Platform stabilization system
First Claim
1. A platform stabilization system for isolating a payload from motion of a supporting structure, the platform stabilization system comprising:
- a support frame;
a platform for carrying a payload;
a plurality of isolators each extending directly between the support frame and the platform absent any intervening gimbals, rings or other motion-constraining structures between the platform and the support frame;
each isolator permitting linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom;
each isolator permitting rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom;
the plurality of isolators cooperating to form an isolation array supporting the platform directly within the support frame;
the isolation array spacing the platform from the support frame;
the isolation array permitting limited linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom along three orthogonal platform axes;
the isolation array permitting limited rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom about the three platform axes;
the isolation array being substantially more resistant to linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame than to rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame; and
wherein the platform is not rotationally constrained by the isolation array.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A platform stabilization system comprises a support frame, a platform and a plurality of isolators each extending directly between the support frame and the platform. Each isolator permits linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom and permits rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom. The isolators cooperate to form an isolation array supporting the platform directly within, and spacing the platform from, the support frame. The isolation array permits limited linear movement of the platform within the support frame with three degrees of freedom and permits limited rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom. The isolation array is substantially more resistant to linear movement of the platform than to rotational movement of the platform and does not rotationally constrain the platform.
-
Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A platform stabilization system for isolating a payload from motion of a supporting structure, the platform stabilization system comprising:
-
a support frame; a platform for carrying a payload; a plurality of isolators each extending directly between the support frame and the platform absent any intervening gimbals, rings or other motion-constraining structures between the platform and the support frame; each isolator permitting linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom; each isolator permitting rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom; the plurality of isolators cooperating to form an isolation array supporting the platform directly within the support frame; the isolation array spacing the platform from the support frame; the isolation array permitting limited linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom along three orthogonal platform axes; the isolation array permitting limited rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom about the three platform axes; the isolation array being substantially more resistant to linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame than to rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame; and wherein the platform is not rotationally constrained by the isolation array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. A method for isolating a payload from motion of a supporting structure, the method comprising:
-
permitting limited linear movement of the platform relative to a support frame with three degrees of freedom along three orthogonal platform axes; permitting limited rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame with three degrees of freedom about the three platform axes; and providing substantially greater resistance to linear movement of the platform relative to the support frame than to rotational movement of the platform relative to the support frame without rotationally constraining the platform; wherein a plurality of isolators each extend directly between the support frame and the platform absent any intervening gimbals, rings or other motion-constraining structures between the platform and the support frame.
-
Specification