Borg-warner Automotive Gmbh

Recon/optical, Inc.

Marcelo C Algrain

Richard L Smirl

Scott R Anderson

A method and apparatus for platform stabilization. The apparatus uses linear and/or angular accelerometers to derive the roll, pitch, and yaw components of the angular velocity of the vehicle the apparatus is mounted on. Based on the calculation of angular velocity or acceleration of the vehicle and the current rate and angle of rotation of the device to be stabilized, the apparatus generates setpoint and movement commands for servo motors that rotate the sensing device such that the line of sight of the sensing device is stabilized. A control system implements a velocity control system, or, alternatively, an acceleration control system. In one embodiment of the invention, the accelerometers are positioned on a mounting base along axes corresponding to the roll, pitch and yaw axes of the vehicle in a location adjacent to the sensing device. In an alternative embodiment, the accelerometers are positioned on the stabilized element itself, with the command strategy being to force gimbal rotations so that the output of the accelerometers is urged towards a null value.

Gyroless platform stabilization techniques

A control system for controlling hydraulic pressure in a dual pass continuously variable transmission includes a pump to provide primary and secondary hydraulic pressures for regulating the pulley ratio and belt tension. A minicomputer regulates the primary and secondary pressures, and a transition mechanism alternates the paths of the primary and secondary pressures between first and second pulleys of the transmission so that the primary pressure is fed to the drive pulley and the secondary pressure is fed to the driven pulley.

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Barrington, IL, United States of America

Marcelo C Algrain