Operational control logic for harmonized turret with gimbaled sub-systems
AssigneeDRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
InventorsMichael T. Fox, Bruce E. Exely, Michael C. Mareschal, Thomas D. Linton
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for controlling a turret assembly with two or more gimbaled, swivel assembly sub-systems, such as a gimbaled gun and a gimbaled electro-optical sensor. The turret can be automatically slewed in response to one of the swivel assemblies rotating. A user can switch turret modes reflecting a priority between the gimbaled sub-systems system so that one takes priority over the other(s) during a mission.
Claims20
A method for controlling a turret with swivel assemblies mounted thereon, the method comprising:
- providing a turret having a rotatable platform, the rotatable platform at a first position supporting a first swivel assembly for a first pointable device, the rotatable platform at a second position supporting a second swivel assembly for a second pointable device;
- detecting a rotation angle of the first swivel assembly;
- slewing the rotatable platform based on the detected rotation angle of the first swivel assembly;
- and
- turning the second swivel assembly based on the slewing.
A method for controlling a turret with swivel assemblies mounted thereon, the method comprising:
- rotating a first swivel assembly for a first pointable device, the first swivel assembly supported by a first portion of a rotatable platform on a turret, the turret having a second swivel assembly for a second pointable device supported by a second portion of the rotatable platform, the second pointable device pointing at an off-board location;
- slewing the turret based on the rotation of the first swivel assembly;
- and
- rotating the second swivel assembly opposite the rotation of the slewing of the turret such that the second pointable device continues to point at the off-board location.
A method for targeting two independently stabilized sub-systems on a common turret, the method comprising:
- providing a vehicle having a turret mounted thereon, a rotatable platform of the turret supporting at least two independently stabilized pointable devices;
- pointing a first pointable device of the at least two independently stabilized pointable devices at an off-board target;
- pointing a second pointable device of the at least two independently stabilized pointable devices at the off-board target;
- turning the vehicle, the vehicle turning causing the first and second pointable devices to rotate with respect to the rotatable platform such that the first pointable device begins to point toward a direction of the second pointable device;
- and
- slewing the turret rotatable platform so as to decrease an extent to which the first pointable device points toward the direction of the second pointable device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.