US3789415A - Apparatus for wrapping cables or the like and a rotatable antenna utilizing the same - Google Patents

Apparatus for wrapping cables or the like and a rotatable antenna utilizing the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US3789415A
US3789415A US00318265A US3789415DA US3789415A US 3789415 A US3789415 A US 3789415A US 00318265 A US00318265 A US 00318265A US 3789415D A US3789415D A US 3789415DA US 3789415 A US3789415 A US 3789415A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cable
rotation
planetary
drum
antenna
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00318265A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Vickland
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Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems Inc
Maxar Space LLC
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Philco Ford Corp
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Publication of US3789415A publication Critical patent/US3789415A/en
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Assigned to LORAL AEROSPACE CORP. A CORPORATION OF DE reassignment LORAL AEROSPACE CORP. A CORPORATION OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: FORD AEROSPACE CORPORATION, A DE CORPORATION
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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

  • Antennas of the kind which may to advantage embody this invention are frequently used on board ships, or in other installations where space, particularly space along the antennas axis of rotation, must be maintainedat a minimum. Rotation of the antenna tends to twist or wrap the cables with respect to the fixed structure with which they are associated. Such wrapping not only limits the revolutions of the antenna, or other rotatable element, about its axis, but also may damage or break the cables.
  • This objective is accomplished by provision of means for wrapping a portion of the cable, intermediate the rotating system and the stationary structure to which the cable is fixed, the wrapping apparatus including a main cablereceiving drum, a planetary. carrier having a portion mounted for rotation about the axis of the main drum and carrying planetary drum means.
  • the planetary carrier and its drum means are constrained, by the cable and by apparatus for applying certain biasing force, to operate as a planetary system, with respect to the main drum means, and thereby to wrap the cable without twisting thereof during several complete turns of the rotatable element.
  • FIG. I is a simplified perspective showing of a rotating element, specifically a dish-like scanning antenna incorporating cable wrapping apparatus in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the cable wrapping apparatus
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 4 to 9, inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrative of the operation of the cable wrapping unit.
  • cable wrapping apparatus 10 incorporating the features of this invention is shown in cooperative association with a scanning antenna 11 rotatable, in azimuth, about an axis defined by a vertically extending shaft or kingpost" 12.
  • the post 12 is rotated through the agency of any suitable apparatus (not shown) and it will be understood that elevational adjustments of the antenna may also be made.
  • Suitable support and control devices of known type would be used, and these are shown diagrammatically as contained within a housing 13. It should be understood that the antenna would be connected to and controlled from a suitable control signal and power source, as illustrated diagrammatically at 14 in FIG. 3.
  • the nature of these inputs will be well understood to those skilled in the art and require no description herein, other than to mention that they may take the form of electrical signals and power inputs as might be furnished through electrical cables and by means of pneumatic or hydraulic fluids contained within hoses.
  • the antenna In an antenna installation of the kind with which the apparatus of this invention is particularly useful, it is desired to provide rotation of the antenna for several revolutions in one given direction, and then to complete the scanning by reversing the rotation and returning the antenna through a similar travel in the opposite direction.
  • the antenna In the present instance the antenna is capable of rotating in azimuth, in either direction, through approximately 3% revolutions about its main axis.
  • this extended rotational capability taken together with the fact that it is necessary to maintain connections between a plurality of hoses or cables (all contemplated by the term cable), and stationary signal and power sources, results in problems when it is desired to provide a compact installation. Such an installation would, for example, be desired on shipboard.
  • multiturn rotation of the antenna must be accomplished without subjecting the cables to substantial torsional forces.
  • a compact, effective, cable wrapping apparatus is provided within the generally cylindrical housing 10' from which the antenna kingpost extends.
  • the cylindrical housing could be fabricated of steel while, for certain land based equipment, it could be made of concrete.
