US4803413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic isolating and pointing gimbal apparatus
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1986-07-15
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Granted: 1989-02-07
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Expires: 2006-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus provides support functions and multidegree of freedom pointing capability and simultaneous six degree of freedom bi-directional disturbance isolation. This is accomplished by integrating the support, isolation and pointing functions within one contiguous gimbal assembly. The apparatus comprises a housing having a shaft rotatably mounted therein such that the centroidal axis of the shaft is coaxial with that of the housing. A linear, two-axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator is mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft. A radial armature is mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator. A set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators are mounted in the housing. An axial armature is connected to the shaft and extends between the axial magnetic actuators. A torque motor is also connected to the shaft. A large gap, rotational position sensor has a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Kendig
- 👤 William R. Hibble
- 👤 James A. Kiedrowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/044; F16C32/0444; G; G05; G05D; G05D19/00; G05D19/02; H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/08; H02K7/09; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1229
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising: a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two-axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, lrge gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the housing; an axial armature connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor connected to the shaft; and a large gap, rotational position sensor having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising: a housing; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two-axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, lrge gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the housing; an axial armature connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor connected to the shaft; and a large gap, rotational position sensor having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a first module connected to a payload and a second module connected to the payload opposite the first module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each module further includes: a sensor electronics package; and a cover
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first module contains the set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators and the axial armature extending therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second module contains the torque motor and the large gap rotational position sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2, including: interlocking stops connected respectively, to the shaft and housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2, including adjustable holders connected to the radial magnetic actuator; means mounted in the holders for sensing the radial armature; and means mounted in the holders for sensing the axial armature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7, including: means mounted in the housing for locating the axial magnetic actuators and the axial armature sensing means relative to the axial armature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising: a housing including an axial module connected to one side of a payload and a torque module connected to an opposite side of the payload; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the axial module; an axial armature in the axial module, connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor in the torque module connected to the shaft; and a large gap, rotational position sensor in the torque module, having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising: a housing including an axial module connected to one side of a payload and a torque module connected to an opposite side of the payload; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the axial module; an axial armature in the axial module, connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor in the torque module connected to the shaft; and a large gap, rotational position sensor in the torque module, having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including: a sensor electronics package; and a cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9, including: interlocking stops connected, respectively, to the shaft and housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 9, including: adjustable holders connected to the radial magnetic actuator; means mounted in the holders for sensing the radial armature; and means mounted in the holders for sensing the axial armature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12, including: means mounted in the housing for locating the axial magnetic actuators and the axial armature sensing means relative to the axial armature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
172 words
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising: a housing including an axial module connected to one side of a payload and a torque module connected to an opposite side of the payload; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the axial module; an axial armature in the axial module, connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor in the torque module connected to the shaft; a large gap, rotational position sensor in the torque module, having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing; a sensor electronics package mounted in each of said modules; and a cover mounted on each of said modules adjacent said sensor electronics package.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
172 words
A magnetic isolation and pointing gimbal apparatus, comprising: a housing including an axial module connected to one side of a payload and a torque module connected to an opposite side of the payload; a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a centroidal axis extending coaxially within the housing; a linear, two axis, large gap, radial magnetic actuator mounted in the housing concentrically with the shaft; a radial armature mounted on the shaft adjacent the radial magnetic actuator; a set of linear, large gap, axial magnetic actuators mounted in the axial module; an axial armature in the axial module, connected to the shaft and extending between the axial magnetic actuators; a torque motor in the torque module connected to the shaft; a large gap, rotational position sensor in the torque module, having a first portion connected to the shaft and a second portion connected to the housing; a sensor electronics package mounted in each of said modules; and a cover mounted on each of said modules adjacent said sensor electronics package.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14, including: interlocking stops connected, respectively to the shaft and the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 14, including: adjustable holders connected to the radial magnetic actuator; means mounted in the holders for sensing the radial armature; and means mounted in the holders for sensing the axial armature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16, including: means mounted in the housing for locating the axial magnetic actuators and the axial armature sensing means relative to the axial armature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a single module connected to a payload.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including: means for coupling the magnetic and isolation pointing gimbal to a payload; means for detecting inertial motion and pointing of the payload relative to preselected axes of the magnetic and isolation pointing gimbal; means for providing compensation for the inertial pointing of the payload relative to the preselected axes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-07 | 1992-08-08 | 1993-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-07 | 1996-08-08 | 1997-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-07 | 2000-08-08 | 2001-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |