Vacuum Rated Systems

Vacuum Rated Gimbal for High Altitude Experiments

Sagebrush Technology has delivered several customized Model 20 gimbals with vacuum rated motors for operation on stratospheric balloons at 120,000 feet. Other gimbal customizations for this application include sealed limit switches, special wiring, and high altitude paint. Because of its lubricant-free design, the Roto-lok® rotary drive needed no modification for this application, however, the shaft bearings were modified to use special lubricants that would not outgas at the high altitudes.

Purchasers of vacuum-rated systems for use on balloons include the NASA Glenn Research Center and ABB Bomam in Quebec, Canada.