Flir Systems, Incorporated

Flir Surveillance, Inc.

Adam C Espersen

James H Weaver

Stephen V McKaughan

Kevin E Jones

Nicholas J Lagadinos

Charles Rush

Chris Aicher

Nathan Stauffer

Radial counterbalance mechanisms and related techniques are provided to improve the accuracy and reliability of gimbal systems. A radial counterbalance system includes a radial counterbalance mechanism, an orientation sensor, and a logic device. The radial counterbalance mechanism includes a counterbalance weight and a motor configured to adjust a radial position of the counterbalance weight. The orientation sensor is configured to provide an orientation of a payload coupled to the gimbal ring, a platform coupled to the gimbal ring, and/or the gimbal ring. The logic device is configured to determine a compensating radial weight position for the counterbalance weight based, at least in part, on a received orientation, and to control the motor to position the counterbalance weight at the compensating radial weight position. The compensating radial weight position is configured to reduce a radial displacement of a center of gravity of the payload from the rotational axis of the gimbal ring.

Gimbal radial counterbalance systems and methods

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for an imaging system having a plurality of sensors associated with input optics. In one example, an imaging system includes input optics configured to receive incident radiation along an input optical axis and a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, each configured to detect the incident radiation. The imaging system further includes a rotating member positioned between the first and second optical sensors and configured to rotate about the input optical axis and a reflector coupled to the rotating member configured to be selectively positionable by the rotating member to a first orientation, in which the reflector directs the incident radiation along a first secondary axis to the first optical sensor, and to a second orientation, in which the reflector directs the incident radiation along a second secondary axis toward the second optical sensor.

Multiple-sensor imaging system

An imaging system may include a movable component that travels along a rail, the movable component being coupled to the rail by a carriage that includes a bearing and a magnetic portion configured to bias the bearing toward the rail. The imaging system may be suitable for use in a gimbal assembly.

Optics system with magnetic backlash reduction

Sensor housing

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Adam C Espersen