Patent ID: 6820846
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: F16M

Abstract:
A multiple ball joint gimbal mount apparatus comprising:a mount platform structure; a plurality of linear motor actuators arranged in a housing assembly; each actuator including an actuator shaft, and an actuator connector structure at a distal end of the shaft; the platform structure comprising a plurality of ball joint platform connectors each for coupling to a corresponding actuator connector structure to form a pivoting connection between the actuator shaft and the platform structure; a controller for selectively actuating said plurality of linear motor actuators to selectively position the plurality of actuator shafts along respective shaft axes and position the mount platform structure at a selected position within a gimbal range of motion; and means for selectively locking the mount platform structure in the selected position, said means comprising a supply of magneto-rheological (MR) fluid disposed in a closed reservoir in fluid communication with piston ends of the actuators, and an electromagnetic circuit for applying a magnetic field to said MR fluid to activate said fluid.