US3713164A - Steerable antenna - Google Patents

Steerable antenna Download PDF

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Publication number
US3713164A
US3713164A US00100944A US3713164DA US3713164A US 3713164 A US3713164 A US 3713164A US 00100944 A US00100944 A US 00100944A US 3713164D A US3713164D A US 3713164DA US 3713164 A US3713164 A US 3713164A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
antenna
bearing surface
support structure
rollers
defines
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
US00100944A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Foury
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.)
Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA
Original Assignee
Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA
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
Priority claimed from FR6944625A external-priority patent/FR2085170B1/fr
Application filed by Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA filed Critical Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3713164A publication Critical patent/US3713164A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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

  • the present invention concerns steerable antennas, and is more particularly concerned with an improved support arrangement for large steerable antennas.
  • antennas are generally orientable in any given direction by the combinations of rotation' about an azimuth or vertical axis and an elevation or horizontal axis.
  • the accuracy of the orientation of the antenna in a given direction depends largely upon the stability of the azimuth axis.
  • the antenna proper generally comprising a reflector, is mounted on a rigid support structure resting on antenna foundations.
  • Various proposals have already been made for realizing the cooperation between this rigid support structure and the antenna foundations.
  • an antenna reflector is slung between the arms of a bifurcate support whose stem is aligned with the azimuth axis of the antenna. If any displacement of the antenna foundations occurs, due to differential settling or seismic disturbances, for example, the azimuth axis may be displaced from the vertical. Jacks may be provided for re-aligning the azimuth axis by adjustment of the position of the stem.
  • Such structures are generally very expensive.
  • a less expensive proposal provides a wheel and track mounting. In this arrangement, a circular rail is mounted on the foundations of an antenna, the rigid support structure carrying wheels or rollers which run on the rail. The virtual azimuth axis is determined by the line passing perpendicularly through the center of the circle defined by the rail.
  • a steerable antenna comprises a rigid support structure rotatable on foundations about an azimuth axis of the antenna, the rigid support structure having a substantially horizontal annular first bearing surface resting on a set of support rollers fixed to the foundations.
  • the rigid support structure suitably has a second bearing surface in the form of a surface of revolution, guide rollers fixed to the foundations bearing against this second bearing surface to align the central axis of the first bearing surface with the azimuth axis of the antenna,
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are elevational views of two forms of steerable antenna.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-section of a lower part of the antenna of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a section on the line and in the direction of the arrows A-A in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial section of a lower portion of the antenna of FIG. 2.
  • an antenna or aerial is mounted on foundations l0 and has a dish reflector 15.
  • the reflector 15 is mounted on a rigid support structure indicated generally at 16 and consisting of a metal girder construction 17 supporting a mounting providing rotation of the reflector 15 about a horizontal elevation axis 18.
  • a hollow body in the form of a cylindrical metal structure 19 is attached to the bottom of the girder construction 17.
  • a lower face of the structure 19 defines a substantially horizontal annular first bearing surface 20 resting on a set of support rollers fixed to the foundations 10 and diagrammatically indicated at 30.
  • the antenna is steerable about its azimuth axis, coincident with the central axis of the cylinder 19. It is orientable in any given direction by the combination of rotations about this azimuth axis and the horizontal axis 18.
  • the foundations 10 are constructed as a cabin for ancillary equipment of the aerial and its operating staff.
  • FIG. 2 a second form of antenna is generally similar to that of FIG. 1, and those elements bearing the same reference numerals fulfill analogous functions.
  • the cylinder 19 of FIG. 1 is replaced by an upper cabin structure indicated generally at 19 in FIG. 2.
  • This consists essentially of a frusto-conical concrete shell 51, the girder construction 17 being attached to this at its upper end, as will be further explained below.
  • Fastened to the lower face of the skirt 51 is a circular flat rail 52 providing the annular support surface against which bear the support rollers 30, in this case mounted in pairs or bogies on the foundations 10.
  • a lower cabin 53 is situated between the support rollers 30 and below the upper cabin 19.
  • the position of each set of rollers 30 is adjustable by means of a jack indicated diagrammatically at 55, allowing adjustments of the azimuth axis of the antenna.
  • An elevator shaft 12 extends upwardly from the cabin 53, carrying an elevator giving personnel access to the antenna proper, a ladder for use when the elevator may not be used, and various of the connections to the aerial proper.
  • the girder construction 17 is mounted on the cylinder 19 by means of a chassis plate 8.
  • this chassis plate 8 is rectangular and is attached to the cylinder 19 by triangular intermediate elements such as 9, only two of which have been shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity.
  • the cross-section of the cylinder 19 has the form of an I-beam with a web 21 and respective upper and lower transverse flanges 22 and 23.
  • the lower face 20 of the lower flange 23 defines the annular first bearing surface, which rests on a set of support rollers, one of which is indicated at 30. From FIG. 4, it is seen that the cylinder 19 is supported on six equally spaced rollers 30. The number of such support rollers will depend mostly on the weight of the aerial structure.
  • each roller 30 is substantially horizontal, these rollers being attached to the foundations by any suitable known arrangement.
  • An arrangement (not shown) of jacks or the like enables the position and the inclination of the axis of each roller to be adjusted, so that it is possible to ensure that the azimuth axis of the antenna is exactly vertical. Should the verticality of this axis become disturbed, for example due to differential settling of the foundations or seismic disturbances, the azimuth axis can be realigned by appropriate actuation of this arrangement.
  • the annular face 20 is substantially horizontal, and the roller axes 31 are also substantially horizontal, in some applications it may be possible and advantageous to arrange that the axes 31 converge at a point on the aximuth axis below the rollers themselves.
  • the lower flange 23 would then be made slightly frusto-conical, the interengagement of the frusto-conical flange and the frusto-conical, arrangement of the rollers providing an automatic centering of the azimuth axis. This axis has been shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the line 50.
  • centering of the azimuth axis 50 is achieved by a set of three guide rollers, equi-angularly spaced around the axis 50, two of these rollers being shown at 40 and 45 respectively.
  • a portion of the internal surface of the cylinder 19 defines a second bearing surface against which the guide rollers 40, 45 bear.
  • the guide roller 40 is motor-driven to provide a steering drive for the antenna. It is driven by a motor and gearing arrangement 41, an idler roller 42 being provided outside the cylinder 19 and opposite the driven roller 40.
  • the rollers 40 and 42 have solid or pneumatic tires, that of roller 40 being shown at 43, and tightly grip the cylinder 19 to provide a drive without slip. The roller tires serve to absorb the slight shocks undergone upon starting and stopping rotation of the antenna.
  • Thelmotor assembly 41 may be placed inside the cylinder 19, so being protected from inclement weather conditions. Furthermore, since it does not move, supply connection is simple.
  • each support roller 30 As well as centering the antenna and properly aligning its azimuth axis, it is necessary to resist overturning movements, due for example to high winds, tending to topple the antenna. This is achieved by associating with each support roller 30 a pair of retaining rollers 35, 36 bearing against upper surfaces of the flange 23. Each of these. flange upper faces defines an annular bearing surface against which the retaining rollers bear.
  • rollers35, 36 are carried in the same mount as the rollers 30.
