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).

  • Publication number: 20140204387
    Abstract: An optical-fiber filter system to narrow a linewidth and to reduce noise fluctuations of an optical beam is provided. The optical-fiber filter system includes an optical fiber having a first end-face and an opposing second end-face, the first end-face and the second end-face setting a fiber length; a fiber Bragg grating having a first reflectivity positioned at the first end-face; and a reflector having a second reflectivity positioned at the second end-face. When the optical beam at a first frequency is coupled from a laser into one of the first end-face or the second end-face, a resonant cavity is established at the first frequency between the fiber Bragg grating and the reflector while Brillouin scattered light shifted from the first frequency within the optical fiber is transmitted through the fiber Bragg grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Chellappan Narayanan, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Jianfeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20140152994
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring rotation using an optical frequency comb stimulated Brillouin scattering gyroscope are provided. In certain embodiments, a system comprises a light source that produces a multiple-frequency light beam based on an optical frequency comb; and an optical fiber resonator coupled to the light source, the multiple-frequency light beam propagating in a first direction within the optical fiber resonator, wherein the multiple-frequency light beam generates stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) for a frequency, wherein the Brillouin scattering generates an SBS light beam to propagate in a second direction, the first direction being opposite in direction to the second direction. The system also comprises a servo to control the frequencies of the optical frequency comb to lock a plurality of component frequencies on resonance peaks of the optical fiber resonator; and a mixer that determines a frequency difference between the SBS light beam and the multiple-frequency light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jianfeng Wu, Tiequn Qiu, Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord
  • Patent number: 8699034
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved resonator fiber optic gyroscope intensity modulation control are provided. In one embodiment, a resonant fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) having a residual intensity modulation (RIM) controller is provided. The controller includes an intensity modulator optically coupled to receive a light beam from a laser source modulated at a resonance detection modulation frequency, and an optical tap device optically coupled to the intensity modulator. The controller also includes a feedback servo coupled to the optical tap device and the intensity modulator, the demodulating feedback servo generating a sinusoidal feedback signal to the intensity modulator. The feedback servo adjusts an amplitude and phase of the sinusoidal feedback signal provided to intensity modulator based on a residual intensity modulation detected by the demodulating feedback servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Norman Gerard Tarleton
  • Patent number: 8659760
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope comprises a first light source having a first frequency comb spectrum, and a second light source having a second frequency comb spectrum. A first filter is in optical communication with the first light source and configured to pass a first frequency comb portion. A second filter is in optical communication with the second light source and configured to pass a second frequency comb portion. A resonator is in optical communication with the first and second filters. The free spectral range values of the first and second frequency comb portions are adjusted to be an odd integer multiple of the free spectral range value of the resonances of the resonator. The second frequency comb portion is spectrally separated apart from the first frequency comb portion by a multiple of the free spectral range value of the resonances plus a frequency value proportional to rotation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu
  • Publication number: 20140049780
    Abstract: A low-noise resonator fiber-optic gyroscope is provided. The low-noise resonator fiber-optic gyroscope includes at least one laser to output a reference optical beam, a first-optical-beam frequency controller to modulate the first optical beam at a first-modulation frequency, a second-optical-beam frequency controller to modulate the second optical beam at a second-modulation frequency to form a second-frequency-modulated optical beam, a fiber resonator having a counter-clockwise-input end configured to input the first-frequency-modulated optical beam and the clockwise-input end configured to input the second-frequency-modulated optical beam; a first-frequency demodulator to demodulate an optical beam output from the clockwise-input end of the fiber resonator; and a second-frequency demodulator to demodulate an optical beam output from the counter-clockwise-input end of the fiber resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Jianfeng Wu, Tiequn Qiu
  • Publication number: 20140044142
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed towards a stabilized laser including a laser to produce light at a frequency and a resonator coupled to the laser such that the light from the laser circulates therethrough. The laser also includes Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) feedback electronics configured to adjust the frequency of the light from the laser to reduce phase noise in response to light sensed at the reflection port of the resonator and transmission port feedback electronics configured to adjust the frequency of the light from the laser toward resonance of the resonator at the transmission port in response to the light sensed at the transmission port of the resonator, wherein the transmission port feedback electronics adjust the frequency at a rate at least ten times slower than the PDH feedback electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20130271770
