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.

Date of Patent:
Nov. 01, 2016

Filed:

Nov. 05, 2013
Applicant:

Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);

Inventors:

Walter W. Norman, Allen, TX (US);

Armando Villarreal, Garland, TX (US);

Assignee:

Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01C 15/00 (2006.01); G02B 27/64 (2006.01); G01C 21/18 (2006.01); G01P 15/00 (2006.01); G01C 19/42 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01C 15/002 (2013.01); G01C 19/42 (2013.01); G01P 15/003 (2013.01); G02B 27/644 (2013.01);
Abstract

Control systems and methods are provided for improved azimuthal pointing control near gimbal zenith/nadir in two-axis gimbal systems mounted to moveable platforms. The system includes a two-axis gimbal and a two-axis pointing device mounted to the two-axis gimbal. The two-axis pointing device directs a line of sight axis based upon a commanded steering direction and movement of the platform in the inertial frame of the line of sight. The two-axis gimbal follows the movement of the two-axis pointing device, keeping the two-axis pointing device from encountering its mechanical limits. In this manner, inertial pointing control is maintained in the near gimbal zenith/nadir regime.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Loading…