Motion simulator

Claim 2

A motion simulator system capable of motion in a plurality of degrees of freedom, comprising: a platform; a plurality of calibrated, variable-centered pulley wheels having means for adjusting the placement of a variable center of each said pulley wheel about which each said pulley wheel rotates; a plurality of fixed points equal in number to said plurality of pulley wheels; a plurality of means for supporting said platform, each said support means being connected between one said fixed point and said platform, each said support means mechanically communicating with and having the capability of continuous movement with respect to one of said pulley wheels, each said pulley wheel being capable of imparting a predetermined movement to the support means mechanically communicating therewith that is a function of the placement of said variable center of said pulley wheels; means connected to said pulley wheels for imparting variablespeed, rotating motion to said pulley wheels about the variable center of said variable centered pulley wheels; and power means connected to said variable-speed, rotating motion imparting means, whereby when said variable-speed, rotating motion imparting means is actuated for rotating said pulley wheels predetermined movements are imparted to said platform.

Claim 3

The motion simulator of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said platform comprises: a plurality of rocker arms each having a first and a second end, each said first end being connected to one of said fixed points and pivoting therearound; a plurality of pins, equal in number to said plurality of pulley wheels, one pin being connected to one face of each said pulley wheel; means connected to each said rocker arm for receiving said pins, said means allowing said pins to continuously move with respect to said rocker arms; and means connected between each said second end of said rocker arms and said platform for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms.

Claim 4

The motion simulator of claim 2 wherein said means for receiving said pins comprises: a plurality of bars, equal in number to said rocker arms, each having a slot within which one said pin may continuously move with respect to one said rocker arm.

Claim 5

The motion simulator of claim 2 wherein said means for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms comprises: a plurality of idler guides; and flexible means for supporting said platform connected between each said second end of said rocker arms and said platform, each said flexible means passing over and touching one said idler guide whereby forces are imparted to said platform at each point of connection with said platform when said pulley wheels are rotated.

Claim 6

The motion simulator of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said platform comprises: a plurality of rocker arms each having a first and second end, each said first end being connected to one of said fixed points and pivoting therearound, each said rocker arm touching the edge of one of said pulley wheels; means connected to the edge of said pulley wheels for allowing said rocker arms to continuously move with respect to said pulley wheels; and means connected between said second ends of said rocker arms and said platform for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms.

Claim 7

The motion simulator of claim 5 wherein said means for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms comprises: a plurality of idler guides; and flexible means for supporting said platform connected between each said second end of said rocker arms and said platform, said means passing over and touching one said idler guide whereby forces are imparted to said platform at each point of connection with said platform when said pulley wheels are rotated.

Claim 8

The motion simulator of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said platform comprises: a plurality of support lines each having a first and second end, each said first end being connected to one of said fixed points, each said second end being connected to said platform, each said support line touching the edge of one of said pulley wheels; means connected to the edge of said pulley wheels for allowing Said support lines to continuously move with respect to said pulley wheels; and a plurality of idler guides over which said support lines respectively pass and touch whereby forces are imparted to said platform at each point of connection with said platform when said pulley wheels are rotated.

Claim 9

The motion simulator of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pulley wheels are disposed in tandem.

Claim 10

The motion simulator of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pulley wheels are disposed in parallel.

Claim 11

A motion simulator system capable of motion in a plurality of degrees of freedom, comprising: a platform; a plurality of calibrated, variable-centered pulley wheels having means for adjusting the placement of a variable center of each said pulley wheel about which each said pulley wheel rotates; a plurality of fixed points equal in number to said plurality of pulley wheels; a plurality of means for supporting said platform equal in number to said pulley wheels, each said support means being connected between one said fixed point and said platform, each said support means mechanically communicating with and having the capability of continuous movement with respect to one said pulley whell, each said pulley wheel being capable of imparting a predetermined movement to a respective one of said support means that is a function of the placement of said variable center of said pulley wheels; means connected to said pulley wheels for imparting variable-speed rotating motion to said pulley wheels about the variable center of said variable centered pulley wheels; and power means connected to said variable-speed, rotating motion imparting means, whereby when said variable-speed, rotating motion imparting means is actuated for rotating said pulley wheels predetermined movements are imparted to said platform.

Claim 12

A motion simulator system capable of motion in a plurality of degrees of freedom, comprising: a platform; a plurality of calibrated, variable-centered pulley wheels having means for adjusting the placement of a variable center of each said pulley wheel about which each said pulley wheel rotates; a plurality of fixed points equal in number to said plurality of pulley wheels; a plurality of means for supporting said platform equal in number to said pulley wheels, each said support means being connected between one said fixed point and said platform, each said support means mechanically communicating with and having the capability of continuous movement with respect to one said pulley whell, each said pulley wheel being capable of imparting a predetermined movement to a respective one of said support means that is a function of the placement of said variable center of said pulley wheels; means connected to said pulley wheels for imparting variable-speed rotating motion to said pulley wheels about the variable center of said variable centered pulley wheels; and power means connected to said variable-speed, rotating motion imparting means, whereby when said variable-speed, rotating motion imparting means is actuated for rotating said pulley wheels predetermined movements are imparted to said platform.

Claim 13

The motion simulator of claim 10 wherein said means for supporting said platform comprises: a plurality of rocker arms each having a first and a second end, each said first end being connected to one said fixed point and pivoting therearound; a plurality of pins, equal in number to said plurality of pulley wheels, one pin being connected to one face of each said pulley wheel; means connected to each said rocker arm for receiving said pins, said means allowing said pins to continuously move with respect to said rocker arms; and means connected between each said second end of said rocker arms and said platform for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms.

Claim 14

The motion simulator of claim 11 wherein said means for receiving said pins comprises: a plurality of bars, equal in number to said rocker arms, each having a slot within which one said pin may continuously move with respect to one said rocker arm.

Claim 15

The motion simulator of claim 11 wherein said means for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms comprises: a plurality of idler guides; and flexible means for supporting said platform connected between each said second end of said rocker arms and said platform, each said flexible means passing over and touching one said idler guide whereby vertical forces are imparted to said platform at each point of connection with said platform when said pulley wheels are rotated.

Claim 16

The motion simulator of claim 10 wherein said means for supporting said platform comprises: a plurality of rocker arms each having a first and second end, each said first end being connected to one said fixed point and pivoting therearound, each said rocker arm touching the edge of one said pulley wheel; means connected to the edge of said pulley wheels for allowing said rocker arms to continuously move with respect to said pulley wheels; and means connected between said second ends of said rocker arms and said platform for supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms.

Claim 17

The motion simulator of claim 14 wherein said means For supporting said platform from said second ends of said rocker arms comprises: a plurality of idler guides; and flexible means for supporting said platform connected between each said second end of said rocker arms and said platform, said means passing over and touching one said idler guide whereby vertical forces are imparted to said platform at each point of connection with said platform when said pulley wheels are rotated.

Claim 18

The motion simulator of claim 10 wherein said means for supporting said platform comprises: a plurality of support lines each having a first and second end, each said first end being connected to one said fixed point, each said second end being connected to said platform, each said support line touching the edge of one said pulley wheel; means connected to the edge of said pulley wheels for allowing said support lines to continuously move with respect to said pulley wheels; and a plurality of idler guides over which said support lines respectively pass and touch whereby forces are imparted to said platform at each point of connection with said platform when said pulley wheels are rotated.

Claim 19

The motion simulator of claim 10 wherein said plurality of pulley wheels are disposed in tandem.

Claim 20

The motion simulator of claim 10 wherein said plurality of pulley wheels are disposed in parallel.