Patent · US Expired

Gimbal module

US4951521A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
6References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 1989
Grant dateAug 28, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/7005
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A gimbal module for installation in a gimbal assembly and for operation by a simple type of robot device for use in a space environment. The module has a stator, which is fixedly connected to a first gimbal, and has a coaxial rotor, which is fixedly connected to a second gimbal. The stator and first gimbal have respectively a stator spline and a gimbal spline for aligning and installing the stator in the first gimbal. The stator has a bearing which rotatably supports the rotor. The first gimbal has a bearing which rotatably supports the second gimbal. The stator and first gimbal have respective connector components. A first force is applied along the gimbal axis on the module for aligning and installing the stator and its connecotr component into the first gimbal and its connector component. The rotor and the second gimbal have respective rotor connector components. The rotor has a cam subassembly which is actuated by the robot device for applying a second force urging the connector component of the second gimbal into the connector component on the rotor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.