Abstract: Pan and tilt systems are provided. Pan and tilt systems illustratively include a pan hobby servo motor having a splined output shaft. The splined output shaft rotates about an axis of rotation. In an embodiment, an angular position of the splined output shaft is controlled based at least in part on a coded input signal and an external potentiometer. A pan auxiliary gear is illustratively rotatably coupled to the hobby servo motor splined output shaft. The pan auxiliary gear has an axis of rotation that is approximately parallel to the splined output shaft axis of rotation. In an embodiment, a tilt system is functionally engaged to the pan auxiliary gear such that rotation of the pan auxiliary gear is translated to the tilt system.

Abstract: Pan systems are provided. Pan systems illustratively include a hobby servo motor having a splined output shaft, a rotatable auxiliary shaft that is approximately parallel to the splined output shaft, and a one piece support frame. In an embodiment, the one piece support frame has a top panel, a center panel, a first side, and a second side. The top panel and the center panel are approximately parallel. The first side and the second side are approximately parallel. The top panel and the center panel are approximately perpendicular to the first side and the second side. The top and center panels illustratively each include a hobby servo motor aperture and an auxiliary shaft aperture. The hobby servo motor is positioned within the hobby servo apertures and the rotatable auxiliary shaft is positioned within the auxiliary shaft apertures.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for coupling an output shaft of a servo to an auxiliary shaft. The adapter includes an adapter body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end. The adapter body includes a first bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the first end a first distance. The first bore is configured to accept a portion of the auxiliary shaft. The adapter body also includes a second bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the second end a second distance. The adapter also includes an engagement member positioned within the second bore. The engagement member is configured to accept and engage a portion of the output shaft of the servo.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for providing enhanced hobby servo motor operational capacity are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having a rotatable output shaft. The rotatable output shaft is splined in that it includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed splines. Embodiments also include a shaft attachment mechanism having a spline receiving portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed protrusions sized and dispersed to support functional engagement of the shaft attachment mechanism to the rotatable shaft. The functional engagement is such that rotation of the rotatable shaft causes a corresponding rotation of the shaft attachment mechanism. The shaft attachment mechanism further includes an elongated shaft that is positioned inline with the rotatable output shaft when the shaft attachment is functionally engaged to the rotatable output shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of hobby servo motor devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having an output shaft and a planar surface that is perpendicular to the output shaft. Embodiments also include a gear attachment mechanism having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and an outer surface having gear engaging teeth. The gear engaging teeth extend from the bottom surface to the top surface. The top surface is in contact with the hobby servo output shaft. The gear attachment mechanism bottom planar surface is flushly engaged to the hobby servo planar surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the operational performance of a servo. The apparatus comprises an auxiliary shaft that is independent and displaced from the servo and an actuation sensor that is operably coupled to the auxiliary shaft. The auxiliary shaft is configured to be driven by a motor associated with the servo.

Abstract: Embodiments of hobby servo motor devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having a rotatable splined output shaft and a rotational enhancement mechanism that is rotatably engaged to the hobby servo motor splined output shaft. The rotational enhancement mechanism has an auxiliary shaft that is in-line with the hobby servo motor output shaft. Embodiments also include a support panel that is rigidly connected to the hobby servo motor and displaced from the hobby servo motor. The support panel has an aperture that receives and supports the auxiliary shaft.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the operational capacity of a hobby servo having an internal potentiometer and internal components that limit a rotational capacity. The method comprises disconnecting the internal potentiometer, modifying the internal components to increase the rotational capacity, and connecting the hobby servo to an external potentiometer. The method further comprises operably connecting the hobby servo to an auxiliary shaft that is displaced from the hobby servo, connecting the external potentiometer to the auxiliary shaft, and utilizing feedback from the external potentiometer.

