The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 22, 2003
Lars E. Oystol, Buellton, CA (US);
Fiona M. Gaston, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Brad E. Paden, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Lars E. Oystol, Buellton, CA (US);
Fiona M. Gaston, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Brad E. Paden, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for measuring error associated with the rotation of bearings () used within a pointing device () on board a space-based platform. The apparatus includes inductive, or 'eddy current,' proximity sensors () adapted for measuring the positioning of bearing components. The apparatus also includes processing capabilities () for receiving data from the proximity sensors (), and producing compensation data. The compensation data is used in one of various techniques for correcting errors in the angular measurement or pointing of the device (). The techniques disclosed herein include conducting an initial calibration of the proximity sensors () and generating calibration data. Once in active use, sensor measurements are combined with calibration data to produce compensation data. Ongoing measurements may be used to update the calibration data as necessary.