US4367373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-axis electromechanical controller
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1981-04-07
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 2001-04-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved two-axis electromechanical controller for controlling a dynamic process is described herein and comprises a hand grip coupled to two gimbal elements having mutually perpendicular axes of rotation, adjustable spring centering means mounted eccentric to the said axes of rotation and an adjustable counterweight for resisting displacement forces on the grip and restoring the grip to a reference position when a displacement force is removed, and electrical transducers for sensing the angular positions of each gimbal element. The force versus displacement relationship of the controller of the described invention is smooth and monotone, and may be adjusted to be substantially linear.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe W. McDaniel
- 👤 Nilss M. Aume
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; B; B64; B64C; B64C13/00; B64C13/02; B64C13/04; B64C13/042; B64C13/0421; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G9/04785; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04714; G05G2009/04718; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04748; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A two-axis controller which comprises: a. a gimbal mechanism including a first rotatable element intercoupled with a second rotatable element, with the axes of rotation of said first and second rotatable elements being mutually perpendicular; b. a structure for rotatably supporting said first rotatable element, said first rotatable element rotatably supporting said second rotatable element; c. a control member connected to said second rotatable element; d. a first spring means, interconnecting said structure and said first rotatable element at a point eccentric to the axis of rotation thereof, for biasing said first rotatable element to a predetermined reference position; e. a second spring means, interconnecting said first rotatable element and said second rotatable element at a point eccentric to the axis of rotation thereof, for biasing said second rotatable element to a predetermined reference position; and f. means for adjustably tensioning said first spring means and said second spring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A two-axis controller which comprises: a. a gimbal mechanism including a first rotatable element intercoupled with a second rotatable element, with the axes of rotation of said first and second rotatable elements being mutually perpendicular; b. a structure for rotatably supporting said first rotatable element, said first rotatable element rotatably supporting said second rotatable element; c. a control member connected to said second rotatable element; d. a first spring means, interconnecting said structure and said first rotatable element at a point eccentric to the axis of rotation thereof, for biasing said first rotatable element to a predetermined reference position; e. a second spring means, interconnecting said first rotatable element and said second rotatable element at a point eccentric to the axis of rotation thereof, for biasing said second rotatable element to a predetermined reference position; and f. means for adjustably tensioning said first spring means and said second spring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The two-axis controller as recited in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable counterweight attached to said second rotatable element for balancing said element against the weight of said control member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The two-axis controller as recited in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising means, connected to said first rotatable element, for sensing the rotational displacement of said first rotatable element and providing an electrical output signal proportional thereto, and means, connected to said second rotatable element, for sensing the rotational displacement of said second rotatable element and providing an electrical output signal proportional thereto.
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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) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |