GB1350618A - Load carrying assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

1350618 Helicopter attachment ROTORCRAFT GYRO SUPPORT SYSTEMS Inc 14 Sept 1971 42778/71 Heading B7W [Also in Division G1] A load-carrying assembly for use with a helicopter comprises a gimbal suspension 16 including a part fixed to a base-plate 10 attachable to the helicopter and a part rotatable relative to the fixed part about at least two axes, stabilized by gyro-controlled motors and carrying arms 301, 30r extending laterally outwards and connected by brackets 321, 32r to longitudinal members 331, 33r carrying a load platform 38. The base-plate 10 may be mounted inside a helicopter on legs 12, and the arms 301, 30r extend through holes in the sides. Platform 38 may carry for example a magnetometer or infra-red sensor for use in surveying, or a camera for map-making or for producing a film for use in a flight simulator. The gimbal suspension 16 is suspended from a fixed brace 17 by a spring 18 whose tension is adjusted by means of a turnbuckle 19, and comprises an outer ring 21, Fig. 3a, pivotally mounted in fixed supports 22, an inner ring 23 pivotally mounted in supports 24 on the outer ring, and a plate 25 rotatable on a shaft 26 carried by the inner ring: The rings 21 and 23 and the plate 25 are stabilized by means of gyroscopically-controlled servomotors M1, M2 and M3 respectively, which rotate pinions engaging gear sectors on the respective members, and the arms 301 and 30r are carried by the plate 25. Alternatively and preferably the rotatable plate 25 is omitted from the gimbal suspension means and a similar servo-controlled rotatable plate is provided for an instrument on the platform 38, The support means also carries rear platforms 44l, which may carry additional instruments or counterweights to balance the assembly, the helicopter centre of gravity being preferably in the region of the intersection of the gimbal axes.