Parametric design of mechanical dither with bimorph piezoelectric actuator for ring laser gyroscope

Abstract

This paper presents a mathematical model and a finite element model to investigate the model parameters of mechanical dither in a ring laser gyroscope in which the bimorph piezoelectric actuator are employed as driving mechanisms to avoid the problem of so-called lock-in effects. The validity and efficiency of the mathematical model and finite element model are conformed by comparing with the sinusoidal experimental results, and the errors are 3.14% and 1.79% respectively. Moreover, the parametric design for the geometric dimensions of mechanical dither and the bimorph piezoelectric actuators is easily achieved through finite element model. It is shown that careful selection of the structural parameters allows the resonant frequency to be suitable. These results are important for the mechanical dither design and improvement of high accuracy ring laser gyroscopes and inertial navigation system.

Computational–Experimental Design Framework for Laser Path Length Controller

“…This hybrid structure is also applied for different geometries. Some examples of piezoelectric actuators for precise applications are as follows: microactuators (see [ 7 ]), ultrasonic motors (see [ 8 ]), active vibration control (see [ 9 ]), path length controller (PLC) of laser systems (see [ 10 , 11 ]), dither mechanism of ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs) (see [ 12 ]), low force sample holders (see [ 13 , 14 ]), accelerometers and constant frequency vibration sources.…”

Ring Laser Gyro G-Sensitive Misalignment Calibration in Linear Vibration Environments

“…In order to reduce the influence of g-sensitive misalignments in a vibration environment, parameter optimization has been applied to the RLG dither suspension structure [ 12 ], and the vibration isolation structure of the SINS has been elaborately designed [ 13 ]. However, the vibration tests performed on the laser SINS for a Cyclone-4 launch vehicle still reveal that the performance degrades regardless of careful vibration isolation design, and equivalent gyro drift occurs in the SINS [ 14 ].…”