On a New Seeker Gimbal

Ross-Hime Designs, Inc. presents the results of its research and development of “Low Cost Light-Weight Seeker Gimbals.” The Super Seeker, a patent-pending gimbal design, offers a swiveling yoke design lower in cost than current gimbal designs and weighing significantly less than traditional gimbal systems while enabling a doubling of the sensor’s surface area. The swiveling yoke design has built-in shock and vibration isolation by virtue of a bulk-head mounted design that promises to be more rugged than all of its predecessors. A prototype electronic controller and software to drive the wrist for testing purposes was developed. Tests confirmed the Seeker met the repeatability and tracking requirements in all but the first repeat, where the offset was less than 2 mrad. We are continuing to investigate this anomaly. All other repeats had errors less than 1 mrad. The environmental vibration and classic functional shock test results showed that the Super Seeker meets the requirements of the Phase II Environmental Vibration and Shock Test Requirements of the missile contract. Anticipated benefits: The Super Seeker will prove widely adaptable to multiple applications including sensor pointing for missiles, aircraft, and ships. Commercial applications include antenna pointing on any moving platform including pleasure craft, RV’s and private planes.