  • a pedestal 15 Within the housing 10' is a pedestal 15 (FIG. 2) which supports a suitable thrust bearing 16 disposed beneath the lower end of the kingpost l2 and effective to support the weight of the antenna and its cable wrapping apparatus.
  • the cables enter the housing through a funnel-like entry spout 17 having smoothly curved walls which minimize the possibility of damage to the cables. Cables are clamped at the point of entry as indicated at 18 in FIG. 3, and extend from the region of clamping to such control and power sources (14) as may be required.
  • the cables for example the representative cable shown at C, extend through the housing 10 toward and around a cable winding and guiding drum 19. From this drum the cable extends to and around a similar drum 20 and thence to a main wrapping drum 21, integral with the post 12, being secured in the latter drum, as at 22, in any convenient fashion.
  • the drums 19, 20 and 21 comprise a planetary system including the planetary carrier 23 mounted by means of bearings 24 (FIG. 2) for rotation about the axis 25 of kingpost l2 and main drum 21.
  • the carrier 23 carries the drums l9 and 20 and provides for rotation thereof about the main drum 21, which latter comprises the sun element in the system.
  • Shafts 26 and 27 mount the planet drums l9 and 20 respectively so that said drums may rotate with low friction with respect to the planet carrier 23.
  • the planetary carrier is biased, in this instance in the counterclockwise direction, as shown by the arrow 30. If bias of the planetary drums is provided, this may readily be achieved through the use of negator springs, one of'which is shown at 31 in FIG. 2. The illustrated spring would have its ends suitably secured within the planet drum 20 in such manner as to result in sufficient bias.
  • the counterclockwise bias at the planetary carrier 23 is applied through counterweight 32 connected with a rope or cable 33 wrapped around a pulley 34 which is secured to the lower surface of the planetary carrier 23.
  • the system is designed to provide sufficient freedom of movement at the counterweight 32 to accommodate about 3% turns of the kingpost, and of the antenna, in a given direction, followed by return through the same angular traverse. In the arrangement illustrated this given direction is clockwise, as shown by the arrow on main drum 21 (FIG. 3).
  • While the concepts of the present invention are applicable to systems utilizing a single cable, or a number of cables, if several cables are employed it is desirable that means be provided to prevent interference between the cables during wrapping thereof.
  • This may be accomplished in novel and effective fashion by providing a belt or band, shown at 35 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • This band provides a flexible backing for the cables and encircles the main and planetary drums in the manner shown in FIG. 3.
  • Any suitable means is employed to maintain the several cables in the desired spacing in the direction of the rotational axis of the wrapping system.
  • the U-shaped elements 36 are intended only as a diagrammatic indication of the said suitable means for spacing the cables on the belt. Maintenance ofa helical wrap may be desirable.
  • the band 35 may also interact with the flanges provided at the two planetary drums, see the flanges 19a and 2011, thereby preventing excessive deflection or movement of the belt in directions parallel to the main, central, axis.
  • the antenna is rotated or scanned in a given direction, in this case in a clockwise direction, through any suitable motor drive means (not shown) and that this motion, and the retrograde return motion, has a tendency to snarl the cables and subject them to severe torsional stresses.
  • the cable wrapping system of this invention completely eliminates these difficulties, and utilizes only a small amount of space in accomplishing these purposes. Since the main sun drum 21 is formed integrally with the lower portion of the kingpost 12 to which the antenna is attached, there is no relative rotation between the main drum 21 and the antenna. Accordingly, the cables may be extended directly from the point 22, where they are secured within the main drum, upward into suitable association with the antenna. Exteriorly of this rotating system, however, it is necessary that proper dress of the cables be maintained and that the cables be wrapped precisely and rapidly during both forward and reverse scanning of the antenna.
  • FIGS. 4 through 9 show the operation of the wrapping system in various positions, from a time at the start of the multiturn clockwise rotation of the antenna to and through the final position (about 3% turns later), when substantially all of the cable disposed within the housing 10, between the entry spout 17 and the clamping point 22 in the main drum, is wrapped about said main drum.
  • the planetary carrier 23 is subjected to the mentioned bias tending to rotate it counterclockwise, that is in the direction shown by the arrow 30 in FIG. 3.
  • the planetary carrier has been omitted from FIGS. 4 to 9. Also, it is to be recognized that, as appears in FIGS.
