WO2006114497A1

WO2006114497A1 - Orrery

Info

Publication number: WO2006114497A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/000838
Authority: WO
Inventors: André Roy
Original assignee: Roy Andre
Priority date: 2005-04-28
Filing date: 2006-04-18
Publication date: 2006-11-02
Also published as: FR2885252A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for simulating the apparent motions of the planets of the solar system including those of the moon and sun. The invention concerns a mechanical device that enables an individual who is a non-expert in astronomy to simulate, in three-dimensional space, the apparent motions of the planets of the solar system and to define their directions respective to a given moment in time and for a given location. This is a simplified orrery that neither requires a darkened room nor qualified personnel for operating it. The device, supported by a base (10) that can be oriented according to the geographical north from the location of observation, comprises, in essence, a terrestrial globe (1), a wind rose (2) and a zodiac (3). The device can be adjusted so that the pin (5) carrying the terrestrial globe (1) and the axis of the device are parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth, and that the wind rose (2) is oriented according to the four cardinal points from the location of observation. The elements (24) representing the planets carried by the zodiac (3) give the directions of the planets as they can be observed in our celestial environment and make it possible to simulate their respective apparent motion.

Description

Planetary Technical Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a mechanical device for simulating the apparent movements of the stars of the solar system seen from a given place on the

₅ Earth in reference to the zodiac and a rose of the wind secured to the device and set to the four cardinal points of the given place. The device can be used indoors or outdoors, day or night.

The device also allows, according to a second adjustment, to simulate the rotational movement of the Earth relative to the plane of the ecliptic and the zodiac and to simulate, Q the apparent celestial environment of the Earth.

The device can serve as a didactic support for demonstrations of theories of astronomy relating to the real movements of the stars of the solar system. Vocabulary used - Definitions of terms used:

In order to lighten the following comments, here are the definitions given in the specific vocabulary used:

• The term star includes exclusively the planets of the solar system as well as the Moon and the Sun.

• The term device refers to the subject of the invention.

• A rosé of the winds is a dial that divides the horizontal plane of a given place at 2 _Q from the 4 cardinal points.

• The ecliptic is the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

• The zodiac is the animated part of the celestial vault located on either side of the plane of the ecliptic, and in which one sees moving the Sun, the Moon and the planets of the solar system.

• A heliocentric reference frame has the reference plane, the plane of the ecliptic divided according to the zodiac principle. In such a landmark, the Earth is in daily rotation on itself, and in annual rotation around the Sun.

• A geocentric reference originates from the observation site located on the Earth and for reference plane, the horizontal plane of the place of observation materialized by the

O _Q compass rose. In such a landmark, the Earth is motionless.

• The device, having two modes of use, thus has two adjustment modes marked A and B. The setting A corresponds to a setting of the device according to a heliocentric reference system. The setting B corresponds to a setting of the device according to a geocentric reference.

₃₅ • The plate (3) carrying the zodiac takes variable inclinations relative to the base (10) between two lines of greater extreme slope called minimum and maximum inclinations. These inclinations are due to the angular offset of 23.50 ° of the bore around which the half-sphere (4) rotates. State of the prior art and technical problems raised:

The simulation of the movement of the stars is traditionally achievable with a planetarium which requires specific optical means, an appropriate dark room and a qualified operator for its operation. The handling of such a device _c is not possible for a person profane- astronomy.

The armillary spheres constitute since antiquity the prior art to materialize in three dimensions the apparent movements of the stars seen from Earth according to a geocentric reference system. But the arrangement of the meridians and parallels forming the armillary sphere compresses the reading space and renders this. Q reading difficult or impossible. No adjustment is provided with these devices, which does not allow to simulate the apparent movements as they can be observed from a given place on the Earth.

The astronomical clocks give the position of the stars by means of a dial, that is to say, in 2 dimensions, and at the moment of reading only. They do not allow us to make motion simulations in our three-dimensional space.

Astrolabes are also a way to locate the stars in space. But the astrolabe is built for a given latitude only. Only one star is observable at the same time with an astrolabe. The motion simulations are not possible _Q 2 with this type of device.

The planetary and the moving spheres simulate the real movements of the stars of the solar system according to a heliocentric reference system. They do not allow to simulate their apparent movements seen from Earth according to a geocentric reference.

The apparatus described by Bernard Melguen is the closest to the present invention. A patent was filed in December 1998 and published under the numbers WO 90/06569 and 2 687 822, for devices with trademarks Celescope and Maréoscope. These devices do not have a control system and therefore do not allow the device to be set according to the latitude of the observation location _2Q .

Presentation of the invention

The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages and offers new perspectives, namely:

• provide a device to materialize the observable directions of _oβ stars seen, at a given moment, from a given place on the Earth, and to assess concretely the relative positions of the stars with respect to each other.

• provide a device to simulate the observable movements of the stars during a day, in the manner of a planetarium.

• provide a device that can be used day and night, indoors or outdoors, unlike a planetarium, which can only be used in the darkroom. • provide a device usable by a layman in astronomy, unlike a planetarium requiring qualified personnel.

• provide a materialization of the zodiac and its movement around the Earth according to a geocentric reference system. The globe is then motionless in the center of

₅ device. This corresponds to the setting B defined above. The horizontal plane of the place of observation, materialized by the rosé of the winds, serves as a reference. The zodiac then turns around the globe according to its specific movement. The user can thus simulate the movements of the stars as they can be observed in the sky, in reference to the rosé winds of the place of observation, fixed by definition, and the Zodiac AQ always moving.

• provide a materialization of the Earth's celestial environment for an observation according to a heliocentric reference system. Platinum (3), materializing the plane of the ecliptic and carrying the zodiac, is then immobile and horizontal. This corresponds to the setting A defined above. The globe (1) then turns on itself in the center

^ ₅ of the plate (3) carrying the zodiac along an axis inclined at 23.50 °. The user can thus materialize the apparent positions of the stars around the Earth and their respective progression during a given period in reference to the plane of the ecliptic and the zodiac. For example :

Where the Sun, in its apparent year-round rotation around the Earth, o the Moon, in its 28-day rotation around the Earth, o and the same for the other planets.

• allow the passage of the heliocentric reference system to the geocentric reference system and vice versa. For this, we go from setting A to setting B, and vice versa. This

The didactic process makes it possible to link the apparent movements seen from the Earth and the real movements, as they can be seen from a point of observation outside the Earth, and thus to understand the theories relating to the real movements of the Earth. stars around the Sun. Brief presentation of the figures constituting the drawings:

₃₀ The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention according to different embodiments of 6 modes, namely the device 5 and its variants numbered 1 to 5: 1 shows the device in a perspective view. Figure 2 shows the device in section according to the setting B and the maximum and minimum inclinations of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4). FIG. 3 shows the device in section according to the setting A.

Figure 4 shows the device in plan view and without the half sphere (4).

Figure 5 shows the device in rear view.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the crescent (2) and the shelf (31) surrounding the device and acting rosé winds.

₄₀ Figure 7 shows the variation 1 in section AA according to the setting A. Figure 8 shows variant 1 in plan view according to the setting A.

9 shows the variant 1 in section AA according to the adjustment B and at a minimum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4).

Figure 10 shows the variation 1 in top view according to the setting B, and in a ₅ Minimum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4).

FIG. 11 shows variant 1 in section AA according to the setting B and in a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4).

Figure 12 shows the variant 1 in plan view according to the adjustment B and at a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4). , Q 13 shows the variant 2 in section AA according to the setting A.

Figure 14 shows variant 2 in plan view according to the setting A.

FIG. 15 represents variant 2 in section AA according to the adjustment B and with a minimum inclination of the plate (3) and the half-sphere (4).

FIG. 16 shows variant 2 in plan view according to the setting B and in a minimum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4).

FIG. 17 shows the variant 2 in section AA according to the adjustment B and according to a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and of the half sphere (4).

18 shows the variant 2 in plan view according to the adjustment B and in a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4). _Q Figure 19 shows variant 3 in section AA, B according to the predefined setting, and a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4).

20 shows the variant 3 in top view, according to the predefined setting B and at a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4).

Figure 21 shows variant 4, according to the predefined setting B and in a ₅ Maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half sphere (4). The silhouette (61) in thin phantom represents the device according to the setting A.

FIG. 22 represents variant 5, according to the predefined setting B and with a maximum inclination of the plate (3) and the half-sphere (4). The silhouette (61) in fine phantom, represents the device according to the setting A. _Q Figure 23 gives the detail of the plate (3) materializing the plane of the ecliptic and bearing the zodiac.

Figure 24 shows the detail of the cards (24) used to materialize the planets.

Detailed presentation according to the different embodiments:

Referring to these drawings, the device and its variants each have a globe ₅ (1), increasing (2) carrying a compass rose and a platen (3) carrying a sign. The globe (1) is carried by a rod (5) rotating in a hub (7). The plate (3) carrying the zodiac is nested in a half-sphere (4) rotating around the hub (7). The hub (7) thus serves as hub for the rod (5) and axis of rotation for the half-sphere (4). The crescent (2) frames the device and carries the mechanism of the device in its center. The crescent (2) acts as a rosé of the winds. The crescent (2) is fixed relative to the base (10). The crescent (2) has this crescent shape to disengage the platen (3) carrying the zodiac and to facilitate the reading of said zodiac and _c leaves (24) may be located under the plane of the wind rosé, in particular when the plate (3) carrying the zodiac takes a maximum inclination.

The crescent (2) can be completed with an elongate (31) giving a circular shape to the device then usable as an ordinary round table.

The device and its variants 1 and 2 are constructed so that the change from setting A to setting B does not affect the position of the center of the earth (1) relative to the base (10).

The circular grooves (13) formed in the uprights (12) allow the adjustment of the device according to the latitude of the place of observation, and ensure the maintenance in position of the center of the globe (1) which remains thus always fixed by _{^ 5} relative to the base (10), despite the change of inclination of the axis (5).

The oblong opening (21) machined in the vessel (17) allows the device to be adjusted according to the latitude of the observation location and ensures that the center of the terrestrial globe (1) is maintained in position and thus remains fixed in relation to the to the base (10), despite the change of inclination of the axis (5).

2 _Q The hub (7) can be held in position by means of a cradle (6) or trough (18) or a base (41) or any other means.

The cradle (6) can slide in the circular grooves (13) of the uprights (12) by means of the rollers (15). The adjustment of the position of the cradle (6) according to the latitude of the place of observation, can be adjusted by means of the index (16) integral with a _2c upright (12) and with reference to the graduations (14) carried by the cradle (δ). The adjustment of the position of the cradle (6) according to the latitude of the place of observation, can also be adjusted by means of the index (36) integral with the cradle (θ) and with reference to the graduations (34) carried by one of the amounts (12).

The cradle (6) is carried by a pair of shoes (62), said pair of _Q shoe (62) being articulated about an axis (63) carried by the uprights (64) integral with the base (10). According to this configuration and as shown by the silhouette (61) in fine dotted line, the position of the center of the earth (1) does not remain fixed relative to its support or the base (10), during the passage of the setting A to setting B.

The cuvette (18) is supported on the spherical surface of the vessel (17) and _c is maintained aligned with respect to the vessel (17) through the hub (7) and of the guide pin (23) which are supported in the oblong groove (21) formed in the tank (17). The tank (17) bears on the uprights (22) integral with the base (10).

The orientation of the plate (3) bearing the zodiac with respect to the half-sphere (4) can be provided by the orientation tongue (8) or by any other means. The plate (3) carrying the zodiac may include holes (9) or other means for positioning the plugs (24) on the planets.

The base (10) may comprise a tip (11) allowing the orientation of the device according to the geographical north of the place of observation. The tip (11) can carry the engraving g of the letterN (26) symbolizing the word "North".

The earth globe (1) can be rotated by the motor (51) by means of the rod (5) rotating in the hub (7).

The half-sphere (4) carrying the plate (3) can be rotated by the motor (52) by means of a rubber wheel (56) or any other means. The

The motor (52) is then fixed on the plate (55) integral with the hub (7). The hub (7) then comprises a longitudinal groove allowing passage of the power supply son of the motor (52).

The half-sphere (4) carrying the plate (3) can be rotated by the motor (54) by means of a rubber wheel (56) or any other means. The motor (54) is then fixed on the cradle (δ)

The cradle (6) can be moved by the motor (53) by means of the pinion (59) and the toothed sector (58) integral with the cradle (6), or by any other means.

The half-sphere (4) can be guided in rotation around the hub (7), by means of the balls (19), said balls (19) being guided by the ball cage (20) and taking 2 _Q support on the tank (17). Industrial application:

By way of non-limiting example, here are the materials that can be used for manufacturing:

• The terrestrial globe (1) can be made of glass paste carried by a steel rod (5) or can come from standard elements of the trade. • The cradle (6), the hub (7), and the bowl (18) are machinable.

