Ratsinc's Camera Systems.
Ratinc's Tripod's are the ''next generation'' in specialized platform's that readily perform tasks that once were considered all but impossible. Simply put, if your desire is to provide an aerial photography service, our platform's have been specifically engineered for the purposes of capturing aerial imagery, with the ability to accomplish both roles of pilot and photographer simultaneously. With the state of Imaging Devices that are now available, when equipped with a down-link transmitter/receiver, you can view your photographic subject in real-time on a video monitor or even a laptop computer, which ultimately, saves you time and money.
When it comes to mounting a camera on any type of aerial platform, whether it's a helicopter or aircraft, there are a number of details that need to addressed. If you are to consider variables such as engine vibrations, (which are actually the number one limiting factor in quality and longevity).....imagine for a moment, strapping your high quality camera to a typical chainsaw, well... let's just say "that if you get any results, you will not have success for any length of time".
The high frequency vibrations and harmonics that are produced by engines are enough to quickly ruin any type of sensitive equipment. We have taken time proven steps in regards to equalizing and removing all vibrations and flight induced motion by a number of factors. For example, our standard in engine mounts are designed to dampen and isolate the associated engine vibrations. In fact, there are a total number of 15 layers of isolation between an engine and where the camera is finally mounted.
Also of paramount importance, the actual flying characteristics of the flight platform itself. This is because the imagery (product) really depends on the inherited flight stability of the vehicle, (without the use of autonomous aided autopilots). Blimp/Airships are naturally flight neutral vehicles, provided the control dynamics ( Control surface area and Gondola, etc) are in proper proportion and location.
When considering a Pan and Tilt Camera system, we have been questioned on many occasions about the application of a 3 Axis Gyro-stabilization system. A valid aspect that I would like to point out "a Gyro-Stabilizer'' can cost as much as the airship it 'self. For this reason, we have undertaken the development of our own version, appropriate to our refined platforms. Simple in nature, the Vari-mount is our answer to a dampening interface between Airship and Camera.
What is a Vari-mount? It's a device that totally removes engine vibrations and dampens flight induced motion. As well, it allows us to change out any number of cameras and payloads, we have found that when it comes to applying Airships in the market there are so many ways we can be employed, the Vari-mount allows you to simply "Vari" and protect any sensitive payloads quickly and efficiently.
Why have we gone to great lengths to stabilize the actual vehicle first and foremost? For starters, lets take into consideration the dynamics of an airship in flight, in comparison to say a helicopter or even a typical platform as a fixed wing aircraft, there are a number of principles in constant motion.
Pitch: of an aircraft, to turn about the lateral axis so that the nose rises or falls in relationship to the tail.
Firstly pitch, where as, the vehicle is climbing and or descending. This with some platforms can be relatively unstable, think about trying to keep the camera on target, well if the vehicle is unstable by nature then this task can be the most impairing and gyro stabilizing would indeed be required. However, with our Airships this parameter is very docile, we can actually take off and within 60 seconds have the vehicle trimmed for level flight and literally set the transmitter down and the airship will fly and maintain this attitude until redirected, because of this tendency, the Vari-mount has an appropriate amount of vibration and dampening to compensate.
Yaw: of an aircraft, to turn by angular motion about the vertical axis.
In forward flight the amount of Aerodynamic pressure exerted by the volume (area) of the Tail Surfaces of the Airship could be described as "if you were to compare a canoe in forward motion in water and you tried to swing the Stern portion of the canoe in front of the bow, you would find this impossible, (because of the dynamic value of something that is long and narrow). Again, as the Airship moves forward even slightly, it will have a enough pressure upon the tail surface to provide compete control on departure. Our Airships in flight are truly graceful and only desire to fly where they are pointed. As a result, a very smooth feeling to the operator is imparted, once again, because of our engineered approach to the specifics of flight, the Vari-mount has little requirement for damping in the Yaw axis.
Note* There is a yaw component present at the point of a vertical lift off and hover, when the engines are rotated into the vertical (or helicopter) mode and throttle is applied, the torque, or what is referred to as P-factor ( every action has an opposite reaction) is represented by a slight yaw of the airship which is usually outweighed by any prevailing wind.
Roll: of an aircraft,the motion of an aircraft about its longitudinal axis.
A hugh benefit of utilizing Airships for capturing aerial imagery, is the pendulum effect of the low center of gravity created by the weight of fuel, batteries and of course the weight of the gondola and camera. This is a force acting upon the vehicle and is exhibited in flight as a tendency to remain vertical about the roll axis. However, since this component has the shortest moment, during windy conditions there is more motion compared to the other axis's relative to the Airship.
Therefore, our Vari-mount has the greatest amount of "motion absorption" compared to the other axis. The Vari-mount has been designed to buffer flight induced oscillations, and the roll axis is where the Vari-mount allows the most movement. In short, we need to maintain a vertical azimuth to the earth at all times, so for this reason, the Vari-mount is at it's softest in relation to the roll axis, this allows the camera to ultimately hang vertical at all times.
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Captain '' Len Campbell '' at the controls of a ''Video Operations Station''
Imagine sitting down in a relaxing chair and flying your Airship while viewing the ongoing scene real time, while this is impressive enough one of the greatest assets of this capability is allowing your clients a chance to see their property or venue as they have never seen before, then, they can have input in regards to selecting the actual photographic images as you fly, guaranteed to give you an edge!
~ The factory assembled Pan And Tilt Camera Mount is a fully Remote Controlled system that weights approx. 2.5 Ibs. The pan and tilt functions perform 360 degrees of horizontal pan and a full 100 degrees of vertical tilt.
~ Manufactured from light weight CNC Carbon Fiber, these robust and fully programmable models are the finest. Designed with balanced mechanics and reliable transmissions, they provide very smooth fingertip response.
~ Designed for Digital 35 mm SLR cameras and Small HHD video camcorders, they are shipped complete and ready to use, allowing you to get into your movie making desires right out of the box.
~ High Density Teflon bearings provide years of use with little maintenance, and all servos have heavy duty ball bearings.
~ 2 Programmable drive Transmissions for Pan and Tilt positioning allows complete control over sensitivity to stick input and travel. ~ 2 Futaba programmable recievers
~ Battery packs (2). Also supplied are battery chargers.
~ Canon Digital REBEL SLR Camera with shutter and zoom control servos, with adjustable lens 28 mm Wide angle to 80 mm in Telephoto. ~ Comes with a Down-link 2.4 Ghz Transmitter and Batteries/Charger. ~ Also a miniature 540 line color video camera for acquiring targets. We couple the miniature camera and the main SLR cameras so the down linked view is what your main camera is targeting. When utilizing the HDD camera, we would then downlink the real time view and simultaneously record the actual imagery onto the Hard Drive of the Camera.
~ Weight of Complete Camera mount with cameras = 3.5 to 4 Lbs.
Normally, we would employ a separate and dedicated 6 channel radio system for the various camera functions, triggering and focus etc. ~ We can also couple the Pan and Tilt/Camera with the Main Flight Transmitter which allows single man operation.
~ With the light weight video system, you can view the target through one of our down-link monitoring stations, permitting excellent accuracy to enable real-time still photography while simultaneously recording on-board imagery for future use.
