Passive orientation apparatus

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873979

Spletzer, Barry L ^[1]; Fischer, Gary J ^[1]; Martinez, Michael A ^[1]

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1. Albuquerque, NM

An apparatus that can return a payload to a known orientation after unknown motion, without requiring external power or complex mechanical systems. The apparatus comprises a faceted cage that causes the system to rest in a stable position and orientation after arbitrary motion. A gimbal is mounted with the faceted cage and holds the payload, allowing the payload to move relative to the stable faceted cage. The payload is thereby placed in a known orientation by the interaction of gravity with the geometry of the faceted cage, the mass of the system, and the motion of the payload and gimbal. No additional energy, control, or mechanical actuation is required. The apparatus is suitable for use in applications requiring positioning of a payload to a known orientation after arbitrary or uncontrolled motion, including remote sensing and mobile robot applications.

• Research Organization: SANDIA CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6286386
• OSTI ID: 873979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/74/180/901/248/
actuation
additional
allowing
apparatus
apparatus comprise
apparatus comprises
applications
applications requiring
arbitrary
cage
causes
complex
comprises
control
energy
external
external power
faceted
geometry
gimbal
gravity
holds
including
interaction
mass
mechanical
mechanical systems
mobile
mobile robot
motion
mounted
move
move relative
orientation
passive
payload
placed
position
positioning
power
relative
remote
remote sensing
required
requiring
return
robot
sensing
stable
stable position
suitable
systems
uncontrolled