Flir Surveillance, Inc.

Charles Rush

Adam C Espersen

Mitch G Barton

Sheldon Johnson

Open-loop or feed-forward image stabilization systems and related techniques are provided to improve the accuracy and reliability of imaging systems. An open-loop or feed-forward image stabilization system includes a fast steering mirror assembly, an angular motion sensor, and a logic device. The fast steering mirror assembly adjusts a propagation direction of an optical path for an imaging system. The angular motion sensor is configured to measure and provide an angular motion of the imaging system. The logic device is configured to provide open-loop or feed-forward control for the fast steering mirror assembly by determining a compensating angular offset for the fast steering mirror assembly based, at least in part, on the received angular motion of the imaging system, and by controlling the fast steering mirror assembly to adjust the propagation direction of the optical path for the imaging system according to the determined compensating angular offset.

Image stabilization systems and methods

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.

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Wilsonville, OR, United States of America

Charles Rush