Offset cardan gimbal
First Claim
1. An offset cardan gimbal, comprising:
- (a) a gimbal ball;
(b) an outer axis structure adapted to support said gimbal ball and including means for providing for the motion of said ball about an external elevation axis and about an external azimuth axis; and
(c) a cardan assembly disposed in said ball, said cardan assembly including a cardan shaft, said cardan shaft adapted to pivot about an inner elevation axis, said inner elevation axis disposed in substantially parallel longitudinal alignment with respect to said external elevation axis and including an offset with respect to said external elevation axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for the control and alignment of a sensor on a moving vehicle is provided that includes a gimbal ball supported by an outer axis structure and adapted to pivot about an outer elevation axis and about an outer azimuth axis. The outer axis structure is mounted to a vehicle. A cardan assembly is provided in the ball that includes a cardan shaft with an inner elevation axis passing through the cardan shaft. The inner elevation axis is in parallel alignment with respect to the outer elevation axis and includes an offset that raises the inner elevation axis above the outer elevation axis by a predetermined amount to provide for a greater payload volume and improved optical performance. If desired the cardan assembly includes an inner azimuth axis that is offset with respect to the outer azimuth axis.
9 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An offset cardan gimbal, comprising:
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(a) a gimbal ball;
(b) an outer axis structure adapted to support said gimbal ball and including means for providing for the motion of said ball about an external elevation axis and about an external azimuth axis; and
(c) a cardan assembly disposed in said ball, said cardan assembly including a cardan shaft, said cardan shaft adapted to pivot about an inner elevation axis, said inner elevation axis disposed in substantially parallel longitudinal alignment with respect to said external elevation axis and including an offset with respect to said external elevation axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for increasing the payload size of a gimbal which comprises:
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(a) providing a gimbal ball;
(b) providing an outer axis structure adapted to support said gimbal ball and including means for providing for the motion of said ball about an external elevation axis and about an external azimuth axis; and
(c) providing a cardan assembly disposed in said ball, wherein said cardan assembly including a cardan shaft, and wherein said cardan shaft is adapted to pivot about an inner elevation axis, and wherein said inner elevation axis is disposed in parallel longitudinal alignment with respect to said external elevation axis and wherein said inner elevation axis includes an offset with respect to said external elevation axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification