Trw Limited

Other

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Mark A Carroll

Dan R Johnson

Daniel R Sherman

Timothy R Stone

Michael R Stark

J Blake Sathoff

Robert T Bupp

Dewey Hobson Lane

The present application is directed to a selectively deployable fin system which includes at least one housing positioned within a body of a standup paddleboard, the housing defining at least one housing passage therein, at least one actuator is positioned within the housing. The actuator is configured to be operable by a user positioned on the standup paddleboard or similar watercraft during use. At least one linkage system, in communication with the actuator, is positioned within the housing. In addition, at least one fin is in communication with the actuator via the linkage device. The fin is configured to be selectively positioned within the housing in a retracted configuration and selectively extending from the housing in a deployed configuration.

Selectively deployable fin system for watercraft and method of use

An optical inter-satellite link (OISL) gimbalthat is particularly suited for directing an optical beam in an optical inter-satellite communications system is disclosed. The OISL gimbalincludes an azimuth drive housing, a generally cylindrical azimuth shaftrotatably connected to the azimuth drive housingand an optical payloador beam-steering mirrorrotatably connected to the azimuth shaft. The azimuth shafthas a clear aperture through which one or more optical beams may be directed to and from a stationary optical payload. A capacitive azimuth position sensordetects the rotational position of the azimuth shaftand a direct drive azimuth motordrives rotation of the azimuth shaft. The OISL gimbalpreferably provides two-axis rotation of the optical payloador beam-steering mirrorthrough approximately +/&#x2212;180 degrees of inboard (azimuth) travel and +/&#x2212;30 degrees of line-of-sight outboard (elevation) travel. Rotation of the optical payloador beam-steering mirrorabout the elevation axis may be driven by a direct-drive elevation motor. Also, a capacitive elevation position sensormay be provided for detecting the rotational position of the optical payload or beam-steering mirror about the elevation axis.

Optical inter-satellite link (OISL) gimbal

An elongated electro-optical cable ( ) is presented, which includes a plurality of elongated electrical conductors ( ), a plurality of fiber optic elements ( ), and an elongated insulating film casing enveloping the plurality of electrical conductors ( ) and the plurality of fiber optic elements ( ). The fiber optic elements ( ), electrical conductors ( ), and the elongated insulating film casing are arranged to form a generally flat cable ( ). The cable may be arranged such that the electrical conductors ( ) are shielded, for example, with a silver epoxy. An outer jacket ( ) may be placed around the electrical conductors ( ), fiber optic elements ( ), and insulating film casing, which jacket ( ) may be made from a tetrafluoroethylene polymer fiber. The electrical conductors ( ) may be made from oxygen free copper and the insulating film casing may be made from a polyimide polymer. A method for making an elongated electro-optical cable ( ) is also presented, which includes insulating a sheet of a plurality of shielded elongated electrical conductors, affixing a sheet of a plurality of fiber optic elements to the laminated insulated electrical conductors, and then insulating the fiber optic elements.

Low-torque electro-optical laminated cable and cablewrap

A drive module comprising an elbow formed of composite material and having two generally tubular legs having a large bore. On one leg, elbow supports an azimuth drive module also formed in a generally tubular configuration and have a large bore. On the other leg, elbow supports an elevation drive module also formed in a generally tubular configuration and having a large bore. The respective modules are operatively connected to an outside diameter of the respective legs. Azimuth drive module and elevation drive module include motors which when energized enable displacement of the respective legs in order to control the azimuth and elevation of elbow to enable pointing of a structure, such as an antenna as may be located on a second elbow.

Large bore drive module

A gimbal drive module comprising an elbow (,) formed of composite material and having two legs. On one leg, elbow (,) includes an azimuth drive module (,). On the other leg, elbow (,) includes an elevation drive module (,). Azimuth drive module (,) and elevation drive module (,) include motors which when energized enable displacement of the respective legs in order to control the azimuth and elevation of elbow (,) to enable pointing of a structure, such as an antenna (,), as may be located on a second elbow outboard end (,).

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Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

Mark A Carroll