  • the main drum 21 and the planetary drums 19 and 20 need not be of the same size. It is convenient that the main drum 21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, be somewhat smaller to prevent interference between the side of said drum and the cable as it encircles the planetary drums. In any event, however, a variety of drum sizes may be used without departing from the principles of this invention. Variations in drum size would change the angular travel of the planetary carrier and hence would vary the distribution of the cable as between the sun and planet drums. In the diagrammatic form of the apparatus, shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the sun and planet drums are shown, for the sake of simplicity as being of the same size and as being closely spaced.
  • azimuth angle (6, being rotation of the antenna and of the main drum 21, given in the following description, should be understood as applying to a system of the kind shown in FIGS. 4 through 9. This is also the case with regard to the extent of cable wrapped about the main drum (0. and the angular travel of the planetary carrier (t9..,,,,,,.,).
  • FIG. 4 shows the cable wrapping apparatus when the antenna, or'other rotatable machine with which the cable wrapper is employed, has been rotated to its extreme allowable counterclockwise position when 0, 0.
  • the antenna begins its clockwise rotation, it produces corresponding rotation of the main drum 21 and the cable, (or cables, as the case may be) starts to wrap around the primary drum, since it is fixed thereto at 22.
  • This wrapping foreshortens the amount of free cable, and applies a counterclockwise torque to the axis of drum 19.
  • This torque is resisted by tension in the righthand run of cable between drums 19 and 20 thus resisting, but not preventing, independent counterclockwise rotation of drum 19, and thereby transmitting a clockwise torque to the planet carrier.
  • This torque causes the carrier 23 to rotate clockwise against the bias of the counterweight 32 (FIG. 2). In this manner, as the main drum and the antenna continue clockwise rotation about the center axis, the planet carrier and its drums 19 and 20 are forced to precess around the main axis 25.
  • drum 20 is no longer in the cable wrapping circuit through the positionshown in FIG. 7 (0, about 862, 0 about 270, and 6,,,,,,,,,, about 592), and until the final position, shown in FIG. 9, in which the cable C is taut between the fixed cable entry spout 17 and the point 22 on the periphery of the main drum 21.
  • the cable is tangent to the periphery of the main drum 21 and 0, about l,277 (3.54 revolutions), while 6, about 857. This is, of course, the extreme clockwise position, and when this point is reached 0 about 420.
  • Apparatus for guiding and wrapping cables connected between fixed structure and a rotatable element comprising: a main drum to which such a cable is connectable in a region intermediate points of connection to said fixed structure and said rotatable element, to provide for wrapping of such cable thereon, means for driving said main drum in a given direction during rotation of such an element in said given direction and for driving said main drum in the reverse direction during rotation of such an element in the reverse direction; a planetary carrier mounted for rotation about the axis of said main drum and carrying planetary drum means for guding and receiving cable during at least a major portion of a wrapping operation; and means biasing said planttary carrier for rotation in a direction opposite to said given direction, said planetary carrier and said planetary drum means being constrained by a cable being wrapped, against the bias of said biasing means, to operate as a planetary system, with respect to the main drum means, during cable wrapping.
  • Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further including means biasing said planetary drum means toward rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of bias of said planetary carrier.
  • Apparatus for connecting cable means or the like between base structure and a rotatable antenna, in such manner as to allow multiturn rotation of said antenna in a given direction with respect to said base structure and with freedom for return of said antenna in the reverse direction, without subjecting said cable means to substantial torsional forces said apparatus including, at least one cable having a first portion fixed to said base structure, a second portion associated with the rotatable antenna in such manner as to be rotated with respect to the first portion in response to rotation of said antenna, and means for wrapping a portion of said cable, intermediate said first and second portions, during such multiturn rotation of said antenna, said last means comprising: main cable-receiving drum means coaxial and rotatable with said antenna, said cable being secured to said main drum means and extending therefrom to said antenna for association therewith; a plane tary carrier having a center portion mounted for rotation about the axis of said main drum means and carrying adjacent each opposite end thereof, a planetary drum for guiding and receiving cable during at least a major portion of the wrapping

