Patent US4008395A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4008395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible tube section for gimballed IR detectors
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-08-02
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Granted: 1977-02-15
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Expires: 1994-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A flexible tube section for supplying coolant to infrared (IR) detectors nted in a gimballed system. The tube section is comprised of a plurality of coils and lever arms for supplying coolant to an IR detector mounted on a gimbal telescope and which flexes with the gimballed telescope. The tube section has a fixed attachment loop and a rotating attachment loop connected by three coils providing clearance for the envelope of the gimbal structure and flexing with gimbal rotation. Two of these flexible tube sections are required for supplying coolant across the two gimbal axes.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert B. Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2213; F41G7/2253; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/0205; G01J5/04; G01J5/047; G01J5/06; G01J5/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An infrared missile seeker assembly comprising: a. a telescope mounted on a gimbal having inner and outer gimbal axes; b. an infrared detector rigidly mounted on said telescope; and c. means for supplying coolant to said detector comprising two flexible tube sections each having a plurality of individual coils configured to circumvent said inner and outer gimbal axes, each said individual coil having a low spring constant, thus minimizing any resultant torque on said gimbal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An infrared missile seeker assembly comprising: a. a telescope mounted on a gimbal having inner and outer gimbal axes; b. an infrared detector rigidly mounted on said telescope; and c. means for supplying coolant to said detector comprising two flexible tube sections each having a plurality of individual coils configured to circumvent said inner and outer gimbal axes, each said individual coil having a low spring constant, thus minimizing any resultant torque on said gimbal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The infrared missle seeker according to claim 1 wherein each flexible tube section is comprised of: a. a first vertical coil supported on a fixed attachment; b. a second vertical coil supported on a rotating attachment; c. first and second lever arm flexure coils extending outward perpendicular to the gimbal axes; and d. a long connecting flexure coil joining the first and second lever arm flexure coils.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The infrared seeker according to claim 2 wherein the attachments for the first and second vertical coils comprise a bushing through the coil, said bushing having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The infrared seeker according to claim 3 wherein said capillary tubing is comprised of 0.046 bore stainless steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3076095A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-15 | 1980-08-16 | 1981-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-15 | 1984-08-16 | 1985-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-15 | 1988-08-16 | 1989-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |