The invention relates to an actuation mechanism with three-dimensional rectilinear guide (named ZAM) particularly suitable, but not limited, to the translation of reflectors for satellite antenna along a predetermined axis in order to obtain a zooming effect on the radiation diagram of the antenna itself.
The invention consists of a mechanical system able to implement the linear motion of an object and at the same time to guide it with a high degree of rectilinearity in the space along a predetermined trajectory having a length significantly greater than the sizes of the system itself.
Furthermore, the system is able to support the object to be moved, during a phase called transportation phase, with stiffness and resistance which can be sized according to needs. In the subsequent operating phase the system is able to position the object in any point of the rectilinear trajectory with high stiffness and precision in the six degrees of freedom of the interface flange which can be determined based upon the physical and geometrical features of the system.
The invention, then, is suitable, but not limited, to implement the translation of a reflector in an antenna with, for example, Gregorian optics according to a determined direction and for a quantity in the order of 20-40% of the sizes of the reflector itself by obtaining the so-called ‘Zooming’ function according to what described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,923.
Exact rectilinear guides in the three-dimensional space can be implemented in different ways:
1. By means of heavy mechanical components such as simple slides or slides with ball-recirculation and moved by a linear or rack actuator.
2. By means of very bulky and substantially bi-dimensional mechanisms with long inflexion, such as the Watt parallelogram.
3. By means of multilink systems, constituted by a number of constraints so as to lock 5 of the 6 degrees of freedom of a stiff body, by guaranteeing it an approximate rectilinear path.
4. By means of the Peaucellier mechanism or reverser which is an exact rectilinear, but substantially a bi-dimensional guide.
5. By means of the Sarrus mechanism which is an exact rectilinear three-dimensional guide.
The innovative aspect of the instant invention is underlined hereinafter by making reference to the Sarrus guide.
The Sarrus rectilinear guide is based upon the use of rotoidal pairs with one degree of freedom (ball bearings, to exemplify) and it is the only one mentioned in all robotics publications able to implement an exact three-dimensional rectilinear motion. The advantage of the mechanism of the instant invention, based upon the use of only rotoidal pairs as well, with respect to the Sarrus guide lies in the size of the mechanism itself, being shifts equal.
Sizes are determining factors for the spatial environments, especially in an application wherein the mechanism must be let down inside the optics of an antenna (for example, a Gregorian antenna) imposing many constraints, as it has to be put on a satellite.
Smaller sizes also mean low weight, but also high stiffness of the parts composing the mechanism.
In order to state the difference between the two mechanisms in quantitative terms, the ZAM shift, with respect to a Sarrus mechanism having the same envelope, is double at least. This mechanism compactness allows the integration thereof inside an antenna (for example, a Gregorian antenna), and in particular below the main reflector, without substantially modifying the mechanical design (as shown in
The ZAM design also provides the implementation of the motorization system, constituted by a linear actuator and by a lock system during the launch phase.
Another ZAM relevant feature is the kinematics' isostaticity and the way as this is connected to the linear actuation system, the feature being mainly linked to the triangular structure of the kinematism which allows a sequential settlement of the dimensional tolerances between the three types of mechanism and cascade-connected there between. A comparison to the Sarrus guide is not possible since such application makes use of rotative actuators.
The locking system is useful to not overload mechanical leverages of the mechanism itself and provide a very high stiffness of the flange supporting the part to be moved, i.e. the reflector.
It is an object of the invention an actuation system which implements a three-dimensional rectilinear guide with high rectilinear features and it provides stability and stiffness to the moved object by supporting it in a not operating initial phase, particularly suitable, but not limited, to the translation of reflectors for satellite antennas along a predetermined axis in order to obtain the zooming effect thereof on the radiation diagram of the antenna itself. The actuation mechanism is characterized by a kinematic system constituted by a cascade system of three different TYPES (1 to 3) of kinematisms operating on three planes arranged at 120 degrees therebetween and actuated by a linear actuator placed along the symmetry axis of the kinematism itself.
Preferably the kinematism of TYPE 1 of
Preferably the kinematism of TYPE 2 of
Preferably the kinematism of TYPE 3 of
In a particular embodiment the actuation is implemented by means of a linear actuator of electromechanical type, preferably constituted by a motor, an operating screw and a nut screw.
In a particular alternative embodiment the actuation is implemented by means of a linear actuator of hydraulic or pneumatic type.
The mechanism of the invention is able to support the object to be moved, during a phase called transport phase, which stiffness and resistance which can be sized according to the needs by means of a retention system equipped with a device with controlled release.
In a particular embodiment the retention and release system is implemented by means of three V-like structure placed at 120 degrees connected to the supporting structure by means of elastic hinges.
In a particular alternative embodiment the retention and release system is implemented by means of three V-like structures placed at 120 degrees connected to the supporting structure by means of conventional hinges based upon the use of bearings or bushes.
In a particular embodiment the controlled release is obtained by means of a device with shape-memory alloys.
In a particular alternative embodiment the controlled release is obtained by means of a pyrotechnical device.
The invention is now described by way of illustration and not for limitative purposes, by making reference to the enclosed figures. It is specified that the invention is described by referring to an optics of Gregorian type, but nothing prevents it from being used in any reflector antenna of different type or in any application wherein the linear motion of an object along a rectilinear trajectory is required.
According to
According to
The retention and release system (3) is shown in
The mechanism when inserted into an optical system of reflector antenna allows implementing the translation of a reflecting surface as shown
The same antenna is shown in
A structural and functional configuration of the ZAM mechanism in not operating condition with the closed retention and release system is shown in
A structural and functional configuration of the ZAM mechanism in not operating condition, but with the opened retention and release system is shown in
A structural and functional configuration of the ZAM mechanism in operating condition and therefore with the opened retention and release system and the system of multiple mechanical leverages is shown in
Once the ZAM is in operating condition, substantially three operating modes of the antenna can be identified, which do not coincide with the ones of the mechanism, with no limits for intermediate positions which are omitted by way of simplicity.
The reflector in nominal position, namely with a covering extension of nominal sizes, is shown in
The reflector in backed position, namely with a covering extension of minimal sizes, is shown
The reflector in advanced position, namely with a covering extension of maximum sizes, is shown in
The ZAM is constituted by three terns of plane kinematisms which connect two triangular equilateral parallel platforms one to the other, as shown in
The kinematisms of TYPE 1 and 3 lay on the plane π1, whereas the TYPE 2 lays on the plane π2, as shown in
Let's establish a system of inertial reference F0 with axis z0 orthogonal to the platforms and passing by the two centres of the same. The kinematisms appear with polar symmetry with respect to the vertical axis joining the centres of the two platforms.
The Kinematism of TYPE 1 of
The Kinematism of TYPE 2 of
The Kinematism of TYPE 3 of
The mechanism has been designed so as to show the only degree of translation freedom along the axis z, which translates into a relative motion between the platforms along the same axis. In order to have this kinematics, the arrangement of the constraints must be the one shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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RM2005A000337 | Jun 2005 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IT2006/000490 | 6/26/2006 | WO | 00 | 6/3/2008 |