Abstract: Optical system comprising a motor, an optical element, an optical detector, and a linkage that connects operation of the motor to movement of the optical element and the optical detector relative to one another. The linkage may include a shaft and a drive element that operatively connects the shaft to another part of the linkage. In some embodiments, the drive element may include a clamp having a base and a retainer that compressively secure the drive element to the shaft by engagement of a cylindrical surface region of the shaft with the base and engagement of a flat surface region of the shaft with the retainer. In some embodiments, the drive element may include a collar secured to the shaft with a fastener disposed in threaded engagement with a transverse hole defined by the shaft.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a movable component that travels along a rail, the movable component being coupled to the rail by a carriage that includes a bearing and a magnetic portion configured to bias the bearing toward the rail. The imaging system may be suitable for use in a gimbal assembly.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly may include an imbalance compensation system having a driver operatively connected to a movable weight. A controller may determine a compensating position for the movable weight to counterbalance an effective moment imparted on the gimbal assembly by one or more movable components therein. The controller may command the driver to relocate the movable weight to the compensating position.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a movable component that travels along a rail, the movable component being coupled to the rail by a carriage that includes a bearing and a magnetic portion configured to bias the bearing toward the rail. The imaging system may be suitable for use in a gimbal assembly.

Abstract: Optical system comprising a motor, an optical element, an optical detector, and a linkage that connects operation of the motor to movement of the optical element and the optical detector relative to one another. The linkage may include a shaft and a drive element that operatively connects the shaft to another part of the linkage. In some embodiments, the drive element may include a clamp having a base and a retainer that compressively secure the drive element to the shaft by engagement of a cylindrical surface region of the shaft with the base and engagement of a flat surface region of the shaft with the retainer. In some embodiments, the drive element may include a collar secured to the shaft with a fastener disposed in threaded engagement with a transverse hole defined by the shaft.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly may include an imbalance compensation system having a driver operatively connected to a movable weight. A controller may determine a compensating position for the movable weight to counterbalance an effective moment imparted on the gimbal assembly by one or more movable components therein. The controller may command the driver to relocate the movable weight to the compensating position.

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: An optical scanner has grease bearings between the rotor and the housing. The grease bearings are grooved which tends to pump the grease back into the bearing cups when the optical scanner is operating. The thixotropic property of the grease prevents its escape from the bearing cups when the optical scanner is not operating. The grease bearings can be frusto-conical or spherical in shape with complementary shaped bearing cups. The bearing cups, rather than the bearings, may be grooved. The bearing cups may also be stepped to provide a pumping region and a reservoir region for the grease. Pressure means within the scanner housing may force the bearing cups onto the grease bearing.