Laser gyro single transformer power supply

• US 5,371,754 A
• Filed: 01/26/1993
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Berndt, Dale F., Killpatrick, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanghavi, Hemang
• Application Number:
  US08/009,165
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 372/38, 372/69, 372/94, 372/33, 372/32, 356/350, 315/291, 315/307
• US Class Current: 372/38.04
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/661 details
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/097 by gas discharge of a gas laser

Abstract

The invention provides a laser gyro with a single transformer power supply. The power supply receives a single 15 volt DC supply that is converted to a 320 volt DC supply, a 280 volt DC supply and a 500 volt DC supply. The invention implements a Royer Oscillator by providing a transformer with four windings each center-tapped. Two control transistors control the output of the transformer. The invention also provides a high speed output controlled start-up to prevent meta-stability in the Royer Oscillator.

Claims

1. In a laser gyro, a laser gyro supply apparatus comprising:

(a) a DC voltage supply means having a voltage supply output; and

(b) a DC to DC converter means connected to the voltage supply output to provide high voltage power supply output means, wherein said high voltage power supply output means comprises a 320 volt DC supply for supplying voltage to a direct dither drive and a starting circuitry, a -280 volt DC supply for supplying voltage to a path length control, and a -500 volt DC supply for supplying voltage to an active current control.

2. The laser gyro of claim 1 wherein the laser gyro further includes control electronics and wherein the laser gyro power supply apparatus has a small size compared to the control electronics.

3. In a laser gyro, a laser gyro power supply apparatus comprising:

(a) a first switching means having a first emitter connected to a ground, a first base and a first collector;

(b) a second switching means having a second base, second emitter connected to a ground and a second collector;

(c) a first capacitor means connected to a first voltage supply means in parallel with a first resistor means connected to ground through a second resistor means;

(d) a first low voltage transformer winding having a first winding connection, a second center-tapped connection and a third winding connection wherein the first winding connection is connected to the first collector means, the second center-tapped connection is connected to the first voltage supply means and the third winding connection is connected to the second collector;

(e) a second transformer winding having a fourth winding connection connected to the second base, a fifth center tap connection connected to the first capacitor means and first resistor means, and a sixth winding connection connected to the first base;

(f) a first high powered transformer winding having a seventh winding connection to a first diode means to provide a first high voltage output, an eighth center tap output and a ninth winding output connected through a second diode means to the high voltage output; and

(g) a second high powered transformer winding with a tenth winding output connected through a third diode means to provide a second high powered output having an eleventh center tap winding output and a twelfth winding output connected through a fourth diode means to the second high powered output.

4. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 3 further including a direct dither drive motor having a direct dither drive power supply input connected to the first high voltage output.

5. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 3 further including a path length control driving apparatus having a path length control power supply input connected to the output of the second high power output.

6. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 3 further including a means for disabling the first switching means.

7. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 6 further including a means for controlling the means for disabling the first switching means.

8. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for disabling the first switching means comprises a field effect transistor.

9. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 8 further including a high speed output controller signal connected to the gate of the field effect transistor.

10. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 3 further including a means for disabling the second switching means.

11. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 10 further including a means for controlling the means for disabling the second switching means.

12. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for disabling the second switching means comprises a field effect transistor.

13. The laser gyro power supply apparatus of claim 12 further including a high speed output controller signal connected to the gate of the field effect transistor.

14. The laser gyro of claim 3 wherein the laser gyro further includes control electronics and wherein the laser gyro power supply apparatus has a small size compared to the control electronics.