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Apparatus and methods for stabilization and vibration reduction

  • US 9,485,427 B2
  • Filed: 12/30/2015
  • Issued: 11/01/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An aerial vehicle comprising:

  • (a) a vehicle body coupled to one or more blades configured to provide lift to the aerial vehicle;

    (b) an apparatus connected to the vehicle body and configured to stabilize at least a portion of an imaging device, said imaging device comprising (1) a first housing containing an optical unit and a processor configured to control rotation of the optical unit, the optical unit comprising a lens and a photosensor, and (2) a second housing containing a non-optical unit and not the optical unit, the non-optical unit comprising a memory device to store image data captured by the imaging device, wherein the second housing (1) is not supported by a frame assembly, and (2) does not rotate with the optical unit, and wherein the apparatus comprises;

    (i) the frame assembly supporting the optical unit of the imaging device without supporting the non-optical unit of the imaging device, wherein the frame assembly comprises (A) a first frame member that supports the optical unit and an inertial measurement unit, and (B) a second frame member that bears weight of the first frame member, and wherein the frame assembly is configured to permit rotation of the optical unit about at least a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis;

    (ii) a motor assembly coupled to the frame assembly, wherein the motor assembly is configured to drive the frame assembly in response to a signal provided by the inertial measurement unit so as to permit rotation of the optical unit about at least the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis, and wherein a motor of the motor assembly utilizes 5 Watts or less to drive a corresponding frame member of the frame assembly.

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