# US 11,441,598 B2 · Dual-axis flexure gimbal device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,598 B2 - Document ID: US11441598B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/228,368 - Filed: 2018-12-20 - Published: 2020-06-25 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-20 - Assignees: Raytheon Company - Applicants: Raytheon Company - Inventors: Jeffery M. Gallagher; Richard Ready; Emmanuel Fierro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441598B2 ## CPC - F16C 11/12: incorporating flexible connections, e.g. leaf springs - F16D 3/78: shaped as an elastic disc or flat ring, arranged perpendicular to the axis of the coupling parts, different sets of spots of the disc or ring being attached to each coupling part, e.g. Hardy couplings - F16D 3/005: {incorporating leaf springs, flexible parts of reduced thickness or the like acting as pivots} - G02B 7/1827: {Motorised alignment} - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A dual-axis flexure gimbal device, such as for a fast-steering mirror assembly, can comprise a flexure spring mass body comprising first and second body sections, a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first and second body sections, and a central aperture formed through the first and second body sections and the flexure diaphragm. A flexure unit can be situated in the central aperture, and can comprise a plurality of slots defining a plurality of flexures. The flexure diaphragm is operable to bend about first and second rotational degrees of freedom, and the plurality of flexures of the flexure unit are operable to flex about respective first and second rotational degrees of freedom. The flexure unit can comprise a plurality of slots, each having a first slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions to define a respective flexure. A method of making the dual-axis flexure gimbal device is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexure unit operable for use with a flexure spring mass body, the flexure unit comprising: a flexure body having a flex section comprising an outer surface that has a circular cross-section that is non-uniform along a longitudinal axis of the flexure body; a first slot formed in the flex section of the flexure body through the outer surface, the first slot comprising a first slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions; a second slot formed in the flex section of the flexure body opposite the first slot through the outer surface, the second slot comprising a first slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions, wherein the first and second slots, at least in part, define first and second flexures that facilitate flex of the flexure unit in a first rotational degree of freedom. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flexure unit of claim 1, wherein the first slot and the second slot are formed substantially identical to each other, and are formed radially around opposing sides of the flexure body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flexure unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexures each comprise a linear flexure defined by overlapping portions of the first and second slots. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flexure unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexures each comprises a curved flexure configuration defined by overlapping portions of the first and second slots. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flexure unit of claim 1, further comprising: a third slot formed in the flexure body through the outer surface, the third slot comprising a third slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions; a fourth slot formed in the flexure body opposite the third slot through the outer surface, the fourth slot comprising a first slot portion and a second slot portion extending in different directions, wherein the third and fourth slots, at least in part, define third and fourth flexures that facilitate flex of the flexure unit in a second rotational degree of freedom. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The flexure unit of claim 5, wherein the first and second flexures are radially oriented ninety degrees around the outer surface relative to the third and fourth flexures. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The flexure unit of claim 5, wherein the first and second slots are formed in a nesting arrangement with the third and fourth slots. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The flexure unit of claim 5, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth slots are configured the same. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The flexure unit of claim 5, wherein the flexure body comprises a generally cylindrical shape, and comprises a central aperture formed through a central area of the flexure body to define a radial wall section of the flexure body, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth slots are formed through the radial wall section and are in fluid communication with the central aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The flexure unit of claim 5, wherein the flexure body comprises a first end and a second end, and the flex section is formed between the first end and the second end, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth slots are formed through the flex section, such that the first end is operable to flex relative to the second end in two rotational degrees of freedom. ### Claim 11 A flexure unit, comprising: a body having a flex section comprising an outer surface that has a circular cross-section that is non-uniform along a longitudinal axis of the body; a first longitudinal flexure defined by a first pair of overlapping portions of first and second slots formed in the body; a second longitudinal flexure defined by a second pair of overlapping portions of the first and second slots formed in the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The flexure unit of claim 11, further comprising: a third longitudinal flexure defined by a first pair of overlapping portions of third and fourth slots formed in the body; a fourth longitudinal flexure defined by a second pair of overlapping portions of the third and fourth slots formed in the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The flexure unit of claim 12, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth slots are each formed to comprise at least one of a planar or a nonplanar slot shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The flexure unit of claim 12, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth longitudinal flexures each extend generally parallel to each other and to a longitudinal central axis of the body. ### Claim 15 A flexure spring mass body, comprising: a first body section; a second body section operable to bend relative to the first body section; a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first body section to the second body section, the flexure diaphragm defined by a first slot formed laterally through the flexure spring mass body about a first plane, and by a second slot formed laterally through the flexure spring mass body about a second plane, wherein the second slot is formed orthogonally relative to the first slot, such that the flexure diaphragm facilitates bending of the second body section relative to the first body section; and a central aperture that extends centrally through the first and second body sections and through the flexure diaphragm, the flexure diaphragm completely surrounding the central aperture. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The flexure spring mass body of claim 15, wherein the first slot comprises a length that is less than a corresponding overall length of the first body section, and wherein the second slot comprises a length that is less than a corresponding overall length of the first body section in an orthogonal direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The flexure spring mass body of claim 15, wherein the flexure diaphragm comprises a first pair of opposing flexure sections operable to facilitate bending of the second body section in a first rotational degree of freedom, and a second pair of opposing flexure sections operable to facilitate bending of the second body section in a second rotational degree of freedom. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The flexure spring mass body of claim 15, wherein the central aperture is configured to receive and support a flexure unit operable with the flexure diaphragm to limit an amount of bending of the first and second body sections relative to one another. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The flexure spring mass body of claim 15, wherein the first and second body sections each comprise a stop portion formed about a peripheral edge portion of the respective first and second body section and adjacent a respective first and second slots, wherein the stop portion operate to limit movement of the second body section relative to the first body section. ### Claim 20 A dual-axis flexure gimbal device, comprising: a flexure spring mass body comprising first and second body sections, a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first and second body sections, and a central aperture formed through the first and second body sections and the flexure diaphragm, the flexure diaphragm completely surrounding the central aperture; and a flexure unit situated in the central aperture and supported by the flexure spring mass body, the flexure unit comprising a plurality of slots defining a plurality of flexures, wherein, in response to bending of the first body section relative to the second body section, the flexure diaphragm is operable to bend in first and second rotational degrees of freedom, and the plurality of flexures of the flexure unit are operable to flex in respective first and second rotational degrees of freedom. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The dual-axis flexure gimbal device of claim 20, wherein the flexure unit restricts axial movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in any direction. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The dual-axis flexure gimbal device of claim 20, wherein the first body section comprises an optical mirror interface for mounting to an optical mirror, and wherein the second body section comprises a gimbal support housing interface for mounting to a gimbal support body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The dual-axis flexure gimbal device of claim 20, wherein the plurality of flexures of the flexure unit are formed generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the central aperture, and wherein the flexure diaphragm is formed generally perpendicular relative to the flexures and to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 24 A fast-steering mirror assembly comprising an optical mirror and a gimbal support housing, and a dual-axis flexure gimbal device operatively coupled to the optical mirror and the gimbal support housing, the dual-axis flexure gimbal device comprising: a flexure spring mass body comprising a first body section attached to the optical mirror, and a second body section attached to a gimbal support housing, the flexure spring mass body comprising a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first and second body sections, and a central aperture formed through the first and second body sections and the flexure diaphragm, the flexure diaphragm completely surrounding the central aperture; and a flexure unit situated in the central aperture and supported by the flexure spring mass body, the flexure unit comprising a plurality of slots defining a plurality of flexures, wherein, in response to bending of the first body section relative to the second body section, the flexure diaphragm is operable to bend in first and second rotational degrees of freedom, and the plurality of flexures of the flexure unit are operable to flex in respective first and second rotational degrees of freedom. ### Claim 25 A method of making a dual-axis flexure gimbal device, comprising: forming a flexure spring mass body comprising first and second body sections, a flexure diaphragm that interconnects the first and second body sections together, and a central aperture formed through the first and second body sections and the flexure diaphragm, the flexure diaphragm completely surrounding the central aperture; and forming a flexure unit comprising a body sized and shaped to fit within the central aperture of the flexure spring mass body, the flexure unit comprising a plurality of slots that define a plurality of flexures. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein forming the flexure unit comprises forming the plurality of slots to comprise a first pair of opposing slots formed through an outer surface of the body to facilitate bending of the first body section relative to the second body section in a first rotational degree of freedom, and a second pair of opposing slots formed through the outer surface to facilitate bending of the first body section relative to the second body section in a second rotational degree of freedom. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein forming the flexure spring mass body comprising forming a first slot laterally through the flexure spring mass body about a first plane, and a second slot laterally through the flexure spring mass body about a second plane, such that the second slot is formed orthogonally relative to the first slot, and such that the flexure diaphragm facilitates bending of the second body section relative to the first body section.