Title: Magnetic suspension and pointing system

Abstract: Apparatus for providing accurate pointing of instruments on a carrier vehicle and for providing isolation of the instruments from the vehicle's motion disturbances. The apparatus includes two assemblies, with connecting interfaces, each assembly having a separate function. The first assembly is attached to the carrier vehicle and consists of an azimuth gimbal and an elevation gimbal which provide coarse pointing of the instruments by allowing two rotations of the instruments relative to the carrier vehicle. The second or vernier pointing assembly is made up of magnetic suspension and fine pointing actuators, roll motor segments, and an instrument mounting plate around which a continuous annular rim is attached which provides appropriate magnetic circuits for the actuators and the roll motor segments. The vernier pointing assembly is attached to the elevation gimbal and provides vernier attitude fine pointing and roll positioning of the instruments as well as six degree-of-freedom isolation from carrier motion disturbances.

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Inventors: Anderson, Willard W. (Yorktown, VA, US)
Groom, Nelson J. (White Marsh, VA, US)

Application Number: 807703
Filing Date: 1977-06-17
Publication_date: 1978-05-09
Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the (Washington, DC)
Primary Class(es): 73/178R 244/118.1, 244/158R, 310/90.5
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3845995	Nov, 1974	Wehde	308/10.
3875488	Apr, 1975	Crocker	318/648.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Woodiel, Donald O.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: King; William H., Manning; John R., Osborn; Howard J.