Device for stabilizing of a remotely controlled sensor, like a camera

• US 6,154,317 A
• Filed: 04/30/1999
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PolyTech AB
• Original Assignee: PolyTech AB
• Inventors: Noren, Kjell, Segerstrom, Torbjorn
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOUTSIKARIS, LEONIDAS
• Application Number:
  US09/284,287
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 359/554, 359/555, 359/556, 359/557, 396/52, 396/53, 396/54, 396/55, 396/13, 250/203.1, 250/203.6, 74/5.22, 248/182.1, 248/183.1, 248/183.2
• US Class Current: 359/554
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/64 Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/687 by shifting the lens or sensor position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1218 Combined

Abstract

A device for stabilizing of a remotely controlled sensor like a camera includes a gimbal system with an inner yaw gimbal carrying the sensor and an outer yaw gimbal and an inner pitch gimbal and outer pitch gimbal; and inner yaw and pitch gimbals are stabilized by a two-axes self-acting rategyro and outer yaw and pitch gimbals are stabilized by a system with set motors, electric rategyros and an electronic unit and a mechanical coupling with a resilient coupling connecting the inner yaw gimbal with the outer pitch gimbal.

Claims

1. A device for stabilizing of a remotely controlled sensor, comprising:

a sensor provided with a two-axes yaw and pitch stabilizing self-acting rategyro, which sensor is provided as a first gimbal, turnable around a first yaw axis, journalled in an inner, second gimbal;

said second gimbal being in turn turnable around a first pitch axis, and being journalled in an outer third gimbal, turnable around a second pitch axis;

said third gimbal being journalled in a fourth gimbal, turnable around a second yaw axis;

a first set motor being provided, fastened to the fourth gimbal, acting upon the second pitch axis;

a second set motor being provided fastened to a stand fastened to a vehicle, acting upon the second yaw axis;

a first rategyro being fastened to the stand for sensing of the yaw angle rate;

a second rategyro being fastened to the fourth gimbal for sensing of the pitch angle rate;

an electronic unit being provided acting, under the influence of signals from the first and second rategyro via the first and second set motor, to stabilize the third gimbal and the fourth gimbal;

the set motors being acted upon via the electronic unit for controlling of the sensor in pitch and yaw; and

a mechanical coupling, comprising a resilient coupling means, connecting the first gimbal to the third gimbal.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling comprises an arm directed preferably at a right angle to a plane defined by the first yaw axis and the first pitch axis from the intersection point for those and

the coupling means being connected to the third gimbal at a rotational surface edge.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the stand comprises:

an upper frame intended to be fastened to a vehicle;

and a lower frame provided resiliently depending on the upper frame,

wherein the lower frame is provided to be resiliently movable in all directions of a three-axes right angle coordinate system and to be somewhat turnable around the vertical coordinate axis, retaining the parallelity between the upper frame and the lower frame.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the upper frame and the lower frame are substantially rectangular;

in the upper frame at two opposed sides are journalled a first and a second torsion axis extending along the entire length of the upper frame;

at the outer ends of the torsion axes there are provided, at right angle to the torsion axes, in the direction inward to the first frame, four torsion arms;

the first and the second torsion arms being fastened at one end of the first and the second torsion axis,

the third and the fourth torsion arms being fastened to the other end of the first and the second torsion axis;

first and second links are journalled at two ends, with one end connected at the end of the first and the second torsion arms and with the other end journalled at the lower frame;

the third torsion arm, at a distance from its outer end is connected to the lower frame via a third link, the third link being journalled at two ends;

the fourth torsion arm is, at a distance from its outer end connected to the lower frame via a fourth link, the fourth link being journalled at two ends;

the third and fourth torsion arms at their outer ends are swingably connected to a fifth link, the fifth link being journalled at two ends; and

the upper and lower frames at their four corners are connected to first through fourth spring elements.

5. A device according to claim 3, wherein a column is rigidly fastened at the lower frame, substantially at its center of gravity directed substantially vertically towards the upper frame, and

fifth to eighth spring elements connect the upper portion of the column to the sides of the upper frame,

whereby the lower frame is resiliently retained in position laterally in relationship to the upper frame, whilst a certain mutual rotational movement between the frames is retained.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein a column is rigidly fastened at the lower frame, substantially at its center of gravity directed substantially vertically towards the upper frame, and

fifth to eighth spring elements connect the upper portion of the column to the sides of the upper frame,

whereby the lower frame is resiliently retained in position laterally in relationship to the upper frame, whilst a certain mutual rotational movement between the frames is retained.