Magnetic isolating and pointing gimbal apparatus
First Claim
1. A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing;
a linear, two-axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentically with the shaft;
a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator;
a set of linear, lrge gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the housing;
an axial armature connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators;
a torque motor connected to the shaft; and
a large gap, rotational position sensor having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus provides support functions and multidegree of freedom pointing capability and simultaneous six degree of freedom bi-directional disturbance isolation. This is accomplished by integrating the support, isolation and pointing functions within one contiguous gimbal assembly. The apparatus comprises a housing having a shaft rotatably mounted therein such that the centroidal axis of the shaft is coaxial with that of the housing. A linear, two-axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator is mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft. A radial armature is mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator. A set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators are mounted in the housing. An axial armature is connected to the shaft and extends between the axial magnetic actuators. A torque motor is also connected to the shaft. A large gap, rotational position sensor has a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
123 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising:
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a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two-axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, lrge gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the housing; an axial armature connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor connected to the shaft; and a large gap, rotational position sensor having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19)
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9. A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising:
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a housing including an axial module connected to one side of a payload and a torque module connected to an opposite side of the payload; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the axial module; an axial armature in the axial module, connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor in the torque module connected to the shaft; and a large gap, rotational position sensor in the torque module, having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising:
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a housing including an axial module connected to one side of a payload and a torque module connected to an opposite side of the payload; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the axial module; an axial armature in the axial module, connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor in the torque module connected to the shaft; a large gap, rotational position sensor in the torque module, having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing; a sensor electronics package mounted in each of said modules; and a cover mounted on each of said modules adjacent said sensor electronics package. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification