In Different Planes Patents (Class 343/765)
  • Patent number: 4668955
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting a microwave signal as a beam having a wavelength small as compared to the size of the reflecting surfaces, wherein a main reflector is stationary with respect to a sub-reflector and the main reflector is motional with respect to the feed. The invention comprises rotating the sub-reflector about a first rotational axis transverse and preferably orthogonal to the guide axis, the first rotational axis being on the vertex of a secondary reflector, thereby directing radiation from a fixed feed to the motional sub-reflector. The primary reflector and sub-reflector are disposed relative to one another to share a common focus or confocal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Allen E. Smoll
  • Patent number: 4663635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved mount for parabolic antenna and in particular to one comprising a base, a swivel table rotatably mounted on the base, a gear box fastened on the swivel table, a driving rod having at one end a worm disposed in the gear box, a driven rod having at one end a worm gear engaged with the worm of the driving rod and at the middle portion a worm protruding from the gear box, a main worm gear meshing with the worm of the driven rod, a pad disposed between the main worm gear and the swivel table, and a supporting frame fixed on the main worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Ching Jun Lai
    Inventor: Henry Wu
  • Patent number: 4654670
    Abstract: A tracker mount assembly for securing, aiming and controlling microwave satellite dish antennas. The tracker mount assembly preferably includes a rigid, central rectangular frame adapted to be disposed over a supporting surface by an elevating stanchion. The carriage-like frame includes a pair of adjustable, frame wings which are pivotally coupled to the frame sides and ultimately support the receiving antenna. These wings may be adjusted relative to the sides of the frame upon which they are secured to selectively vary declination. An elongated, rigid central frame member is pivotally journaled between the frame front and rear. Frame elevation is adjusted by variations between the angular orientation of the central frame member and its lower support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Tracker Mounts Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Fleming
  • Patent number: 4647939
    Abstract: An arrangement for a vehicle- or vessel-borne surveillance apparatus is provided with a two-axis, vehicle- or vessel-borne gimbal system (2, 3) and a platform (4) suspended by said gimbal system (2, 3). The platform (4) can be stabilized about the orthogonal axes (AA', BB') of the gimbal system (2,3) with respect to an earth-fixed reference position. The surveillance apparatus (5) is mounted rotatably about an axis (6) perpendicular to the platform (4). The arrangement comprises two linear actuators (7), being mounted directly on the vehicle or vessel, but acting on the platform (4), to permit the above platform stabilization through a mutually equidirectional or opposite motion. The arrangement further comprises a mechanical, universal coupling to transmit the rotational motion produced by a drive mechanism (8), being mounted directly on the vehicle or vessel, to the surveillance apparatus (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Kolhoff
  • Patent number: 4628323
    Abstract: A stove pipe elbow connection formed by using two pipes cut at 45 degrees angles and connected by flanges rotatable on each other provides elevation adjustment for a dish antenna between zero degrees and 90 degrees, with the base pipe projecting upwardly perpendicular to the earth surface. The base pipe is rotated about its axis until the flange connected projecting pipe points north and that assembly fixed. A two tube assembly having an inner tube slid over the angled projecting pipe and an outer tube fixed to the inner tube but having its axis at an angle of approximately 12 degrees thereto for correcting for maximum declination supports the antenna which rotates about the axis of the inclined outer pipe to adjust for declination. The antenna is bolted in place after the proper declination angle is reached and further rotation of the antenna about the axis of the pipe projecting causes the antenna to sweep across all of the satellites in the geosynchronous orbit sector bearing such satellites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Inventor: Robert F. Crean
  • Patent number: 4617572
    Abstract: A motor-driven adjustable mounting structure for satellite T.V. dish antennae which operates to scan an in line of sight segment of a geostationary T.V. relay satellite orbit belt. The mounting structure includes a vertical mounting post, a universal levelling structure atop the post, a vertically extending body pivotally carried by the levelling structure on a horizontal axis, a head structure rotatably carried by and projecting upwardly from the body and including an antenna carrier structure carrying the antenna with its axis normal to the vertical axis of the body and turning axis of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Albert Hugo
  • Patent number: 4612551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for the omnidirectional orientation of an antenna. The arrangement includes a housing mounted on a fixed mast so that it can rotate around the axis of the latter, and an antenna support mounted on the housing so that it can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the mast. Two adjustment assemblies including a toothed ring integral with one of the elements of the adjustment assemblies and a worm engaged on the toothed ring and mounted immovable in translation on another element of each adjustment assembly, allow the antenna to be adjusted finely in elevation and in the azimuth. The arrangement also includes locking means for locking each of the adjustment assemblies. In the event of the deterioration of the adjustment arrangements associated with the fixing arrangement, the effectiveness of the immobilization is not prejudiced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: S.I.C.A.R.T. (Societe Indusrielle de Construction d'Accessories Radio et Television
    Inventor: Claude Dreyer
  • Patent number: 4609083
    Abstract: A reactive attitude stabilization system to be carried by a vehicle is provided where a first shaft is pivotally mounted on the vehicle in a normally horizontal relation. A second shaft is supported in horizontal relation at its midpoint by the first shaft and oriented perpendicular to the first shaft. Nonrotating slide bearings support a platform on the second shaft for translation of said second shaft relative to the platform. Resilient members oppose translation of the second shaft relative to the platform in either direction and normally maintain the intersection of the axes of the first and second shafts vertically above the center of gravity of the platform. An acceleration induced shift of the second shaft axially and horizontally relative to said platform causes a torque due to gravity to counteract the acceleration dependent torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: William B. Stuhler
  • Patent number: 4596989
    Abstract: A stabilized antenna system is disclosed. The stabilized antenna platform includes an acceleration displaceable mass which compensates for linear acceleration forces to inhibit tipping of the antenna platform. The stabilized antenna system may include in combination a gimbal mounting and one or more gyros.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Tracor BEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorsey T. Smith, Albert H. Bieser
  • Patent number: 4582291
    Abstract: A compositely statically balanced mechanically stabilized platform system including a stabilizing platform having at least one pivotal axis, an equipment platform, a supporting structure, a pendulum, non-rigid means for orienting the platform with respect to the pendulum, a gyro assembly mounted for rotation about a precession axis perpendicular to a pivotal axis of the platform. The gyro assembly itself is statically balanced about its precession axis and has restraining means for orienting the spin axis of the gyro with respect to the gyro assembly supports. The system further includes an equipment platform preferably mounted remotely from the platform and mechanically connected thereto by a linkage assembly which transmits motion of the stabilizing assembly to the equipment platform. In one embodiment the system is constructed as a single integrated unit. In several embodiments the gyro azimuth frame is supported on bearings which permit unrestrained rotation in the azimuth plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Robert J. Matthews
  • Patent number: 4580461
    Abstract: A biax gimballing arrangement permitting both axes of rotation to intersect at a point within a load being gimbaled, thereby permitting the rotational inertia of the load and the gimbal mechanism itself to be minimized. Gimbal rotation about a first axis is achieved by a first drive motor. Rotation in a second axis orthogonal to the first axis is achieved by a steel cable drive assembly having two drive cable ends that are passed through the first rotational axis on their way to respective anchor points within a portion of the gimbal apparatus that is rotated about the first axis. This rotatable portion of the gimbal apparatus includes milled guideways which permit rotation of the gimbal load mount. The central portion of the cable is driven by engagement with a pulley attached to the shaft of a second drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Sears, Harrison B. Albert
  • Patent number: 4580756
    Abstract: A balancer which carries a solar ray collecting device and decreases or eliminates the rocking motion applied to solar ray collecting device, as for instance, in the case of utilizing a solar ray collecting device on a violently rocking place in a ship or the like. By using such a balancer, the solar ray collecting device can always effectively collect the solar rays without being affected by the rocking motion of the ship or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: Kei Mori
  • Patent number: 4577825
    Abstract: An ocular pointing and tracking device for complete hemispherical scan capability. The device may be used for receiving a sensor at a target and making necessary corrections for relative target motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: George T. Pinson
  • Patent number: 4563687
    Abstract: An antenna mount includes a mounting plate which holds an antenna such as a microwave horn. The mounting plate is connected by a hinge to a baseplate. The angle of the mounting plate with respect to the baseplate is controlled by an adjustable brace extending between the antenna mounting plate and a bracket, allowing adjustment of elevation. The baseplate is pivotally mounted on a mechanical ground allowing independent adjustment of azimuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: GTE Communications Products Corporation
    Inventor: Eric V. Berger
  • Patent number: 4558325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bi-axial support of a rotatable body in a projectile for supporting said body such that it can perform small tilting motions about two mutually perpendicular axes lying in a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The support consists of a spherical or partly spherical bearing body introduced into a correspondingly spherical cup-shaped recess in a projectile-fixed part having the open end directed forwards in the motion direction of the projectile. The spherical bearing body is retained in the recess by means of two pairs of link arms defining two virtual tilting axes for the bearing body and connected to two output shafts such that a tilting motion of the body about the respective virtual axis results in a rotation of the respective output shaft and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Johan P. Strom
  • Patent number: 4551728
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly starting and stopping a conical scan antenna beam in which a feed rotating about a centerline provides a non-conical scan antenna beam during a search mode. When a target is detected a solenoid moves an actuator pin which displaces one end of the feed from the centerline providing a conical scan antenna beam for target tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Roeder, Peter M. Sterghos
  • Patent number: 4538154
    Abstract: Certain present antenna assemblies require that their antenna structure be first rotated to a predetermined azimuth orientation prior to being retracted translationally along an axis to a stowed state so that it may conform to the surface of the antenna supporting structure which it is designed to rest against. An antenna assembly which requires no such prior maneuvering of the antenna structure before retraction thereof is disclosed. Retraction of the antenna structure in accordance with the present invention may occur at any random azimuth orientation of the antenna structure. In one embodiment, at least one cam follower bearing is fixedly coupled to a support housing of the antenna assembly and positioned to engage one of a plurality of integral cam grooves disposed on the surface of a shaft which supports the antenna structure and used to extend and retract the antenna structure with respect to the support housing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: John H. Staehlin
  • Patent number: 4521782
    Abstract: An improved target seeker used in a pointer and tracking assembly for searching a large area in an X-Y plane, commonly called a field of regard. The improved seeker can search the field of regard using sweeps, spirals, circles and other types of scan patterns without blind spot restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: George T. Pinson
  • Patent number: 4491388
    Abstract: A support system for a solar concentrator (10), the support system capable of rotating the solar concentrator (10) in both a horizontal, or azimuth plane, and in a vertical, or altitude, plane. The support system includes a footing (12) to which a spindle (14) is anchored. A central mast (22) is rotatably positioned on the spindle (14). A bearing (40) is positioned near the top of the mast (22). A drive wheel (24) is secured to the mast (22) near the bottom thereof and rotates therewith. A motor (36) is used to rotate the drive wheel (24), and hence the central mast, in the horizontal plane. A system of counterweights (42, 43) and struts (46, 47, 48, 54, 55 and 56 for one counterweight 42 as an example) which connects the bearing (40) and the solar concentrator (10) permits rotation of the solar concentrator in the vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wood
  • Patent number: 4491847
    Abstract: The central part of the nut of a gimbal mounting system for rotating a microwave antenna and the like is given a movement of elevation about the second axis (5) when the corresponding motor (II) is started-up and a circular movement about the first axis (3) orthogonal with the second axis when the corresponding motor (I) alone is started up, said circular movement automatically producing a movement of elevation about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Bernard Estang
  • Patent number: 4490724
    Abstract: In combination: a frame; an outer gimbal mounted in the frame for pivotal movement about a first axis; an inner gimbal mounted in the outer gimbal for pivotal movement about a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; a sensor having a longitudinal axis; apparatus mounting said sensor in the inner gimbal with the longitudinal axis orthogonal to said second axis; apparatus carried by the frame for causing rotation of the outer gimbal about the first axis; and apparatus carried in part by said frame and in part by said inner gimbal for causing rotation of the inner gimbal about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard F. Bickman
  • Patent number: 4450451
    Abstract: A gimbal assembly for a monopulse antenna gyroscopically stabilized on a moving vehicle is shown to comprise a tripartite bearing having a fixed spherical inner section, an annular central section, connected through a helical spring to the moving vehicle, mounted on the spherical inner section and an annular outermost section rotatably mounted on the central section to form a gyroscopic mass that may be precessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard R. La Torre, Robert A. Phaneuf
  • Patent number: 4442435
    Abstract: A passive platform stabilization system is disclosed which is suitable for antenna stabilization in maritime communication systems. The stabilization system of the present invention comprises a platform rotatable in a horizontal plane. At least two gyros are suspended from the platform by suspension means which are rotatable about a vertical axis independent of the rotation of the platform in order to avoid undesirable torque components which would result from precession of the gyros. The platform pivots about axes which are parallel to the pitch and roll axes of a vessel on which it is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rikio Kiryu, Takeshi Bessho
  • Patent number: 4433337
