US3844196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fire control system
Assignee: Pneumo Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-28
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A stabilization system for the turret and cradle of an armored vehicle for maintaining the orientation of a weapon supported therein in an inertial frame of reference, thereby correcting for disturbances of the hull of the vehicle caused by steering in a direction other than directly at the desired target as well as for variations in pitch, roll and yaw caused by movement over uneven terrain. Two rate gyros mounted on the cradle, a rate gyro on the hull cooperate in pairs to provide inertial control signals in elevation and traverse to modify servo loop dynamic response and to maintain a stabilized position with respect to a preselected frame of reference. In each axis signals developed by integration of one cradle rate gyro output, by a servo valve position transducer, a tachometer coupled to the hydraulic motor and a paired rate gyro, and by differentiation of the tachometer and paired rate gyro output are combined with the manually introduced signal derived from the gunner''s station for control of the servo valve and the motor for positioning either the turret or the cradle supporting the weapon. Automatic drift compensation is included for correction of electronic offsets and mechanical variances within the system, consisting of a potentiometer mechanically coupled into the system at the option of the operator to produce a continuous signal, thereby providing correction to the combined control signal applied to the servo valve.
Inventors
- 👤 J Brandstadter
- 👤 J Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:08
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G5/00; F41G5/14; F41G5/16; G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/10; G01C21/12; G01C21/16; G01C21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
Apparatus for stabilization with respect to an inertial reference axis of a movable member mounted on supporting structure subject to random deviations from a predetermined aligned position comprising a rate gyro mounted on said movable member for developing electrical signals representative of the rate of movement of said member in the elevational plane, means for integrating the electrical signals of said rate gyro to develop position signals representative of the disposition of said element in the elevational plane with respect to an inertial axis of reference, a second rate gyro mounted on said supporting structure for developing electrical signals representative of the rate of movement of said structure in the elevational plane, a motor for imparting motion to said movable member in response to fluid flow at a rate proportional to a control signal, a tachometer coupled to said motor for providing electrical signals representative of the rate of rotation of same, means for differentially combining said tachometer signals and said second rate gyro signals to produce a resultant signal, means for differentiating said resultant signal to provide an acceleration signal, a servo valve for controlling fluid flow in response to electrical signals, a transducer coupled to the second stage of said servo valve to provide signals representative of the displacement of same, and means for combining said resultant signal, said transducer signal, said acceleration signal and said position signals to provide a combined signal for control of said servo valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
Apparatus for stabilization with respect to an inertial reference axis of a movable member mounted on supporting structure subject to random deviations from a predetermined aligned position comprising a rate gyro mounted on said movable member for developing electrical signals representative of the rate of movement of said member in the elevational plane, means for integrating the electrical signals of said rate gyro to develop position signals representative of the disposition of said element in the elevational plane with respect to an inertial axis of reference, a second rate gyro mounted on said supporting structure for developing electrical signals representative of the rate of movement of said structure in the elevational plane, a motor for imparting motion to said movable member in response to fluid flow at a rate proportional to a control signal, a tachometer coupled to said motor for providing electrical signals representative of the rate of rotation of same, means for differentially combining said tachometer signals and said second rate gyro signals to produce a resultant signal, means for differentiating said resultant signal to provide an acceleration signal, a servo valve for controlling fluid flow in response to electrical signals, a transducer coupled to the second stage of said servo valve to provide signals representative of the displacement of same, and means for combining said resultant signal, said transducer signal, said acceleration signal and said position signals to provide a combined signal for control of said servo valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a manually adjustable control potentiometer for developing electrical signals representative of desired rate of movement of said movable element, means for combining said potentiometer signals with the signals of said first rate gyro for application to said integrating means, said potentiometer signals being separately applied to said last-named combining means to introduce a manual adjustment signal in the combined signal applied to said servo valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a second adjustable potentiometer for developing drift signals for correction of offset errors, friction effects and the like in the stabilization system, said drift signals being applied to said combining means for summation with said combined signal for control of said servo valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for stabilization of a member movable with respect to supporting structure, comprising a motor for imparting movement to said member in response to an applied input, a first rate gyro mounted for movement with said member for developing electrical signals representative of such movement, means for integrating the electrical output of said first