Development of a composite gimbal for a high-precision inertial-guidance test table

Brian Cuerden; David A. Henderson

doi:10.1117/12.21525

1 October 1990 Development of a composite gimbal for a high-precision inertial-guidance test table

Brian Cuerden, David A. Henderson

Proceedings Volume 1303, Advances in Optical Structure Systems; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21525
Event: 1990 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1990, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

This document discusses material selection, design, and analysis of a composite gimbal for use on a high precision inertial guidance test table with active magnetic bearing suspension. The test table's system performance goals of 0.1 arc second angular pointing accury and one part per million angular rate stability, can only be achieved by using a gimbal with high specific stiffness, highly symmetric elastic properties, and high dimensional stability. These characteristics are achieved by proper selection of the ginthal's construction material, configuration, and fabrication processes. Both traditional and advanced composite materials are considered and evaluated for specific stiffness, coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, dimensional stability, fabrication problems, and cost. Using the candidate materials, several gimbal configurations are evaluated with respect to the test table's system performance goals for angular pointing accuracy and angular rate stability. Specific gimbal design parameters affecting the system performance goals for angular pointing accuracy and angular rate stability include: the angular payload deflections due to torsional wind-up and asymmetrical stiffness; the linear payload deflections that cause torque disturbances and shaft wobble; and the natural frequencies affecting the control system bandwidths. Detailed finite element models of each configuration are used to predict the performance charteristics and demonstrate the advantages of the graphite/epoxy composite design.

Citation Download Citation

Brian Cuerden and David A. Henderson "Development of a composite gimbal for a high-precision inertial-guidance test table", Proc. SPIE 1303, Advances in Optical Structure Systems, (1 October 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21525

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