Patent ID: 8179007
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: F16M,H02K

Abstract:
1. A gimbal arrangement comprising: a socket having a partially spherical inner surface with a first radius; a ball located within the socket and having a partially spherical outer surface with a second radius smaller than the first radius; a first array of electromagnets mounted at the outer surface of the ball; a second array of electromagnets mounted at the inner surface of the socket; and at least one power supply configured to selectively supply power to different ones of the electromagnets of the two arrays so as to hold the ball suspended relative to the socket by magnetic interaction between different electromagnets of the first and second arrays without applying any couple, the ball being held suspended within the socket by mutual magnetic repulsion between some electromagnets of the first and second arrays in a position where the partially spherical surfaces of the ball and socket are substantially concentric about a common center, said power supply also configured to control the orientation of the ball relative to the socket while being held suspended relative to the socket by magnetic interaction between different electromagnets of the first and second arrays by applying a couple.