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope comprises a first light source having a first frequency comb spectrum, and a second light source having a second frequency comb spectrum. A first filter is in optical communication with the first light source and configured to pass a first frequency comb portion. A second filter is in optical communication with the second light source and configured to pass a second frequency comb portion. A resonator is in optical communication with the first and second filters. The free spectral range values of the first and second frequency comb portions are adjusted to be an odd integer multiple of the free spectral range value of the resonances of the resonator. The second frequency comb portion is spectrally separated apart from the first frequency comb portion by a multiple of the free spectral range value of the resonances plus a frequency value proportional to rotation rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu
  • Patent number: 8446590
    Abstract: An optical-fiber filter is provided. The optical-fiber filter includes an optical fiber having a first end-face and an opposing second end-face. The first end-face and the second end-face set a fiber length. The first end-face and the second end-face are coated with reflective coatings. When an optical beam emitted from a laser is coupled into one of the first end-face or the second end-face, an optical beam output from the opposing end-face has a narrow linewidth and low frequency noise fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, John Feth, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu
  • Publication number: 20130107271
    Abstract: An exemplary resonator fiber optic gyroscope comprises a resonator having an optical fiber loop; a light source configured to generate a light beam; and an intensity modulation circuit coupled between the light source and the resonator. The intensity modulation circuit is configured to modulate the intensity of the light beam from the light source to output an intensity modulated signal to the resonator. The intensity modulation circuit is configured to produce the intensity modulated signal such that harmonics of the intensity modulated signal which overlap a primary wave of a counter-propagating light beam in the resonator have an amplitude below a predetermined threshold. Amplitudes below the predetermined threshold are negligible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8422024
    Abstract: A hollow-core optical-fiber filter is provided. The hollow-core optical-fiber filter includes a hollow-core optical fiber having a first end-face and an opposing second end-face. The first end-face and the second end-face set a fiber length. The hollow-core optical-fiber filter also includes a first reflective end-cap positioned at the first end-face and a second reflective end-cap positioned at the second end-face. When an optical beam from a laser is coupled into one of the first end-face or the second end-face, an optical output from the opposing end-face has a narrow linewidth and low frequency noise fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, John Feth, Andrew W. Kaliszek
  • Publication number: 20120307251
    Abstract: A hollow-core optical-fiber filter is provided. The hollow-core optical-fiber filter includes a hollow-core optical fiber having a first end-face and an opposing second end-face. The first end-face and the second end-face set a fiber length. The hollow-core optical-fiber filter also includes a first reflective end-cap positioned at the first end-face and a second reflective end-cap positioned at the second end-face. When an optical beam from a laser is coupled into one of the first end-face or the second end-face, an optical output from the opposing end-face has a narrow linewidth and low frequency noise fluctuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, John Feth, Andrew W. Kaliszek
  • Publication number: 20120307253
    Abstract: An optical-fiber filter is provided. The optical-fiber filter includes an optical fiber having a first end-face and an opposing second end-face. The first end-face and the second end-face set a fiber length. The first end-face and the second end-face are coated with reflective coatings. When an optical beam emitted from a laser is coupled into one of the first end-face or the second end-face, an optical beam output from the opposing end-face has a narrow linewidth and low frequency noise fluctuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, John Feth, Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu
  • Patent number: 8294900
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved resonator fiber optic gyroscope intensity modulation control are provided. In one embodiment, a resonant fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) having a residual intensity modulation (RIM) controller comprises: an intensity modulator optically coupled to receive a light beam from a laser source modulated at a resonance detection modulation frequency; an optical tap device optically coupled to the intensity modulator; and a feedback servo coupled to the optical tap device and the intensity modulator, the demodulating feedback servo generating a sinusoidal feedback signal to the intensity modulator. The feedback servo adjusts an amplitude and phase of the sinusoidal feedback signal provided to intensity modulator based on a residual intensity modulation detected by the demodulating feedback servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Norman Gerard Tarleton
  • Patent number: 8274659
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) is disclosed that reduces rotation rate error instability. In one embodiment, the RFOG comprises a resonator optical ring cavity, a first light source in optical communication with the ring cavity and configured to generate a clockwise optical signal, and a second light source in optical communication with the ring cavity and configured to generate a counter-clockwise optical signal. The RFOG also includes a first optical component in optical communication with the first light source and the ring cavity. The first optical component is configured to prevent the clockwise optical signal from being back-reflected to the first light source. A second optical component is in optical communication with the second light source and the ring cavity. The second optical component is configured to prevent the counter-clockwise optical signal from being back-reflected to the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tiequn Qiu, Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8223341
