US4105281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning minor stabilizer
Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1977-04-26
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Granted: 1978-08-08
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Expires: 1997-04-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a scanning mirror system with line of sight stabilization. In one embodiment a mirror and a balance member are mounted to rotate and the mirror is coupled by means of gear teeth to the balance member so that the inertia of the balance member tends to compensate for the inertia of the mirror. The mirror is arranged to be rotated by a drive motor and a gyro, driven at twice the mirror angle, is arranged to detect rotational movement of the mirror. The gyro is connected in a feedback control system with the drive motor in order to tend to maintain the mirror stationary when the mirror is not being driven through a desired angle by the drive motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Morris B. Johnson
- 👤 Charles R. W. Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/64; G02B27/644; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/1821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A mirror arrangement including a mirror arranged to view a volume of space, said mirror being carried by a support, a balance member for said mirror, and means mounting said mirror, said support and said balance member for rotation, said balance member being a rotatable mass having gear teeth meshed with gear teeth provided on said support for said mirror such that rotation of said support and mirror in one direction causes rotation of said balance member in the opposite direction whereby the inertia of said balance member tends to compensate for the inertia of said mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A mirror arrangement including a mirror arranged to view a volume of space, said mirror being carried by a support, a balance member for said mirror, and means mounting said mirror, said support and said balance member for rotation, said balance member being a rotatable mass having gear teeth meshed with gear teeth provided on said support for said mirror such that rotation of said support and mirror in one direction causes rotation of said balance member in the opposite direction whereby the inertia of said balance member tends to compensate for the inertia of said mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mirror arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and wherein a drive motor is coupled to said mirror for rotating said mirror, and a gyro is coupled to said mirror for detecting rotational movement of said mirror, and a feedback control circuit connecting said gyro with said motor for tending to maintain said mirror stationary.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mirror arrangement as claimed in claim 2 and wherein said gyro is driven from said mirror support via a two-to-one gear whereby said gyro is driven at twice the mirror angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A mirror arrangement including a mirror arranged to view a volume of space, said mirror being carried by a support, a balance member for said mirror, and means mounting said mirror, said support and said balance member for rotation, said balance member being a rotatable mass having a peripheral surface in driven engagement with a peripheral surface on said support for said mirror such that rotation of said support and mirror in one direction causes rotation of said balance member in the opposite direction whereby the inertia of said balance member tends to compensate for the inertia of said mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A mirror arrangement including a mirror arranged to view a volume of space, said mirror being carried by a support, a balance member for said mirror, and means mounting said mirror, said support and said balance member for rotation, said balance member being a rotatable mass having a peripheral surface in driven engagement with a peripheral surface on said support for said mirror such that rotation of said support and mirror in one direction causes rotation of said balance member in the opposite direction whereby the inertia of said balance member tends to compensate for the inertia of said mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mirror arrangement as claimed in claim 4 and wherein a drive motor is coupled to said mirror for rotating said mirror, and a gyro is coupled to said mirror for detecting rotational movement of said mirror, and a feedback control circuit connecting said gyro with said motor for tending to maintain said mirror stationary.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mirror arrangement as claimed in claim 5 and wherein said gyro is driven from said mirror support via a two-to-one gear whereby said gyro is driven at twice the mirror angle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1981-08-07 | 1982-02-06 | 1982-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-07 | 1986-02-06 | 1986-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-07 | 1990-02-06 | 1990-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |