Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhanced viewing of objects in two separate simultaneous frequency bands of light that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a primary mirror and a moveable secondary mirror that is disposed above the primary mirror to provide a long focal length. A beam splitter splits the optical path into two paths, one for infrared and another path for visible. Various optical elements and devices are described along each path. The secondary mirror is displaced away from its concentric position over the primary mirror to provide shorter focal lengths in IR and visible. Focal Plane Arrays (FPA's) are disposed where desired along both optical paths for real-time viewing and data acquisition. The preferred FPA in visible is a CCD. The preferred FPA in IR is disposed in a Dewar.

Abstract: An apparatus for urging a person of limited physical ability from a first location to a second location includes a self-propelled type of wheelchair that has two driven wheels disposed under the chair. A pair of preferably front-disposed castors is included. Together, the pair of castors and the two driven wheels define a first plane that the wheelchair is disposed on when the wheelchair is on a level surface. A pair of additional driven wheels is provided that are elevated with respect to the first plane. The additional driven wheels can be disposed either in front of or behind the two driven wheels. Together, the two driven wheels and the pair of additional driven wheels define a second plane. When the wheelchair is disposed along a sufficient incline, it tilts from the first plane into the second plane. At that time, contact with the surface is made by the pair of additional driven wheels, whereby the pair of additional driven wheels provides an additional motive force to help propel the wheelchair.

Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control and alignment of a sensor on a moving vehicle is provided that includes a gimbal ball supported by an outer axis structure and adapted to pivot about an outer elevation axis and about an outer azimuth axis. The outer axis structure is mounted to a vehicle. An inner axis structure includes a cardan shaft that is provided in the ball and is used to support a payload. An inner elevation axis passes through the cardan shaft. The payload is moved about inner pitch inner roll and inner yaw axes over a limited range of motion by the use of a plurality of permanent magnet wide-gap motors that are disposed on the plane of the cardan shaft and maximally away from the yaw axis in the ball. The motors are adapted to each urge the payload to move in two perpendicular axes, depending upon the current that is applied through conductors which pass through a flux field. Control circuitry is used to energize the motors in any desired combination to produce motion in roll, pitch, or yaw.

Abstract: An apparatus for the focusing of incident light includes a base assembly that is adapted to support a primary mirror. The primary mirror includes an outside circumference and an inside aperture. An upright member is attached to the base assembly at a first end thereof at a first location that is disposed inside the aperture and at a second location that is disposed outside the primary mirror. The upright member includes a second end that is distally disposed with respect to the first end. The second end is adapted to receive a turret that includes a secondary mirror and is adapted to pivot between two positions. An IMU is attached to the base assembly proximate the primary mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control and alignment of a sensor on a moving vehicle is provided that includes a gimbal ball supported by an outer axis structure and adapted to pivot about an outer elevation axis and about an outer azimuth axis. The outer axis structure is mounted to a vehicle. An inner axis structure includes a cardan shaft that is provided in the ball and is used to support a payload. An inner elevation axis passes through the cardan shaft. The payload is moved about inner pitch inner roll and inner yaw axes over a limited range of motion by the use of a plurality of permanent magnet wide-gap motors that are disposed on the plane of the cardan shaft and maximally away from the yaw axis in the ball. The motors are adapted to each urge the payload to move in two perpendicular axes, depending upon the current that is applied through conductors which pass through a flux field. Control circuitry is used to energize the motors in any desired combination to produce motion in roll, pitch, or yaw.

Abstract: An apparatus for the support of a cardan shaft within a gimbal ball includes a pair of cardan support cranes that are adapted to pivot around an inner elevation axis in the ball and which each support one of a pair of vibration isolators. Each end of the cardan shaft is supported by one of the vibration isolators. An outer elevation drive motor is attached to the ball and drives against a bevel section of a combination bevel sector and spur gear that is attached to an outer support structure, that supports the ball. The motor drives the ball in elevation relative to the outer support structure. This causes the ball to rotate relative to the bevel sector and spur gear.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control and alignment of a sensor on a moving vehicle is provided that includes a gimbal ball supported by an outer axis structure and adapted to pivot about an outer elevation axis and about an outer azimuth axis. The outer axis structure is mounted to a vehicle. A cardan assembly is provided in the ball that includes a cardan shaft with an inner elevation axis passing through the cardan shaft. The inner elevation axis is in parallel alignment with respect to the outer elevation axis and includes an offset that raises the inner elevation axis above the outer elevation axis by a predetermined amount to provide for a greater payload volume and improved optical performance. If desired the cardan assembly includes an inner azimuth axis that is offset with respect to the outer azimuth axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control and alignment of a sensor on a moving vehicle is provided that includes a gimbal ball supported by an outer axis structure and adapted to pivot about an outer elevation axis and about an outer azimuth axis. The outer axis structure is mounted to a vehicle. A cardan assembly is provided in the ball that includes a cardan shaft with an inner elevation axis passing through the cardan shaft. The inner elevation axis is in parallel alignment with respect to the outer elevation axis and includes an offset that raises the inner elevation axis above the outer elevation axis by a predetermined amount to provide for a greater payload volume and improved optical performance. If desired the cardan assembly includes an inner azimuth axis that is offset with respect to the outer azimuth axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for the support of a cardan shaft within a gimbal ball includes a pair of cardan support cranes that are adapted to pivot around an inner elevation axis in the ball and which each support one of a pair of vibration isolators. Each end of the cardan shaft is supported by one of the vibration isolators. An outer elevation drive motor is attached to the ball and drives against a bevel section of a combination bevel sector and spur gear that is attached to an outer support structure, that supports the ball. The motor drives the ball in elevation relative to the outer support structure. This causes the ball to rotate relative to the bevel sector and spur gear.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning the field of view of an optical objective. A primary mirror is mounted for rotation about a spin axis. A secondary mirror supports an electrical motor magnet and is mounted for rotation about the spin axis. A non-rotating stator is mounted behind the secondary mirror and supports the electric motor coils. The primary and secondary mirrors are canted slightly out of perpendicularity with the spin axis. The primary and secondary mirrors and the electric motor stator are fully gimbaled for tracking a target. The scanning patterns of the primary and secondary mirrors combine to scan a rosette pattern across a sensor.