US4304381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aimable mounting apparatus
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1980-02-19
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Granted: 1981-12-08
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Expires: 2000-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A disc-shaped member-to-be-aimed is mounted for tilting about two mutually perpendicular tilt axes rotatable about a third and mutually perpendicular boresight axis that affords a conical field of view for the member in the presence of any asymmetry in its tilting about the tilt axis. A multi-gimbal assembly accommodates such multiple-axis movement freedom, and torque motors disposed in an axialwise direction at one side of the member-to-be-aimed affords radial compactness for the gimbal assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne B. Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/18; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/02; H01Q3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A directional assembly comprising: a generally cylindrical roll gimbal rotatable about a boresight axis at its center; a member-to-be-aimed mounted on said roll gimbal for tilting about a tilt axis perpendicular to said boresight axis; a torque motor mounted on said member-to-be-aimed at one side thereof; said torque motor having a rotary output shaft extending radially inward toward said boresight axis; a reaction rod extending generally along said boresight axis; device means connecting one end of said reaction rod to said output shaft; and, means at the center of said roll gimbal in axialwise and radialwise sliding cooperation with the opposite end region of said reaction rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A directional assembly comprising: a generally cylindrical roll gimbal rotatable about a boresight axis at its center; a member-to-be-aimed mounted on said roll gimbal for tilting about a tilt axis perpendicular to said boresight axis; a torque motor mounted on said member-to-be-aimed at one side thereof; said torque motor having a rotary output shaft extending radially inward toward said boresight axis; a reaction rod extending generally along said boresight axis; device means connecting one end of said reaction rod to said output shaft; and, means at the center of said roll gimbal in axialwise and radialwise sliding cooperation with the opposite end region of said reaction rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The directional assembly of claim 1, further comprising a ring gimbal with means defining the aforesaid tilt axis for said member-to-be-aimed and mounted on said roll gimbal for tilting movement about a second and mutually perpendicular tilt axis, a second torque motor carried on said roll gimbal at one side of said member-to-be-aimed, and means interconnecting said second torque motor with said ring gimbal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The directional assembly of claim 1, further comprising a torque motor means for said roll gimbal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The directional assembly of claim 3, further comprising pickoff means for sensing angular and rotary attitudes of said member-to-be-aimed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The directional assembly of claim 4, wherein said pickoff means is affiliated with at least one of the aforesaid torque motors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A directional assembly according to claim 1 wherein the means at the center of said roll gimbal includes a ball and socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A directional assembly according to claim 2 wherein the means defining the belt axis is a pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A directional assembly according to claim 2 wherein said interconnecting means is a belt and pulley.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2437251A
Cited
US2551180A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-12-07 | 1985-06-08 | 1985-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-07 | 1989-06-08 | 1989-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-07 | 1993-06-08 | 1993-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |