A camera stabilization gimbal system for a small unmanned aerial vehicle

Remote industrial installations and other areas requiring surveillance can be monitored effectively by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). UAVs are remotely operated, with on-board camera systems. Fixed camera systems are of limited use, because the field of view is limited to the direction in which the aircraft is flying, which continually changes as the aircraft moves while flying. A gimbal system can reduce this effect by compensating for changes in aircraft orientation, which fixes the direction of the camera. Most stabilizing gimbal systems are designed for payloads on human-piloted aircraft, and for fairly large cameras The objective of this project is to design and develop a compensating pan-tilt gimbal system for a small UAV. The unit will carry a camera that can be pointed with an electromechanically actuated articulation system, allowing the camera to track a designated azimuth and elevation during flight manoeuvres.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. M.G. Lipsett

Student:

J. D. (Jamie) Yuen

Partner:

ING Robotic Aviation Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Aerospace and defense

University:

University of Alberta