A sealed rotating structure for a radiation-hardened pan-tilt camera
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522686909.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-18
Smart Images

Figure CN224873823U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gimbal camera technology, and more specifically, to a sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera. Background Technology
[0002] In nuclear energy facilities, nuclear medicine laboratories, high-energy physics research devices, and certain specialized industrial and defense applications, remote visual monitoring, precision operations, or sample analysis are frequently required in environments with high levels of radiation. These environments are filled with radiation, posing a serious threat to personnel and conventional electronic equipment. Therefore, remotely controlled mobile radiation-resistant gimbal systems have become indispensable key equipment. These gimbals typically carry end effectors such as cameras, sensors, or robotic arms, mounted on mobile robots or remote-controlled vehicles, enabling them to penetrate deep into high-radiation areas to perform inspection, monitoring, or intervention tasks, thereby minimizing direct exposure of personnel to hazardous doses and ensuring operational safety and continuity. One of the core functions of mobile radiation-resistant gimbals is to achieve continuous, smooth, and precise rotational movement of the mounted load in a specific direction to expand the field of view, adjust the working angle, or track targets. This places extremely stringent and complex technical requirements on the rotating structure of its core moving components, far exceeding the design standards for gimbals in ordinary environments, constituting a long-standing technical challenge in this field.
[0003] Strong ionizing radiation causes cumulative damage to most organic materials and some inorganic materials, leading to irreversible deterioration of their physicochemical properties. Specifically, in the case of the gimbal's rotating structure, this effect is comprehensive and fatal. Conventional greases or lubricants used for lubrication between relatively moving parts will polymerize, crack, or oxidize under strong radiation, rapidly losing their lubricating properties and even turning into gel-like or solid residues, directly causing bearing seizure. Similarly, ordinary rubber, polyurethane, and other elastomers used to manufacture seals will age faster under radiation, exhibiting increased hardness, loss of elasticity, and cracking, ultimately leading to complete seal failure. Once the seal fails, external radioactive aerosols or contaminating dust may enter the gimbal's interior, adhering to precision bearings, motors, or sensors, causing equipment malfunction. Simultaneously, trace amounts of volatile substances generated inside the gimbal due to motor heating or component aging may leak out, causing cross-contamination. Furthermore, the damaging effects of radiation on electronic components are well-known. This means that the drive motor, encoder, and control system of the gimbal often cannot be directly exposed to strong radiation fields and must be housed in a shielded enclosure or behind the gimbal base, with only the load-bearing cylindrical portion of the gimbal extending into the radiation zone. This arrangement forces the transmission of driving force to cross shielding or isolation boundaries and enter the sealed rotation area, further increasing the complexity of the structural design.
[0004] Unlike fixed gimbals, mobile gimbals continuously endure vibrations and impacts from the chassis's walking mechanism as they move with the robot or vehicle. This dynamic load poses a severe challenge to the mechanical stability, connection reliability, and long-term fatigue life of the rotating structure. The rotating structure must maintain the stability of its rotation axis during frequent starts, stops, accelerations, decelerations, and bumpy vibrations, avoiding excessive radial or axial backlash. Otherwise, it will lead to camera image jitter, sensor data drift, or decreased positioning accuracy of the robotic arm. Simultaneously, the vibration environment accelerates the wear of seals and may create microscopic gaps in traditional pressure-based sealing interfaces, compromising their sealing effectiveness. Therefore, the rotating structure not only requires high-precision bearing support but also a reliable sealing solution that maintains effective contact under dynamic loads and must simultaneously withstand radiation damage.
[0005] Modern gimbals typically integrate various sensors and devices, such as high-definition cameras, infrared thermal imagers, laser rangefinders, and lighting equipment. These devices require power and high-speed data exchange with the control center. Therefore, the rotating structure connecting the stationary base and the rotating gimbal cylinder must also provide a through-path for multiple cables. This path itself becomes a critical node in the sealed link, and leakage along the cable's "threading" path must be effectively prevented. Traditional solutions, such as conductive slip rings, can achieve rotational connection, but their internal precision contacts and insulation materials are unreliable under irradiation conditions, and the introduction of integral slip rings often increases the axial dimension of the structure, which is detrimental to the compact design of the gimbal. How to achieve reliable electrical transmission while ensuring the integrated and effective radial and axial sealing between this threading path and the rotating shaft is another engineering challenge that urgently needs to be solved.
[0006] Furthermore, the rotating structure must also consider the smoothness and precision of the drive, the limit protection of the rotation angle, and ease of maintenance. In irradiated environments, maintenance or replacement of components is extremely costly and risky, sometimes requiring a long wait for radiation decay. Therefore, the design of the rotating structure must pursue extremely high inherent reliability, long lifespan, and modularity, requiring little or no maintenance intervention throughout the equipment's lifespan. Many existing general-purpose gimbal rotating structures either use open bearings with labyrinth seals or simple rubber lip seals, and their drive motors are often directly exposed or simply shielded. Neither can simultaneously meet the requirements of reliable sealing, vibration and shock resistance, integrated wiring, and low maintenance frequency in mobile radiation-resistant applications. There are few mobile gimbal products on the market specifically designed for such extreme environments, and those that exist often suffer from complex structures, bulky size, high rotational resistance, or reliance on periodic maintenance and replacement of vulnerable parts, limiting their application in broader or more demanding radiation monitoring and operational tasks.
[0007] In summary, a sealed rotating structure specifically designed for radiation-resistant gimbal cameras was developed, enabling the gimbal cylinder to rotate smoothly, stably, and reliably over a long period under conditions of strong radiation and mobile vibration. This structure also simultaneously addresses integrated requirements such as power transmission, signal transmission, and precise positioning, while possessing high environmental sealing and ultra-long maintenance-free operation. Utility Model Content
[0008] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a sealed rotating structure for radiation-resistant gimbal cameras. The overall structure is robust and compact, with strong environmental adaptability, high reliability, and a long maintenance-free period.
[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model proposes a sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera, comprising: a base, the upper surface of which is provided with an annular sealing boss and a connecting shaft located at the center of the sealing boss; a gimbal cylinder, the lower end of which is closed by a gimbal bottom cover; wherein, the center of the gimbal bottom cover is provided with a through hole for the connecting shaft to pass through, and the bottom surface of which is provided with an annular sealing groove coaxial with the sealing boss, and an oil seal is provided between the sealing boss and the sealing groove; the gimbal bottom cover is rotatably supported on the connecting shaft by a bearing assembly disposed thereon.
[0010] In the above technical solution, the bearing assembly further includes: a radial bearing disposed between the connecting shaft and the inner wall of the through hole of the gimbal bottom cover; and an axial bearing sleeved on the connecting shaft for bearing axial load.
[0011] In any of the above technical solutions, the top end of the connecting shaft is provided with a threaded part, and a locking nut is screwed into the threaded part to axially fix the axial bearing and the gimbal base cover.
[0012] In any of the above technical solutions, a further component is also included: a drive mechanism, which includes: a motor base fixed to the upper surface of the gimbal base; a drive motor mounted on the motor base; and a transmission assembly connecting the output shaft of the drive motor and the connecting shaft.
[0013] In any of the above technical solutions, the transmission component further includes: a motor gear fixed on the output shaft of the drive motor; and a connecting shaft gear fixedly sleeved on the connecting shaft and meshing with the motor gear.
[0014] In any of the above technical solutions, an angle limiting mechanism is further included, which includes: a limiting rod radially fixed to the connecting shaft; the rotation path of the limiting rod is limited by the motor base.
[0015] In any of the above technical solutions, the connecting shaft is provided with a through hole along the axial direction, and the base is provided with an electrical connector so that the cable can pass through and enter the gimbal cylinder.
[0016] Beneficial effects: Achieves long-term reliable dynamic sealing, effectively isolating internal and external contaminants. Integrated wiring design ensures stable signal and power transmission, while modular drive and limit mechanisms guarantee smooth and precise rotation. The overall structure is robust and compact, enhancing the environmental adaptability, operational reliability, and maintenance-free period of the mobile radiation-resistant gimbal. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the present invention.
