Patent ID: 6326759
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G05B,H01Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A ball joint gimbal system for use with a seeker of a missile to track a target comprising:a gimballed mirror positioned within the seeker of said missile for receiving image forming light from said target and then directing said image forming light along a first light path;a fixed mirror positioned on said first light path to receive said image forming light from said gimballed mirror and then direct said image forming light along a second light path;focusing optics positioned on said second light path to receive said image forming light from said fixed mirror, said focusing optics focusing said image forming light on a fixed imager positioned on said second light path;a ball joint rotatably coupled to said gimballed mirror to allow for rotational movement said gimballed mirror about said ball joint;first, second, third and fourth braided lines, each of said first, second, third and fourth braided lines having one end thereof connected to said gimballed mirror; andservo motor means connected to an other end of said first, second, third and fourth braided lines, said servo motor means continuously adjusting a length for each of said first, second, third and fourth braided lines to steer said gimballed mirror and maintain a line of sight to said target.