Patent US3985320A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3985320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Platform stabilizing systems
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-05-19
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1995-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for stabilizing a platform characterized by a frame carrying a stabilizing gyroscope that includes a substantially horizontal rotor with its shaft fixed with respect to the frame so as to effect a precessing force 90° in the direction of rotation responsive to a torque force on the shaft in any azimuthal direction in a horizontal plane; a shifting carriage for shifting a load carrying compartment to move its center of gravity with respect to the frame to a plurality of successive second locations to offset to a desired degree a torque force and the reactive precessing force; and a control device for detecting a slight change in attitude from a desired attitude and effecting via the shifting carriage a controlled shifting of the load carrying compartment to a new second location to reestablish the desired attitude. The invention is readily applicable to vertical take-off and landing craft or other platforms having a lifting device connected therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 de Cordova Maxwell Brady
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:54
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C29/00; B64C17/00; B64C17/02; B64C17/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1229; Y10T74/1232
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
Apparatus for stabilizing a platform comprising: a. a stabilizing gyroscope including a substantially horizontal rotor for stabilizing said platform and adapted for converting a disturbing force into a precessing force; b. a frame carrying said stabilizing gyroscope securely mounted without gimbals at a set first location such that the axis of the rotor of said gyroscope is fixed with respect to said frame so as to effect a dominant precessing force offset 90° in the direction of rotation responsive to said disturbing force at a first azimuth that induces a torque force on said axis of rotation in any direction from zero to 360° in a horizontal plane about a predetermined center of said platform; c. a load carrying compartment; d. shifting means for shifting said load carrying compartment to move its center of gravity to a plurality of successive second locations and azimuths with respect to said frame to offset to a desired degree the torque force and the reactive precessing force; said shifting means carrying said load carrying compartment and being carried by said frame; and e. control means for detecting a slight change in attitude of said platform from a desired attitude, and a second azimuth of a force effecting a raising of a portion of said platform and causing said change in attitude and effecting via said shifting means a controlled shifting of said load carrying compartment to a new second location along a third azimuth offset from said second azimuth 90° in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said stabilizing gyroscope to establish the desired attitude; said control means being carried on said frame and connected with said shifting means so as to effect energization thereof for positioning said load carrying compartment at a new second location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
Apparatus for stabilizing a platform comprising: a. a stabilizing gyroscope including a substantially horizontal rotor for stabilizing said platform and adapted for converting a disturbing force into a precessing force; b. a frame carrying said stabilizing gyroscope securely mounted without gimbals at a set first location such that the axis of the rotor of said gyroscope is fixed with respect to said frame so as to effect a dominant precessing force offset 90° in the direction of rotation responsive to said disturbing force at a first azimuth that induces a torque force on said axis of rotation in any direction from zero to 360° in a horizontal plane about a predetermined center of said platform; c. a load carrying compartment; d. shifting means for shifting said load carrying compartment to move its center of gravity to a plurality of successive second locations and azimuths with respect to said frame to offset to a desired degree the torque force and the reactive precessing force; said shifting means carrying said load carrying compartment and being carried by said frame; and e. control means for detecting a slight change in attitude of said platform from a desired attitude, and a second azimuth of a force effecting a raising of a portion of said platform and causing said change in attitude and effecting via said shifting means a controlled shifting of said load carrying compartment to a new second location along a third azimuth offset from said second azimuth 90° in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said stabilizing gyroscope to establish the desired attitude; said control means being carried on said frame and connected with said shifting means so as to effect energization thereof for positioning said load carrying compartment at a new second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a lifting means is connected with said frame for lifting said platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control means includes movably mounted controls for effecting a desired attitude responsive to a sensed precessing force from a given direction acting on the top of the axis of said substantially horizontal rotor by moving said load carrying compartment along a radial displaced 90° from said precessing force opposite the direction of rotation of said substantially horizontal rotor of said stabilizing gyroscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shifting means includes a track means for carrying said load carrying compartment; an azimuth orienting means for orienting said track means at any azimuth, said azimuth orienting means being carried by said frame and carrying said track means; and longitudinal moving means for moving said load carrying compartment in either direction longitudinally of said track means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
209 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said control means comprises a universally movably mounted gyroscope having an extension having an electrically conductive periphery connected for effecting a completed circuit and a signal upon touching a contact; a set of a plurality of contacts and null points; said set being connected with said track means in a follower relationship so as to maintain the same azimuth orientation with respect to said track means as said track means rotates; said set also being connected with said frame so as to be responsive to change in attitude of said frame; each said contact being connected with said azimuth orienting means for effecting rotation of said track means in a respective direction; said null points allowing said track means to maintain its attained azimuth; and a second set of electrical contacts disposed circumferentially about an extension of a universally mounted gryoscope and connected with said frame so as to be responsive to change of attitude of said frame; each said second contact being connected with a switch means via a switch moving means so as to effect movement of said load carrying compartment in a direction displaced 90° with respect to said second contact, opposite the direction of rotation of said stabilizing gyroscope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a lifting means is connected with said frame for lifting said platform and said platform is stabilized by movement of said load carrying compartment with respect to said frame, without requiring modifying said lifting means to effect stabilization.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shifting means comprises first and second track means for positioning said load carrying compartment; said first and second track means being oriented at 90° with respect to each other; said first track means being carried by said frame and carrying the second track means; said second track means carrying said load carrying compartment; said first track means having a first longitudinal moving means for moving said second track means longitudinally thereof; and said second track means having a second longitudinal moving means for moving said load carrying compartment longitudinally thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes a plurality of switch means that are connected respectively with said longitudinal moving means and are mounted so as to detect the direction of departure of the attitude of said platform from the desired attitude with respect to the respective axes of said track means and effect respective movement of said load carrying compartment respectively along said track means in the proper direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said switch means includes two mercury switches mounted with their respective axes parallel with the respective axes of said track means and are electrically connected at each end with respective longitudinal moving means so as to effect a complete electrical circuit and activate respective said longitudinal moving means until said desired attitude is restored.
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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) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |