Pivoting sensor drive system and method
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsRichard R. Hall, Peter M. Nichols
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of articulating a sensor comprising the steps applying a friction force on a curved surface of a sensor support frame with a friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame about a pivot point for altering an elevation and azimuth angle of the sensor. The sensor may be maintained at a predetermined elevation angle while the sensor support frame is pivoted about the pivot point with the friction drive actuator for altering an azimuth angle of the sensor.
Claims12
A method of articulating a sensor supported by a sensor support frame movably mounted with respect to a base, comprising the steps of:
- applying a first friction force on a first three-dimensional curved surface having a constant radius of the sensor support frame supporting the sensor with a first friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame about a first axis and a pivot point;
- and
- applying a second friction force on a second three-dimensional curved surface having a constant radius of the sensor support frame with a second friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame about a second axis and the pivot point, wherein the pivot point is defined at an intersection of the first axis and the second axis;
- wherein pivoting the sensor support frame about the first and second axes provides the sensor with 360 degrees of azimuth revolution at a plurality of elevation angles with respect to the base.
A method of articulating a sensor supported by a sensor support frame curved in three dimensions, each of a constant radius, movably mounted with respect to a base, comprising the steps of:
- applying a friction force on a three-dimensional curved surface of the sensor support frame curved in three dimensions with a friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame about at least two axes and a pivot point defined at an intersection of at least two axes;
- pivoting the sensor support frame about the pivot point to alter an azimuth position of the sensor with the friction drive actuator while maintaining the sensor at a predetermined elevation angle with respect to the base.
A method of articulating a sensor supported by a sensor support frame curved in three dimensions, each of a constant radius, movably mounted with respect to a base, comprising the steps of:
- applying a friction force on a three-dimensional curved surface of the sensor support frame with a friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame curved in three dimensions about at least two axes and a pivot point for altering an elevation and azimuth angle of the sensor, the pivot point defined at an intersection of the at least two axes;
- and
- applying a friction force on the three-dimensional curved surface of the sensor support frame with the friction drive actuator for pivoting the sensor support frame curved in three dimensions about the at least two axes and the pivot point for altering an azimuth angle of the sensor while maintaining the sensor at a predetermined elevation angle with respect to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.