Trailer-based mobile observatory enclosure
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
InventorsHarrison Krantz, Adam D. Block, Eric C. Pearce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer-based mobile observatory is provided that has a roof that is stable under gravity in the both the opened and closed positions to ensure better mobility and robustness for travel while eliminating the risk of the roof opening during travel. This ensures that if there is any mechanical failure while the roof is in the closed position, the roof will remain closed. The trailer-based mobile observatory enclosure can be designed to house one or more telescopes and to enable remote and robotic operation. The enclosure is designed for easy deployment and reliable operation with much thought put into possible failures and ensuring that any failure that occurs does not put the telescope and instruments at risk.
Claims20
A trailer-based mobile observatory comprising:
- a trailer that is adapted to be attached to a vehicle;
- an enclosure mounted on the trailer, the enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls extending between the front and rear walls, and a clamshell-style roof having first and second sides coupled between the front and rear walls and configured to open in opposite directions, the clamshell-style roof being adapted to be placed in an open position and in a closed position and to be moved from the open position to the closed position, and vice versa, the clamshell-style roof being stable under gravity in the open position and in the closed position;
- and
- a motor-driven system mechanically coupled to the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof, the motor-driven system comprising chain drive assemblies coupled to ends of first and second shafts and to the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof, the chain drive assemblies configured to move the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof from the closed position to the open position and from the open position to the closed position.
A method of deployment of a mobile observatory, comprising:
- securing a trailer-based mobile observatory in a stable position, the trailer-based mobile observatory comprising:
- an enclosure housing observation equipment, the enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls extending between the front and rear walls, and a clamshell-style roof having first and second sides coupled between the front and rear walls and configured to open in opposite directions, the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof being adapted to be moved between a closed position where the observation equipment is covered and an open position where the observation equipment is uncovered, the clamshell-style roof being stable under gravity in the open position and in the closed position;
- and
- a motor-driven system mechanically coupled to the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof, the motor-driven system comprising chain drive assemblies coupled to ends of first and second shafts and to the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof, the chain drive assemblies configured to move the first and second sides of the clamshell-style roof between the closed and open positions;
- moving, by the motor driven system, the clamshell-style roof from the closed position to the open position where the clamshell-style roof is stable under gravity thereby uncovering the observation equipment;
- obtaining observation information using the observation equipment;
- and
- moving, by the motor driven system, the clamshell-style roof from the open position to the closed position where the clamshell-style roof is stable under gravity thereby covering the observation equipment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.