Observer systems and methods
| DWPI Title: Observer system allowing an observer to observe in various directions, has first support member attached to first face of support frame and rotatable about first axis that perpendicular to face, and observer rotatable relative to support frame about both first axis and second axis |
| Abstract: An observer system includes a support frame, a first support member, a second support member, and an observer. The first support member is attached to the support frame such that the first support member is rotatable relative to the support frame about a first axis. The second support member is attached to the first support member and extends along a second axis, and an observer is attached to the second support member such that the observer is able to rotate about the second axis. The observer is rotatable relative to the support frame about both the first and second axes such that the observer can achieve a 4 pi steradian field of regard. |
| Use: Observer system for allowing an observer to observe in various directions and observer system used in a wide variety of applications and observer uses include but are not limited to a sensor, a camera, an antenna, or any other component that is capable of perceiving an observable attribute. |
| Advantage: The system provides the observer while the support frame is unrestrained in terms of orientation is advantageous because it allows the support frame to be pointed or positioned in any orientation depending on the particular application in which the observer system is being used. The observer systems include support members that attach the observer to the support frame and allows the observer to rotate about the two axes without the support frame being able to contact the observer during such rotation in any manner that would prevent the observer from obtaining pi steradian access. The balance caused by the weight allow for inertial stability to keep the observer pointing toward a target when the support frame moves relative to the target during observation. The observer is positioned below the top edge of the support frame and between the side edges such that the support frame provides further protection to the observer from debris and any other damaging environmental elements. |
| Novelty: The system (600)has a first support member attached to a first face of a support frame and rotatable about a first axis that is perpendicular to the face. A second support unit is attached to the first unit, and extends along a second axis. An observer attached to the second support member such that the observer is able to rotate about the second axis and substantially parallel to the first axis. The observer is rotatable relative to the support frame about both the first axis and the second axis such that the observer has a steradian field of regard. A third support member that is rotatable attached to the second support member and fixed to the observer, where the third support member allows the observer to rotate about the second axis. |
| Filed: 8/10/2022 |
| Application Number: US17885337A |
| Tech ID: SD 15953.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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