An inflatable self-supporting antenna pedestal

Abstract

This invention discloses an inflatable self-supporting antenna mount, belonging to the field of antenna technology. It includes an azimuth mechanism, an inflatable radome assembly, and a support arm assembly. The inflatable self-supporting antenna mount includes an azimuth bearing located on an azimuth base, an azimuth turntable connected to the azimuth bearing, an azimuth drive device fixed on the azimuth turntable, and an inflatable radome assembly and support arm assembly filled with inert gas connected to the azimuth turntable. The azimuth rotation of the azimuth turntable and its inflatable radome assembly and support arm assembly is achieved through the meshing of the pinion gear of the azimuth drive device with the large gear of the azimuth bearing. The pitch rotation of the second inflatable radome relative to the first inflatable radome is achieved through the meshing of the pinion gear of the pitch drive device connected to the pitch support arm and the pitch bearing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of antenna technology, and in particular to an inflatable self-supporting antenna mount. Background Technology

[0002] In certain applications, antennas require inert gas to be filled into the electromagnetic beam path within the antenna system to ensure normal transmission of the electromagnetic beam. This necessitates installing an inflatable shroud within the electromagnetic beam path inside the antenna to prevent the inert gas from dissipating. Simultaneously, to fulfill the antenna's function, the antenna mount must support the weight of the antenna surface while allowing it to rotate within a certain range of azimuth and elevation angles. This requires the antenna mount to possess sufficient strength and rigidity, especially when the antenna is mounted on a mobile platform. In such cases, the overall weight of the antenna system is limited, and the antenna mount must not only bear the weight of the antenna surface but also withstand various vibrations, impacts, and wind loads generated during the movement of the mobile platform.

[0003] Traditional antenna systems typically require two support arms to hold the antenna surface and allow it to rotate within a certain range of azimuth and elevation angles. To prevent the inert gas in the electromagnetic beam path from dissipating, an additional rigid gas-filled shroud is needed. This increases the overall weight of the antenna system, making it unsuitable for installation and use on mobile platforms.

[0004] When high-power electromagnetic waves are emitted, they spark at a critical state; under sparking conditions, the mechanical structural components will be burned with black spots, making it difficult for electromagnetic waves to be emitted. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an inflatable self-supporting antenna mount. This antenna mount reduces the weight of the entire antenna system and is more conducive to installation on mobile carriers.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] An inflatable self-supporting antenna mount includes an azimuth mechanism, an inflatable shroud assembly, and an elevation arm assembly;

[0008] The orientation mechanism includes an orientation bearing 2, an orientation turntable 4, and an orientation drive device 3 located on an orientation base 1; the orientation bearing is fixed to the top of the orientation base; the orientation turntable is installed on the top of the orientation bearing, and the two are connected by the bearing; the orientation drive device is inverted on the orientation turntable, and its drive end passes through the orientation turntable and meshes with the outer edge teeth of the orientation bearing.

[0009] The inflatable cover assembly includes a first inflatable cover 5, a pitch bearing 6, a second inflatable cover 7, and a pitch sector gear 8 located on the azimuth turntable 4; the pitch bearing connects the first inflatable cover and the second inflatable cover to realize the relative rotation of the two inflatable covers; the pitch sector gear is installed at the other end of the second inflatable cover.

[0010] The pitch support arm assembly includes a pitch support arm 10 and a pitch drive device 9; the pitch support arm is located on the upper surface of the azimuth turntable, and the pitch drive device is mounted on the pitch support arm, with its pinion meshing with the pitch sector gear in the inflatable hood assembly to provide the power for pitch rotation of the second inflatable hood.

[0011] Furthermore, both the first and second inflatable covers must be filled with inert gas.

[0012] Furthermore, the antenna reflector is mounted on the top of the second inflatable cover to enable the antenna to pitch.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned technical solution adopted by the present invention are as follows:

[0014] 1. The inflatable self-supporting antenna mount of the present invention is lightweight, which is beneficial for installation and use in mobile carriers.

[0015] 2. Compared with traditional antenna mounts, the inflatable self-supporting antenna mount of the present invention uses one less pitch arm assembly, and the height of the other pitch arm assembly is greatly reduced. This reduces the weight of the entire antenna system and lowers the price, making it more competitive. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the orientation mechanism.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the inflatable cover assembly.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the pitch boom assembly.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Azimuth base, 2. Azimuth bearing, 3. Azimuth drive device, 4. Azimuth turntable, 5. First inflation cover, 6. Pitch bearing, 7. Second inflation cover, 8. Pitch sector gear, 9. Pitch drive device, 10. Pitch support arm. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] An inflatable self-supporting antenna mount includes an azimuth mechanism, an inflatable shroud assembly, and an elevation arm assembly.

[0023] The orientation mechanism includes an orientation bearing, an orientation turntable, and an orientation drive device located on the base.

[0024] The inflatable hood assembly includes a first inflatable hood, a pitch bearing, a second inflatable hood, and a pitch sector gear located on an azimuth turntable. The pitch bearing connects the first and second inflatable hoods, enabling relative rotation between them. The pitch sector gear is mounted at the other end of the second inflatable hood.

[0025] The pitch support arm assembly includes a pitch support arm and a pitch drive device. The pitch drive device is mounted on the pitch support arm, and its pinion meshes with the pitch sector gear in the inflatable hood assembly to provide the power for pitch rotation of the second inflatable hood.

[0026] The rigid inflatable radome assembly needs to be filled with inert gas at a certain pressure. This requires that each component—the first inflatable radome, the pitch bearing, the second inflatable radome, and the pitch sector gear—be airtight and able to withstand a certain gas pressure. Simultaneously, the assembled inflatable radome assembly must also be airtight and able to withstand a certain gas pressure. Sealing rings must be installed at the connections between the inflatable radome assembly and other structural components to ensure that the inert gas filling the entire antenna system does not leak.

[0027] The first inflatable shroud in the rigid inflatable shroud assembly also functionally replaces one of the pitch arm assemblies, eliminating the need for a pitch arm for support and reducing the weight of the antenna system. Simultaneously, the other pitch arm assembly is positioned significantly below the pitch axis, further reducing the antenna system's weight. Furthermore, when transmitting high-power electromagnetic waves, an inert gas is filled into the shroud for support to ensure unobstructed electromagnetic wave transmission, replacing the existing support arm.

[0028] The antenna surface is bolted to the top of the second inflatable radome. The second inflatable radome is connected to the first inflatable radome via an elevation bearing. The first inflatable radome is bolted to the azimuth dial, which is bolted to the mounting base via an azimuth bearing. This eliminates the need for the two sets of elevation arms found in traditional antenna systems; instead, the inflatable radome assembly provides structural support for the antenna surface.

[0029] The pitch arm assembly is equipped with a pitch drive device, which provides the power source for pitch rotation. The second inflatable radome assembly has a pitch sector gear at one end, and the other end is bolted to the first inflatable radome via a pitch bearing. The pitch bearing enables relative rotation of the second inflatable radome relative to the first inflatable radome. The engagement of the pinion gear and the pitch sector gear in the pitch drive device allows for continuous pitch rotation of the antenna surface within a certain angle range. The first inflatable radome is bolted to the azimuth turntable, which is bolted to the inner ring of the azimuth bearing. The outer ring of the azimuth bearing is bolted to the mounting base. An azimuth drive device is mounted on the azimuth turntable, providing the power source for azimuth rotation. The engagement of the pinion gear in the azimuth drive device with the large gear on the outer ring of the azimuth bearing enables continuous azimuth rotation of the antenna mount. Continuous rotation in both azimuth and pitch directions allows for continuous clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the antenna surface within a certain angle range in both azimuth and pitch directions.

Claims

1. An inflatable self-supporting antenna mount, comprising an azimuth mechanism, an inflatable shroud assembly, and an elevation arm assembly; characterized in that: The orientation mechanism includes an orientation bearing (2), an orientation turntable (4), and an orientation drive device (3) located on an orientation base (1); the orientation bearing is fixed to the top of the orientation base. An azimuth turntable is mounted on top of an azimuth bearing, and the two are connected by the bearing; the azimuth drive device is inverted on the azimuth turntable, and its drive end passes through the azimuth turntable and meshes with the outer edge teeth of the azimuth bearing. The inflatable hood assembly includes a first inflatable hood (5), a pitch bearing (6), a second inflatable hood (7), and a pitch sector gear (8) located on an azimuth turntable (4); the pitch bearing connects the first inflatable hood and the second inflatable hood to achieve relative rotation of the two inflatable hoods; the pitch sector gear is installed at the other end of the second inflatable hood. The pitch support arm assembly includes a pitch support arm (10) and a pitch drive device (9); the pitch support arm is located on the upper surface of the azimuth turntable, and the pitch drive device is mounted on the pitch support arm. Its pinion meshes with the pitch sector gear in the inflatable hood assembly to provide the pitch rotation power for the second inflatable hood. The antenna reflector is mounted on the top of the second inflatable cover to allow for the pitch rotation of the antenna.

2. The inflatable self-supporting antenna mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first and second inflatable covers are filled with inert gas.

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