Christopher D Reed

US Patent:

54384044, Aug 1, 1995

Filed:

Dec 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/990976

Inventors:

Stephen B. Hamilton - Baltimore MD
James J. Jaklitsch - Parkton MD
Christopher J. Reed - Pasadena MD
Robert R. Schulze - Baltimore MD
Leslie H. Debelius - Manchester MD
Niall B. McNelis - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

AAI Corporation - Cockeysville MD

International Classification:

G01B 1126
G01C 110

US Classification:

3561522

Abstract:

A gyroscopic system and method is provided for translating parallel and non-parallel lines between a reference line and a device to be aligned with respect to the reference line. A first inertial sensor is provided that is configured to be substantially stationary. This inertial sensor is boresighted with respect to the reference line and includes at least two gyroscopes and a mirror having first and second nonplanar surfaces. A second, portable inertial sensor is provided that includes a gimbal, a gimbal drive system, an electronic energy beam generator, a collimator, and at least two gyroscopes. One or more of the electronic beam generator, collimator, and gyroscopes can optionally be mounted on a platform that is mounted on the gimbal and adapted to move in accordance with signals from the gimbal drive system. A control circuit is provided that is operable to measure output signals generated by the first and second inertial sensor gyroscopes and to determine relative orientations of the inertial sensors.

US Patent:

56193238, Apr 8, 1997

Filed:

Dec 30, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/368410

Inventors:

Stephen B. Hamilton - Baltimore MD
James J. Jaklitsch - Parkton MD
Christopher J. Reed - Pasadena MD
Charles E. Schulz - Jarrettsville MD
Leslie H. Debelius - Manchester MD
Niall B. McNelis - Baltimore MD
Edward B. Baker - Altamonte FL

Assignee:

AAI Corporation - Cockeysville MD

International Classification:

G01B 1126
G01C 100

US Classification:

35613903

Abstract:

Advanced boresight equipment and methods of using the same to effect a transfer of a two- or three-dimensional frame of reference from an ADL to a device to be boresighted. The equipment includes a stationary inertial sensor that is boresighted with respect to a reference line (such as the aircraft ADL). The stationary inertial sensor includes a first gyroscopic combination for generating a first output indicating a two- or three-dimensional frame of reference based on the ADL, and a docking station. The docking station facilitates alignment of a portable inertial sensor that also has a gyroscopic combination for generating a second output indicating its frame of reference. The portable inertial sensor may be identical to the first inertial sensor, or it may additionally include means for automatic optical operation including a gimbal and a gimbal drive system, an electromagnetic energy beam generator for projecting a beam, a second gyroscopic combination for generating a second output signal indicating a frame of reference, and a collimator for indicating an angle between two beams. The various methods of using both embodiments are also described.