Stabilized gimbal platform
First Claim
1. A rate gyro stabilized gimbal tracking system comprising:
- a support frame with counterweight assembly;
a platform mounted on said support frame;
a two-axis gimbal ring on said support frame mounted to said platform;
at least one rate gyro connected to said platform;
a lens system with a characteristic focal length and focal point attached to said platform;
a sensor mounted on said platform spaced from said lens system at the focal point of said lens system;
a light level control assembly connected to said sensor;
a bail connected to one axis of said two-axis gimbal ring;
a bail drive assembly mechanically connected to said bail; and
an electronic control assembly connected to said rate gyro and bail drive assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stabilized gimbal platform is provided by use of rate gyro stabilized a of a gimbal ring. A bail gimbal is used with both pitch and yaw inner gimbals to provide low friction stabilization over a large angular pointing range. This bail ring combination surrounds a lens assembly sensor, an automatic light level control device suitable to search for and track targets in a given frequency or wavelength range. By aiming, the gimbal arrangement permits the entire lens sensor arrangement to actually point and steer towards the desired target direction. The bail is balanced with drive assembly to provide stability to the bail. The bail itself is not mounted on its axis of rotation but rather is off-axis mounted on bearings for support and driven by an off-axis torque motor drive. The bail assembly can be driven by a metal band to provide smooth rotation of the bail assembly.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A rate gyro stabilized gimbal tracking system comprising:
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a support frame with counterweight assembly; a platform mounted on said support frame; a two-axis gimbal ring on said support frame mounted to said platform; at least one rate gyro connected to said platform; a lens system with a characteristic focal length and focal point attached to said platform; a sensor mounted on said platform spaced from said lens system at the focal point of said lens system; a light level control assembly connected to said sensor; a bail connected to one axis of said two-axis gimbal ring; a bail drive assembly mechanically connected to said bail; and an electronic control assembly connected to said rate gyro and bail drive assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A rate gyro stabilized gimbal tracking system comprising:
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a support frame with counterweight assembly; a platform mounted on said support frame; a two-axis gimbal ring on said support frame mounted to said platform; at least one rate gyro connected to said platform; a lens system with a characteristic focal length and focal point attached to said platform; a sensor mounted on said platform spaced from said lens system at the focal point of said lens system; a bail connected to one axis of said two-axis gimbal ring; a bail drive assembly connected to said bail which comprises; a torque motor mounted to said support frame; a torquer spindle mounted to said torque motor; means for driving said bail connected to said torquer spindle, said driving means further comprising a gear wheel mounted to said torquer spindle and a row of teeth on said bail; a counterweight connected to said driving means; and means for measuring the rotation of said torquer spindle; and an electronic control assembly connected to said rate gyro and measuring means. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification