US3624656A - Radar antenna support and drive assembly - Google Patents

Radar antenna support and drive assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3624656A
US3624656A US51098A US3624656DA US3624656A US 3624656 A US3624656 A US 3624656A US 51098 A US51098 A US 51098A US 3624656D A US3624656D A US 3624656DA US 3624656 A US3624656 A US 3624656A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
pedestal part
assembly
drive
bull gear
cover member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US51098A
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English (en)
Inventor
Michael Kaschak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3624656A publication Critical patent/US3624656A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • H01Q25/04—Multimode antennas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • H01Q3/02—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
    • H01Q3/04—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation

Definitions

  • Two drive assemblies each including bearings, shafts, and pinion gears engaging the bull gear at diametrically opposite locations and normally driven simultaneously by separate motor means via respective clutch means, are so mounted on the fixed pedestal part as to permit removal and replacement of either one while rotation of the assembly is maintained by the other.
  • Normally retracted stud bolts are effectuable for providing rotary locking temporary support of the upper pedestal part by the lower pedestal part during a removal and replacement of the combined bull gear and ball bearing.
  • a large diameter annular bull gear supported by an antifriction bearing assembly mounted in a fixed pedestal part serves to turn the mounting members on which the antenna reflector and feed horn are disposed. Such mounting members and antenna components thereon are so disposed as to not interfere with access to the bull gear and bearing for replacement via a removable central top member.
  • a cylindrical shoulder in the fixed pedestal part aids in rapid alignment of the bull gear bearing assembly during any replacement installation.
  • the bull gear is normally driven by two diametrically opposite spur gear pinions, either of which alone is capable of effecting bull gear drive in event of failure or momentary replacement shutdown of the other.
  • spur gear pinions either of which alone is capable of effecting bull gear drive in event of failure or momentary replacement shutdown of the other.
  • both pinions are driving, the torque load reactions imposed by such pinions on the bull gear are equal and opposite and cancel out any resultant imposition of torque load reaction on the bull gear.
  • wear on either pinion and on the bull gear teeth is reduced by virtue of the sharing of work load by the two pinions.
  • the two drive pinions form parts of replaceable drive assemblies removably mounted on a fixed lower pedestal part and each of which includes the respective pinion, its drive shaft, antifriction bearings, and a sleeve in which such bearings are mounted. Either such drive assembly may be removed and replaced while the other continues in driving operation of the bull gear and its antenna load.
  • a drainable and refillable reservoir formed in the fixed lower pedestal part retains lubricating oil for surround of the bull gear and its bearing as well as the two drive pinions and their bearings.
  • Two alike separately operable drive motor means are removably mounted at accessible locations on depending motor mount bracket portions of the fixed lower pedestal part and are operatively connected, respectively, to the shafts of the aforesaid replaceable drive assemblies by way of respective clutch means and self-aligning couplings. Opportunity is thus afforded for separate replacement of either drive motor means and/or either drive assembly while the bull gear drive is continued by the other drive assembly and its motor means.
  • the depending motor mount brackets of the fixed lower pedestal part extend downwardly below radially extending shoulders on such part which serve to mount the as sembly atop a support tower, and a central space between these motor mount brackets accommodates a data takeoff assembly and a rotary joint and slip ring assembly for transmission of energy to the antenna feed horn and auxiliary devices.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are side elevation and top views, respectively, showing in general outline the radar antenna support and drive apparatus of the present invention as mounted on the upper end of a support tower;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2, showing details of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional elevation view showing-certain main rotary support and drive components of the FIG. 3 assembly, as removable and insertable from the top of such asembly.
