Stabilized platform systems for payloads
First Claim
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1. A stabilized platform system for isolating a payload from angular motions of a supporting structure, said platform system having:
- a base assembly securable to a supporting structure, and a payload stabilizing assembly carried by the base assembly and mounted for angular movement relative thereto about two or more separate axes each of which other than a first axis rotates about a preceding axis, at least one of the axes being non-orthogonal with respect to another of the axes and being mounted for limited angular movement relative to the base assembly, said axes having extensions which meet at a common point.
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Abstract
A stabilized platform system for isolating a payload from angular motions of a supporting structure has a base assembly securable to a supporting structure, and a payload stabilizing assembly carried by the base assembly and mounted for angular movement relative thereto about two or more separate axes. At least one of the axes is non-orthogonal with respect to another of the axes and mounted for limited angular movement relative to the base assembly, and the axes have extensions which meet at a common point.
46 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A stabilized platform system for isolating a payload from angular motions of a supporting structure, said platform system having:
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a base assembly securable to a supporting structure, and a payload stabilizing assembly carried by the base assembly and mounted for angular movement relative thereto about two or more separate axes each of which other than a first axis rotates about a preceding axis, at least one of the axes being non-orthogonal with respect to another of the axes and being mounted for limited angular movement relative to the base assembly, said axes having extensions which meet at a common point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
a first angular adjustment arm with one end pivotally mounted on the base assembly for limited angular movement relative thereto about a first of said three axes, a second angular adjustment arm having one end pivotally mounted on another end of the first angular adjustment arm for limited angular movement relative thereto about a second of said three axes, and a payload carrier pivotally mounted on another arm of the second angular adjustment arm for limited angular movement relative thereto about the third of said three axes.
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4. A stabilized platform system according to claim 1 including an array of at least three magnetic torque motors, each motor having an electrically energizable coil portion carried by the base assembly and a magnetic structure portion carried by the payload stabilizing assembly, each magnetic torque motor having an active axis along which a payload stabilizing assembly positioning force can be applied but having freedom of movement about the other two axes, and a controller for controlling energization of the motors to apply controlled moments to the payload stabilizing assembly about any axis of rotation.
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5. A stabilized platform system according to claim 1 having at least one capacitive angle sensor having a first portion carried by the base assembly and the second portion carried by the payload stabilizing assembly with an air gap between said first and second portions, said capacitive angle sensor being responsive to relative movement between the first and second portions to provide a signal indicative of the angular position of the payload stabilizing assembly relative to the base assembly.
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6. A stabilized platform system according to claim 1 wherein the payload stabilizing assembly carries at least one angular rate sensor operable to provide the signal of angular movement of the payload stabilizing assembly about a pre-determined axis.
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7. A stabilized platform system according to claim 6 wherein the angular rate sensor is a fibre optic gyro.
Specification