US 8,770,768 B2 · Spherical mechanical linkage and multi-axis trackers

Abstract

Spherical mechanical linkages may include a yoke defining a first axis and a second axis, a crank rotatably coupled to the yoke about the first axis; a deflecting member that defines a plane and that is coupled to the crank along a third axis, and a rocking frame slideably coupled to the yoke in the plane defined by the deflecting member and rotatably coupled to the yoke about the second axis. Such spherical mechanical linkages may further include a stub shaft coupled to the deflecting member and rotatably coupled to the crank along a fourth axis. One or more components of the spherical mechanical linkage may be symmetric about an axis. A payload, such as a mirror or a camera, can be mounted on the linkage as part of a multi-axis tracker.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A spherical mechanical linkage comprising:

a yoke comprising an annular section and one or more yoke bearing points, the yoke defining a first intersecting axis and a second intersecting axis perpendicular to the first intersecting axis, the one or more yoke bearing points being disposed on the yoke on the second intersecting axis;
a crank comprising a crank bearing, the crank being rotatably coupled to the yoke about the first intersecting axis, the crank having a symmetry about the first intersecting axis;
a rocking frame comprising an annular section rotatably coupled to the yoke about the second intersecting axis at the one or more yoke bearing points, the rocking frame defining a plane;
a deflecting member slideably coupled at one or more bearing points to the rocking frame along a third intersecting axis;
and
a stub shaft coupled to the deflecting member and rotatably coupled to the crank along a fourth axis.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spherical mechanical linkage and multi-axis trackers

Life of this patent

Spherical mechanical linkage and multi-axis trackers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20