US3837229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gimbal slip ring
Assignee: Kearfott Guidance and Navigation Corp
•
Filing: 1972-06-15
•
Granted: 1974-09-24
•
Expires: 1992-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A gimbal assembly comprising, an outer gimbal having a longitudinal axis, an inner gimbal pivotally supported by the outer gimbal coaxially therewith, a motor mounted on the inner gimbal with the motor having motor leads, a pivot unit pivotally connecting the inner gimbal to the outer gimbal coaxially therewith at one end thereof, and a slip ring unit pivotally connecting the inner gimbal to the outer gimbal coaxially therewith at the other end thereof with the slip ring unit being connected to the motor leads.
Inventors
- 👤 J Stiles
- 👤 W Albert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/06; G01C19/08; G01C19/10; G01C19/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A gimbal assembly comprising: an outer gimbal having a longitudinal axis, an inner gimbal pivotally supported by said outer gimbal coaxially therewith, a plurality of leads mounted on said inner gimbal for connection to a motor, a pivot unit pivotally connecting said inner gimbal to said outer gimbal coaxially therewith at one end thereof, slip ring means pivotally connecting said inner gimbal to said outer gimbal coaxially therewith at the other end thereof, said slip ring means being connected to said motor leads and including an outer brush assembly mounted on said outer gimbal and an inner slip ring assembly mounted on said inner gimbal and a plurality of brush rings disposed therebetween, said outer brush assembly including an outer support member and a plurality of power leads supported thereby, said outer support member having an inner surface, said inner slip ring assembly having an inner support member supporting said motor leads, said inner support member having an outer surface facing said inner surface and having a plurality of axially spaced v-shaped grooves respectively receiving said brush rings, each said brush ring being composed of a liquid metal and being arranged to electrically interconnect one of said power leads to one of said motor leads and wherein said pivot unit also includes an outer support member mounted on said outer gimbal and an inner support member mounted on said inner gimbal, said latter outer support member having an inner surface and said latter inner support member having an outer surface, said outer surface having a plurality of v-shaped grooves, and a plurality of liquid mercury rings disposed in the v-shaped grooves between said outer and inner surface of said pivot unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A gimbal assembly comprising: an outer gimbal having a longitudinal axis, an inner gimbal pivotally supported by said outer gimbal coaxially therewith, a plurality of leads mounted on said inner gimbal for connection to a motor, a pivot unit pivotally connecting said inner gimbal to said outer gimbal coaxially therewith at one end thereof, slip ring means pivotally connecting said inner gimbal to said outer gimbal coaxially therewith at the other end thereof, said slip ring means being connected to said motor leads and including an outer brush assembly mounted on said outer gimbal and an inner slip ring assembly mounted on said inner gimbal and a plurality of brush rings disposed therebetween, said outer brush assembly including an outer support member and a plurality of power leads supported thereby, said outer support member having an inner surface, said inner slip ring assembly having an inner support member supporting said motor leads, said inner support member having an outer surface facing said inner surface and having a plurality of axially spaced v-shaped grooves respectively receiving said brush rings, each said brush ring being composed of a liquid metal and being arranged to electrically interconnect one of said power leads to one of said motor leads and wherein said pivot unit also includes an outer support member mounted on said outer gimbal and an inner support member mounted on said inner gimbal, said latter outer support member having an inner surface and said latter inner support member having an outer surface, said outer surface having a plurality of v-shaped grooves, and a plurality of liquid mercury rings disposed in the v-shaped grooves between said outer and inner surface of said pivot unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer gimbal is a gyroscope outer gimbal having an outer peripheral wall and a pair of axially spaced end walls enclosing a cavity, and wherein said inner gimbal is a gyroscope inner gimbal having an inner peripheral wall and a pair of axially spaced end walls, and wherein said inner gimbal has a rotor having a shaft fixedly mounted on said inner peripheral wall and having a stator fixedly mounted on said shaft and having a flywheel rotatably mounted on said stator for rotation relative thereto, and wherein said stator is connected to said motor leads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer members having an inner surface having a frusto-conical shape and facing said inner surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slip ring means has a first aligning device, and wherein said pivot unit has a second aligning device, said first aligning device and said second aligning device being coaxial along said longitudinal axis, each said aligning device including a pivot pin fixedly connected to said inner gimbal and a pivot bearing fixedly connected to said outer gimbal, said pivot pin being journaled in said pivot bearing and having a predetermined clearance disposed therebetween, said clearance being of a selective thickness so that substantially all acceleration loads and impact loads are directed through said liquid mercury rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power leads have respective terminal members mounted on said outer support member, said terminal members being respectively disposed adjacent said v-shaped grooves, said terminal members being hollow tubular members containing liquid metal, said tubular members having open end portions respectively facing said v-shaped grooves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power leads have reSpective terminal members, said terminal members being metal rings embedded in the inner surface of said outer member, and wherein said motor leads have respective inner terminals, said inner terminals being metal rings embedded in the outer surface of said inner support member, said inner terminal rings having v-shaped grooves for receiving said liquid metal rings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner support member has an annular outer portion disposed radially outwardly of said outer support member forming an annular gap therebetween, and wherein at least one of said liquid metal rings is disposed within said annular gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
The gimbal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer support member has a second outer surface disposed radially outwardly from and concentric about its said inner surface, said outer surface having a frusto-conical shape, and wherein said inner support member has a second inner surface disposed radially outwardly from and concentric about its said outer surface, said second inner surface of said inner support member having a frusto-conical shape, and wherein at least one of said liquid metal rings is disposed between said second outer surface and said second inner surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |