Stabilized platform

• US 9,644,784 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thales SA
• Original Assignee: Thales SA
• Inventors: Rudier, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNICHOLS, ERET C
• Application Number:
  US14/316,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20140367537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/5412 followed perpendicularly by a single rotating pair
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/12 in more than one direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/123 the axis of rotation intersecting in a single point, e.g. by using gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/18 Stabilised platforms, e.g. by gyroscope
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/30 Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/1822 comprising means for aligning the optical axis G02B7/1821 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a stabilized platform including a support frame and a supporting structure, rotatably mounted relative to the support frame around a main rotation axis. The stabilized platform also includes a supported structure, rotatably mounted relative to the supporting structure around a secondary rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the main rotation axis. The supported structure includes at least one support intended to receive a load and the support is guided in rotation by a central bearing positioned on a single side of the support according to the secondary rotation axis.

Claims

1. A stabilized platform comprising:

a support frame;

a supporting structure, rotatably mounted relative to the support frame around a main axis of rotation;

a supported structure, rotatably mounted relative to the supporting structure around a secondary rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the main rotation axis; and

a first drive assembly, able to drive into rotation the supported structure,

wherein the first drive assembly is housed in the central ring,

wherein the supported structure comprises at least one support intended to receive a load,

wherein the support frame comprises a first and second bearing,

wherein the supporting structure comprises a central bearing, a central ring housing the central bearing and first and second end trunnions, surrounding the central ring at either side thereof according to the direction of the main rotation axis,

wherein the first end trunnion and the second end trunnion being rotatably mounted in the first and second bearing respectively,

wherein the supported structure is guided in rotation around the secondary rotation axis by the central bearing, which is positioned on a single side of the support according to the secondary rotation axis,

wherein the supported structure comprises a central trunnion rotatably mounted in the central bearing, the support being positioned at one respective end of the central trunnion according to the direction of the secondary rotation axis, and

wherein the first drive assembly comprises a first electric motor, the first electric motor comprising a stator and a rotor, the stator being fixedly mounted to the supporting structure and circumferentially surrounding the rotor, the rotor being secured to the central trunnion of the supported structure, which the rotor drives into rotation.

2. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises first and second bearings for guiding in rotation the supporting structure, the first and second bearings being mounted on the support frame via a system of suspensions.

3. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein the first drive assembly further comprises a first angular position sensor, the central bearing being arranged, according to the direction of the secondary rotation axis, between the first drive assembly and the first angular position sensor.

4. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein the support is freely accessible.

5. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the supports is accessible through an aperture provided in the support frame.

6. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein the supported structure is symmetrical relative to the main rotation axis.

7. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein the supported structure comprises two supports arranged on either side of the central bearing.

8. The stabilized platform according to claim 7, wherein the supports extend on either side of the supporting structure according to the direction of the secondary rotation axis.

9. The stabilized platform according to claim 1, wherein the supported structure only comprises one support located on one side of the main rotation axis, and wherein the central bearing is offset from the main rotation axis on the opposite side of the main rotation axis according to the direction of the secondary rotation axis relative to the support.

10. The stabilized platform according to claim 9, wherein the supporting structure delimits a space for receiving the support facing the central bearing according to the direction of the secondary rotation axis and wherein at least one portion of the support extends into the reception space.

11. The stabilized platform of claim 9, wherein the center of gravity of the supporting structure and the supported structure together is approximately located on the main rotation axis.

12. The stabilized platform of claim 1, wherein the central bearing comprises two adjacent angular contact ball bearings.

13. The stabilized platform of claim 1, further comprising a second drive assembly, able to drive into rotation the supporting structure, wherein the second drive assembly comprises a second electric motor, and wherein the second drive assembly is positioned at one of the first and second bearings of the support frame.

14. The stabilized platform of claim 1, wherein the first drive assembly comprises an electric device having an inductor.