L-3 Communications Corporation

Other

Jeffrey J McGill

Rory Kim Sorensen

Neil Kenneth Harker

Scott M Lyon

Douglas H Ulmer

Alan McLean Buchanan

Jeffrey S Sato

Timothy G Riggs

Trevis D Anderson

Clinton B Cathey

Stephen R Silver

The angular position of an output gear can be determined from the phase difference between the angular positions of pinions engaged with the output gear. The first pinion can have a K-number of teeth, the second pinion can have an L-number of teeth, and the output gear can have an M-number of teeth. The relationship between K, L, and M can include the following: M is the least common multiple of K and L; and the absolute value of the difference between M divided by K and M divided by L is one. It can also be said that the absolute value of L subtracted from K is a non-zero integer.

Determining an angular position of an output gear

Stepped radio frequency (RF) reflector antennas are disclosed in which an inner RF reflector is disposed in a central opening of at one or more annular RF reflectors. The RF reflecting surface of the inner RF reflector and the RF reflecting surface(s) of the one or more annular RF reflectors can be shaped and positioned relative to each other to have different focal lengths but nevertheless reflect an RF signal to the same focal plane. The depth of the inventive reflector antenna system can be less than the depth of prior art reflector antennas with a comparable RF aperture.

Stepped radio frequency reflector antenna

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention a control system for controlling performance of a device is provided. The control system includes a controller system and a deadband compensator connected to the controller. The deadband compensator compensates for error performance of the device while the device is in a static mode. The control system also includes a detector connected to the controller and is adapted to detect or determine movement of the device. If movement is detected or determined the deadband compensator is turned off or otherwise disengaged.

System and method for the intelligent use of software deadband control in a control system

Two-axis positioning apparatus utilizes a yoke including a hub mounted on a base for rotation about a first axis, an integral bight member extending radially away from the hub in opposite directions and a pair of upstanding legs distant from the hub extending away from the bight member at spaced apart locations. A load, such as an antenna, extends between and is mounted on the upstanding legs of the yoke member for rotation about a second axis distant from the bight member. A first drive system rotatably positions the yoke about the first axis and a second drive system intermediate the yoke and the load includes a first drive component rotatable about the first axis for rotatably positioning the load about the second axis as a function of the difference in angular movement of the support member about the first axis and the angular movement of the first drive component about the first axis. A spring mechanism biases the load relative to the yoke thereby biasing the second drive system against the first drive system to minimize lost motion in both drive systems.

Two axis positioner with zero backlash

Growing community of inventors

West Haven, UT, United States of America

Jeffrey J McGill