  • this retaining of the antenna in a vertical sense could be obtained with a single roller, instead of a pair, preferably located inside the cylinder for protection against adverse weather conditions. Likewise, it is not necessary for this roller to bear against the upper surface of the flange 23. It is equally possible for a special track for the retaining rollers to be provided inside the cylinder, or even outside it.
  • the motor-driven roller 40 Since the motor-driven roller 40 has no support function, it may be of smaller diameter than is the case in previously proposed arrangements. Consequently, the motor-driven roller 40 has no support function, it may be of smaller diameter than is the case in previously proposed arrangements. Consequently, the motor-driven roller 40 may be of smaller diameter than is the case in previously proposed arrangements. Consequently, the motor-driven roller 40 may be of smaller diameter than is the case in previously proposed arrangements. Consequently, the motor-driven roller 40 has no support function, it may be of smaller diameter than is the case in previously proposed arrangements. Consequently, the
  • a clutch arrangement may be provided for the driven roller 40.
  • the support rollers 30 since a large number of these may be provided their diameter may be reduced.
  • FIG. 5 the mounting of the antenna of FIG. 2 is shown in more detail. Those portions of FIG. 5 which are shown in FIG. 2 will not be described again; they carry the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2.
  • the rail 52 may suitably be incorporated in the skirt 51 during the casting of the latter.
  • the rail 52 rests on the support rollers 30, at least one of which will be motor-driven to provide a steering drive for the anten-
  • the skirt 5 has an integral floor providing the floor of the upper cabin 19.
  • an inwardly facing projection 58 has an inclined face 50 defining a second bearing surface, having the form of a surface of revolution.
  • these rollers 57 serve the purpose of the retaining rollers 35, 36 of FIG. 3.
  • rollers 57 are shown adjacent the support roller 30 in FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that these two rollers may be separated, the roller 57 being circumfercntially located between the successive rollers 30.
  • the rollers 57 may be provided with solid or pneumatic tires, providing a certain amount of resilience in the antenna location. They may be complemented by further guide rollers (not shown) with vertical axes bearing against the vertical inside face of the projection 58.
  • the metal girder construction 17 of the antenna is fastened to the skirt 51 by attaching the pre-stressing cables 56 at their upper extremities to the construction 17.
  • the strength required in the foundations may be localized.
  • the rail is fixed and the rotating part of the antenna carries the wheels or rollers
  • an equally strong support must be provided at every point along the rail.
  • the load imposed by the weight of the antenna always passes through the fixed support rollers 30.
  • the foundations may consist simply of a number of pillars equal to the number of support rollers 30, each pillar holding one of these rollers.
  • foundation pillars or more generally the strongest parts of the foundation, define a support polygon which will be only slightly larger than the cylindrical portion 19 of the rigid support structure of the antenna.
  • the provision of the retaining rollers 35, 36 or 57 means that a much smaller base may be used for the antenna than is the case in arrangements where provision against tilting depends only on gravity, necessitating a relatively large base.
  • a steerable antenna comprising:
  • said rigid support structure having a substantially horizontal annular first bearing surface resting thereon, said rigid support structure including a second bearing surface in the form of a surface of revolution,
  • said rigid support structure including a hollow body carrying on a lower face a circular rail which defines the first bearing surface and wherein a portion of the internal surface of said body defines said second bearing surface, and wherein said hollow body is frusto-conical and has on an inside surface an inwardly facing flange, one face of which defines said second bearing surface.
  • a steerable antenna comprising:
  • said rigid support structure including a hollow body carrying on a lower face a circular rail which defines a first bearing surface of substantially horizontal annular form upon which rests said set of support rollers,
  • said hollow body comprising a cylindrical metal element having at its lower end a horizontal flange whose lower face defines the first bearing surface and an upper face which defines an annular third bearing surface and said antenna further includes retainer rollers fixed to the foundation means and bearing against said third bearing surface.

