Patents Examined by Charles W. Wieland
  • Patent number: 4798949
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for pointing an optical concentrator 20 in an extraterrestrial environment. A base 12 rigidly supports focal point equipment 16. At least three support means 18 are utilized for connecting the optical concentrator 20 to the base 12. The support means 18 include actuation means 28 for providing differential motion between the base 12 and the optical concentrator 20 and further include gimballing means 32,36 for accommodating the differential motion and independently gimballing the optical concentrator 20 with respect to the focal point equipment 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Wilcox, Charles T. Kudija, Jr.