Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for moving optical elements. The system includes a first rotor and a second rotor configured to rotate in opposite directions. The system further includes a first plurality of paddles coupled to the first rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a first optical element, and a second plurality of paddles coupled to the second rotor, each of the plurality of paddles having an aperture configured to receive a second optical element. The first rotor and the second rotor are configured to move the first optical element between a retracted position and a desired position and to move the second optical element between the desired position and a retracted position substantially simultaneously such that a reaction torque of the first rotor cancels a reaction torque of the second rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing energy and actuating the attitude of a spacecraft includes a first gimbaled flywheel assembly having a first rotor rotating in a first direction, and a second gimbaled flywheel assembly having a second rotor rotating in a second direction opposing the first direction. The first and second gimbaled flywheel assemblies are adapted to store and release energy and to actuate the attitude of the spacecraft. The apparatus includes one or more non-gimbaled counter-rotating flywheel pairs that are adapted to store and release energy.

Abstract: A control moment gyro having a housing enclosing a spinning momentum wheel. A rocking plate circumscribes the housing and is compliantly connected thereto by a set of isolator struts and non-contacting actuators which isolate the rocking plate from the inherent vibrations and oscillations of the momentum wheel. The rocking plate is pivotably connected to a gimbal ring about a first pivot axis normal to the spin axis of the momentum wheel. The gimbal ring is pivotably connected to the structure of the spacecraft about a second axis orthogonal to the spin axis and the first pivot axis. Actuators are provided to control the attitude of the housing relative to the rocking plate, the rocking plate relative to the gimbal ring, and the gimbal ring relative to the spacecraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a momentum wheel assembly (10) to a spacecraft (54). The momentum wheel assembly (10) includes a momentum wheel which has a primary spin axis coinciding with the primary spin axis of the spacecraft and spins in a direction opposite that of the spacecraft (54). Suspension isolation struts (20) attach the momentum wheel assembly (10) to the spacecraft (54) and provide substantial vibration isolation between the spacecraft (54) and the momentum wheel assembly (10). Voice coil actuators (40) attach to an adaptor ring (14) which in turn attaches to the spacecraft (54). The voice coil actuators (40) magnetically interact with a magnetically conductive element (42) attached to the momentum wheel assembly case (12). Interaction between the voice coil actuators (40) and the magnetic element (42) provides forces which displace the momentum wheel assembly case (12) in two axes orthogonal to the primary spin axis.

Abstract: A suspension system permits fine angular adjustment of a gimbal-mounted platform and, in combination with a wireless power and communications transfer system, eliminates the unwanted forces associated with systems which rely upon cables to transfer power and signals between a gimbal platform and its support structure.

Abstract: An articulated optical system has a pair of actuators (42, 44) each of which pivot a head mirror (34) about respective parallel axes (E.sub.1, E.sub.2) to direct the line-of-sight of an optical beam through a window (36) of a vehicle (30) to an optical sensor (38). Of the actuators, a coarse actuator (42) pivots the mirror (34) through substantially the entire desired field of regard of the optical system, and a fine actuator (44) pivots the mirror (34) for fine adjustment, e.g., less than five degrees. The coarse actuator (42) is positioned so that the axis thereof (E.sub.1) is located as close as possible to an edge of the mirror (34), so that the radial distance therebetween is small; therefore, the size of the window (36) is minimized with respect to the diameter (d.sub.b) of the optical beam. The fine actuator (44) is attached to approximately the geometric center of the mirror (34), so that the mirror (34) is statically balanced about the elevation axis (E.sub.

Abstract: A method is provided for utilizing a nonintrusive, noncontacting electric field sensing device to detect faults in high voltage transmission line insulators. The electric field surrounding an unfaulted insulator is mapped using a spherical dipole to obtain a characteristic reference curve. The field of a suspect insulator is then mapped to obtain a test curve which is compared with the reference curve to determine the existence of and location of a fault.

Abstract: A position sensor for a moving member of a mechanical device is disclosed. The sensor includes an optical sensing means such as solid-state image sensor and illuminating means such as a plurality of light-emitting diodes, stationarily mounted to face scribing marks provided on the moving member. The microprocessor controlled image sensor generates a digital signal representative of the scribing marks on the moving member. A cable is provided between the position sensor and a remote digital computer which applies control and command signals to the sensor and receives the digital signal representation of the moving member scribing marks. The image is presented on a CRT screen allowing a human being a remote visual image of the position of the moving member. The remote digital computer also processes the received digital signal from each of the moving members and generates an alarm if the movement is greater than a predetermined amount.