Gimbal system with dual-wiper gasket for a rotary seal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10612664-B2
Application number	US-201715721557-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2017
Priority date	Sep 30, 2016
Publication date	Apr 7, 2020
Grant date	Apr 7, 2020

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a mounting portion;
a first gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the mounting portion, and configured to rotate with respect to the mounting portion about a first axis;
a gasket configured to encircle the first axis to create a rotary seal between the mounting portion and the first gimbal, wherein the gasket comprises:
a base attached to at least one of the mounting portion and the first gimbal; and
an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, wherein the inner wiper and the outer wiper are each configured to project from the base into circumferentially sealed engagement with a surface of the other of the mounting portion and the first gimbal.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the inner wiper measured across the first axis decreases as the inner wiper extends away from the base, and wherein a diameter of the outer wiper measured across the first axis increases as the outer wiper extends away from the base.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein a separation of the inner wiper and the outer wiper from one another increases as the inner and outer wipers extend away from the base toward the surface of the other of the mounting portion and the first gimbal.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner wiper and the outer wiper are each resiliently deformable to maintain contact with the surface of the other of the mounting portion and the first gimbal over a range of gap heights between the mounting portion and the first gimbal.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inner wiper and the outer wiper are each formed integrally with the base.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is formed of an elastomer.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a channel bounded at least in part by the inner wiper and the outer wiper, and further comprising a lubricant, wherein the lubricant is disposed in the channel configured to reduce friction at the rotary seal.

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a retaining member configured to be disposed in and extending along at least a majority of a circumference of the channel.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the retaining member is an O-ring.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base of the gasket is attached to at least one of the mounting portion and the first gimbal with an adhesive.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the gasket is configured to be deformed by pressure exerted on the gasket parallel to the first axis, and wherein the deformed gasket applies a restoring force that urges the wipers against the surface.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the mounting portion and the first gimbal comprises a dovetail groove, and wherein the base of the gasket is disposed in the dovetail groove.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the first gimbal configured to rotate about a second axis transverse to the first axis.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a first motor configured to drive rotation of the first gimbal about the first axis and a second motor configured to drive rotation of the second gimbal about the second axis.

15. The system of claim 13 , further comprising an optical detector configured to be connected to and supported by the second gimbal, wherein rotation of the first gimbal about the first axis and rotation of the second gimbal about the second axis allows the optical detector to pan and tilt.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the optical detector includes an imaging detector.

17. A system comprising:
a mounting portion;
a first gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the mounting portion via a rotary joint for rotation of the first gimbal relative to the mounting portion about a first axis;
an optical detector;
a gasket encircling the first axis configured to create a rotary seal between the mounting portion and the first gimbal, wherein the gasket comprises:
a base disposed in a groove defined by at least one of the mounting portion and the first gimbal; and
an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, wherein the inner wiper and the outer wiper are each configured to project from the base to a surface of the other of the mounting portion and the first gimbal, and wherein a distance from the inner wiper to the outer wiper increases as the inner wiper and the outer wiper extend from the base to the surface of the other of the mounting portion and the first gimbal.

18. The system of claim 17 , further comprising a second gimbal pivotably connected to and supported by the first gimbal for rotation of the second gimbal about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the inner wiper has a radially outer surface opposite a radially inner surface, and wherein the distance is defined between the radially outer surface of the outer wiper and the radially inner surface of the inner wiper.

20. A system comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion pivotably connected to the first portion via a rotary joint for rotation of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another about an axis;
a gasket encircling the axis configured to create a fluid-tight rotary seal between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the gasket comprises:
a base attached to the first portion; and
an inner wiper encircled by an outer wiper, wherein the inner wiper and the outer wiper are each configured to form integrally with the base and project from the base into circumferential sealing engagement with a surface of the second portion.

Assignees

• Flir Systems

Inventors

• Weaver James H
• Ellison Bruce
• Watkins Chris L

Classifications

• F16M11/08

  around a vertical axis {, e.g. panoramic heads (F16M11/12 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16M11/06

  allowing pivoting · CPC title

• F16J15/324

  Arrangements for lubrication or cooling of the sealing itself · CPC title

• F16J15/3268

  Mounting of sealing rings · CPC title

• F16J15/3216

  supported in a direction parallel to the surfaces · CPC title