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US3795150A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects

Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1972-12-13
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-12-13
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Abstract

Abstract A system for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects utilizing a rotating mass stabilization technique in conjunction with a brake and motor at each gimbal trunnion. With the alternate activation and energizing of a preselected motor and brake, the gimbaled object can be rapidly positioned with a minimum of torque.

Inventors

  • 👤 H Eckhardt

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 22:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/10; G01C21/12; G01C21/16; G01C21/18; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1229

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 190 words
In a system for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects having a mounting base, first means rotatably mounted on said base for supporting said object for rotation about a first axis, second means rotatably mounted on said first means for supporting said object for rotation about a second axis, first driving means for rotating said first supporting means about said first axis and second driving means for rotating said second supporting means about said second axis wherein the improvement therein comprises a mass rotatably mounted along an axis of said gimbaled object, means for spinning said mass, a first retarding means operably connected to said first driving means for preventing rotation of said first supporting means with respect to said base, and second retarding means for preventing rotation of said second supporting means with respect to said first supporting means, whereby energizing of said first retarding means and simultaneous activation of said second driving means causes rapid positioning of said gimbaled object about said second axis whIle energizing of said second retarding means and simultaneous activation of said first driving means causes rapid positioning of said gimbaled object about said first axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 190 words
In a system for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects having a mounting base, first means rotatably mounted on said base for supporting said object for rotation about a first axis, second means rotatably mounted on said first means for supporting said object for rotation about a second axis, first driving means for rotating said first supporting means about said first axis and second driving means for rotating said second supporting means about said second axis wherein the improvement therein comprises a mass rotatably mounted along an axis of said gimbaled object, means for spinning said mass, a first retarding means operably connected to said first driving means for preventing rotation of said first supporting means with respect to said base, and second retarding means for preventing rotation of said second supporting means with respect to said first supporting means, whereby energizing of said first retarding means and simultaneous activation of said second driving means causes rapid positioning of said gimbaled object about said second axis whIle energizing of said second retarding means and simultaneous activation of said first driving means causes rapid positioning of said gimbaled object about said first axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
In a system for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second retarding means are in the form of brakes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
In a system for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects as defined in claim 2 wherein said gimbaled object is a stabilized platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
In asystem for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects as defined in claim 3 wherein said first supporting means is a frame having a shaft for rotatably securing said frame to said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
In a system for rapidly positioning gimbaled objects as defined in claim 4 wherein said second supporting means is a shaft rotatably secured within said frame and said platform is mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of rapidly positioning a gimbaled object comprising the steps of stabilizing said object by rotating a mass secured thereto, preventing rotation of said gimbaled object about a first axis and applying a relatively small torque to said gimbaled object about a second axis thereby causing said gimbaled object to rapidly rotate about said second axis.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 57 words
A method of rapidly positioning a gimbaled object comprising the steps of stabilizing said object by rotating a mass secured thereto, preventing rotation of said gimbaled object about a first axis and applying a relatively small torque to said gimbaled object about a second axis thereby causing said gimbaled object to rapidly rotate about said second axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 54 words
A method of rapidly positioning a gimbaled object as defined in claim 6 further comprising the steps of preventing rotation of said gimbaled object about said second axis and applying a relatively small torque to said gimbaled object about said first axis thereby causing said gimbaled object to rapidly rotate about said first axis.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2592417A Cited
US2801544A Cited
US2893248A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-03-04 1977-09-03 1978-03-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-03-04 1981-09-03 1982-03-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-03-04 1985-09-03 1986-03-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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