Gyro-Stabilized Mount - GSM3000 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sven Herrmann   
Monday, 07 December 2009 11:00

Gyro-Stabilized Mount - GSM3000

 

GSM3000

 

Scope of Application
Gyro-stabilized  Mounts  for  dynamic  stabilization  of  cameras  or  sensors  for  aerial photography have been on  the civilian market since  the SM2000 was  introduced by Carl Zeiss Jena  in 1990, and have become standard equipment  for aerial surveys. Stabilized camera mounts provide important advantages, especially when combined with Forward Image Motion Compensation.

 

  • Drastic reduction of the angular rates caused by turbulence. Image motion during exposure  time  is  reduced or eliminated,  resulting  in highly enhanced  resolution. Longer  exposure  times  become  possible,  allowing  use  of  slower,  fine-grained films, and aerial missions can be completed under less than ideal conditions.
  • Elimination  of  momentary  roll,  pitch,  and  yaw  angle  errors  at  exposure  time. Overlap can be accurately predicted, allowing  less-conservative overlap requirements and consequent saving  in  film or data storage memory while maintaining proper  overlap. Aspect  differences  between  exposures  are  reduced,  improving the accuracy of correlation between images.

Principle of Operation
The GSM 3000 provides a stabilized platform  in all  three rotational axes.  Instead of using  mechanical  gimbals  and  complex  gear  drives,  roll  and  pitch  stabilization  is done by a hydraulic system consisting of  four cylinders and  two servo pumps. This patented  design  eliminates  the  cantilevers  of  a  gimbal  and  provides  maximum stiffness without excessive mass or bulk, avoiding the occurrence of natural frequencies and allowing full closed loop stabilization.
A third control loop compensates the drift angle of the airplane and dynamically gyro-stabilizes deviations from heading using classic gear drives and bearings.

The  rate sensors are state-of-the-art electronic chip gyros. An electronic  inclination sensor controls absolute  leveling. Drift compensation  is provided by  local control, or an external viewfinder or flight management system.
In  addition,  effective  passive  isolation  from  high-frequency  vibrations,  primarily caused  by  engines  and  propellers,  is provided  by  a  combination  of  springs  and specially manufactured viscous dampers.
The GSM 3000  is autonomous, and does not  require  tuning  for  load mass or polar moment within a wide  range.  It  readily accomodates LMK aerial cameras  from Carl Zeiss Jena, but other cameras and sensors may be mounted using adapters.
As depicted in the schematic diagram, the platform consists of four functional groups which move with  respect  to one another: Base Plate, Main Body, Suspension Ring, and Passive Vibration Isolation Ring.

GSM_0001

 1 -   Base Plate
2 -   Main Body
3 -   Suspension Ring 
4 -   Vibration
Isolation Ring
5 -   Adapter Plate 
6 -   Payload
(Camera)

GSM_0002

The  GSM  3000 can  be  operated automatically  as well  as  manually.
For  manual  control,  rotary  knobs are  provided,  see top panel view.
Set points can be commanded  via RS  232  serial interface.

This  interface  is  integrated  in  the  mount interface.

Last Updated on Monday, 07 December 2009 11:34