Positioning system and method of orienting an object using same

A system for orienting an object relative to a base to which said object is rotatably coupled, said system comprising:

• a braking surface in fixed relation with said base;
• a brake engaged with said braking surface, said brake imposing a braking force on said braking surface when said brake is engaged;
• a linear actuator having a body and a rod extensible from said body, said body being configured for fixed attachment with said object, said rod being in fixed communication with said brake;
• and
• an elongate member having a first end coupled to said rod and having a second end coupled to said brake, said linear actuator being activated to generate linear motion of said rod, said linear motion being transmitted through said elongate member, said linear motion causing rotational motion of said object about said base, and said elongate member being configured to flex in response to said braking force.

A system for orienting an object relative to a base to which said object is rotatably coupled, said system comprising:

• a braking surface in fixed relation with said base;
• a brake engaged with said braking surface, said brake including a first brake pad and a second brake pad, said first and second brake pads pressing against opposing sides of said braking surface when said brake is engaged;
• a linear actuator having a body and a rod extensible from said body, said body being configured for fixed attachment with said object, said rod being in fixed communication with said brake;
• and
• an elongate member having a first end coupled to said rod and having a second end, said second end of said elongate member including a first tine coupled to said first brake pad and a second tine coupled to said second brake pad, said linear actuator being activated to generate linear motion of said rod, said linear motion being transmitted through said elongate member, and said linear motion causing rotational motion of said object about said base.

A system for orienting an object relative to a base to which said object is rotatably coupled, said system comprising:

• a braking surface in fixed relation with said base;
• a brake engaged with said braking surface;
• a linear actuator having a body and a rod extensible from said body, said body being configured for fixed attachment with said object, said rod being in fixed communication with said brake, and said linear actuator being activated to generate linear motion of said rod, said linear motion causing rotational motion of said object about said base;
• a coupling element configured for attachment to said object;
• and
• a strap member attached to and extending between said coupling element and said body of said linear actuator, said strap member flexing in response to said linear motion of said rod.

A system for orienting an object relative to a base to which said object is rotatably coupled, said system comprising:

• a collar configured for fixed attachment about said base;
• a first brake for selective engagement with said collar;
• a first hydraulic actuator having a first body and a first rod extensible from said first body, said first rod being in fixed communication with said first brake;
• a second brake for selective engagement with said collar;
• and
• a second hydraulic actuator having a second body and a second rod extensible from said second body, said second rod being in fixed communication with said second brake, said first and second bodies being configured for fixed attachment with said object, wherein one of said first and second hydraulic actuators associated with a currently engaged one of said first and second brakes is activated to generate linear motion of a related one of said first and second rods, said linear motion causing rotational motion of said object about said base.

A system for orienting a object relative to a base to which said object is rotatably coupled, said system comprising:

• a collar configured for fixed attachment about said base;
• a brake for engagement with said collar;
• a coupling element configured for attachment to said object;
• a strap member attached to said coupling element;
• a linear actuator having a body and a rod extensible from said body, said body being coupled to said strap member, said rod being in fixed communication with said brake, and said linear actuator being activated to generate linear motion of said rod, said linear motion causing rotational motion of said object about said base when said brake is engaged with said collar, and said strap member flexing in response to said linear motion of said rod.