Raymond S Welch

US Patent:

59220392, Jul 13, 1999

Filed:

Sep 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/716568

Inventors:

Raymond V. Welch - Lovettsville VA
William W. Dorsey - Potomac MD
Stephen J. Fujikawa - Gambrills MD
Charles F. Settgast - Gaithersburg MD
David Reed - Silver Spring MD

Assignee:

Astral, Inc. - Lovettsville VA

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

701116

Abstract:

A stabilized platform useable for various purposes to provide compensation for motion in two axes, such as pitch and roll on a ship. The system operates independently of the object to be stabilized and without the use of gyroscopes by using accelerometers, position sensors and a proportional drive controller augmented with estimation and filtering. The mechanical design reduces size, weight, and power requirements, by providing a system including a stabilized structure; a base structure for supporting the stabilized structure; an enclosure to protect the system from environment elements; first sensors for measuring angular displacements of the stabilized structure with respect to the base structure; and second sensors for measuring acceleration data and acceleration vector angles; and a processor for receiving the angular displacements of the stabilized structure with respect to the base structure from the first sensors and determining an angle of the base structure relative to the stabilized structure, for receiving the acceleration data and acceleration vector angles from the second sensors and determining a direction of local vertical relative to the base structure, and for maintaining the stabilized structure at a desired orientation utilizing the angle of the base structure relative to the stabilized structure and the direction of local vertical relative to the base structure.