Dec 9, 2025

US12491975 - Shipboard gimbal trunnion

A shipboard platform is provided for azimuth and elevation pivoting of a targeting payload. The platform is coupled to a ship and includes a pedestal, an azimuth drive trunnion, a yoke having first and second struts, an elevation drive trunnion and an elevation support trunnion. The pedestal is disposed on the ship. The azimuth drive trunnion is disposed in the pedestal. The yoke is rotatably disposed on the azimuth drive trunnion. The elevation drive and support trunnions are rotatably disposed in their respective first and second struts. The payload is mountable to the elevation drive and support trunnions. Further, a gimbal trunnion is provided for pivoting a payload along an axis. The trunnion includes an annular shaft, an interface mounting plate, an annular rotor, an annular stator, and inner and outer annular housings. The shaft turns the payload along the axis. The interface mounting plate is axially disposed between the payload and the shaft. The annular rotor extends radially outward from the shaft for turning the mounting plate. The annular stator extends radially outward from the rotor to laterally constrain the rotor. The inner and outer annular housings extending radially outward from the stator for encasing the axially tandem bearings.

Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Inventors: Matthew D. Lehr, Timothy Li Ming Peng, Aaron C. Williams, Michael O. Koehler, Jonathan U. Crook
Filing date: 2022-12-05

The patent describes a shipboard gimbal trunnion designed for the azimuth and elevation pivoting of a targeting payload, featuring a robust structure with an annular shaft, rotor, stator, and housing for secure mounting and rotation. This innovative design enhances the stability and maneuverability of weapon systems on naval platforms.

Claim 1

1 . A gimbal trunnion for pivoting a payload along an axis, said trunnion comprising: an annular shaft for turning the payload along the axis; an annular rotor extending radially outward from said shaft for turning said shaft; an annular stator extending radially outward from said rotor for rotationally driving said rotor; an annular housing extending radially outward from said stator for mounting said trunnion to the payload and encasing a bearing housing; a duplex pair of bearings to provide rotational interface between said shaft and said bearing housing; and inner and outer bearing clamp rings to secure said duplex pair of bearing to said shaft and said bearing housing. an annular shaft for turning the payload along the axis; an annular rotor extending radially outward from said shaft for turning said shaft; an annular stator extending radially outward from said rotor for rotationally driving said rotor; an annular housing extending radially outward from said stator for mounting said trunnion to the payload and encasing a bearing housing; a duplex pair of bearings to provide rotational interface between said shaft and said bearing housing; and inner and outer bearing clamp rings to secure said duplex pair of bearing to said shaft and said bearing housing.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12491975

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12491975