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US 8,798,450 B2Granted
Gimbal system
AssigneeFLIR Systems, Inc.
InventorsChristopher J. Aicher, Gregory D. Dent, Bruce Ellison, James H. Weaver, John M. Wiltse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.
Claims16
A gimbal ball, comprising:
- an inner gimbal;
- first and second motor magnets mounted to the inner gimbal;
- an outer shell rotatably connected around the inner gimbal and extending to the far periphery of the gimbal ball;
- an intermediate gimbal disposed between the inner gimbal and the outer shell;
- and
- first and second motor coils mounted to the outer shell without any intermediate shells separating the first motor coil and second motor coil from the outer shell;
- wherein the first motor magnet and first motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer shell about a first axis, and the second motor magnet and second motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer shell about a second axis;
- wherein mounting of the motor coils to the outer shell is configured to facilitate heat transfer away from the first and second motor coils by heat transfer across the shell;
- wherein the intermediate gimbal is rotatably connected around the inner gimbal, and the outer shell is rotatably connected around the intermediate gimbal;
- and
- wherein the first motor magnet and first motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal and the intermediate gimbal relative to the outer shell about a first axis, and the second motor magnet and second motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer shell about a second axis while leaving the intermediate gimbal in a fixed orientation.
8 more elements
A gimbal ball, comprising:
- an inner gimbal;
- first and second motor magnets mounted to the inner gimbal;
- an outer shell rotatably connected around the inner gimbal and extending to the far periphery of the gimbal ball;
- an intermediate gimbal disposed between the inner gimbal and the outer shell;
- and
- first and second motor coils mounted to the outer shell without any intermediate shells separating the first motor coil and second motor coil from the outer shell;
- wherein the first motor magnet and first motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer shell about a first axis, and the second motor magnet and second motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer shell about a second axis;
- wherein mounting of the motor coils to the outer shell is configured to facilitate heat transfer away from the first and second motor coils by heat transfer across the shell;
- wherein the intermediate gimbal is rotatably connected around the inner gimbal, and the outer shell is rotatably connected around the intermediate gimbal;
- and
- wherein the intermediate gimbal includes a sidewall having a recess through which a payload mounted to the inner gimbal may at least partially extend.
8 more elements
A gimbal ball, comprising:
- an inner gimbal;
- first and second motor magnets mounted to the inner gimbal;
- an intermediate gimbal rotatably connected around the inner gimbal;
- an outer gimbal rotatably connected around the intermediate gimbal;
- and
- first and second motor coils mounted to the outer gimbal;
- wherein the first motor magnet and first motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal and the intermediate gimbal relative to the outer gimbal about a first axis, and the second motor magnet and second motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer gimbal about a second axis while leaving the intermediate gimbal in a fixed orientation.
4 more elements
A gimbal system, comprising:
- an inner gimbal;
- first and second inner driver components mounted to the inner gimbal;
- an intermediate gimbal rotatably connected around the inner gimbal;
- an outer gimbal rotatably connected around the intermediate gimbal;
- and
- first and second outer driver components mounted to the outer gimbal;
- wherein the first inner driver component and first outer driver component are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer gimbal about a first axis while leaving the intermediate gimbal in a fixed orientation, and the second inner driver component and second outer driver component are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer gimbal about a second axis while leaving the intermediate gimbal in a fixed orientation;
- and
- wherein the intermediate gimbal includes a sidewall having a recess through which a payload mounted to the inner gimbal may at least partially extend.
6 more elements
A gimbal system, comprising:
- an inner gimbal;
- a motor magnet mounted to the inner gimbal;
- an intermediate gimbal rotatably connected around the inner gimbal;
- an outer gimbal rotatably connected around the intermediate gimbal;
- and
- a motor coil mounted to the outer gimbal;
- wherein one or both of the motor magnet and the motor coil extend at least partially through an opening of the intermediate gimbal to operatively connect to each other;
- and
- wherein the motor magnet and motor coil are collectively configured to rotate the inner gimbal relative to the outer gimbal while leaving the intermediate gimbal in a fixed orientation.
6 more elements
A gimbal system, comprising:
- an inner gimbal;
- a motor coil mounted to the inner gimbal;
- an intermediate gimbal rotatably connected around the inner gimbal;
- an outer gimbal rotatably connected around the intermediate gimbal;
- a motor magnet mounted to the outer gimbal;
- and
- a back iron for increased motor efficiency;
- wherein one or both of the motor magnet and the motor coil extend at least partially through an opening of the intermediate gimbal to operatively connect to one another.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.