Patent Application
20190341671
The present disclosure relates to a positioning device for an antenna and, more particularly, to a fine peak adjustment apparatus capable of precisely re-positioning a directional antenna, such as a satellite dish, that is no longer in alignment.
Setting up a satellite dish or other directional antennae to receive television, communication (such as broadband and internet) or other signals requires the precise positioning and aiming. With a satellite dish antenna, satellites are “parked” in geosynchronous orbit, typically 22,300 miles above the equator, and travel at the exact same rate as the earth's rotational speed so they appear stationary. To obtain a good signal, the antennae, such as a satellite dish, must be pointed precisely (within 2 degrees in all directions and as little as 0.2-0.05 degrees for some satellite internet providers) and directly at the satellite (the “look angle”), with no obstructions between the two. A poorly aimed antenna may drastically degrade performance of the antenna system. For example, results of mis-aiming an antenna may be described in terms of satellite link interference, off-axis interference into other satellites, transmission interference, degraded reception, and/or the like. The interference arises in part because the less an antenna is pointing directly at the intended target, the more it is pointing at an unintended target such as an unintended satellite. Moreover, signal strength at the receiving antenna is reduced when the aiming is off by even a small amount.
In a typical installation procedure, the antenna is generally pointed at the desired azimuth and elevation angle to find the desired signal. Most receivers provide information to help guided the installer. In one example an installer will attempt to minimize a bit rate error generated as a satellite signal is received to help point the antenna properly. Once the antenna is generally aligned with the proper signal the second phase of pointing the antenna is “peaking up”. In this step the antenna, such as a satellite dish, is manually moved in from side-to-side in one degree of freedom (such as azimuth) about a desired center location to identify points at either side of the movement where the incoming signal has the same low quality. These points then identify a mid-point at which the signal is strongest. The mounting assembly is manually manipulated, loosened and tightened to set the ideal azimuth, and then elevation, for the antenna. For a satellite dish, this initial aiming process can take up to an hour to complete. The process is often made more problematic where in some situations, the only means to judge signal quality is through electronics inside a building and remote from the antenna, or in some cases through an audible signal from the transceiver.
With exposure to the elements, particularly wind and gravity, as well as to external vibrations, the antenna system eventually moves out of optimal alignment. Over time the quality of the signal deteriorates until it becomes necessary to re-point or peak the antenna. It is then necessary to repeat the manual peaking up process described above. The manual adjustment process is labor-intensive which makes the process time-consuming and expensive if performed by a technician provided by the antenna service provider.
Consequently, there is a need for a fine peak adjustment apparatus that simplifies the peaking up or antenna re-alignment process. There is also a need for such a fine peak adjustment apparatus that can be implemented in new antenna installations as well as retro-fit for existing installations. The present disclosure addresses this need with an adjustment apparatus that is mounted between the mounting assembly and the antenna support frame.
This disclosure involves an apparatus and method for fine peaking of antennas including satellite dish antennas, such as single frequency, narrowband frequency, and broadband frequency as well as other directional antennas. The method includes aligning an antenna by rotating a lower housing and upper housing, where the lower housing rotates with respect to a mounting plate in an elevation and azimuth angle to bring a signal to a signal level peak and the upper housing rotates along a gear ring in an elevational and azimuth angle to further refine the signal level peak.
In one embodiment, a lower and upper housing are rotationally connected where the lower housing is connected to a mounting plate and the upper housing is connected to an antenna attachment. The housing contains at least two actuators where movement of the actuators cause the lower and upper housing to rotate and change the elevation and azimuth angles. The changes in the angles are effected by pivoting of the lower and upper housing with respect to the mounting plate, the antenna attachment, and each other. The complete housing is placed between an antenna support frame and an antenna mount. The elevational and azimuth angles are currently rotated between 2 and 15 degrees.
In another embodiment, a housing contains a base plate pivotally connected to an x-axis plate where the x-axis plate is additionally pivotally connected to a y-axis plate. Two actuators are contained within the housing, where movement of the actuator attached to the base plate rotates the x-axis plate in an azimuth angle and movement of the actuator attached to the y-axis plate rotates the y-axis plate in an elevational angle. When the housing is placed between a mounting point of an antenna and antenna support frame, the azimuth and elevational angles of the antenna can be adjusted.
The disclosed apparatus may also include a counterbalancing spring where in some situations the spring will be disposed outside of the upper and lower housing and in other situations the spring will be disposed between the x-axis plate and the y-axis plate within the housing.
Control of the actuators is effected through a control component, where the control component may be integrally connected within the apparatus or may be within its own enclosure either within or outside of the housing. In some embodiments, the control component will be within the base plate. In other embodiments, the control component will be within the antenna attachment. The control component powers and controls the actuators. The control component may be self-contained in that can be remotely activated to perform re-adjustment of the azimuth and elevation angles. The control component may additionally incorporate a wireless communication feature that allows communication with a remote device such that the antenna system can be adjusted without the need to be at the location of the antenna. Further, the control component may also incorporate electronics and software capable of reading a signal from a transceiver. For example, a transceiver can determine signal strength or quality and use that information to determine the optimal elevational- and azimuth-angles using the same iterative process that is ordinarily done manually.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the general and detailed descriptions of the disclosure appearing herein, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
In
As shown in the embodiment of
As shown in
In the embodiment of
The y-axis plate 44 is pivotably mounted to an x-axis plate at the elevation pivot axis 45. The x-axis plate 50 is pivotably mounted to the adjustment apparatus base plate 32 by flanges at an x-axis pivot 51. The adjustment apparatus 30 further includes an x-axis actuator 52 (
In a second example of the disclosed adjustment apparatus, demonstrated generally in
As shown in
Similarly to bottom housing 160, top housing 170 has an open front 172, open back 174, narrow side 176 and wide side 178. In other embodiments, top and bottom housing will be circular, rectangular or square, necessitating that a narrow side and a wide side not exist. In one embodiment, top housing 170 is also a wedge. Top housing 170 is attached to bottom housing 160 through gear ring 180 and one or more flanges. However, the demonstration of flanges in
Open back 174 of top housing 170 connects to antenna attachment 134 via known connections such as a flange 194. Top surface 196 of antenna attachment 134 also has a pivot point 198. Receiving rod 186 rotatably fits within pivot points 184 and 198. In certain embodiments, pivot points 180 and 198 are ball sockets and rod 186 has a top 188 and bottom 190 ball. In many embodiments, rod 186 will be a double ball anti-twist rod. Rod 186 is rotably attached to bottom housing 160 at pivot point 184 such that as y-axis actuator motor 154 moves, bottom housing 160 moves and pivots about pivot point 184. As the bottom housing 160 pivots, it pivots top housing 170 with it, thereby adjusting the elevation and azimuth angles of the antenna dish 12.
In top housing, an x-axis actuator 140 is connected to gear ring 180. X-axis actuator 140 (
Top housing 170 is attached to the support frame 126 of dish 12 through antenna attachment 134. As is understood by one of skill in the art, the attachment of top housing 170 to antenna attachment 134 and attachment of antenna attachment 134 to support frame 126 is not meant to be limiting and can be accomplished by means known in the art. For example, as shown in
An advantage of the second embodiment is that the rotatable attachment of top housing 170 to bottom housing 160 allows for angled plates as the mounting plate and antenna attachment, similar to swash plates in hydromechanical motors. This allows for increased static load capacity.
In all embodiments, the adjustment apparatus can be configured to permit angular adjustments of ±15° of the elevation and azimuth angles. In the first embodiment, this is controlled through the y-axis plate 44 and pivot 45, and the x-axis plate 50 and pivot 52. In embodiment 2, control is through the gear ring 180 and pivot 184 and pivot 186. Since the adjustment apparatus is intended for fine adjustments of the antenna position, larger angular ranges are generally not necessary. However, larger angular adjustments can be achieved by appropriate modifications.
In certain embodiments, spindles 41, 53, 153 will have an edge hard stop. Hard stop 108 is demonstrated in
In either embodiment, the adjustment apparatus can further include a control component housed within its own enclosure. In the first embodiment, control enclosure 60 mounted to the base plate 32. The control component 60 includes the electronics and power supply necessary to power and control actuators 40, 52. In the embodiment of
The control component may also incorporate electronics and software capable of reading a signal from a transceiver 18, 118 (
The disclosed actuators can be linear or rotary actuators of various types. However, since the actuators must maintain the set orientation of the antenna 12 under all conditions, the actuators must have a static load capability sufficient to withstand expected environmental loading, such as from high winds. Similarly, the pivot points and particularly the stiffness, clearance and tolerance of the components forming the pivot axes, must be calibrated to minimize wind load deflection without unduly increasing the actuator force requirements. Smaller actuators may be provided with certain adjustments to the actuator control.
As can be appreciated wind loads on the adjustment apparatus are a concern. In one embodiment, the pitch of the threads on the actuators can be calibrated to hold the actuator position up to a predetermined wind speed. At wind speeds above that predetermined limit, controller 60, 160 can be operable to back drive one or both actuators. The adjustment apparatus 30 may be provided with hard stops so that the static load caused by the excessive wind condition is transferred to the hard stop, thereby shielding the actuators from damaging loads. Once the excessive wind conditions ends, the controller can direct the actuators to their last known position.
In order to assist the actuators of the adjustment apparatus 30, 130 in withstanding high wind loads, the adjustment apparatus may be provided with a counter-balance spring. In the first embodiment, spring 80 is positioned between the y-axis plate 44 and the x-axis plate 52. The two plates may be provided with a cup 81 and protrusion 82 to center and retain the spring 80 between the plates. The spring 80 is arranged opposite the y-axis actuator 40. An additional counter-balance spring may be provided between the x-axis plate 50 and positioned opposite the x-axis actuator 52. The spring absorbs loads applied to the lower y-axis plate 38 due to the weight of the antenna. The spring thus allows minimizing the size and force required for the y-axis actuator 40.
In the second embodiment, a spring 144 may also be attached between mounting plate 125 and antenna attachment 134 outside of top housing 170 and bottom housing 160. Mounting plate 125 and antenna attachment 134 can include protrusion 146, 148 to center and retain spring 144. Nevertheless, protrusions 146, 148 are examples only and spring 144 may be attached to the adjustment apparatus using any method known in the art.
Different embodiments of the adjustment apparatus have been described. Nevertheless, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. This specification is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/665,844, filed May 2, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62665844 | May 2018 | US |