    Abstract: An interconnect system from a combination gyro and pendulum weight passive stabilization system unit and an equipment platform, such as an antenna platform, whereby the platform is position stabilized in pitch and roll as controlled by the passive stabilization system unit. The interconnect system may take the form of a selsyn system used with a generator and a motor interconnected by multiple wire circuitry to permit location of a passive stabilization system unit at an ideal location in an ocean-going ship, such as in the epicenter region of the ship, with minimized pitch and roll acceleration forces, and with the antenna platform stabilized thereby ideally located for antenna purposes as much as hundreds of feet away from the passive stabilization system unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Tracor BEI, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorsey T. Smith, Albert H. Bieser, Warren H. Kintzinger
  • Patent number: 4396919
    Abstract: A pedestal gimbal drive assembly includes a yoke and a cross shaft mounted for movement about separate orthogonal axes for affording a sensing platform for being driven by differential drive mechanism for sweeping a hemispherical segment. One embodiment of the drive means includes an endless cable drivingly connected by means of two separate reversible motors to a pair of fixed pulleys on the platform and trailed over a plurality of idler pulleys and operative to move the platform in the desired motion. An alternate embodiment includes a driven gear connected to the ring and a pair of bevelled gears connected to the driven gear and connected by link members to the two independent reversible motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventor: John M. Speicher
  • Patent number: 4392140
    Abstract: A gimbal assembly includes an outer arcuate yoke gimbal member mounted on rollers to rotate about its axis and an inner gimbal member includes a platform pivotally mounted in the yoke to rotate about a second axis. Two drive motors are separately and independently connected through independent cable drive assemblies to separate ones of the inner and outer gimbal members and functions either individually or together to rotate the gimbal members selectively or both together in a combination of motion. In one form, the two drive motors are co-axially mounted in the base of the gimbal assembly. In another form the gimbal drive motors are co-axially mounted with the outer housing of one motor forming the drive pulley for the other drive assembly. In another arrangement the motors are disposed on adjacent parallel axes with one drive motor for the inner gimbal having co-axially disposed drive pulleys for the drive cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bastian, John M. Speicher
  • Patent number: 4384294
    Abstract: A stabilized ship borne antenna arrangement is provided with an antenna which is stabilized against pitching and rolling motions of the ship on which it is mounted. The antenna is intended to rotate in azimuth about a stabilized vertical axis and it is mounted on a rotatable member which rotates about an unstabilized axis, which is fixed relative to the ship. Linear actuators link the antenna to the rotatable member with the lengths of the actuators being adjusted so as to maintain the vertical axis of the antenna as it rotates. The stabilized portion of the antenna arrangement is relatively light with a low center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: The Marconi Company Limited
    Inventors: Richard W. Crook, Ian Coghill, David R. James
  • Patent number: 4346386
    Abstract: A mount and mechanism for imparting scan motion to a radar antenna useful in locations where obstructions forward of the antenna limit the field of view of the radar. The mount includes a carriage for translating the antenna transversely to the direction of beam propagation. Several mechanisms are disclosed for converting translatory motion to rotary motion and imparting the rotary motion as scanning motion to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Francis, Eckard F. Natter
  • Patent number: 4345256
    Abstract: A steerable directional antenna assembly steerable about two perpendicular axes is disclosed. It comprises a directional horn antenna rotatably mounted on a horseshoe gimbal to rotate about a first axis. A curved wave guide feed is connected at one end to the feed portion of the directional antenna. The wave guide feed is disposed such that its center of curvature is located on the first axis of rotation. The curved wave guide has a circumferential slot in its outer side, the slot communicating between the ambient atmosphere and the wave guide interior. The gimbal and directional antenna are rotatably connected to a pedestal which is enabled to rotate the gimbal and directional antenna about a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. The antenna assembly further comprises a coaxial feed line which passes through an opening in the pedestal and is fixed to the pedestal. The outer conductor of the coaxial feed line is stripped away from one end of the line to expose the center conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Sperry Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Rainwater
  • Patent number: 4314253
    Abstract: A microwave directional antenna in which a parabolic reflector is mounted on a portable base. The parabolic reflector is constructed in two semicircular sections that are hinged to each other and to a supporting pedestal for rotation about a common horizontal hinge axis. The two sections can be rotated in opposite directions to move the sections between a folded position during transit and an extended position when in operation. In the extended position the two sections are locked together and rotated as a unit to change the elevation of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Compact Video Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Sayovitz
  • Patent number: 4304381
