Reconnaissance pod with movable sensor-bay window
US6533218B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2101/30
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A reconnaissance pod for viewing a scene has a structural backbone extending generally parallel to a pod axis, a forward housing affixed to the backbone, and an aft housing affixed to the backbone. The aft housing is separated from the forward housing along the pod axis. A central housing is mounted between the forward housing and the aft housing along the pod axis. The central housing includes a central body, a window through the central body, and at least a portion of a sensor assembly supported within the central housing from the forward housing and/or the aft housing. A rotational drive assembly has a forward support rotationally supporting the central body from the forward housing, with a forward bearing oriented to permit rotation of the central housing about the pod axis. The rotational drive assembly also includes an aft support rotationally supporting the central body from the aft housing, with an aft bearing oriented to permit rotation of the central housing about the pod axis. A controllable actuator drives the rotation of the central housing about the pod axis on the forward bearing and the aft bearing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.