Abstract: System including a rotary seal created by a dual-wiper gasket. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a mounting portion and a gimbal assembly. The gimbal assembly may include a first gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the mounting portion for rotation of the first gimbal about a first axis, and a second gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the first gimbal for rotation of the second gimbal about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The system also may comprise a gasket encircling the first axis and creating a rotary seal between the mounting portion and the first gimbal. The gasket may have an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, with both wipers disposed in circumferentially sealed engagement with the mounting portion or the first gimbal.

Abstract: Imaging system comprising an anti-rotation mount and an image detector. The mount may comprise a first frame member having a fixed relation to a set of mutually transverse X, Y, and Z axes, and a second frame member. The second frame member may be connected to the first frame member via a coupling assembly, such that the frame members are not permitted to rotate relative to one another. The mount also may comprise X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis coupling structures each formed at least partially by the coupling assembly and each permitting axial motion of the frame members relative to one another only substantially parallel to the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, respectively. The image detector may be connected to the mount via the second frame member.

Abstract: System including a rotary seal created by a dual-wiper gasket. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a mounting portion and a gimbal assembly. The gimbal assembly may include a first gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the mounting portion for rotation of the first gimbal about a first axis, and a second gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the first gimbal for rotation of the second gimbal about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The system also may comprise a gasket encircling the first axis and creating a rotary seal between the mounting portion and the first gimbal. The gasket may have an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, with both wipers disposed in circumferentially sealed engagement with the mounting portion or the first gimbal.

Abstract: Imaging system comprising an anti-rotation mount and an image detector. The mount may comprise a first frame member having a fixed relation to a set of mutually transverse X, Y, and Z axes, and a second frame member. The second frame member may be connected to the first frame member via a coupling assembly, such that the frame members are not permitted to rotate relative to one another. The mount also may comprise X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis coupling structures each formed at least partially by the coupling assembly and each permitting axial motion of the frame members relative to one another only substantially parallel to the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, respectively. The image detector may be connected to the mount via the second frame member.

Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.

Abstract: Gimbal system, including apparatus and methods, with forced flow of external air through a channel to remove heat. The system may comprise a support portion including at least one electronic component and defining a channel, a gimbal assembly pivotably connected to and supported by the support portion, and a payload pivotably orientable with respect to the support portion by the gimbal assembly. The support portion alone or collectively with the gimbal assembly may define a chamber in which the electronic component is disposed. The support portion may include a forced-air device configured to drive flow of external air through the channel, thereby removing heat transferred to the channel from the electronic component.

Abstract: Gimbal system, including apparatus and methods, with forced flow of external air through a channel to remove heat. The system may comprise a support portion including at least one electronic component and defining a channel, a gimbal assembly pivotably connected to and supported by the support portion, and a payload pivotably orientable with respect to the support portion by the gimbal assembly. The support portion alone or collectively with the gimbal assembly may define a chamber in which the electronic component is disposed. The support portion may include a forced-air device configured to drive flow of external air through the channel, thereby removing heat transferred to the channel from the electronic component.

Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.

Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.

Abstract: Optical systems, including apparatus and methods, for obtaining images, particularly with multiple fields of view. These systems may utilize a plurality of optical components with different optical axes, where the optical axes may be selectively rotated into alignment with an imaging axis to obtain images having various discrete fields of view.

Abstract: A gimbal system. The gimbal system may include space-saving features configured to accommodate one or more payload components, thus increasing the payload capacity of the gimbal ball without necessarily increasing the outer dimensions of the gimbal ball. Alternatively, or in addition, the gimbal system may include a motor configured to move at least one gimbal relative to another gimbal about a first axis, with the motor peripherally mounted distal the axis.