Aerovironment, Inc.

Manolis Pavlos Dimotakis

Pavel Belik

John Peter Zwaan

Christopher J D'Aquila

Thomas Robert Szarek

Jefferson C McBride

Thomas Omer

In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.

UAV payload module camera assembly and retraction mechanism

A turret assembly for attachment on the undersurface of an aircraft that reduces performance limitations due to gimbal lock and reduces the cross section profile of the assembly. The assembly includes a roll actuator including a drive shaft. A yoke having a cross member is coupled to the drive shaft and a pair of prongs. The yoke is rotated via the roll actuator and drive shaft along a roll axis oriented substantially parallel to the body of the aircraft. A turret is mounted on the prongs of the yoke. A tilt actuator is contained within the turret. The tilt actuator tilts the turret on a tilt axis relative to the yoke. The tilt axis is perpendicular to the roll axis.

Tilt-ball turret with gimbal lock avoidance

In one embodiment, a ball turret assembly for supporting a camera includes a first shaft rotatable about a first axis relative to a first fixed point, the first shaft having an axially-extending interior region in communication with an exterior of the first shaft by way of a first exit port. A first guide disposed at least partially circumferentially on the first shaft proximally to the first exit port is provided, and a cable extends along the interior region of the first shaft and exits the first shaft at the first exit port, the cable looping at least partially around the first shaft and affixed at the first fixed point.

Roll-tilt ball turret camera having coiled data transmission cable

A water resistant and electromagnetically shielded turret assembly, suitable for attachment to the undersurface of an unmanned surveillance aircraft. The turret, in its several variations, may contain one or more cameras, and may contain an internal positioning motor, which can be easily accessible for servicing.

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Altadena, CA, United States of America

Manolis Pavlos Dimotakis