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope includes a sensing resonator having a first resonance frequency for a first laser beam propagation direction and a second resonance frequency for a second laser beam propagation direction; an intensity modulator coupled to an output of the sensing resonator and configured to modulate the intensity of a signal output from the sensing resonator, wherein the intensity modulator modulates the output signal at an intensity modulation frequency; and resonance tracking electronics coupled to an output of the intensity modulator and configured to demodulate the intensity modulated signal output from the intensity modulator at a resonance tracking modulation frequency to produce a first demodulated signal; the resonance tracking electronics further configured to demodulate the first demodulated signal at the intensity modulation frequency, wherein the intensity modulation frequency is different from the resonance tracking modulation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Tiequn Qiu
  • Patent number: 8213019
    Abstract: A RFOG comprises a reference laser configured to produce a reference laser beam; a first laser source configured to produce a first laser beam; a second laser source configured to produce a second laser beam; a sensing resonator coupled to the first and second laser sources such that the first and second laser beams propagate through the sensing resonator in first and second directions, respectively; resonance tracking electronics configured to generate first and second control signals that indicate when the first and second laser beams, respectively, are off resonance; first and second optical combiners configured to beat the first and second outputs of the sensing resonator with the reference laser beam creating first and second beat signals, respectively; wherein the resonance tracking electronics is configured to discriminate between at least one rotation-sensing error and the first and second outputs of the resonator based on the first and second beat signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Tiequn Qiu
  • Publication number: 20120057167
    Abstract: A RFOG comprises a reference laser configured to produce a reference laser beam; a first laser source configured to produce a first laser beam; a second laser source configured to produce a second laser beam; a sensing resonator coupled to the first and second laser sources such that the first and second laser beams propagate through the sensing resonator in first and second directions, respectively; resonance tracking electronics configured to generate first and second control signals that indicate when the first and second laser beams, respectively, are off resonance; first and second optical combiners configured to beat the first and second outputs of the sensing resonator with the reference laser beam creating first and second beat signals, respectively; wherein the resonance tracking electronics is configured to discriminate between at least one rotation-sensing error and the first and second outputs of the resonator based on the first and second beat signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Tiequn Qiu
  • Publication number: 20120050745
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope (RFOG) is disclosed that reduces rotation rate error instability. In one embodiment, the RFOG comprises a resonator optical ring cavity, a first light source in optical communication with the ring cavity and configured to generate a clockwise optical signal, and a second light source in optical communication with the ring cavity and configured to generate a counter-clockwise optical signal. The RFOG also includes a first optical component in optical communication with the first light source and the ring cavity. The first optical component is configured to prevent the clockwise optical signal from being back-reflected to the first light source. A second optical component is in optical communication with the second light source and the ring cavity. The second optical component is configured to prevent the counter-clockwise optical signal from being back-reflected to the second light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Tiequn Qiu, Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20110292396
    Abstract: A resonator fiber optic gyroscope includes a sensing resonator having a first resonance frequency for a first laser beam propagation direction and a second resonance frequency for a second laser beam propagation direction; an intensity modulator coupled to an output of the sensing resonator and configured to modulate the intensity of a signal output from the sensing resonator, wherein the intensity modulator modulates the output signal at an intensity modulation frequency; and resonance tracking electronics coupled to an output of the intensity modulator and configured to demodulate the intensity modulated signal output from the intensity modulator at a resonance tracking modulation frequency to produce a first demodulated signal; the resonance tracking electronics further configured to demodulate the first demodulated signal at the intensity modulation frequency, wherein the intensity modulation frequency is different from the resonance tracking modulation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Glen A. Sanders, Tiequn Qiu
  • Patent number: 8009296
    Abstract: A resonator gyroscope comprises a reference laser generator to produce a reference light; a first slave light source to produce a first slave light locked to the reference light; a second slave light source to produce a second slave light locked to the reference light; a first optical filter cavity coupled to at least one of the first and second slave light sources to filter out high-frequency fluctuations in the respective first and second slave lights; a resonator coupled to said first and second light sources, the resonator having first and second counter-propagating directions and resonance tracking electronics coupled to the resonator to generate a first beat frequency, a second beat frequency, and a third beat frequency; wherein the rotational rate of the resonator gyroscope is a function of the first, second and third beat frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Sanders, Tiequn Qiu, Lee K. Strandjord