Abstract: A gyroscope includes one or more drive cylinders operatively attached to a pickoff member, which can be in the form of a disk or cylinder. Where the pickoff member is cylindrical, the gyroscope is configured as three axially-aligned cylindrical members attached end to end, the outer two functioning as drive cylinders and the inner one functioning as a pickoff cylinder. The drive cylinders have a single electrode on the outside diameter and a single electrode on the inside diameter. The pickoff cylinder has a single electrode on the outside diameter and a plurality of electrodes on the inside diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the three cylindrical members are integrally formed with one another from piezoelectric material that is polarized radially, and each drive cylinder is attached to the pickoff cylinder by a plurality of connecting members or posts located at the separations between the pickoff electrodes. The posts are preferably staggered positionally as between the two drive cylinders.

Abstract: The tuner for ring laser gyro dither mechanism shown herein is a disk 32 which is bolted to the top end 48 of a base mounted vane 24 of the gyro. All such base mounted vane top ends 48 are thus bolted together, thereby stiffening the spring constant of the azimuthal vibration 52 of the top ends 48, thus increasing the frequency of the dither mechanism.

Abstract: An alignment and path length control apparatus having a mirror housing having a base and a closed wall. The base has a mirrored external surface. The closed wall has a central axis. The closed wall is joined to the base at a base end of the closed wall by a flexible web. The closed wall extends above the base and terminates at a rim defining an aperture. The base has a central region coupled to the cylindrical wall. A post extends from the central region of the base within the cylindrical wall to a top end. A mirror axis extends from the mirrored external surface through the post. The central axis is substantially parallel to the mirror axis. An alignment transducer responds to a first alignment control signal by applying at least a first force between the post and the wall to deflect the mirror axis with respect to the central axis. A linear transducer responds to a linear displacement control signal by applying an axial force to the post to displace the central region longitudinally along the central axis.

Abstract: A self-erecting tiltmeter includes a vertical seeking assembly suspended on a gimbals within a housing which contains a viscous fluid. Portions of the assembly outer surface spherically match corresponding portions the housing inner surface, leaving a gap or gaps across which the fluid may transfer tilts to the vertical seeking assembly. Different portions may have different radii or curvature. The fluid is sufficiently dense as to reduce the weight of the assembly on the gimbals. The vertical seeking assembly includes a conductivity difference bubble sensor assembly, signals from which are transmitted to the exterior of the housing through wires which pass through the pivots of the gimbals. An annulus of closed cell neoprene accommodates thermal expansion of the fluid.

Abstract: A dither suspension for a ring laser gyroscope includes a central hub and a plurality of blades extending therefrom. One half of the blades are connected to a support ring, and the other half are connected to a support base that is fixed to the case. The support ring includes a boss extending from the ends thereof facing outward toward the ring laser gyroscope frame. The bosses contact the ring laser gyroscope frame so that a void is formed between the bosses and the frame, which prevents transmission of radially directed stresses from the dither flexure to the frame.

Abstract: A low Q ring laser gyro-dither motor assembly which is responsive to a wide range of frequency components of a drive signal having a randomly varying frequency such that the dither imparted to the gyro is frequency modulated by the drive. The frequency modulated dither varies the lock-in rate of the gyro as a function of the random drive signal to eliminate errors in the gyro output due to lock-in. The drive signal may be random in frequency only or random in both frequency and amplitude to provide the frequency modulation. Fixed frequency modulation may also be employed. The low Q assembly need not be driven at the natural frequency thereof so that a common drive circuit may be employed for a plurality of low Q gyro-dither motor assemblies forming an instrument cluster.

Abstract: An improved flexure spring assembly for a ring laser gyro dither mechanism using flexure springs between a hub and a rim with each spring driven by four piezoelectric crystal wafers, each spring having a reduced cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, and resistance to bending at its radially outward point of attachment to the rim.

Abstract: An improved laser gyro dither mechanism is shown utilizing a three-spring suspension system which isolates dither vibrational energy generated within the gyro and prevents that energy from passing to the mounting case of the laser.