Motion platform assembly

Abstract

A motion platform assembly having a motion platform including a user support assembly. The motion platform being rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes which are perpendicular or aligned with the user support assembly.

1 . A motion platform assembly comprising:
 a motion platform including a user support assembly within which a user is situated;   wherein said motion platform is rotatable about a plurality of bearing axes which are perpendicular or aligned with the user when seated in the user support assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said motion platform comprises:
 an outer roll assembly rotatable about a first bearing axis;   an intermediate yaw assembly rotatable about a second bearing axis; and   an inner pitch assembly rotatable about a third bearing axis;   wherein said first and third bearing axes are perpendicular to the user when seated in the user support assembly and said second bearing axis is aligned with the user when seated in the user support assembly.   
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said outer roll assembly is connected to a base assembly by a first and a second knuckle assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said intermediate yaw assembly is connected to said outer roll assembly by a third knuckle assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said inner pitch assembly is connected to said intermediate yaw assembly by a fourth and a fifth knuckle assembly. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each said knuckle assembly comprises a bearing housing having opposing side parts, a bearing rod disposed through said bearing housing, a linear bearing assembly disposed on each end of said bearing rod, and a thrust bearing assembly disposed between said linear bearing assemblies. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each said linear bearing assembly includes opposing first and second linear bearings and a spacer ring disposed therebetween. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said thrust bearing assembly includes a thrust bearing and a washer disposed on each side thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each said knuckle assembly comprises a bearing housing having opposing side parts, a bearing rod disposed through said bearing housing, a bushing assembly disposed on each end of said bearing rod, and a thrust bearing assembly disposed between said bushing assemblies. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said motion platform further comprises a plurality of actuators for rotating each of said assemblies about a respective bearing axis. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of bearing axes define three degrees of freedom. 
   
   
       12 . A modular motion platform assembly comprising:
 a modular motion platform including a user support assembly within which a user is situated;   wherein said motion platform is rotatable about at least one bearing axis which is perpendicular or aligned with the user when seated in the user support assembly.   
   
   
       13 . The modular assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a first assembly rotatable about said at least one bearing axis, said first assembly selected from the group consisting of an outer roll assembly, an intermediate yaw assembly rotatable and an inner pitch assembly. 
   
   
       14 . The modular assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one bearing axis defines a first degree of freedom. 
   
   
       15 . The modular assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one bearing axis comprises two bearing axes defining two degrees of freedom. 
   
   
       16 . The modular assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one bearing axis comprises three bearing axes defining three degrees of freedom.