Gimbals may not always receive the recognition they deserve among the vast array of engineering devices in today's high-tech control systems. However, they play an indispensable role in the success of both commercial and defence space projects. The concept of gimbals traces back to the 15th century when they were initially employed to counteract unwanted movements in early ship compasses and to stabilise cameras during filming. Today, gimbals have evolved into versatile tools, vital for crucial control applications, including spaceflight, enabling NASA to maintain accurate control and stabilisation of their rockets, spacecraft, and satellite systems.
Presently, there exists an increasing need for precision and reliability in bearings and gimbals to strengthen spaceflight endeavours. Carter Manufacturing Ltd., headquartered in Oxfordshire, are uniquely positioned to fulfill this escalating demand. With a well-recognised global reputation of top-of-the-line precision bearings and aerospace bearing tooling supplier, Carter Manufacturing is thrilled to showcase these cutting-edge defence bearing solutions at the forthcoming DSEI Global Defence Showcase 2023 in Excel-London, scheduled from September 12th to 15th, 2023
The Composition and Purpose of Gimbals
Gimbals are composed of two rings aligned perpendicularly to each other along the axial axis. Their primary purpose is to mitigate various forms of motion, including pitch, roll, and yaw, within components vulnerable to such shifts. In the realm of spaceflight, gimbals play an essential role in ensuring accurate control and steadiness of crucial elements like sensors, engines, and components. Moreover, they maintain or alter the orientation of these instruments while simultaneously stabilising other parts of the system.
Significance of Gimbals for Space Flight
The vacuum of space lacks the atmospheric support needed for aerodynamic stability. Consequently, spacecraft and rockets depend on propulsion mechanism like thrusters, engines, and reaction control systems to set a path. Gimbals ease the swivelling and targeting of these engines in various directions. This capability is essential for maintaining precise control over the spacecraft's orientation and trajectory, facilitating accurate course alterations, orbital corrections, and military exercises.
Stabilisation and Precision Alignment
Numerous space missions demand exactitude in the positioning and stabilisation of onboard instruments and sensors. Gimbals serve as an ideal mechanism for attaching these components to rotating platforms, specifically engineered to counteract undesirable movements and vibrations. This design ensures the highest level of precision, permitting instruments to maintain their focus on intended targets, undisturbed by any motion or vibration stemming from the spacecraft itself.
Optimising Energy Usage
Gimbals also play a crucial role in directing rocket engines during propulsion, enabling meticulous control over the path of a spacecraft. Utilising gimbals to manipulate engine orientation enhances the competency of the propellant, thereby reducing fuel consumption and extending the overall span of a mission.
Communication and Observational Functions
Spacecrafts frequently require a steady orientation to maintain communication with ground control stations and observe celestial matters. Gimbals play a pivotal part in keeping antennas and optical instruments precisely aligned, optimising signal strength to ensure uninterrupted transmission of data. Additionally, they allow cameras and telescopes to take crisp, unobstructed images of designated celestial targets.
Control of Spacecraft Orientation
The spacecraft's orientation, or attitude is fundamental in accomplishing specific mission objectives like sustaining the ideal alignment for efficient solar panel exposure and effective heat management. Gimbals serve as the essential mechanism for fine-tuning and upholding the spacecraft's attitude, allowing it to react to external changes and sustain peak operational conditions throughout its mission.
With a legacy spanning more than two decades, Carter Manufacturing have earned global recognition as a supplier of precision bearings and established brands, catering to the most challenging and vital spaceflight applications. Our success is undoubtedly amplified through our partnerships with esteemed organisations. Notably, Silverthin, global leaders renowned for crafting high-precision thin section bearings, and NES (Napoleon Engineering Services), pioneers in engineered bearing solutions for the most demanding environments, particularly in the realm of space research and exploration.
NES bring a significant advantage with their 'Space Heritage' status; a fundamental factor in their recognition as trusted suppliers in the space industry. This recognition is underscored by NES's extensive support for NASA missions in the USA and prominent contributions to European ESA projects. NES have consistently supplied components vital for life-critical space applications, solidifying their status as reliable partners.
Furthermore, among our most prominent suppliers stand UNASIS, a sister company to Carter Manufacturing Ltd., that operate as our specialised manufacturing division, offering a diverse array of custom and niche products. This includes lightweight & corrosion-resistant slewing bearings, high temperature bearings and aerospace bearing tools, serving as a testament to Carter’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art bearing solutions to our valued customers.
Our bearings designed for space applications demonstrate exceptional resilience, withstanding extreme vacuum conditions, fluctuating temperatures, and varying vibration levels. These bearings consistently meet precision levels of ABEC 1F, 3F, 5F, or 7F. Carter's proficiency extends to close collaboration with clients, involving the definition, acquisition, and exchange of quantitative data related to bearing and gimbal performance in real space environments. This includes demanding scenarios characterized by zero gravity, high vacuum, and sharp radiation, all of which pose formidable engineering challenges.
To harness cutting-edge advancements, both now and in the foreseeable future, Carter have undergone substantial expansion of their operational infrastructure over the last five years. This includes the establishment of distribution centres in Minnesota, USA, and Valencia, Spain. Most notably, Carter Manufacturing Ltd. have made a substantial investment in enhancing the UNASIS manufacturing facilities located in the United Kingdom.