• The crescent (2) and the plate (3) are made by cutting and laser etching on a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plate, pre-coated with a thin metal layer, giving the appearance of a mirror to this plate .

• The crescent (2), the shelf (31) and the plate (3) are made by cabinet making and _Q marquetry.

• The semi-spherical parts (4) (17) and (19) can be made in thermoplastic, in repoussé metal, or can come from standard elements of the trade

• The base (10), the uprights (12) and (22) are machinable from board or plate materials. g • The plugs (24) can be made of glass paste of shape and of colors adapted to the plate (3) carrying the zodiac or to be derived from standard elements of commerce, commercial flat-head pins, for example.

Claims

claims

1) Device for simulating the apparent movements of the stars of the solar system in a given place on the Earth, characterized in that it comprises a globe (1) carried by a rod (5) rotating in a hub (7), a growing (2) bearing

,. a rosé of the winds, said crescent (2) being connected to a base (10), and a plate (3) in the form of a disc carrying a zodiac, said plate (3) being connected to a guided semi-sphere (4) in rotation around the hub (7). The rosé of the winds (2) makes it possible to evaluate the azimuth of each star considered. The plate (3) allows to simulate the movement of each star considered in connection with the zodiac. The plate (3) makes it possible to evaluate the height. "Of each star relative to the local horizon according to the date, the time and the place of observation chosen on the Earth by the user.

2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the hub (7) can be carried by a cradle (6), said cradle (6) being guided in rotation by rollers (15) flowing in grooves (13) machined in amounts (12), said

, r uprights (12) being integral with the base (10), said rotational guidance for adjusting the device according to the latitude of the place of observation, or by means of graduations (14), carried by the cradle (6) , and by means of an index (16), carried by one of the uprights (12), or by means of graduations (34), carried by one of the uprights (12) and by means of an index ( 36), carried by the cradle (6), and this, without

2 _Q displacement of the center of the teπrestre globe (1) relative to the crescent (2) and the base (10), despite the change of inclination of the axis (5).

3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that (e) hub (7) can be carried by a bowl (18), said hub (7) ensuring with a pin (23), guiding said bowl (18) taking support in an oblong groove (21) formed in the spherical surface ₅ of a tank (17), said guide for adjusting the device according to the latitude of the observation place, and this without the globe center of the movement (1) relative to the crescent (2) and the base (10), despite the change of inclination of the axis (5).

4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the hub (7) _Q may be implanted in the housing a base (41) pierced specifically depending on the latitude of the observation place, so as to secure a rod ( 5) and a globe (1) fixed relative to said base (41).

5) Device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the base (10) may comprise a tip (11) indicating the direction of north 5 geographical to be respected for setting the device.

6) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate (3) carrying the zodiac may comprise a tongue (δ) ensuring the orientation of said plate (3) in a notch formed in the half-sphere (4), and holes (9) or others means allowing the positioning of plugs (24) materializing the respective position of the stars according to the day considered.

7) Device according to any one of claims 1 or 6, characterized in that the half-sphere (4) may contain graduations (25) for the orientation of _{5 of} the half-sphere (4) according to the sidereal time considered.

8) Device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the movement of the globe (1) can be motorized by means of the rod (5) by a motor (51) fixed on the cradle (6) or on the bowl (18).

9) Device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 or 8

Q _^ characterized in that the movement of the half-sphere (4) can be motorized by a motor (52) having a rubber wheel (56) and a fixed over-plate (55) integral with the hub (7), or powered by a motor (54) having a rubber wheel (56) and attached to the cradle (6).

10) Device according to any one of claims 2, 8 or 9, wherein ^ _c that the movement of the cradle (6) is powered by a motor (53) connected to the upright (12) by means of a pinion ( 58) and a toothed sector (59) connected to the cradle (6).

11) Device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 6 characterized in that the crescent (2) has this crescent shape in order to clear the reading space of the plate (3) carrying the zodiac and the reading space of cards (24)

"_ Representing the stars, said croissant (2) may be provided with a removable elongate (31) giving a circular shape to the device then used as a round table.

12) Device according to any one of claims 2, 8, 9 or 10 characterized in that the cradle (6) can advantageously be carried by a pair of shoes (62) allowing, by their specific form, to oscillate and to adjust the

_? r device, without recourse to a mechanical connection with a base (10) for example, or to oscillate and adjust the device on an axis (63) carried by uprights (64) integral with a base (10) by example.