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US00318265A 1972-12-26 1972-12-26 Apparatus for wrapping cables or the like and a rotatable antenna utilizing the same Expired - Lifetime US3789415A (en)

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US31826572A 1972-12-26 1972-12-26

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US (1) US3789415A (en:Method)
JP (1) JPS5425622B2 (en:Method)
AU (1) AU476970B2 (en:Method)
BR (1) BR7308677D0 (en:Method)
CA (1) CA996911A (en:Method)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001037375A3 (en) * 1999-11-19 2001-10-11 Raytheon Co Coupling device for conduit and rotating members
US6335708B1 (en) * 2001-01-24 2002-01-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Antenna transfer assembly with jam preventing inserts
CN105600593A (zh) * 2011-12-19 2016-05-25 苹果公司 卷绕线缆的系统和方法
GB2539724A (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-28 Airspan Networks Inc A rotable antenna apparatus
US10070325B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2018-09-04 Airspan Networks Inc. Sub-sampling antenna elements
US10098018B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2018-10-09 Airspan Networks Inc. Configurable antenna and method of operating such a configurable antenna
US10231139B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-03-12 Airspan Networks Inc. Node role assignment in networks
US10257733B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-04-09 Airspan Networks Inc. Managing external interference in a wireless network
CN109678011A (zh) * 2019-01-17 2019-04-26 桂林长海发展有限责任公司 一种行星轮系传动机构绕线装置
US10306485B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-05-28 Airspan Networks Inc. Configurable antenna and method of operating such a configurable antenna
US10448264B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-10-15 Airspan Networks Inc. Rotatable antenna apparatus
US10667145B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2020-05-26 Airspan Networks Inc. Bearing calculation
US20220286200A1 (en) * 2021-03-08 2022-09-08 Datapath, Inc. Transportable Satellite Antenna Terminal

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3044723A (en) * 1960-09-30 1962-07-17 Lloyd C Blue Wire rope tensioner
US3248088A (en) * 1963-10-24 1966-04-26 Mannis Winch And Steel Company Tensioning device
US3358968A (en) * 1966-10-27 1967-12-19 Breeze Corp Continuous loop variable penetration winch

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3044723A (en) * 1960-09-30 1962-07-17 Lloyd C Blue Wire rope tensioner
US3248088A (en) * 1963-10-24 1966-04-26 Mannis Winch And Steel Company Tensioning device
US3358968A (en) * 1966-10-27 1967-12-19 Breeze Corp Continuous loop variable penetration winch

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6361237B1 (en) * 1999-11-19 2002-03-26 Raytheon Company Coupling device
WO2001037375A3 (en) * 1999-11-19 2001-10-11 Raytheon Co Coupling device for conduit and rotating members
US6335708B1 (en) * 2001-01-24 2002-01-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Antenna transfer assembly with jam preventing inserts
US9919895B2 (en) 2011-12-19 2018-03-20 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for hanking a cable
CN105600593A (zh) * 2011-12-19 2016-05-25 苹果公司 卷绕线缆的系统和方法
US10070325B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2018-09-04 Airspan Networks Inc. Sub-sampling antenna elements
US10667145B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2020-05-26 Airspan Networks Inc. Bearing calculation
US10028154B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2018-07-17 Airspan Networks Inc. Rotatable antenna apparatus
GB2539724A (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-28 Airspan Networks Inc A rotable antenna apparatus
US10098018B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2018-10-09 Airspan Networks Inc. Configurable antenna and method of operating such a configurable antenna
US10231139B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-03-12 Airspan Networks Inc. Node role assignment in networks
US10257733B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-04-09 Airspan Networks Inc. Managing external interference in a wireless network
US11811127B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2023-11-07 Airspan Ip Holdco Llc Wireless network controller and method of controlling a wireless network
US10306485B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-05-28 Airspan Networks Inc. Configurable antenna and method of operating such a configurable antenna
US10448264B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-10-15 Airspan Networks Inc. Rotatable antenna apparatus
WO2016207593A1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2016-12-29 Airspan Networks Inc. A rotatable antenna apparatus
CN109678011A (zh) * 2019-01-17 2019-04-26 桂林长海发展有限责任公司 一种行星轮系传动机构绕线装置
US20220286200A1 (en) * 2021-03-08 2022-09-08 Datapath, Inc. Transportable Satellite Antenna Terminal
US12176996B2 (en) * 2021-03-08 2024-12-24 Datapath, Inc. Transportable satellite antenna terminal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU476970B2 (en) 1976-10-07
BR7308677D0 (pt) 1974-08-15
AU6201273A (en) 1975-05-01
JPS5425622B2 (en:Method) 1979-08-29
JPS4996277A (en:Method) 1974-09-12
CA996911A (en) 1976-09-14

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AS Assignment

Owner name: LORAL AEROSPACE CORP. A CORPORATION OF DE, NEW Y

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:FORD AEROSPACE CORPORATION, A DE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005906/0022

Effective date: 19910215