscope bias and scale factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Marc Smiciklas, Norman Gerard Tarleton
  • Publication number: 20210025708
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) resonance hopping are described herein. For example, an RFOG includes a fiber optic resonator. The RFOG also includes a plurality of laser sources that each launch a respective laser for propagation within the fiber optic resonator. Further, the RFOG includes a threshold detector that determines when the operation of at least one laser source in the plurality of laser sources exceeds a threshold associated with the operational range of an aspect of the at least one laser source. Additionally, the RFOG includes a hop control logic that adjusts the frequency of at least one laser produced by the at least one laser source one or more resonant modes of the fiber optic resonator such that the aspect of the at least one laser moves away from the threshold towards a nominal value within the operational range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Marc Smiciklas, Jianfeng Wu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20210025709
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for correcting for time varying changes to a gyroscope incorporating a resonator and/or to an environment in which the gyroscope is located, and which affect the resonator. Free spectral range of the gyroscope, which varies with such changes, is determined and is used to correct at least one of gyroscope bias and scale factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Marc Smiciklas, Norman Gerard Tarleton
  • Patent number: 10837779
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a first optical signal and a second optical signal at or near an optical resonator, where the first optical signal includes a clockwise (CW) optical signal and the second optical signal includes a counter clockwise optical signal; injecting the first optical signal and the second optical signal into a resonator loop closure optics system of the optical resonator; sampling a portion of the first optical signal and a portion of the second optical signal; combining the portion of the first optical signal and the second optical signal; converting the combined optical signals to an analog electrical signal; digitizing the analog electrical signal; storing an estimated frequency of a beat signal created by a combination of the CW optical signal and the CCW optical signal; and using the stored estimated beat signal frequency, digitally phase lock to a frequency of the beat signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Simon Ayotte, Glen A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20200295740
    Abstract: A system, feedback controller and method are disclosed. For example, the feedback controller includes a phase-sensitive quadrature controller configured to generate a first control signal associated with a controlled signal, a phase-sensitive in-phase controller configured to generate a second control signal associated with the controlled signal, a summer configured to add the first control signal and the second control signal, and a subtractor configured to subtract the summed first and second control signals from an uncontrolled signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Norman Gerard Tarleton, Jianfeng Wu, Marc Smiciklas, Glen A. Sanders