1918 results about "Gimbal" patented technology

A point-to-point, wireless, millimeter wave communications link between two stations at least one of which is a mobile station. A millimeter wave transmitter system operating at frequencies higher than 57 GHz with a tracking antenna producing a beam having a half-power beam width of about 2 degrees or less and a millimeter wave receiver also with a tracking antenna having a half-power beam width of about 2 degrees or less. In preferred embodiments each mobile station has a global position system (GPS) and a radio transmitter and both tracking antennas are pointed utilizing GPS information from the mobile station or stations. The GPS information preferably is transmitted via a low frequency, low data rate radio. Each millimeter wave unit is capable of transmitting and / or receiving, through the atmosphere, digital information to / from the other station at rates in excess of 155 million bits per second during normal weather conditions. In preferred embodiments actually built and tested by Applicants digital information has been transmitted at rates of 1.25 gigabits per second. Preferred communication links described here are millimeter wave links operating at frequencies of 71-73 GHz and 74-76 GHz mounted on simple two-axis gimbals. Pointing information of the required accuracy is provided by GPS receivers and standard radio links which send the GPS calculated positions to the millimeter wave systems at the opposite end of the link. In these embodiments there is no need for any complicated closed loop pointing information derived from received signal intensity or phase. On moving platforms locally generated inertial attitude information is combined with the GPS positions to control pointing of the gimbaled transceivers.

Gimbal power systems and methods are operable to provide power to a device attached to the gimbal. An exemplary embodiment is configured to rotate a rotational member of the gimbal system about an axis, wherein a stator of a rotary power transformer affixed to the rotational member rotates about the axis, and wherein an end of an electrical connection coupled to a power connector of a rotor winding of the rotary power transformer remains substantially stationary as the stator of the rotary power transformer rotates about the axis.

An airborne radio frequency (RF) antenna terminal system includes a two-axis gimbals control system and a phased array antenna. The phased array antenna electronically steers the receive and transmit beams using phase shifters. The electronically steered beams provide a virtual third-axis for the two-axis gimbals control system. The combination of the electronically steered beams and the two-axis gimbaled system provides accurate beam steering for the keyhole region of the two-axis gimbals control system so that the RF communication link is prevented from being lost in the keyhole region.

A novel head gimbal assembly (HGA) includes a piezoelectric microactuator having a first side and an opposing second side. The first side includes a plurality of anchor regions that extend radially from a center point and are bonded to the gimbal tongue. The first side also includes a first plurality of non-bonded regions lying between the anchor regions. The second side includes a plurality of link regions that extend radially from the center point and are bonded to a top surface of the read head. The second side also includes a second plurality of non-bonded regions lying between the link regions. Each of the plurality of link regions is angularly spaced between two of the plurality of anchor regions.

Using various embodiments, methods, systems, and apparatuses for controlling a camera pivoting device (e.g., mechanical gimbal) are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a main computing device, a gimbal stabilizer controller, and a computer vision camera, and / or a user camera. The system is able to track a target object using the computer vision camera even while the target object is moving, the base of the pivoting device is moving (e.g., when a user controlling the camera moves), or a combination of thereof. The camera pivoting device of the embodiments disclosed herein can be mounted on to any number of devices / objects that can provide mobility and / or transportation.

A system and method for the production level screening of low flying magnetic heads in the manufacture of disk drive head disk assemblies (HDAs) is disclosed. A test disk is provided and has a plurality of bumps extending from at least one surface thereof to a predetermined height between 2 and 12 nanometers. The test disk is rotated to fly a head of a head gimbal assembly selected from the group adjacent the surface of the test disk. An interaction of the head with one or more of the plurality of bumps may be sensed and the head gimbal assembly may be screened out from the group in response to the sensing of the interaction.

The present invention provides a rotational magnetic gimbal with an integral magnetic bearing. Brushless DC motor technology provides electromagnetic suspension, using a single electromagnetic actuator to perform both the radial bearing and rotary torque (motoring) functions. An integrated motor and magnetic bearing consistent with the invention comprises a rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets and a stator comprising a plurality of independently controlled coil segments magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets. Embodiments may further comprise first and second radial position sensors, the first radial position sensor disposed in or adjacent to a clearance gap between the rotor and the stator for sensing the position of the rotor with respect to the stator along a first axis, and a second radial position sensor disposed in or adjacent to the clearance gap between the rotor and the stator for sensing the position of the rotor with respect to the stator along a second axis. In method form, a method for providing integral electromagnetic motor and bearing functions comprises sensing a first radial position of a rotor, the rotor comprising a plurality of permanent magnets, with respect to a stator along a first axis, the stator comprising a plurality of independently controlled coil segments magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets; and sensing a second radial position of the rotor with respect to the stator along a second axis; and delivering current to at least one coil segment, the amount of current based on at least one sensed position.

Disclosed is an electronic gimbal with camera and mounting configuration. The gimbal can include an inertial measurement unit which can sense the orientation of the camera and three electronic motors which can manipulate the orientation of the camera. The gimbal can be removably coupled to a variety of mount platforms, such as an aerial vehicle, a handheld grip, or a rotating platform. Moreover, a camera can be removably coupled to the gimbal and can be held in a removable camera frame. Also disclosed is a system for allowing the platform, to which the gimbal is mounted, to control settings of the camera or to trigger actions on the camera, such as taking a picture, or initiating the recording of a video. The gimbal can also provide a connection between the camera and the mount platform, such that the mount platform receives images and video content from the camera.