US3902701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gimbaled sheave with cable angle sensors
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-24
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1993-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A payout sheave for a cable connecting an underwater transducer array or instrumentation package to processing and display equipment directs the cable as it is payed out and in toward a reel and level wind mechanism carried in a platform vehicle such as a boat or helicopter. The supporting frame for the sheave includes a cross member supported along a first axis in bearings in the frame and which carries additional bearings at its center. These center bearings carry an intermediate support structure which is rotatable thereon along a second axis perpendicular to the axis of the cross member. This intermediate support structure carries a pair of journals and bearings oriented along a third axis perpendicular to each of the first and second axes. A fork member is attached to the intermediate support structure through the bearings, and the sheave is carried in the bifurcated section of this member and thus, in effect, is gimbaled for movement along all three axes. A first rotary linear transformer is mounted on the frame such that its rotor moves with the cross member, and a second such transformer is carried on the intermediate support structure with its rotor responsive to movement of the fork member relative to the intermediate support member. These rotary linear transformers each provide electrical output signals varying with the departure of the cable from a null position with respect to the first and third axes, and such signals are used in a navigation or autopilot system for the platform vehicle. A second embodiment provides for movement along the described three axes through the use of a monoball structure carried on a journaled cross member with the fork carried on its monoball and the electrical position signals being supplied by a lamp mounted on the fork which moves its beam over the surface of a two-axis photocell. The output of the photocell varies with the direction and extent of departure of the beam from a null position.
Inventors
- 👤 Myrl E Orme
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:45
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66D; B66D1/00; B66D1/28; B66D1/36; B65; B65H; B65H57/00; B65H57/14; B65H75/00; B65H75/02; B65H75/34; B65H75/38; B65H75/44; B65H75/4402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor comprising: a frame and a first support member in said frame including means permitting said sheave to rotate in its own plane, a second support means including a support structure rotatably supported on first support member permitting said sheave to rotate in a second plane perpendicular to said first named plane and a third plane perpendicular to both said first named and second planes, said second support structure including journal and bearing means and a fork member carrying said sheave, and said fork member being attached to said support structure through said bearing means for rotation in said third plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor comprising: a frame and a first support member in said frame including means permitting said sheave to rotate in its own plane, a second support means including a support structure rotatably supported on first support member permitting said sheave to rotate in a second plane perpendicular to said first named plane and a third plane perpendicular to both said first named and second planes, said second support structure including journal and bearing means and a fork member carrying said sheave, and said fork member being attached to said support structure through said bearing means for rotation in said third plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor as set forth in claim 1 wherein electrical signal-generating means are connected to respond to movement away from a null position in said first and second planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrical means includes a first rotary transformer device connected to said frame and to said first support member, and a second rotary transformer device connected to said support structure and to said fork member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor comprising: a first support member including means permitting said member to rotate in the plane of said sheave, a second support member carried on said first support member and including pivot means permitting said second support membeR to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said first support member, a third support member carried on said second support member including pivot means permitting said third support member to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of both said first and second support members, said third support member including a fork for supporting said sheave, said sheave being positioned in said fork such that the axis of rotation of said second and third support members are in substantial alignment with a cable on said sheave.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor comprising: a first support member including means permitting said member to rotate in the plane of said sheave, a second support member carried on said first support member and including pivot means permitting said second support membeR to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said first support member, a third support member carried on said second support member including pivot means permitting said third support member to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of both said first and second support members, said third support member including a fork for supporting said sheave, said sheave being positioned in said fork such that the axis of rotation of said second and third support members are in substantial alignment with a cable on said sheave.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor as set forth in claim 4 including rotary transformer means generating electrical signals responsive to movement of said first and third support members from a null position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cable-directing sheave and support structure therefor as set forth in claim 4 wherein movement of said first and third support members are limited to approximately 15* each way from a center position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
278 words
For use with a reeling machine having a frame, a reel and level winding means therefor, a payout sheave over which cable is directed as it is reeled either off or on said reel and means supporting said sheave comprising an elongated bearing support member having a vertically directed bore therethrough and bearings supporting each end of said member in said frame, a rotary linear transformer connected to said bearing support member and said frame for generating an electrical signal varying with the direction and extent of rotation of said bearing support member from a null position, a bearing block member having a vertical bore therethrough in alignment with the bore in said bearing support member and a set of bearings positioned therebetween to permit rotation of said bearing block member relative to said bearing support member, a support structure carried on said bearing block member including a vertical bore therethrough in alignment with said first and second named vertical bores and two aligned bores therethrough perpendicular to the axis of said bearing support member and to the aforesaid vertical bores and a set of bearings in each of said aligned bores, a fork member supporting said sheave, a journal positioned around each of said aligned bearings, and an axially extending pin spaced from the axis of said aligned bearings, and a second rotary linear transformer carried in said support structure and having an arm connected to said pin such that movement of said fork member relative to said support structure results in generating an electrical signal varying with the direction and extent of rotation of said fork member from a null position relative to said support structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
278 words
For use with a reeling machine having a frame, a reel and level winding means therefor, a payout sheave over which cable is directed as it is reeled either off or on said reel and means supporting said sheave comprising an elongated bearing support member having a vertically directed bore therethrough and bearings supporting each end of said member in said frame, a rotary linear transformer connected to said bearing support member and said frame for generating an electrical signal varying with the direction and extent of rotation of said bearing support member from a null position, a bearing block member having a vertical bore therethrough in alignment with the bore in said bearing support member and a set of bearings positioned therebetween to permit rotation of said bearing block member relative to said bearing support member, a support structure carried on said bearing block member including a vertical bore therethrough in alignment with said first and second named vertical bores and two aligned bores therethrough perpendicular to the axis of said bearing support member and to the aforesaid vertical bores and a set of bearings in each of said aligned bores, a fork member supporting said sheave, a journal positioned around each of said aligned bearings, and an axially extending pin spaced from the axis of said aligned bearings, and a second rotary linear transformer carried in said support structure and having an arm connected to said pin such that movement of said fork member relative to said support structure results in generating an electrical signal varying with the direction and extent of rotation of said fork member from a null position relative to said support structure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |