# US 7,609,218 B2 · Enhanced back assembly for Ka/Ku ODU > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,218 B2 - Document ID: US7609218B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/546,186 - Filed: 2006-10-11 - Published: 2007-08-23 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-12 - Assignees: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. - Inventors: Mike A. Frye; Gustave Stroes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609218B2 ## CPC - H01Q 1/1221: {onto a wall} - H01Q 1/1264: {Adjusting different parts or elements of an aerial unit} - H01Q 3/02: using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole - H01Q 19/17: the primary radiating source comprising two or more radiating elements (H01Q19/15, H01Q25/00 take precedence) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract An alignment mechanism for aligning an antenna to a satellite configuration is disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna for receiving the satellite signals, a mast, for mounting the antenna to a desired location, and an alignment mechanism, coupled between the antenna and the mast, comprising an azimuth mechanism having a predetermined pre-load for adjusting the azimuth position of the antenna, and an elevation mechanism, coupled to the azimuth mechanism, for adjusting the elevation of the antenna, wherein the azimuth mechanism has a radius larger than a radius of the mast, and the azimuth mechanism further comprises a fine adjustment mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An alignment mechanism for aligning an antenna to a satellite configuration, comprising: an antenna for receiving the satellite signals; a mast, for mounting the antenna to a desired location; and an alignment mechanism, coupled between the antenna and the mast, comprising: an azimuth mechanism having a predetermined pre-load for adjusting the azimuth position of the antenna, the predetermined pre-load being provided by a rivet at a pivot point of the azimuth mechanism; and an elevation mechanism, coupled to the azimuth mechanism, for adjusting the elevation of the antenna, wherein the azimuth mechanism has a radius larger than a radius of the mast, and the azimuth mechanism further comprises a fine adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The alignment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the fine adjustment mechanism comprises a nut having plastic threads. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The alignment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a pointer, coupled to the alignment mechanism, wherein the pointer indicates an azimuth position of the antenna. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The alignment mechanism of claim 3, wherein the pointer has a sharp point for indicating position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The alignment mechanism of claim 3, wherein the elevation mechanism further comprises a second fine adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The alignment mechanism of claim 5, wherein the second fine adjustment mechanism comprises a nut having plastic threads. ### Claim 7 A system for delivering satellite signals, comprising: an uplink facility; at least one satellite, receiving at least one uplink signal from the uplink facility; and transmitting at least one satellite signal; a plurality of receivers, receiving the at least one satellite signal at an antenna, a mast, for mounting the antenna to a desired location; and an alignment mechanism, coupled between the antenna and the mast, comprising: an azimuth mechanism having a predetermined pre-load for adjusting the azimuth position of the antenna, the pre-determined pre-load being provided by a rivet at a pivot point of the azimuth mechanism; and an elevation mechanism, coupled to the azimuth mechanism, for adjusting the elevation of the antenna, wherein the azimuth mechanism has a radius larger than a radius of the mast, and the azimuth mechanism further comprises a fine adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the fine adjustment mechanism comprises a nut having plastic threads. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a pointer, coupled to the alignment mechanism, wherein the pointer indicates an azimuth position of the antenna. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the pointer has a sharp point for indicating position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the elevation mechanism further comprises a second fine adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the second fine adjustment mechanism comprises a nut having plastic threads. ### Claim 13 An alignment mechanism for aligning an antenna to a satellite configuration, comprising: a mast, for mounting the antenna; and an alignment mechanism, coupled between the antenna and the mast, comprising: an azimuth mechanism having a predetermined pre-load for adjusting the azimuth position of the antenna, the pre-determined pre-load being provided by a rivet at a pivot point of the azimuth mechanism. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The alignment mechanism of claim 13, wherein the alignment mechanism further comprises an elevation mechanism, coupled to the azimuth mechanism, for adjusting the elevation of the antenna. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The alignment mechanism of claim 14, wherein the azimuth mechanism has a radius larger than a radius of the mast. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The alignment mechanism of claim 14, wherein the azimuth mechanism further comprises a fine adjustment mechanism.