  • the radar antenna support and drive assembly comprises a horizontally extending frame I which carries the usual feed horn 2 at one end and radar reflector 3 at the opposite end. in accord with the usual practice constant rotation of the frame I about a vertical axis 4 at its center causes the radar beam defined by reflector 3 to repeatedly scan 360 in azimuth for such purpose as aircraft surveillance.
  • the antenna feed horn and reflector mounting frame 1 is so constructed and so secured to a rotary upper pedestal part 5 in a manner which does not obstruct access to the top of such part, at least in the vicinity of a central circular cover member 6 removably secured to such part 5 by machine screws 7.
  • a suitable construction for the frame 1 may be as illustrated in FIG. 2 which includes side members 8 spaced-apart sufficiently to enable their disposition at opposite sides of rotary pedestal part 5 in suitable attachment thereto, preferably by means which enables the attitude of such frame to be adjusted relative to axis 4 for determining the elevation angle of the radar beam.
  • Removable waveguide components I0 extending from the center of cover member 6 to the feed horn 2 provides for transmission of radar energy to and from such feed horn while presenting an insignificant degree of obstruction to accessibility of cover member 6.
  • a combined bull gear and a ball bearing assemblage 11 Disposed immediately beneath the circular cover member 6 is a combined bull gear and a ball bearing assemblage 11, FIG. 3, which is mounted on a horizontal annular shoulder 12 formed in a lower fixed pedestal part 13 and which is located coaxially with rotary axis 4 by a cylindrical shoulder 14 also formed in pedestal part 13.
  • the assemblage 11 comprises an annular bull gear 16 having teeth in its outer periphery and constituting the outer race of an antifriction thrust-transmitting bearing including an annular inner race 17 and the ball bearings 18 in circumferential array between the two races.
  • the inner race 17 fits around cylindrical shoulder 14, seats on annular shoulder 12 and is removably secured in place by capscrews 20 insertable and removable from the top when cover member 6 is absent from the assembly.
  • Bull gear 16 finds rotary support from the ball bearings 18 and in turn supports the cover member 6 which has an annular shoulder 22 at its under side for precise positioning on such bull gear and is secured thereto by capscrews 23.
  • the outer diameter of the circular cover member 6 is greater than the outer diameter of the bull gear 16 to permit removal and insertion of the bull gear and ball bearing assemblage 11 via a central opening 24 in upper pedestal part 5 which becomes open when such cover member is removed. Removal of capscrews 20 frees assemblage 11 from annular 1 seat 12, and to assist in its removal handles (not shown) can be secured to bull gear 116 by several of the capscrews 23 removed from cover member 6 at the time screws 7 are removed to permit removal of cover member 6.
  • Fixed pedestal part 13 includes an annular portion 29 which is encircled by a downwardly extending skirt portion 30 of rotary pedestal part 5, which skirt portion includes an outwardly extending flange 31 at its lower edge.
  • mounting brackets 32 FIG. 2 provide for support of such part, hence the entire assembly, at suitable horizontal locations at the top of a mounting tower 35, in dicated in dot-dash outline in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • stud bolts 34 one of which is shown in FIG.
  • each stud bolt is screwed deeply into the bracket to keep its projecting stud portion disposed below the flange 31 of rotary pedestal part 5.
  • a nut 36 stored on the end of the retracted stud bolt is removed to permit such bolt to be unscrewed upwardly from bracket 32 until its top threaded end passes through a respective opening 37 in flange 31 and an integral nut 39 of such bolt engages the underside of such flange for its support.
  • the nut 36 is then again screwed onto the upper end of the bolt until it engages the top of flange 31 to protect pedestal part 5 and mounting frame 1 against tilt.
