US5884867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stabilizing apparatus
Assignee: Guidex Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-04-12
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Granted: 1999-03-23
•
Expires: 2016-04-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention discloses an apparatus for stabilizing a payload assembly including a payload, a maintaining apparatus for at least temporarily maintaining the payload in an airborne environment, and an elongate connection apparatus, which when extended has a vertical length greatly in excess of the combined vertical lengths of the payload and the maintaining apparatus, whereby angular stabilization is a function of the vertical length of the connection apparatus when extended. A method for stabilizing a payload assembly is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Tal Gordon
- 👤 Dan Omry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:17
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/02; B64D17/00; B64D17/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A stabilized payload assembly comprising: a payload; maintaining apparatus for at least temporarily maintaining said payload in an airborne environment; and elongate connection apparatus, which when extended has a vertical length greatly in excess of the combined vertical lengths of the payload and the maintaining apparatus, whereby angular stabilization is a function of the vertical length of the connection apparatus when extended and wherein the payload comprises a reconnaissance apparatus, apparatus for rotating said reconnaissance apparatus about any of at least two mutually perpendicular axes of said reconnaissance apparatus and a controller for controlling the rotational position and velocity of said reconnaissance apparatus and wherein the controller comprises a compass and a rotation rate gauge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A stabilized payload assembly comprising: a payload; maintaining apparatus for at least temporarily maintaining said payload in an airborne environment; and elongate connection apparatus, which when extended has a vertical length greatly in excess of the combined vertical lengths of the payload and the maintaining apparatus, whereby angular stabilization is a function of the vertical length of the connection apparatus when extended and wherein the payload comprises a reconnaissance apparatus, apparatus for rotating said reconnaissance apparatus about any of at least two mutually perpendicular axes of said reconnaissance apparatus and a controller for controlling the rotational position and velocity of said reconnaissance apparatus and wherein the controller comprises a compass and a rotation rate gauge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said reconnaissance apparatus is an array camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said reconnaissance apparatus is a line scanner camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said reconnaissance apparatus is an area camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said maintaining apparatus is a parachute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A stabilized payload assembly comprising: a payload; maintaining apparatus for at least temporarily maintaining said payload in an airborne environment; and elongate connection apparatus, which when extended has a vertical length greatly in excess of the combined vertical lengths of the payload and the maintaining apparatus, whereby angular stabilization is a function of the vertical length of the connection apparatus when extended and wherein the payload comprises a reconnaissance apparatus, apparatus for rotating said reconnaissance apparatus about any of at least two mutually perpendicular axes of said reconnaissance apparatus and a controller for controlling the rotational position and velocity of said reconnaissance apparatus and wherein the controller comprises rotational stabilization apparatus which produces substantially zero yaw rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A stabilized payload assembly comprising: a payload; maintaining apparatus for at least temporarily maintaining said payload in an airborne environment; and elongate connection apparatus, which when extended has a vertical length greatly in excess of the combined vertical lengths of the payload and the maintaining apparatus, whereby angular stabilization is a function of the vertical length of the connection apparatus when extended and wherein the payload comprises a reconnaissance apparatus, apparatus for rotating said reconnaissance apparatus about any of at least two mutually perpendicular axes of said reconnaissance apparatus and a controller for controlling the rotational position and velocity of said reconnaissance apparatus and wherein the controller comprises rotational stabilization apparatus which produces substantially zero yaw rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and wherein said maintaining apparatus is a balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 and wherein said maintaining apparatus is a balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 and wherein said controller comprises at least one of the group gyroscope, rate gyro, angular velocity sensor and direction sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 and wherein said maintaining apparatus is a parachute.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-09-21 | 2003-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-22 | 2006-09-21 | 2007-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-22 | 2010-09-21 | 2011-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |