Apparatus and method for directing an instrument

• US 20060016940A1
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Morgan, Scott E.
• Application Number:
  US10/895,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20060016940A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/122.100
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals

Abstract

A mounting apparatus and method for directing an instrument are disclosed. The apparatus has at least a first support which has an arched surface. The first support is hinged to a vehicle to move about a first axis. An instrument mount is secured to the first arched surface of the first support to be positionable at a plurality of points along the arch. A second support may also be provided and is hinged to the vehicle to move about a second axis. The instrument mount may also be secured to the second arched surface of the second support to be positionable at a plurality of points along the second arched surface. The positioning of the instrument mount along the one or more arches directs an instrument secured to the mount.

Claims

1. A mounting apparatus, comprising:

a first support hingedly secured to a mount to rotate about a first axis and having a first arched surface with the first arched surface defining a first arch; and

an instrument mount configured to direct an instrument toward a center of the first arch and movably secured to the first arched surface to position the instrument mount at a plurality of points along the first arched surface.

2. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a first actuator connected to the first support to position the first support about the first axis.

3. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a first linear actuator secured to the instrument mount to position the instrument mount along the first arched surface.

4. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 1, wherein the first arch comprises a semicircle.

5. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 1, further comprising a first friction reducing element secured to the instrument mount.

6. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 5, wherein the first friction reducing element secured to the instrument mount comprises a roller.

7. A mounting apparatus, comprising:

a first support hingedly secured to a first mount to rotate about a first axis and including a first arched surface with the first arched surface defining a first arch;

a second support hingedly secured to a second mount to rotate about a second axis and including a second arched surface with the second arched surface defining a second arch; and

a instrument mount configured to direct an instrument toward a center of the first arch and second arch and movably secured to the first arched surface and the second arched surface wherein the instrument mount may be positioned at a plurality of points along either of the first arched surface and the second arched surface.

8. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 7, further comprising a first actuator connected to the first support to position the first support about the first axis.

9. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 8, further comprising a second actuator connected to the second support to position the second support about the second axis.

10. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 8, further comprising a first linear actuator secured to the instrument mount to position the second support about the second axis.

11. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 7, wherein the first arch comprises a semicircle.

12. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 7, further comprising a first friction reducing element secured to the mount.

13. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 12, wherein the first friction reducing element secured to the instrument mount comprises a roller.

14. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 7, further comprising a first linear actuator secured to the instrument mount to position the instrument mount along the first arched surface.

15. A mounting apparatus, as in claim 14, further comprising a second linear actuator secured to the instrument mount to position the instrument mount along the second arched surface.