A brief description for a proposed new pointing mechanism which requires no mechanical gimbals, is virtually friction free, and is vibration isolated from a ground support system or vehicle is presented. The device uses electromagnetic forces for support levitation and pointing, both being accomplished from a ground reference thereby leaving the payload virtually free from a remotely located command center. Solid pointing angles of almost 2(pi) steradians are achievable, limited only by structural interference. A third degree-of-freedom tilt axis can be added at will, but will not be elaborated. Although the system is primarily intended for space vehicles in a micro-gravity environment, earth-ground support is possible with superconducting electromagnets.


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    Title :

    An electromagnetically levitated two-axis gimbaless pointing mechanism


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1993-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







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