US 11,747,613 B2
Multi-axis actuator with differential drive
Michael E. Knotts, Milford, NH (US); Adam J. Marcinuk, Lyndeborough, NH (US); and Chris L. Willis, Hollis, NH (US)
Assigned to BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH (US)
Filed by BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH (US)
Filed on Nov. 5, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/90,317.
Prior Publication US 2022/0137401 A1, May 5, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 26/08 (2006.01); G02B 26/10 (2006.01); G02B 7/182 (2021.01); F16H 48/00 (2012.01); F16M 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 26/105 (2013.01) [F16H 48/00 (2013.01); F16M 11/00 (2013.01); G02B 7/1821 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-axis rotary actuator, comprising:
a payload support configured to be rotatable about a first axis;
a disk surrounding at least a portion of the payload support, the disk configured to be rotatable about the first axis independently of the payload support; and
an elevation wheel rotatably coupled to the payload support, the elevation wheel configured to be in contact with the disk and to be rotatable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis as a function of the differential angular rotations of the payload support and the disk.