Engineered Support Systems, Inc.

Drs Sustainment Systems, Inc.

Jeffrey S Fitzgerald

Edward V Carter

Thomas D Linton

Jeffrey S Folmer

Methods, devices, and systems are presented for calibrating or otherwise correcting the pointing accuracy of a gimbal. Measurements of the actual planes of rotation of each of a gimbal's rotatable elements is made using an off-board measurement device, such as a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The measurements from the off-board device can be combined with those from native, on-board gimbal sensors of the rotation angles at which the planes are tilted/pitched with respect to their nominal planes of rotation. Information representing the error vectors between the nominal and actual planes of rotation is stored and used for correcting the pointing accuracy of the gimbal. The corrected pointing vector of the gimbal can be combined with measurements from an inertial measurement unit (INU) and rangefinder in order to accurately determine a geographic target position to which the gimbal points.

AZ/EL gimbal housing characterization

Disclosed herein is an elevating lift for raising and lowering a load (such as a sensor suite) onboard a vehicle, such as a Humvee, which can allow for the transport of the vehicle in a standard transport without removal of the sensor suite from the vehicle, and can provide for a more stable support for the load than is available from a traditional mast. The elevating lift may also able to maintain the load in a parallel position as it is raised, and may be able to lock in a intermediate position where the sensor suite can be used while the vehicle is in motion.

Elevating lift

An isolation platform assembly ( ) for a vehicle (V) on which is mounted instruments and sensors (S). The instruments and sensors are installed on a gimbal (G). A mounting bracket ( ) attaches the assembly to the vehicle. The unit further includes a platform or plate ( ) to which the gimbal is attached. The plate connects to the bracket by cable isolators ( ) which attenuate shock and vibration forces transmitted through the vehicle. This protects the instrument and sensor packages from shock and vibration damage, particularly when the vehicle is moving. It also allows the instruments and sensors to be used to obtain information both while the vehicle is parked and while it is moving. The assembly further includes a restraint mechanism ( ) comprising torsion bars ( ) and levers ( ) which connect the platform to the mounting bracketry so to enable the instrumentation and sensor payload to be moved from one orientation to another for data acquisition.

Isolation platform assembly for supporting an instrumentation payload

A docking station ( ) comprises a mast latch assembly ( ) which attaches to the outer end of a mast (M). An adapter ( ) which connects to a sensor platform (G) disengagingly attaches to the mast latch assembly. An isolation assembly ( ) mounts on a surface (D) of a vehicle (V) adjacent an opening (O) through which the mast extends and retracts. As the mast is retracted, the adapter ( ) engages with isolation assembly ( ) and disengages from the mast latch assembly. This attaches the sensor platform to the isolation assembly which now protects the sensors from vibrations produced by the vehicle and any shocks created by the terrain over which the vehicle travels. It also allows the sensors to be used for surveillance during vehicle travel. When the vehicle stops and the mast is again extended, the adapter ( ) re-engages with the mast latch assembly and is disengaged from the isolation assembly.

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Florissant, MO, United States of America

Jeffrey S Fitzgerald