Abstract: Embodiments of hobby servo motor devices are disclosed. Embodiments include a hobby servo motor having a rotatable splined output shaft and a rotational enhancement mechanism that is rotatably engaged to the hobby servo motor splined output shaft. The rotational enhancement mechanism has an auxiliary shaft that is in-line with the hobby servo motor output shaft. Embodiments also include a support panel that is rigidly connected to the hobby servo motor and displaced from the hobby servo motor. The support panel has an aperture that receives and supports the auxiliary shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the operation performance of a servo. The apparatus comprises a rotational enhancement mechanism configured to functionally engage an output shaft associated with the hobby servo and a support panel displaced from the servo and having a aperture formed therein for receiving the rotational enhancement mechanism.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for coupling an output shaft of a servo to an auxiliary shaft. The adapter includes an adapter body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end. The adapter body includes a first bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the first end a first distance. The first bore is configured to accept a portion of the auxiliary shaft. The adapter body also includes a second bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the second end a second distance. The adapter also includes an engagement member positioned within the second bore. The engagement member is configured to accept and engage a portion of the output shaft of the servo.

Abstract: An independent and modular apparatus is disclosed for extending the operational capacity of a servo motor. The apparatus includes a frame member having a servo motor and a rotatable shaft mounted therein. The output shaft of the servo motor and the rotatable shaft are displace from one another. Means are incorporated for translating rotation motion from the output shaft to the rotatable shaft so as to enable a torque or rotational capacity for the rotatable shaft that is greater than that of the servo output shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the operational capacity of a servo motor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame member. A first aperture is defined within the frame member and is configured to support a servo motor. A servo motor is positioned within the first aperture. The servo motor has a splined output shaft. A first gear is functionally engaged to the splined output shaft. The first gear includes a plurality of gear teeth disposed along an outer perimeter. The first gear also includes an integrally formed female spline receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the operational capacity of a servo motor is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame member. A first aperture is defined within the frame member and is configured to support a servo motor. A servo motor is positioned within the first aperture. The servo motor has a splined output shaft. A first gear is functionally engaged to the splined output shaft. The first gear includes a plurality of gear teeth disposed along an outer perimeter. The first gear also includes an integrally formed female spline receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the operational performance of a servo. The apparatus comprises a rotational enhancement mechanism configured to functionally engage an output shaft associated with the hobby servo and a support panel displaced from the servo and having an aperture formed therein for receiving the rotational enhancement mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the operational performance of a servo. The apparatus comprises an auxiliary shaft that is independent and displaced from the servo and an actuation sensor that is operably coupled to the auxiliary shaft. The auxiliary shaft is configured to be driven by a motor associated with the servo.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable airfoil mountable to a vehicle and movable from a first position to a second position. The invention further includes an actuator device coupled to the adjustable airfoil to selectively move the airfoil from the first position to the second position and operatively coupled to a vehicle brake system so that the actuator device is able to receive a signal pertaining to operation of the vehicle brake system, wherein the actuator device moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable airfoil further comprises a remote control device operably coupled to the actuator to provided a second signal, wherein the actuator device also moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the second signal. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating an adjustable airfoil as just described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable airfoil mountable to a vehicle and movable from a first position to a second position. The invention further includes an actuator device coupled to the adjustable airfoil to selectively move the airfoil from the first position to the second position and operatively coupled to a vehicle brake system so that the actuator device is able to receive a signal pertaining to operation of the vehicle brake system, wherein the actuator device moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable airfoil further comprises a remote control device operably coupled to the actuator to provided a second signal, wherein the actuator device also moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the second signal. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating an adjustable airfoil as just described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable airfoil mountable to a vehicle and movable from a first position to a second position. The invention further includes an actuator device coupled to the adjustable airfoil to selectively move the airfoil from the first position to the second position and operatively coupled to a vehicle brake system so that the actuator device is able to receive a signal pertaining to operation of the vehicle brake system, wherein the actuator device moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable airfoil further comprises a remote control device operably coupled to the actuator to provided a second signal, wherein the actuator device also moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the second signal. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating an adjustable airfoil as just described.