Abstract: The invention is directed to a movement simulator (1) comprising of a moveable support (2) having three translational degrees of freedom connected to a base (3) by means of three actuators (4), wherein each actuator (4) comprises a rotating shaft (5) having two outer ends (6,7) and comprising two spaced apart cranks (10,11), an electric motor (21) comprising a rotor (22) and a stator (23), a support structure (8,9) comprising bearings (26,27) for the rotating shaft (5). The support structure is connected to the base (3), a pair of links (12,13) connecting the cranks (10,11) of shaft (5) to the moveable support (2). One crank (10) is positioned at one outer end (6) of the shaft (5) and the other crank (11) is positioned at the opposite outer end (7) of the shaft (5). Part of the rotating shaft (5) is the rotor (22) of the electric motor (21).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an overdetermined movement platform system, comprising a base; a platform movable along 6 degrees of freedom relative to said base; at least eight long-stroke actuators, wherein each actuator couples the base with the platform and a controller which (a) is configured to adapt a demanded platform movement set-point to a commanded platform movement set-point, (b) is configured to move the eight long-stroke actuators such that the commanded platform movement set-point is achieved and (c) is configured to dynamically redistribute the forces as exercised by the actuators on the platform between the actuators.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a 6 degree-of-freedom motion hexapod simulator assembly comprising of a fixed base, a displaceable simulator platform comprising of a load bearing structure, and 6 linear actuators having upper ends thereof interconnected with the load bearing structure by three pairs of two-degree of freedom joints and lower ends thereof interconnected with the fixed base by means of three pairs of two-degree of freedom joints. The two degree of freedom joint comprises of two rotatable pivot means which are oriented 90° with respect to each other. One pivot means runs through the other pivot means. At the connection with the load bearing structure the center of one joint of a pair of joints is separated by part of the load bearing structure from the center of the other joint of the pair of joints.

Abstract: A motion platform system comprising a motion platform which is supported above a base by displacement units. Displacement units comprise a drive unit which drives a crank. A connecting arm is connected between the crank and the motion platform, so that translational and tilting movement of the motion platform is achieved by appropriate operation of the drive units. Each connecting arm has a curved profile which enables a full range of movement of the motion platform to be achieved using connecting arms of relatively short length. The connection between the connecting arm and the crank arm can be brought close to, or within, the crank arm. The height of the motion platform above the base, and bearing loads within the drive units, can thus be reduced.

Abstract: A movement simulator includes a base; a platform movable relative to the base; a plurality of actuators each having a controllably variable length, each of the actuators being coupled with the base and carrying the platform, wherein the dimensions of the base and the platform, and the variable lengths of the actuators determine a workspace within which the platform can move. A controller is operable to provide a motion cueing algorithm having a demanded platform state as output and a washout controller having a washout adaptation as output, which washout controller keeps the platform within its workspace by adapting the demanded platform state to a commanded platform state using the washout adaptation. The commanded platform state controls, via a kinematic transformation, the lengths of the actuators. The washout adaptation is calculated using a model predictive control algorithm.

Abstract: A motion platform system comprising a motion platform which is supported above a base by displacement units. Displacement units comprise a drive unit which drives a crank. A connecting arm is connected between the crank and the motion platform, so that translational and tilting movement of the motion platform is achieved by appropriate operation of the drive units. Each connecting arm has a curved profile which enables a full range of movement of the motion platform to be achieved using connecting arms of relatively short length. The connection between the connecting arm and the crank arm can be brought close to, or within, the crank arm. The height of the motion platform above the base, and bearing loads within the drive units, can thus be reduced.