[0019] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows: 1. Base; 11. Sealing boss; 12. Connecting shaft; 121. Threaded part; 122. Locking nut; 123. Through hole for wiring; 13. Electrical connector; 2. Gimbal cylinder; 21. Gimbal bottom cover; 211. Through hole; 212. Sealing groove; 3. Oil seal; 4. Bearing assembly; 41. Radial bearing; 42. Axial bearing; 5. Drive mechanism; 51. Motor base; 52. Drive motor; 53. Transmission assembly; 531. Motor gear; 532. Connecting shaft gear; 6. Angle limiting mechanism; 61. Limiting rod. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0021] It should be noted that, as shown in this application and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not specifically refer to the singular and may also include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of explicitly identified steps and elements, and these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list; the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.
[0022] If the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.
[0023] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixing" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0024] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.
[0025] This invention proposes a sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera.
[0026] The sealed rotating structure of the radiation-resistant gimbal camera of this application will be described in detail below through the following embodiments.
[0027] Example 1: like Figure 1 , 2As shown in Figure 4, this embodiment proposes a sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera, comprising: a base 1, the upper surface of which is provided with an annular sealing boss 11 and a connecting shaft 12 located at the center of the sealing boss 11; a gimbal cylinder 2, the lower end of which is closed by a gimbal bottom cover 21; wherein, the center of the gimbal bottom cover 21 is provided with a through hole 211 for the connecting shaft 12 to pass through, and the bottom surface of which is provided with an annular sealing groove 212 coaxial with the sealing boss 11, and an oil seal 3 is provided between the sealing boss 11 and the sealing groove 212; the gimbal bottom cover 21 is rotatably supported on the connecting shaft 12 by a bearing assembly 4 provided thereon.
[0028] The device consists mainly of a base 1 and a gimbal cylinder 2. The upper surface of the base 1 is provided with an annular sealing boss 11 and a connecting shaft 12 located at the center of the sealing boss 11. The lower end of the gimbal cylinder 2 is sealed by a gimbal bottom cover 21. The center of the gimbal bottom cover 21 has a through hole 211 for the connecting shaft 12 to pass through, and its bottom surface has an annular sealing groove 212 coaxial with the sealing boss 11. An oil seal 3 is installed between the sealing boss 11 and the sealing groove 212. The gimbal bottom cover 21 can rotate smoothly around the connecting shaft 12 through its own bearing assembly 4, thereby driving the gimbal cylinder 2 to rotate synchronously, thus realizing the function of the gimbal carrying a load to adjust the working angle or the field of view.
[0029] High radiation environments can cause the sealing elastomer materials to age, resulting in loss of sealing function. External radioactive aerosols and polluting dust may enter the gimbal's interior, and trace amounts of volatile substances generated inside the gimbal may leak outward, causing cross-contamination. In mobile applications, the gimbal will be continuously subjected to vibration and impact, which will affect the mechanical stability of the rotating structure and may also cause microscopic gaps at the sealing interface, compromising the sealing effect. At the same time, the internal equipment of the gimbal requires cables to provide power and signal transmission. The cable passages formed by the rotating structure can easily become weak points in the seal, leading to leakage problems.
[0030] The device forms a mating structure through the sealing boss 11 of the base 1, the sealing groove 212 of the gimbal bottom cover 21, and the oil seal 3 between them. The three fit together tightly to build a reliable sealing barrier, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of external pollutants and the leakage of internal substances, and meet the sealing requirements in strong radiation environments. The gimbal bottom cover 21 forms a stable rotational support relationship with the connecting shaft 12 through the bearing assembly 4. Under vibration and impact, it can maintain the stability of the rotation axis, reduce the occurrence of gaps at the sealing interface, and ensure that the sealing effect is not affected by dynamic loads. The connecting shaft 12 and the through hole 211 of the gimbal bottom cover 21 are precisely matched. Combined with the overall compact structural design, it provides a reasonable path for cable passage. At the same time, the coaxial design of the sealing structure makes the cable passage and the sealing interface form an integrated protection, reducing the risk of leakage at the cable passage.
[0031] Example 2: This embodiment is a further improvement based on Embodiment 1.
[0032] like Figure 2 , 4 As shown, in this embodiment, The upper surface of the base 1 is provided with an annular sealing boss 11, and the bottom surface of the gimbal cover 21 is provided with an annular sealing groove 212 coaxial with the sealing boss 11. The sealing boss 11 and the sealing groove 212 are fitted together, and an oil seal 3 is installed between them. When the gimbal cover 21 rotates with the gimbal cylinder 2, the sealing boss 11, the sealing groove 212 and the oil seal 3 always remain in contact, forming a continuous sealing effect during the relative rotation process.
[0033] Strong radiation environments can accelerate the aging of elastic materials used for sealing, leading to increased hardness, loss of elasticity, and cracks, resulting in sealing failure. External radioactive aerosols or polluting dust may enter the gimbal, and trace amounts of volatile substances generated by motor heating or component aging may also leak outward, causing cross-contamination. At the same time, the vibration and impact experienced by the mobile gimbal may create microscopic gaps at the sealing interface, damaging the sealing effect.
[0034] The sealing boss 11 and the sealing groove 212 are coaxially designed to ensure that their relative positions are stable during rotation. The oil seal 3 fills the space between them to form a tight sealing barrier, which can maintain effective contact even in a vibration environment. This structure can adapt to the application requirements of radiation resistance, reduce the adverse effects of radiation on the sealing fit, effectively block the intrusion of external pollutants and the leakage of internal substances, and avoid cross-contamination.
[0035] Example 3: This embodiment is a further improvement based on any of the above embodiments.
[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, The bearing assembly 4 includes a radial bearing 41 and an axial bearing 42. The radial bearing 41 is disposed between the connecting shaft 12 and the inner wall of the through hole 211 of the gimbal base cover 21. The axial bearing 42 is sleeved on the connecting shaft 12. The gimbal base cover 21 is rotatably supported on the connecting shaft 12 by these two bearings. The radial bearing 41 is used to limit the radial displacement between the connecting shaft 12 and the inner wall of the through hole 211, and the axial bearing 42 is used to bear the axial load, together ensuring the smooth rotation of the gimbal base cover 21.
[0037] When a mobile gimbal moves with a robot or vehicle, it will be subjected to continuous vibration and impact, which can easily lead to instability of the rotation axis of the rotating structure, resulting in excessive radial or axial clearance. This can cause data drift of the onboard camera image shake sensor or a decrease in the positioning accuracy of the robotic arm. Strong radiation environments can also affect the long-term stability of the support structure.
[0038] Radial bearing 41 and axial bearing 42 work together, with radial bearing 41 constraining radial displacement and axial bearing 42 bearing axial force. Together, they maintain the stability of the rotation axis, reduce clearance changes caused by vibration and impact, and ensure that the gimbal base cover 21 drives the gimbal cylinder 2 to rotate smoothly, thus ensuring the working accuracy of the mounted equipment. The structural design of this component can adapt to strong radiation conditions and extend the stability of long-term use.
[0039] Example 4: This embodiment is a further improvement based on any of the above embodiments.
[0040] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, The drive mechanism 5 includes a motor base 51, a drive motor 52, and a transmission assembly 53. The motor base 51 is fixed on the upper surface of the gimbal base cover 21. The drive motor 52 is mounted on the motor base 51. The transmission assembly 53 consists of a motor gear and a connecting shaft gear. The motor gear is fixed on the output shaft of the drive motor 52, and the connecting shaft gear is fixedly sleeved on the connecting shaft 12. The motor gear and the connecting shaft gear mesh with each other. When the drive motor 52 is running, it transmits power through gear meshing, which drives the connecting shaft 12 to rotate relative to the gimbal base cover 21, thereby driving the gimbal cylinder 2 to rotate.
[0041] In a radiation environment, the drive motor 52 encoder and control system cannot be directly exposed to a strong radiation field. They need to be placed in a shielded chamber or behind the base 1. The driving force needs to be transmitted across the shielding or isolation boundary to the sealed rotation area. Existing technology makes it difficult to ensure smooth and accurate rotation while transmitting power, and may also affect the overall sealing effect.
[0042] The motor mount 51 fixes the drive motor 52 to the gimbal base cover 21, placing the drive motor 52 in a suitable installation position and avoiding direct exposure to strong radiation. The motor gear meshes with the connecting shaft gear, ensuring a stable power transmission path and effective transmission of driving force. The gear transmission method guarantees the smoothness and accuracy of power transmission, allowing the rotation of the gimbal cylinder 2 to meet the usage requirements. Furthermore, this structure is compatible with the overall sealing design and does not compromise the sealing effect.
[0043] Example 5: This embodiment is a further improvement based on any of the above embodiments.
[0044] like Figure 2 , 3 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, The connecting shaft 12 has a through hole 123 along its axial direction. An electrical connector 13 is installed on the base 1. After the cable is connected to the electrical connector 13, it passes through the through hole 123 and enters the interior of the gimbal cylinder 2 to provide power and signal transmission for the internal equipment. At the same time, a limit rod 61 is radially fixed on the connecting shaft 12, and the motor base 51 is fixed to the upper surface of the gimbal bottom cover 21. When the limit rod 61 rotates with the connecting shaft 12, its rotation path is blocked by the motor base 51, thereby limiting the rotation range of the connecting shaft 12 and the gimbal cylinder 2. The cable remains relatively stable within the through hole 123, without affecting the rotation of the gimbal cylinder 2 and the transmission effect.
[0045] When the gimbal is in operation, the rotation angle needs to be controlled to avoid excessive rotation that could cause internal cables to become tangled or components to collide and be damaged. Existing limiting mechanisms are not reliable enough under strong radiation and vibration environments, making it difficult to maintain stable operation over a long period. At the same time, various devices inside the gimbal require cables to transmit power and signals. The cable passage formed by the stationary base 1 and the rotating gimbal cylinder 2 is prone to becoming a weak point in the seal, leading to leakage. Existing cable routing solutions, such as conductive slip rings, are not reliable enough under radiation environments and will increase the axial dimension of the structure, which is not conducive to the compact design of the gimbal.
[0046] The through-hole 123 of the connecting shaft 12 mates with the electrical connector 13 of the base 1 to form a concealed wiring path, eliminating the need for exposed cables and reducing the risk of leakage. This design also eliminates the need for additional conductive slip rings or other components, maintaining the overall compactness of the structure. Combined with the sealing structure, it provides integrated protection, ensuring stable signal and power transmission. Simultaneously, the limiting rod 61, radially fixed to the connecting shaft 12, rotates synchronously with it. The motor base 51, using its fixed position, blocks the limiting rod 61, effectively limiting the rotation angle and preventing cable entanglement or component collisions. This integrated structure is robust and stable, capable of withstanding strong radiation and vibration environments, enhancing the overall reliability and adaptability of the mechanism.
[0047] The various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or improvement of the technology in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera, characterized in that, include: The base (1) has an annular sealing boss (11) and a connecting shaft (12) located at the center of the sealing boss (11) on its upper surface; The lower end of the gimbal tube (2) is closed by a gimbal bottom cover (21); The gimbal bottom cover (21) has a through hole (211) at its center for the connecting shaft (12) to pass through, and an annular sealing groove (212) coaxial with the sealing boss (11) on its bottom surface. An oil seal (3) is provided between the sealing boss (11) and the sealing groove (212). The gimbal bottom cover (21) is rotatably supported on the connecting shaft (12) by a bearing assembly (4) provided on it.
2. The sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing assembly (4) includes: A radial bearing (41) is disposed between the connecting shaft (12) and the inner wall of the through hole (211) of the gimbal bottom cover (21); And an axial bearing (42) sleeved on the connecting shaft (12) for bearing axial load.
3. The sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top end of the connecting shaft (12) is provided with a threaded part (121), and a locking nut (122) is screwed onto the threaded part (121) to axially fix the axial bearing (42) and the gimbal bottom cover (21).
4. The sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a drive mechanism (5), which comprises: Motor mount (51) fixed to the upper surface of the gimbal base cover (21); The drive motor (52) is mounted on the motor mount (51); And a transmission assembly (53) connected between the output shaft of the drive motor (52) and the connecting shaft (12).
5. The sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transmission assembly (53) includes: Motor gear (531) fixed on the output shaft of the drive motor (52); And a connecting shaft gear (532) that is fixedly sleeved on the connecting shaft (12) and meshes with the motor gear (531).
6. The sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an angle limiting mechanism (6), which includes a limiting rod (61) radially fixed to the connecting shaft (12); the rotation path of the limiting rod (61) is limited by the motor seat (51).
7. The sealed rotating structure for a radiation-resistant gimbal camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting shaft (12) is provided with a wire through hole (123) along the axial direction, and the base (1) is provided with an electrical connector (13) for the cable to pass through and enter the gimbal cylinder (2).