    Abstract: A disc-shaped member-to-be-aimed is mounted for tilting about two mutually perpendicular tilt axes rotatable about a third and mutually perpendicular boresight axis that affords a conical field of view for the member in the presence of any asymmetry in its tilting about the tilt axis. A multi-gimbal assembly accommodates such multiple-axis movement freedom, and torque motors disposed in an axialwise direction at one side of the member-to-be-aimed affords radial compactness for the gimbal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne B. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 4295621
    Abstract: A solar array support member is pivotally secured to the upper end of a support post for rotation about a horizontal axis. The support post is driven about a vertical axis. A disc is rotatably secured to the post for rotation about a vertical axis spaced from the post's vertical axis. A link member is secured by respective ball and socket assemblies at one end to the support member and to the rotating disc at the other end. A motor and pulley system drive the rotating disc with respect to the vertical post to set the elevation position of the support member. A second motor and pulley system drive the post about its vertical axis with respect to a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Bohdan W. Siryj
  • Patent number: 4287497
    Abstract: A compact gimbal system having an integral radio frequency signal path therethrough wherein common bearings are utilized in the rotary joints of the radio frequency path and for supporting and rotating the gimballed load and wherein radio frequency waveguide may be used as at least a part of the required structure of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4284061
    Abstract: Apparatus for collecting solar energy comprises a collector having a solar-energy collector surface. The collector is mounted on a support and is pivotable between an exposed position in which the collector surface faces the sun and a substantially-horizontal sheltered position in which the collector surface faces the earth, thereby protecting the collector surface from the elements and facilitating access thereto for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: M.A.N. Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nuernberg Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Wildenrotter
  • Patent number: 4282529
    Abstract: A gimbal assembly in which the outer gimbal member is an arcuate yoke mounted on rollers to rotate about one axis, and the inner gimbal member is a platform pivotally mounted in the yoke to rotate about a second orthogonal axis. Two motors are connected through a differential drive system to rotate either gimbal member selectively or both together in any combination of motions. In one form the differential drive is an endless cable extending around the outer gimbal member and around pulleys on the axis of the inner gimbal member. In a modified form the cable is crossed at one end to drive the inner gimbal member from both ends. In another form the differential drive includes split outer ring members driven individually by the two motors and coupled to the inner gimbal member by a rack and pinion drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventor: John M. Speicher
  • Patent number: 4251819
    Abstract: This specification discloses an apparatus and method for supporting and moving an antenna load when tracking a satellite in a synchronous orbit. The apparatus includes three elongated supports all of which are attached to the antenna with couplings having a two degree of freedom of movement and two of which supports are attached to the ground with couplings having a two degree of freedom of movement. A stabilizing member coupled between the two supports having a two degree of movement connection with the ground rigidifies the support apparatus. Adjusting the longitudinal length of the elongated supporting members permits the antenna to be simply and effectively positioned over a wide angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corp.
    Inventor: Jack M. Vickland
  • Patent number: 4238802
    Abstract: A gimbal assembly in which the outer gimbal member is an arcuate yoke mounted on rollers to rotate about one axis, and the inner gimbal member is a platform pivotally mounted in the yoke to rotate about a second orthogonal axis. Two motors are connected through a differential drive system to rotate either gimbal member selectively or both together in any combination of motions. In one form the differential drive is an endless cable extending around the outer gimbal member and around pulleys on the axis of the inner gimbal member. In a modified form the cable is crossed at one end to drive the inner gimbal member from both ends. In another form the differential drive includes split outer ring members driven individually by the two motors and coupled to the inner gimbal member by a rack and pinion drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division
    Inventor: John M. Speicher
  • Patent number: 4232320
    Abstract: A mount for an earth station antenna includes an hour angle beam suppoting the antenna for pivotal movement of the antenna about an hour angle axis determined by the position of the hour angle beam. An adjustable azimuth strut is connected to the antenna for pivoting the antenna about the hour angle axis. Two pairs of struts pivotally support the hour angle beam at spaced pivot points to permit adjustment of the hour angle axis so that the antenna can be pointed at a satellite. The lower ends of the two pairs of struts are pivotally connected to a foundation on horizontally spaced axes with the lower ends of the pair of struts connected to the lower pivot point on the hour angle beam being spaced farther away from the lower end of the beam than the lower ends of the other pair of struts, so that pivotal movement of the hour angle beam pivots the upper and lower ends of the beam along different arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Rene Savalle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4225868
    Abstract: An antenna pedestal for producing angular motion is formed of a base and upper and lower subassemblies. Pivot arrangements are provided between the base and the lower subassembly for enabling the lower subassembly to be angularly displaced with respect to the base about a pair of parallel axes by a pair of linear actuators which are connected between the base and the lower subassembly. The first of these actuators rotates the lower pedestal through a first arc sector and the other rotates the lower subassembly in a second arc sector which is in a common plane with the first arc sector. Likewise, the upper subassembly is supported on the lower subassembly with pivot arrangements located therebetween for enabling the upper subassembly to be angularly displaced with respect to the lower subassembly about a further pair of parallel axes which are orthogonal with the pair of axes about which the lower subassembly is displaced relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Mazur
  • Patent number: 4209789
    Abstract: Slip-ring electrical contacts are avoided in a rotatable aerial or antenna of the type which is housed in a rotatable cage or basket having a supporting platform at the top of a mast, by constructing the electrical transmitting/receiving apparatus and the drive and control units for the rotating aerial at some region below the supporting platform for the rotating cage or basket, e.g., below deck in the case of a ship, and by transmitting the signal to or from the aerial by means of a wave guide concentrically arranged below and surrounding the axis of rotation of the cage, including a quarter wave joint surrounding the wave guide (with a clearance) on the platform, and connecting the wave guide to the aerial with the aid of a probe extending into the wave guide, two motor devices operating through differential gearing, all included in the region below the platform enabling the azimuth and elevation of the aerial to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri & Company Limited
    Inventor: Ole Snedkerud
  • Patent number: 4204214
    Abstract: A large dish member for use as a solar collector, radar antenna or the like is mounted on a tripod structure on a first set of bearings which permit rotation about a polar or azimuth axis, and a second set of bearings which permit rotation about an elevation axis. Drive about the elevation axis is achieved by means of a linear actuator with elevation position being sensed by means of a position transducer such as a selsyn. Drive about the polar or azimuth axis is achieved by means of two motors, one for slow drive, the other for fast drive, both of these motors being coupled through a timing belt drive and worm gear reducer to a drive sprocket. The drive sprocket engages a chain which is welded to the rim of an arcuate spoked drive member in the form of a wheel segment, which is fixedly attached to the dish member and mounted for rotation on the support structure. A position selsyn is provided to sense azimuthal or polar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Datron Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Fassnacht
  • Patent number: 4199762
    Abstract: A pedestal and gimbal assembly related to missile semi-active radar seekers or supporting three gyroscopes and functions as a reference platform to relate airframe attitude. This is mechanized by utilizing the two degrees of freedom gimbal for pitch and yaw and controlling the missile body roll axis for the third degree of freedom. Structure of the positioning system includes a pedestal having an inner gimbal assembly including a support for mounting the antenna assembly and the gyros. A yaw torque motor assembly is carried by the inner gimbal and is provided with a pair of output shafts for supporting the inner gimbal and controlling the yaw movement thereof. A pitch motor is housed in the pedestal and includes a drive pinion and a drive shaft. The drive pinion is connected to the drive shaft. The drive pinion and yaw motor operates to control the pitch movement of the antenna assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Raymond J. Estlick, Oscar E. Swenson
  • Patent number: 4197548
    Abstract: An antenna mounting structure is supported and oriented by three linear hydraulic actuators responsive to linear position transducers of a passive stabilization system serving as a vertical reference for keeping an antenna precisely pointed at a geostatically satellite during motion disturbances. The antenna is assembled with each of the linear actuators connected thereto through a gimbaled mount which facilitates accommodation of the requisite angulation thereof necessitated by motion in adjacent actuators. Response in each actuator is derived through an independent linear servo loop directly communicating with a linear position transducer constructed in scaled replication of the respective antenna actuator geometrical configuration and assembled to an inertially stabilized platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: B. E. Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorsey T. Smith, William B. Stuhler
  • Patent number: 4193308
    Abstract: A caging system for non-closed-loop gyro systems used in gyro stabilized platforms using fluid dashpots in place of automatic caging gyro brakes, torquers, or solenoids. A fluid dashpot is mounted on the gyro stabilized platform for each gyro of the platform with the linear motion of the dashpot along an axis normal to the median general rotational plane of the respective gyro of the platform. Movement of a dashpot linear movement member is greatly accentuated by the dashpot to gyro assembly interconnected linkage as roll component or pitch component amplitude exceeds designed operational gimbal roll and pitch ranges of respectively roll and pitch gyros of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventors: William B. Stuhler, Dorsey T. Smith
  • Patent number: 4185288
    Abstract: A mobile tower supporting a radar antenna system including a drive system and position resolvers, the antenna system being mounted at the top of a cylindrical telescopable mast which is hinge mounted on a tripod base and is erected to a vertical operative position by an hydraulic ram which also retracts the mast to a substantially horizontal position for transport or servicing by personnel standing on a pallet supported by the base, the tower further including tilt and twist monitors having outputs coupled to a computer together with the outputs of the position resolvers to provide a corrected readout of azimuth and elevation angles of tracked targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Sierra Research Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dosch, Rawley McCoy, Theodore W. Steele
  • Patent number: 4181283
    Abstract: A rotary mount for an object, such as an instrument or workpiece, has a base supporting a rotor which turns on a fixed axis relative to the base and rotatably supports, in turn, on a second rotation axis inclined to the fixed axis, a platform for supporting the object with a reference axis of the object inclined to the platform rotation axis. The rotor and platform are selectively rotatable individually and in unison in such a way as to angularly and rotatably displace the reference axis through a range of skew angles and directions relative to the fixed axis.Operatively coupled between the base, rotor, and platform are drive means for selectively driving the rotor and platform individually and in unison and angle sensing means for generating signals representing the relative angular positions of the base, rotor and platform in such a way as to permit angular positioning or pointing of the object on the platform with high resolution and driving of the object in a conical, spiral, or the other coning motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: TRW Inc. Systems & Energy
    Inventor: Anthony A. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 4143378
    Abstract: A pendulum antenna for a microwave landing system is disclosed. The antenna is an elevation scanning antenna of the phased array type. The aperture, phase shifters, drivers and power distribution manifolds form a column-like structure. The column is suspended like a pendulum inside a fiberglass radome and windshield. The column has a degree of freedom limited by stops, damping means, and lock member. The stops set the allowable pitch angle, the damping means prevents the antenna from swinging back and forth from wind gust effects, and the lock member is used to constrain the antenna during transportation. The radome is freely mounted in a base support having adjustable legs for antenna leveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation
    Inventor: John L. Darrouzet
  • Patent number: 4118707
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus comprising a gimbals with two axes crossing at right angles mounted on a fixed stand, an antenna base attached to said gimbals to be rocked with the rotation of said gimbals and holding an antenna, flywheels attached to said antenna base for stabilizing said antenna base applying the principle of precession of gyro, a first driving mechanism for rocking said antenna in the elevational direction, a second driving mechanism for rocking said antenna in the azimuthal direction, and a third driving mechanism for shifting the center of gravity on said gimbals in a direction across the direction of rotation of said first driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshida, Kenzo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4104640
    Abstract: A steerable antenna arrangement has a stator, a king post rotatable around an azimuth axis arranged in the stator, a rotating mechanism mounted on the king post, a four-point bearing accommodating the upper end of the king post, a tilting mechanism mounted on a horizontal elevation axis in the rotating mechanism, an antenna carried by the tilting mechanism, a cylindrical roller bearing with a conical inner race in the stator to accommodate the lower end of the king post, a running plane of the four-point bearing adjustable to the azimuth axis of the king post and fixable, adjustment means between the king post and the rotating mechanism for adjusting and fixing the elevation axis of the tilting mechanism relative to the azimuth axis of the king post, and anti-friction bearings with equal play, equal running out of true and equal installation position provided in the rotating mechanism and accommodating the elevation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen-und Stahlwerke - Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Trauner, Michael Kiripolszki
  • Patent number: 4040333
    Abstract: A gun mount is constructed of a plurality of alternately curved and flat isogrid plates arranged, annularly about and extending upward from a generally circular base, the plates being secured together to define a generally U-shaped shell-like structure having a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending trunnion support members, the grid structure of the flat plates consisting of an uniform unflanged isogrid structure which terminates at a pocketed transition section on three sides and a stiffened edge along the top, and the grid structure of the curved sections consisting of radial grid members which are intersected by curved diagonal grid members describing exponential spirals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: General Dynamics
    Inventor: Paul Slysh