Patent ID: 6962076
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A positioning system orienting an object in a wind tunnel, comprising: a cylindrical sleeve having a longitudinal axis that defines a system axis; a first motor assembly mounted rearward of the sleeve, along the system axis, and configured to rotate the sleeve about the system axis; a torque tube mounted to the sleeve such that the longitudinal axis of the tube is askew at a prescribed angle with respect to the system axis, such that rotation of the sleeve causes the torque tube to rotate about the system axis, and such that the tube is rotatable about the tube's longitudinal axis; a second motor assembly mounted rearward of the sleeve, along the system axis, and configured to rotate the torque tube about the tube's longitudinal axis; an elongated, crooked shaft having an axis of rotation, the shaft attached to the torque tube such that rotation of the torque tube about the tube's longitudinal axis causes the shaft to rotate about the shaft's axis of rotation, the shaft having a first end spaced from the torque tube and askew at a prescribed angle with respect to the shaft's axis of rotation; and a sting assembly configured to receive an object, the sting assembly rotatably attached to the first end of the shaft, the sting assembly having a third motor assembly configured to rotate the sting assembly about the sting's longitudinal axis; wherein rotation of the sleeve, the shaft and the sting about their corresponding axes combine to provide roll, pitch and yaw positioning of the object.