Two-axis angular pointing device and methods of use thereof
First Claim
1. A two-axis angular pointing device comprising:
- a pivot bearing configured to support a payload;
a first actuator positioned to contact the payload at a first drive point;
a second actuator positioned to contact the payload at a second drive point, wherein the first actuator is configured to generate a first movement of the payload in a direction substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by a center of the pivot bearing, the first drive point, and the second drive point to cause the payload to rotate around a first rotation axis, and the second actuator is configured to generate a second movement of the payload at the second drive point in the direction substantially orthogonal to the plane to cause the payload to rotate around a second rotation axis;
a first drive circuit coupled to the first actuator and a second drive circuit coupled to the second actuator; and
a control device coupled to the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit, the control device comprising a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions received from another processor or stored in the memory comprising;
generating and providing one or more driving signals to the first actuator to rotate the payload about the first axis of rotation; and
generating and providing one or more driving signals to the second actuator to rotate the payload about the second axis of rotation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two-axis angular pointing device includes a pivot bearing configured to support a payload. A first actuator is positioned to contact the payload at a first drive point. A second actuator is positioned to contact the payload at a second drive point. The first actuator is configured to generate a first movement of the payload in a direction substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by a center of the pivot bearing, the first drive point, and the second drive point to cause the payload to rotate around a first rotation axis. The second actuator is configured to generate a second movement of the payload at the second drive point in the direction substantially orthogonal to the plane to cause the payload to rotate around a second rotation axis. A method of making a two-axis angular pointing device is also disclosed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A two-axis angular pointing device comprising:
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a pivot bearing configured to support a payload; a first actuator positioned to contact the payload at a first drive point; a second actuator positioned to contact the payload at a second drive point, wherein the first actuator is configured to generate a first movement of the payload in a direction substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by a center of the pivot bearing, the first drive point, and the second drive point to cause the payload to rotate around a first rotation axis, and the second actuator is configured to generate a second movement of the payload at the second drive point in the direction substantially orthogonal to the plane to cause the payload to rotate around a second rotation axis; a first drive circuit coupled to the first actuator and a second drive circuit coupled to the second actuator; and a control device coupled to the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit, the control device comprising a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions received from another processor or stored in the memory comprising; generating and providing one or more driving signals to the first actuator to rotate the payload about the first axis of rotation; and generating and providing one or more driving signals to the second actuator to rotate the payload about the second axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for making a two-axis angular pointing device comprising:
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providing a pivot bearing configured to support a payload; positioning a first actuator contact the payload at a first drive point; positioning a second actuator to contact the payload at a second drive point, wherein the first actuator is configured to generate a first movement of the payload in a direction substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by a center of the pivot bearing, the first drive point, and the second drive point to cause the payload to rotate around a first rotation axis, and the second actuator is configured to generate a second movement of the payload at the second drive point in the direction substantially orthogonal to the plane to cause the payload to rotate around a second rotation axis; coupling a first drive circuit to the first actuator and a second drive circuit coupled to the second actuator; coupling a control device to the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit, the control device comprising a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions received from another processor or stored in the memory comprising; generating and providing one or more driving signals to the first actuator to rotate the payload about the first axis of rotation; and generating and providing one or more driving signals to the second actuator to rotate the payload about the second axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification