Abstract: The focus angle of a search light mounted on a helicopter or other platform is narrowed or widened by rotating a bidirectional focus control cam in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as selected by a manually operated three-position control switch which determines the rotational direction of a DC motor driving the bidirectional focus control cam. The DC motor has first and second terminals which are selectively connected to either a DC power source or ground by a double-pole, single throw dual relay which reverses the polarity and thus the direction of rotation of the DC motor. The dual relay is connected by the same single wire interface currently in use to the manually operated control switch, which manually operated control switch is within a control box located in the helicopter.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for stabilizing a payload assembly including a payload, a maintaining apparatus for at least temporarily maintaining the payload in an airborne environment, and an elongate connection apparatus, which when extended has a vertical length greatly in excess of the combined vertical lengths of the payload and the maintaining apparatus, whereby angular stabilization is a function of the vertical length of the connection apparatus when extended.A method for stabilizing a payload assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing and protecting a device adapted to be continuously aimed at an external target object. The enclosure includes inner and outer windowed portions which are movable relative to one another in response to movements of the device. The outer window is elongated and oriented around the tilt axis of the device to provide a line of sight to the target object at all times in response to tilting rotation of the device. The inner window is smaller and extends transversely of the outer window. Because the outer enclosure portion or dome overlies the inner enclosure portion or dome it blocks the line of sight to the target object except when the inner window is in registry with the outer window. When this occurs a relatively small opening affords a clear line of sight. The opening is small enough to limit wind loads to an acceptable level, so the opening is preferably left uncovered.

Abstract: An aerial photography device is disclosed. The device includes a blimp filled with lighter than air gas or some other structure which will keep the device aloft. The device will also include a servo platform for positioning and moving the aerial photography device in the air and a camera platform. Both the servo platform and camera platform are attached to a servo frame, which in turn is attached to the blimp. The camera platform has a camera mount which is pivotable about at least one axis of rotation. A remote transmitter and a receiver mounted on the device allow an operator to remotely control the servo platform and the camera platform.

Abstract: A search and surveillance system is describes in which two separate devices, typically a searchlight and an infrared and/or video camera, can be directly linked electronically through one device's comparator, without inclusion of an intermediate coordinating device, so that a user's movement and positioning of one of the devices directly determines the movement and positioning of the other device. Either of the devices may be the master unit, although in most cases the searchlight will be the master unit. The invention allows the user to concentrate on monitoring the operation of the master unit with the slave unit automatically responding in unison. The system is primarily used on aircraft, especially helicopters. Preferred methods of use of the system are also disclosed. The system uniquely utilizes comparator circuitry already found in conventional gimbal/unit positioning devices.

Abstract: An aerial support platform is supported to extend below, and intermediate of, a pair of parallel cables mounted along respective opposite walls of a studio. A carriage rides on each of the parallel cables, and another pair of cables extends to connect the pair of carriages. A third carriage sits on the other pair of cables, and a series of further cables extend vertically from that carriage to the platform. The pair of carriages positioned on the opposite walls of the studio are controlled to move in tandem, and the third carriage has controlled movement between those carriages. The platform may be raised or lowered relative to the third carriage, and thus has three linear axes of motion. The platform has two additional axes of motion, both rotational. One is around a vertical axis and another is around an axis normal to the vertical axis. Cinematographic equipment may be fixed to the platform, which can then be oriented using a computer at a remote location.