초록 ▼

An inertial measurement unit comprises an outer case assembly including an upper gas plenum and a lower gas plenum, with upper and lower support shells surrounded by the upper and lower gas plenums. A sensor assembly includes a sensor shell, with the sensor assembly surrounded by the upper and lower

An inertial measurement unit comprises an outer case assembly including an upper gas plenum and a lower gas plenum, with upper and lower support shells surrounded by the upper and lower gas plenums. A sensor assembly includes a sensor shell, with the sensor assembly surrounded by the upper and lower support shells. A plurality of gas bearing pads extend through apertures in the upper and lower support shells and are configured to inject a first pressurized gas into a gap that separates the gas bearing pads and the sensor shell. A wireless power transfer transformer includes a power transmitting core mounted to the outer case assembly, and a power receiving core mounted in an opening of the sensor shell. The receiving core is configured to be aligned with the transmitting core for wireless power transfer. The transmitting core is configured to inject a second pressurized gas into a gap between the transmitting core and the receiving core.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An inertial measurement unit, comprising: an outer case assembly comprising: an upper gas plenum and a lower gas plenum; an upper support shell surrounded by the upper gas plenum, the upper support shell having a plurality of apertures; and a lower support shell surrounded by

What is claimed is: 1. An inertial measurement unit, comprising: an outer case assembly comprising: an upper gas plenum and a lower gas plenum; an upper support shell surrounded by the upper gas plenum, the upper support shell having a plurality of apertures; and a lower support shell surrounded by the lower gas plenum, the lower support shell having a plurality of apertures; a sensor assembly comprising a sensor shell having an outer surface, the sensor assembly surrounded by the upper and lower support shells; a plurality of gas bearing pads extending through the apertures in the upper and lower support shells, the plurality of gas bearing pads configured to receive a first pressurized gas from the upper and lower gas plenums and inject the first pressurized gas into a gap that separates the gas bearing pads and the sensor shell, thereby producing a first gas bearing that allows the sensor assembly to be freely suspended and rotated in all directions; at least one wireless power transfer transformer comprising: a power transmitting core mounted to the outer case assembly; and a power receiving core mounted in an opening of the sensor shell, the power receiving core configured to be aligned with the power transmitting core for a wireless power transfer; wherein the power transmitting core is configured to inject a second pressurized gas into a gap between the power transmitting core and the power receiving core to produce a second gas bearing that maintains a predetermined separation distance between the power transmitting core and the power receiving core during the wireless power transfer. 2. The inertial measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the sensor shell has a substantially spherical shape. 3. The inertial measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower support shells have a substantially hemispherical shape, and the upper and lower gas plenums have a substantially hemispherical shape. 4. The inertial measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly comprises one or more inertial sensors, and one or more rechargeable batteries. 5. The inertial measurement unit of claim 4, wherein the inertial sensors comprise one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, or combinations thereof. 6. The inertial measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the power transmitting core comprises: a hollow mounting stem; a gas pad coupled to the hollow mounting stem; and a spring cushion joint interposed between the hollow mounting stem and the gas pad. 7. The inertial measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the power receiving core is coupled to charging coil electronics in the sensor assembly. 8. The inertial measurement unit of claim 1, wherein the power transmitting core is coupled to external charging coil electronics. 9. The inertial measurement unit of claim 2, wherein the power receiving core has an outer surface with a substantially spherical concave shape, and the power transmitting core has an outer surface with a corresponding substantially spherical convex shape. 10. The inertial measurement unit of claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the power receiving core is flush with the outer surface of the sensor shell. 11. A method for wireless power transfer in an inertial measurement unit, the method comprising: aligning a power receiving core in a sensor assembly with a power transmitting core external to the sensor assembly; injecting a pressurized gas through the power transmitting core into a controlled gap between the power transmitting core and the power receiving core to produce a gas bearing; and transmitting a wireless power signal from the power transmitting core to the power receiving core. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the gas bearing maintains a separation distance between the power transmitting core and the power receiving core of about 0.001 inch or less. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the gas bearing maintains the controlled gap to allow relative motion between the power transmitting core and the power receiving core without physical contact. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising charging one or more batteries in the sensor assembly with the wireless power signal received by the power receiving core. 15. A wireless power transfer transformer for an inertial measurement unit, comprising: a power transmitting core comprising: a hollow mounting stem for injecting pressurized gas; a gas pad with a central opening coupled to the hollow mounting stem; and a spring cushion joint interposed between the hollow mounting stem and the gas pad; and a power receiving core configured to align with the power transmitting core and be separated from the power transmitting core by a controlled gap. 16. The wireless power transfer transformer of claim 15, wherein the power receiving core has an outer surface with a substantially spherical convex shape, and the power transmitting core has an outer surface with a corresponding substantially spherical concave shape. 17. The wireless power transfer transformer of claim 15, wherein the spring cushion joint is configured to provide for self alignment, axial motion, and radial adjustment of the power transmitting core to adjust the controlled gap based on the pressurized gas. 18. The wireless power transfer transformer of claim 15, wherein the gas pad has an outer surface with a single coil winding of a magnetic material. 19. The wireless power transfer transformer of claim 18, wherein the power receiving core has an outer surface with a single coil winding of a magnetic material. 20. The wireless power transfer transformer of claim 15, wherein the controlled gap has a distance of about 0.001 inch or less.