  • the bull gear 16 is normally driven simultaneously at diametrically opposite locations by a pair of pinions 40 rotated by matched pairs of electric motors 41, speed reducer mechanisms 42, a self-aligning assemblage 46 including universal joint couplings 43 and 44, and drive shafts 45; such coupling assemblage 46 being constructed and arranged for quick removal to provide freedom for removal of one or the other drive shaft 45 including its pinion 40.
  • Each such removable pinion drive assembly includes, in addition to pinion 40 and shaft 45, ball bearing assemblies 50 and 51 on which such shaft rotates, and a sleeve 52 in which such bearing assemblies are mounted. Sleeves 52 fit slidably in downwardly opening bores 49 formed in the annular portion 29 of fixed pedestal part 13.
  • Flanges 53 formed at the bottom end of such sleeves 52 provide for removable securement by caPscrews to such pedestal part at a readily accessible location.
  • Each coupling assemblage 46 is made removable by providing long-length splines 47 on the drive shaft 45 which permits the lower coupling 43 to be slid free of short-length splines 48 on the output shaft 55 of the speed reducer 42.
  • either pinion drive assembly may be removed for replacement while the bull gear continues to be driven by the remaining pinion drive assembly until such replacement has been completed.
  • the electric motors 41 and speed reducer mechanisms 42 are removably, secured such as by bolts to respective depending bracket portions 57 of the fixed pedestal part 13, which portions extend downwardly from the mounting plane defined by the tower-top-mounted brackets 32 on such fixed pedestal part.
  • the fixed pedestal part 13 is provided with an annular reservoir defined by inner and outer circular walls 60 and 61 coaxial with rotary axis 4 to retain lubricating oil 62; the top of bores 49 opening upwardly into the bottom of such annular oil reservoir.
  • An oil plug 65 provides for draining the lubricating oil 62 from the reservoir via one of the other bore 49 and a respective port 66 prior to removal of one or the other pinion drive assembly, as well as for replacement of such oil upon replacement of such drive assembly.
  • a radar antenna support and drive assembly comprising,
  • a rotary pedestal part having a removable top cover member removably secured to said bull gear
  • pinion drive assemblies removably secured to said fixed pedestal part, including pinions engaging diametrically opposite points on said bull gear, bearings, and drive shafts for such pinions,
  • a radar antenna support and drive assembly comprising,
  • a circular fixed pedestal part having horizontally extending assembly mounting brackets for securement to tower top members, two oppositely arranged depending motordrive mounting brackets extending downwardly from the plane of such assembly mounting brackets, an annular lubricating oil reservoir encircling a horizontal annular bearing seat coaxial with the center of such circular pedestal part through which a vertical axis of rotation for the aforesaid assembly passes, and a pair of vertically extending drive assembly accommodating bores opening upwardly into the bottom of such oil reservoir at circumferential locations embraced by such downwardly extending motor-drive mounting brackets and radially outward with respect thereto,
  • a main-support ball bearing assembly having an inner annular race seated on said annular bearing seat and removably secured in place by capscrews extending downwardly from the top of such race,
  • a circular rotary pedestal part having'a horizontally extending central top cover member mounted on said bull gear and secured thereto by top-removable capscrews and a downwardly extending skirt portion encircling the annular oil reservoir region of said fixed pedestal part and having an outwardly extending flange at the bottom thereof disposed above the plane of the assembly mounting brackets of said fixed pedestal part,
  • pinions disposed in said oil reservoir in driving engagement with said bull gear at diametrically opposite locations, rotary pinion drive shafts secured to said pinions, antifriction bearing for such shafis, and sleeves in which such bearings are mounted,
  • said sleeves being removably mounted in the aforesaid drive assembly accommodating bores of said fixed pedestal part and secured in place by bottom removable means,
  • disengageable coupling means rotarily connecting said pinion drive shafts to the outputs of said drive motor means, respectively
  • said waveguide means including a removable section permissive of removal of said top cover member without disturbing such feed horn.