Landscapes

  • Road Paving Machines (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
US00100944A 1969-12-23 1970-12-23 Steerable antenna Expired - Lifetime US3713164A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR6944625A FR2085170B1 (xx) 1969-12-23 1969-12-23
FR7038392A FR2108177B2 (xx) 1969-12-23 1970-09-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3713164A true US3713164A (en) 1973-01-23

Family

ID=26215444

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00100944A Expired - Lifetime US3713164A (en) 1969-12-23 1970-12-23 Steerable antenna

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3713164A (xx)
BE (1) BE760275A (xx)
DE (1) DE2063543A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR2108177B2 (xx)
GB (1) GB1274159A (xx)
LU (1) LU62272A1 (xx)
NL (1) NL7018384A (xx)
OA (1) OA03670A (xx)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5146240U (xx) * 1974-10-03 1976-04-05
US4377266A (en) * 1981-02-04 1983-03-22 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Electrical rotary joint apparatus for large space structures
US4438912A (en) * 1980-12-08 1984-03-27 Framatome Swivelling device for supporting a large-size part in the form of a spherical dome
US4692771A (en) * 1985-03-28 1987-09-08 Satellite Technology Services, Inc. Antenna dish reflector with integral azimuth track
US4716416A (en) * 1985-03-28 1987-12-29 Satellite Technology Services, Inc. Antenna dish reflector with integral declination adjustment
US20070147287A1 (en) * 2005-12-22 2007-06-28 Wichorus, Inc. Real-time spectrum management to increase frequency reuse
US20090058745A1 (en) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-05 Viasat, Inc. Roller Based Antenna Positioner
US20130169468A1 (en) * 2011-12-30 2013-07-04 Flir Systems, Inc. Radar system and related methods
US9618605B2 (en) 2011-12-30 2017-04-11 Flir Systems, Inc. Radar system providing multiple waveforms for long range and short range target detection

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2589633A1 (fr) * 1985-10-31 1987-05-07 Grip Rolf Antenne de pointage du type actif

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2599381A (en) * 1950-01-21 1952-06-03 Collins Radio Co Axis converter
US3375523A (en) * 1964-10-16 1968-03-26 Whittaker Corp Antenna structure movable in azimuth and elevation directions
FR1544366A (fr) * 1967-11-13 1968-10-31 Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag Support tournant pour radiotélescope avec dispositif d'entraînement
US3441936A (en) * 1965-03-29 1969-04-29 Lear Siegler Inc Spherically mounted floating radiation reflector
US3604011A (en) * 1968-08-05 1971-09-07 Rohr Corp Turret-type large aperture antenna precision mounted on circular track

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2599381A (en) * 1950-01-21 1952-06-03 Collins Radio Co Axis converter
US3375523A (en) * 1964-10-16 1968-03-26 Whittaker Corp Antenna structure movable in azimuth and elevation directions
US3441936A (en) * 1965-03-29 1969-04-29 Lear Siegler Inc Spherically mounted floating radiation reflector
FR1544366A (fr) * 1967-11-13 1968-10-31 Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag Support tournant pour radiotélescope avec dispositif d'entraînement
US3604011A (en) * 1968-08-05 1971-09-07 Rohr Corp Turret-type large aperture antenna precision mounted on circular track

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5146240U (xx) * 1974-10-03 1976-04-05
US4438912A (en) * 1980-12-08 1984-03-27 Framatome Swivelling device for supporting a large-size part in the form of a spherical dome
US4377266A (en) * 1981-02-04 1983-03-22 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Electrical rotary joint apparatus for large space structures
US4692771A (en) * 1985-03-28 1987-09-08 Satellite Technology Services, Inc. Antenna dish reflector with integral azimuth track
US4716416A (en) * 1985-03-28 1987-12-29 Satellite Technology Services, Inc. Antenna dish reflector with integral declination adjustment
US20070147287A1 (en) * 2005-12-22 2007-06-28 Wichorus, Inc. Real-time spectrum management to increase frequency reuse
US7477914B2 (en) * 2005-12-22 2009-01-13 Rehan Jalil Real-time spectrum management to increase frequency reuse
US20090058745A1 (en) * 2007-09-05 2009-03-05 Viasat, Inc. Roller Based Antenna Positioner
US8054233B2 (en) * 2007-09-05 2011-11-08 Viasat, Inc. Roller based antenna positioner
US20130169468A1 (en) * 2011-12-30 2013-07-04 Flir Systems, Inc. Radar system and related methods
US9618605B2 (en) 2011-12-30 2017-04-11 Flir Systems, Inc. Radar system providing multiple waveforms for long range and short range target detection
US10024953B2 (en) 2011-12-30 2018-07-17 Flir Systems, Inc. Radar system providing multiple waveforms for long range and short range target detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL7018384A (xx) 1971-06-25
GB1274159A (en) 1972-05-17
FR2108177A2 (xx) 1972-05-19
OA03670A (fr) 1971-12-24
BE760275A (fr) 1971-06-14
LU62272A1 (xx) 1971-08-13
DE2063543A1 (de) 1971-07-01
FR2108177B2 (xx) 1974-10-11

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