rate gyro to provide signals representative of the position of said member, a second rate gyro mounted on said supporting structure for developing electrical signals representative of the rate of movement of said supporting structure due to external influences, said second rate gyro being oriented to be responsive to influences affecting the position of said movable member in the manner sensed by said first rate gyro, means for manually introducing electrical command signals for control of movement of said movable member, and means for combining said command, position and rate signals to produce a combined electrical output signal for control of said motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for stabilization of a member movable with respect to supporting structure, comprising a motor for imparting movement to said member in response to an applied input, a first rate gyro mounted for movement with said member for developing electrical signals representative of such movement, means for integrating the electrical output of said first rate gyro to provide signals representative of the position of said member, a second rate gyro mounted on said supporting structure for developing electrical signals representative of the rate of movement of said supporting structure due to external influences, said second rate gyro being oriented to be responsive to influences affecting the position of said movable member in the manner sensed by said first rate gyro, means for manually introducing electrical command signals for control of movement of said movable member, and means for combining said command, position and rate signals to produce a combined electrical output signal for control of said motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further including a tachometer coupled To said motor for providing electrical output signals representative of the rate of rotation of same, said tachometer output signals being applied to said combining means for control of the motor running characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said motor is a hydraulic motor and further including a servo valve for controlling fluid flow to said motor as a function of the combined signal of said combining means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further including a transducer coupled to said servo valve for monitoring the positioning of same, said transducer providing an electrical signal representative thereof, and further including means for coupling said transducer signal to said combining means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said combining means comprises first means for combining said tachometer and said second rate gyro signals, and second means for combining the output of said first combining means, said transducer signals and said manual command signals for application to said first named combining means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said movable member is the weapon of a tank, mounted for movement in elevation in the tank turret, said turret in turn mounted for movement in traverse in the tank hull, said first rate gyro being operatively mounted on said weapon and said second rate gyro being operatively mounted on said turret.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further including third and fourth rate gyros respectively operatively mounted on said weapon and said hull for monitoring movements of traverse, means for integrating the signals of said third rate gyro, means for differentiating the signals of said fourth rate gyro, a motor for controlling movement of said turret in traverse, means for introducing manual command signals for control of said turret, and means for combining said turret command signals, said integrated signals and said differentiated signals for application to said turret motor for control of traverse movements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
158 words
A drift control mechanism for stabilization systems and the like wherein a closed loop servo maintains disposition of an object by means of a motor driven, gyro stabilized, error compensating system, comprising means coupled to the motor for providing indications of the actuated and non-actuated conditions of the same, a transducer for providing an electrical signal in response to a mechanical variation in same, normally disengaged coupling means for coupling said transducer to the motor in response to an electrical signal, a manually operated reset button to engage said coupling means for sensing deviations of the motor due to offset error, drift and the like by driving said transducer through said coupling means and generating a signal opposing any signal causing drift, means for locking said transducer in its position upon release of said manually operated reset button, and means continuously connecting the electrical signal of said transducer to the error compensating system as a drift compensation signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
A drift control mechanism for stabilization systems and the like wherein a closed loop servo maintains disposition of an object by means of a motor driven, gyro stabilized, error compensating system, comprising means coupled to the motor for providing indications of the actuated and non-actuated conditions of the same, a transducer for providing an electrical signal in response to a mechanical variation in same, normally disengaged coupling means for coupling said transducer to the motor in response to an electrical signal, a manually operated reset button to engage said coupling means for sensing deviations of the motor due to offset error, drift and the like by driving said transducer through said coupling means and generating a signal opposing any signal causing drift, means for locking said transducer in its position upon release of said manually operated reset button, and means continuously connecting the electrical signal of said transducer to the error compensating system as a drift compensation signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drift control mechanism as set forth in claim 11 wherein said transducer is a potentiometer and said coupling means is a solenoid-actuated clutch interconnecting the motor and said potentiometer.
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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |