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US 9,054,409 B2Granted
Systems for positioning reflectors, such as passive reflectors
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorsKurt Zimmerman, Robert Meehan, Mark Mannarino, Courtney D. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems are provided for positioning passive reflectors, such a lens/mirror assemblies, and other types of reflectors that need to be pointed in a particular direction. The systems can effectuate control of both the elevation and azimuth angles of the reflector. The systems can be configured so that a mount can rotate so as to vary the azimuth angle of the reflector by 360° or more without a need to reverse the direction of rotation of the reflector, and without the use of slip rings, RF rotary joints, or electrical cable wraps.
Claims15
A system, comprising:
- a feed;
- a reflector;
- a base;
- a mount mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis in relation to the base and being capable of supporting the reflector so that the reflector can rotate about a second axis in relation to the mount;
- and
- a linkage comprising at least one rigid arm, wherein:
- the linkage is operable to rotate with the mount about the first axis;
- the linkage having a first end mechanically coupled to the reflector so as to be offset a pre-defined distance from said first axis and so that vertical movement of the rigid arm in relation to the mount imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the mount;
- an electro-mechanical drive component mounted on the base so as to have a center axis vertically aligned with said first axis and configured to exclusively drive the linkage for vertical movement in relation to the mount, wherein the electro-mechanical drive component comprises a drive shaft movable in relation to said first axis independent from any rotation about the first axis by the linkage;
- and
- a worm-gear set comprising a worm coupled to and rotatable with the drive shaft, and a gear pivotally coupled to a second end opposed from the first end of the linkage and engaging the worm such that rotation of the worm imparts rotation of the gear which causes the vertical movement of the rigid arm;
- wherein said feed is positioned on a non-rotating component of said system.
9 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a feed;
- a reflector;
- a base;
- a mount mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis in relation to the base and being capable of supporting the reflector so that the reflector can rotate about a second axis in relation to the mount;
- a linkage comprising at least one rigid arm, wherein:
- the linkage is operable to rotate with the mount about the first axis;
- the linkage is mechanically coupled to the reflector so as to be offset a pre-defined distance from said first axis and so that vertical movement of the rigid arm in relation to the mount imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the mount;
- and
- an electro-mechanical drive component mounted on the base so as to have a center axis vertically aligned with said first axis and configured to exclusively drive the linkage for vertical movement in relation to the mount, wherein the electro-mechanical drive component comprises a drive shaft movable in relation to said first axis independent from any rotation about the first axis by the linkage;
- a first motor mounted on the base and mechanically coupled to the mount so that the first motor is operable to impart rotation to the mount about the first axis;
- and
- a worm gear-set that drives the linkage for movement in relation to the reflector, the worm gear-set comprising a worm, and a gear that engages the worm so that relative movement between the worm and the gear imparts rotation to the gear;
- wherein said feed is positioned on a non-rotating component of said system;
- and
- wherein a first end of the arm is mechanically coupled to the reflector, and a second end of the arm is mechanically coupled to the gear so that the rotation of the gear imparts movement to the arm in relation to the mount.
12 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a feed;
- a reflector;
- a base;
- a mount mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis in relation to the base and being capable of supporting the reflector so that the reflector can rotate about a second axis in relation to the mount;
- a linkage comprising at least one rigid arm, wherein:
- the linkage is operable to rotate with the mount about the first axis;
- the linkage is mechanically coupled to the reflector so as to be offset a pre-defined distance from said first axis and so that vertical movement of the rigid arm in relation to the mount imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the mount;
- and
- an electro-mechanical drive component mounted on the base so as to have a center axis vertically aligned with said first axis and configured to exclusively drive the linkage for vertical movement in relation to the mount, wherein the electro-mechanical drive component comprises a drive shaft movable in relation to said first axis independent from any rotation about the first axis by the linkage;
- and
- a first motor mounted on the base and mechanically coupled to the mount so that the first motor is operable to impart rotation to the mount about the first axis;
- wherein said feed is positioned on a non-rotating component of said system
- wherein the electro-mechanical drive component comprises an actuator comprising the drive shaft capable of reciprocating movement;
- and
- wherein:
- the system further comprises a bearing having an inner race secured to the drive shaft so that the bearing reciprocates with the drive shaft;
- the linkage comprises an arm and a lift tab;
- the lift tab is mechanically coupled to an outer race of the bearing so that the reciprocating movement of the bearing imparts corresponding movement to the lift tab, and the lift tab can rotate in relation to the drive shaft;
- a first end of the arm is mechanically coupled to the reflector;
- and
- a second end of the rigid arm is pivotally coupled to the lift tab.
18 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a feed;
- a reflector;
- a base;
- a mount mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis in relation to the base and being capable of supporting the reflector so that the reflector can rotate about a second axis in relation to the mount;
- and
- a linkage comprising at least one rigid arm, wherein:
- the linkage is operable to rotate with the mount about the first axis;
- the linkage is mechanically coupled to the reflector so as to be offset a pre-defined distance from said first axis and so that vertical movement of the rigid arm in relation to the mount imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the mount;
- and
- an electro-mechanical drive component mounted on the base so as to have a center axis vertically aligned with said first axis and configured to exclusively drive the linkage for vertical movement in relation to the mount, wherein the electro-mechanical drive component comprises a drive shaft movable in relation to said first axis independent from any rotation about the first axis by the linkage;
- and
- a first motor mounted on the base and mechanically coupled to the mount so that the first motor is operable to impart rotation to the mount about the first axis;
- wherein said feed is positioned on a non-rotating component of said system;
- wherein the electro-mechanical drive component comprises an actuator comprising the drive shaft capable of reciprocating movement;
- and
- wherein:
- the linkage comprises an arm having a first end mechanically coupled to the reflector;
- the system further comprises a gear-set comprising a worm and a gear that engages the worm;
- a second end of the arm is piviotally coupled to the gear;
- the worm is mounted on the drive shaft so that the worm reciprocates with the drive shaft;
- the reciprocating movement of the worm causes the gear to rotate;
- and
- the rotation of the gear imparts movement to the arm.
20 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a feed;
- a reflector;
- a base;
- a mount mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis in relation to the base and being capable of supporting the reflector so that the reflector can rotate about a second axis in relation to the mount;
- one of a first motor and an actuator mounted on the base so that (1) a center axis thereof is aligned with the first axis about which the mount rotates and (2) the first motor or the actuator remains substantially stationary with respect to rotation about the first axis while the mount rotates about the first axis;
- a rigid arm actuated exclusively for vertical movement in relation to the mount by the first motor or the actuator and having a first end mechanically coupled to the reflector so as to be offset a pre-defined distance from said first axis and so that vertical movement of the rigid arm in relation to the mount imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the mount;
- and
- a worm-gear set comprising a worm coupled to and rotatable with one of the first motor and the actuator, and a gear pivotally coupled to a second end opposed from the first end of the rigid arm and engaging the worm such that rotation of the worm imparts rotation of the gear which causes the vertical movement of the rigid arm
- wherein the feed is positioned on a non-rotating component of said system.
6 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a feed;
- a reflector;
- a base;
- a mount mounted on the base for rotation about a first axis in relation to the base and being capable of supporting the reflector so that the reflector can rotate about a second axis in relation to the mount;
- one of a first motor and an actuator mounted on the base so that the first motor or the actuator remains substantially stationary with respect to rotation about the first axis while the mount rotates about the first axis;
- a rigid arm actuated for movement by the first motor or the actuator and mechanically coupled to the reflector so as to be offset a pre-defined distance from said first axis and so that vertical movement of the rigid arm in relation to the mount imparts rotation to the reflector about the second axis when the reflector is supported by the mount;
- and
- a lift tab and a bearing having an inner race secured to a shaft of the actuator so that the bearing reciprocates with the shaft, where
- the lift tab is mechanically coupled to an outer race of the bearing so that the reciprocating movement of the bearing imparts corresponding movement to the lift tab,
- the lift tab is operable to rotate in relation to the shaft, and
- the rigid arm is pivotally coupled to the lift tab so that the movement of the lift tab imparts movement to the arm in relation to the mount;
- wherein the feed is positioned on a non-rotating component of said system.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.