Landscapes

  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Gear Transmission (AREA)
US51098A 1970-06-30 1970-06-30 Radar antenna support and drive assembly Expired - Lifetime US3624656A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5109870A 1970-06-30 1970-06-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3624656A true US3624656A (en) 1971-11-30

Family

ID=21969332

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US51098A Expired - Lifetime US3624656A (en) 1970-06-30 1970-06-30 Radar antenna support and drive assembly

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3624656A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5443344B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE769253A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2131641A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2096601B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1286419A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209789A (en) * 1977-09-30 1980-06-24 Bbc Brown Boveri & Company Limited Rotatable aerial installation mounted on a mast with remote mechanical drive
EP0311872A1 (en) * 1987-10-13 1989-04-19 Hughes Aircraft Company Two motor redundant drive mechanism
US6313805B1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2001-11-06 Nec Corporation Wide range azimuth driving system for satellite communication antenna
US6398444B1 (en) * 1999-11-19 2002-06-04 Raytheon Company Coupling for airport surveillance antennas and other rotating structures
WO2003034541A1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2003-04-24 The Boeing Company Microwave reflector antenna
CN110018444A (zh) * 2019-03-14 2019-07-16 安徽天兵电子科技股份有限公司 一种往返式自转旋转雷达
US10720714B1 (en) * 2013-03-04 2020-07-21 Ethertronics, Inc. Beam shaping techniques for wideband antenna
CN115289380A (zh) * 2022-06-29 2022-11-04 安徽恒诺机电科技有限公司 一种用于单电机双缸的俯仰电动缸
CN119407232A (zh) * 2025-01-08 2025-02-11 中国地质环境监测院(自然资源部地质灾害技术指导中心) 一种用于定向钻孔雷达的天线控向装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3040318A (en) * 1950-08-09 1962-06-19 United Aircraft Corp Radar antenna azimuth control and search system
US3324474A (en) * 1964-09-18 1967-06-06 Gen Dynamics Corp Rotatable horn antenna with feed moveable out of horn to form omnidirectional antenna

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2719921A (en) * 1951-11-23 1955-10-04 Bendix Aviat Corp Tiltable search antenna pedestal
US3315543A (en) * 1964-06-24 1967-04-25 Falk Corp Housing for multiple-pinion gear drives

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3040318A (en) * 1950-08-09 1962-06-19 United Aircraft Corp Radar antenna azimuth control and search system
US3324474A (en) * 1964-09-18 1967-06-06 Gen Dynamics Corp Rotatable horn antenna with feed moveable out of horn to form omnidirectional antenna

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209789A (en) * 1977-09-30 1980-06-24 Bbc Brown Boveri & Company Limited Rotatable aerial installation mounted on a mast with remote mechanical drive
EP0311872A1 (en) * 1987-10-13 1989-04-19 Hughes Aircraft Company Two motor redundant drive mechanism
US6313805B1 (en) * 1999-09-30 2001-11-06 Nec Corporation Wide range azimuth driving system for satellite communication antenna
US6398444B1 (en) * 1999-11-19 2002-06-04 Raytheon Company Coupling for airport surveillance antennas and other rotating structures
WO2003034541A1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2003-04-24 The Boeing Company Microwave reflector antenna
US6608596B2 (en) 2001-10-12 2003-08-19 The Boeing Company Microwave reflector antenna
US10720714B1 (en) * 2013-03-04 2020-07-21 Ethertronics, Inc. Beam shaping techniques for wideband antenna
CN110018444A (zh) * 2019-03-14 2019-07-16 安徽天兵电子科技股份有限公司 一种往返式自转旋转雷达
CN115289380A (zh) * 2022-06-29 2022-11-04 安徽恒诺机电科技有限公司 一种用于单电机双缸的俯仰电动缸
CN115289380B (zh) * 2022-06-29 2024-02-09 安徽恒诺机电科技有限公司 一种用于单电机双缸的俯仰电动缸
CN119407232A (zh) * 2025-01-08 2025-02-11 中国地质环境监测院(自然资源部地质灾害技术指导中心) 一种用于定向钻孔雷达的天线控向装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2096601A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-02-18
FR2096601B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-05-28
DE2131641A1 (de) 1972-01-13
GB1286419A (en) 1972-08-23
BE769253A (fr) 1971-12-29
JPS5443344B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1979-12-19

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