Adjustable sensor supporting apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A passively stabilizing adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
- (a) a base including a first adjustable mating part;
(b) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a second adjustable mating part, said second adjustable mating part fitting matingly together with said first adjustable mating part in a selected position;
(c) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material included in one of said adjustable mating parts and located in contact with the other of said adjustable mating parts, said cushioning body supporting said mast and limiting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast and preventing said mating parts from moving with respect to each other unless said first adjustable mating part is lifted from said second adjustable mating part to separate said mating parts at least slightly from each other; and
(d) a sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adjustable mounting apparatus for carrying a camera or other sensor in a small helicopter or other moving platform and isolating the camera from vibration without modification of the aircraft or other platform, and a method for using a sensor such as a camera in a small aircraft or other moving platform operated by a single person. A base portion of the apparatus is carried on a cushioned seat, and a universally adjustable mast is carried on the base in a selected position with respect to the platform and isolated from the base by an elastomeric cushion to eliminate vibration. A camera or other sensor is carried on a servo-controlled attachment fixture fastened to the top of the mast, and a video monitor is located in view of the aircraft operator. Servo-controls for adjusting and operating the camera or other sensor are located in reach of the aircraft operator. A cart is used for storage and to support the mast during installation or removal of the base.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A passively stabilizing adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base including a first adjustable mating part;
(b) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a second adjustable mating part, said second adjustable mating part fitting matingly together with said first adjustable mating part in a selected position;
(c) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material included in one of said adjustable mating parts and located in contact with the other of said adjustable mating parts, said cushioning body supporting said mast and limiting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast and preventing said mating parts from moving with respect to each other unless said first adjustable mating part is lifted from said second adjustable mating part to separate said mating parts at least slightly from each other; and
(d) a sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A passively stabilizing adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base including a first adjustable mating part;
(b) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a second adjustable mating part, said second adjustable mating part fitting matingly and adjustably together with said first adjustable mating part in a selected position;
(c) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material included in one of said adjustable mating parts and located in contact with the other of said adjustable mating parts and resisting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast; and
(d) a remotely controllable sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast, said sensor carrying fixture being motor-driven in azimuth and elevation angles with respect to said mast.
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17. An adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base including a first adjustable mating part and a control and display panel;
(b) a pair of legs attached to said base;
(c) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a second adjustable mating part, said second adjustable mating part fitting matingly and adjustably together with said first adjustable mating part in a selected position;
(d) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material included in one of said adjustable mating parts and located in contact with the other of said adjustable mating parts, and resisting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast; and
(e) a remotely controllable sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast said sensor carrying fixture being motor-driven in azimuth and elevation with respect to said mast. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base including a first adjustable mating part;
(b) a pair of legs attached to said base;
(c) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a second adjustable mating part, said second adjustable mating part fitting matingly and adjustably together with said first adjustable mating part in a selected position;
(d) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material, having a durometer hardness in the range of 60 to 80 and a thickness of at least ½
inch, included in one of said adjustable mating parts and located in contact with the other of said adjustable mating parts, and resisting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast; and
(e) a sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast.
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20. In combination with a mobile platform having a passenger seat, a passively stabilizing adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base, including a concave first mating part, resting on a cushion of said passenger seat;
(b) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a convex second mating part, said second mating part fitting matingly and adjustably together with said first mating part in a selected position;
(c) a cushioning body of a vibration damping elastomeric material included in said second mating part and located in contact with said first mating part and resisting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast; and
(d) a sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. In combination with a moveable vehicle such as a helicopter having a passenger seat, a passively stabilizing adjustable sensor supporting apparatus for a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base, including a first adjustable mating part, resting on a cushion of said passenger seat;
(b) a mast having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end including a second adjustable mating part, said second adjustable mating part fitting matingly and adjustably together with said first adjustable mating part in a selected position ;
(c) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material having a durometer hardness in the range of 60 to 80 and a thickness of at least ½
inch, included in one of said adjustable mating parts and located in contact with the other of said adjustable mating parts, and resisting transmission of vibration from said base to said mast; and
(d) a sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end of said mast.
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37. A method for aiming a sensing device carried in an aircraft, comprising:
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(a) placing a base in a seat in said aircraft;
(b) placing a mast on said base;
(c) adjusting the position of said mast with respect to said base by positioning a mating surface of a lower end of said mast in a selected position with respect to a mating surface of said base, thereby placing said mast in a predetermined orientation with respect to said aircraft so that when said aircraft is in a predetermined orientation during flight said mast is substantially vertical;
(d) fastening opposite ends of a plurality of elongate tension-bearing members to said mast and to respective parts of said aircraft lower than said base and placing said members in tension;
(e) isolating said mast from vibration of said aircraft by absorbing at least a portion of any vibratory motion of said aircraft in said seat and a further portion in a cushioning body of elastomeric material included in at least one of said base and said lower end of said mast; and
(f) carrying said sensing device on an upper end of said mast, with said sensing device oriented in a desired direction with respect to said aircraft whereby said sensing device is directed outward from within said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for aiming a sensing device carried in an aircraft, comprising:
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(a) placing a base in a predetermined position in said aircraft;
(b) placing a mast on said base;
(c) adjusting the position of said mast with respect to said base by positioning a mating surface of a lower end of said mast in a selected position with respect to a mating surface of said base, thereby placing said mast in a predetermined orientation with respect to said aircraft so that when said aircraft is in a predetermined orientation during flight said mast is substantially vertical;
(d) fastening opposite ends of a plurality of elongate tension-bearing members to said mast and to respective parts of said aircraft lower than said base and placing said members in tension;
(e) isolating said mast from vibration of said aircraft by absorbing vibratory motion of said aircraft in a cushioning body of elastomeric material included in one of said base and said lower end of said mast; and
(f) carrying said sensing device on an upper end of said mast, with said sensing device oriented in a desired direction with respect to said aircraft whereby said sensing device is directed outward from within said aircraft.
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42. An adjustable, passively stabilizing, vibration isolating, sensor supporting apparatus for supporting a directional sensor, comprising:
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(a) a base including an upwardly facing first mating surface;
(b) a mast having an upper end portion of relatively light weight and having a relatively massive lower end portion, said lower end portion defining a downwardly facing second mating surface;
(c) a cushioning body of an elastomeric material included either in said base or in said lower end portion of said mast, said elastomeric material defining one of said first and second mating surfaces and being in mated contact with the other one of said mating surfaces, said mast being held in a selected angular orientation with respect to said base primarily by frictional engagement between said first and second mating surfaces, and said mast thereby being supported on said base and isolated from vibration of said base by said elastomeric material; and
(d) a sensor carrying fixture located on said upper end portion of said mast.
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43. A method for aiming a sensing device carried in a mobile platform, comprising:
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(a) placing a base in a predetermined position on a cushioned seat in said mobile platform;
(b) placing a mast on said base;
(c) adjusting the position of said mast with respect to said base by positioning a mating surface of a lower end of said mast in a selected position with respect to a mating surface of said base, thereby placing said mast in a predetermined orientation with respect to said mobile platform, so that when said mobile platform is in a predetermined normal orientation during operation thereof said mast is substantially vertical;
(d) isolating said mast from vibration of said mobile platform by absorbing and damping at least a portion of any vibration of said mobile platform in said cushioned seat and absorbing and damping a further portion thereof in a cushioning body of elastomeric material included in one of said base and said lower end of said mast; and
(e) carrying said sensing device on an upper end of said mast, with said sensing device oriented in a desired direction with respect to said mobile platform. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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Specification