INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR PRECISION ACTION AND SUPPORT FOR LARGE MOVING STRUCTURES

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a precision support system for large structures such as large telescopes, large machine tools, etc., wherein an actuation is integrated on the basis of linear motors located in a single frame, which is supported by means of a hydrostatic-type system, which guarantees the correct positioning of the stator / rotor of the motor, maintaining the air gap at a very low and constant level.

[0002] This system is designed to support and move structures similar to the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), which will have a 39-meter-diameter primary mirror and will be the largest telescope in the world.Background of the invention

[0003] Traditionally applied solutions on smaller telescopes (ones with mirror diameters from 8-10m) consisted of directly fastening hydrostatic feet and linear motors to the node joints of the structure, which made them susceptible to misalignments due to deformations in the structure. These problems have generally been solved by providing the feet with a ball joint. This solution, which already caused problems with the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), is unviable in the case of new Extremely Large Telescopes with a diameter between 20 and 50m, due to the fact that it is necessary to find a way to make the large deformations of the structure compatible with the necessary precisions of the mechanism.

[0004] In these cases, a system of hydrostatic supports is used, the function of which consists of supporting a rigid and stable structure, placing an oil film between the hydrostatic supports and the surface of the guide on which they slide, in order to allow for the movement thereof with minimal force and to prevent wear.

[0005] In patent literature we find documents such as patent US2010329593, in which hydrostatic supports for large structures are described, especially suitable for large telescopes.

[0006] Also forming part of the state of the arte are linear motors, which are electric motors in which the stator and rotor are distributed such that instead of producing rotational movement they produce a force in a longitudinal direction. Low acceleration linear motors are appropriate for surface transport and in patent literature there are several examples thereof.

[0007] Document EP1637277 describes a positioning mechanism used in the assembly of small components (of micro and nanotechnology) that are made by robots with high speed movement capability, with more than 3 cycles / second, with high repeatability, typically 100 nm and preferably also with a large workspace. This device includes linear guides, fixed to a base member, on which hangs a frame, forming between both elements a linear motor. Between said guides and said frame an air film is established so there is no mechanical contact between them. The movement of the frame and of the rods hanging from it is transmitted to a coupling in which all the rods concur by means of flexible joints. This device not remembers the object of the invention, why it is impossible to use a similar or equivalent device to move a telescope, among other reasons because the telescopes do not hang, but are deposited on a base structure on which they support and move circularly.

[0008] Document US5822116 describes a precision rotation device for a telescope or the like, that comprises a linear motor and an intermediate rotary table mounted on hydrostatic bearings to facilitate its rotation about the axis. It does not have any special device of connection, nor are frames between the base and the structure of the telescope, since it is a small telescope, whose base forms a set with its structure.

[0009] Document US20111100252 discloses a linear transport device, mounted on a rail fixed to a base consisting in a linear motor that drives the carriage of a platform, whose stator is disposed on the base, while the rotor is arranged on the platform carriage faced with the stator. Therefore, this device does not have any support means for the mobile structure that are located on the fixed support structure, parallel to the one that defines the surface of the rail (3). It also does not define any connection device between each of the frames and the mobile structure that has the special feature of acting rigidly in the vertical direction, but also behaving like a ball joint that allows relative rotations between the frame and the mobile structure, without the appearance of secondary moments.Description of the invention

[0010] The new E-ELT optical infrared telescope will allow us to globally advance our knowledge in the field of astronomy. It is a design that consists of a primary mirror with a diameter of 42m. The main mirror, as well as the other four mirrors which complete the optical train and many other different systems have been mounted on the Main Structure of the Telescope, which is a large mobile structure 60m high and 70m wide, with a total weight of approximately 3000 tons, which enables the telescope to aim at a celestial body and follow it, compensating for the movement of the rotation of the Earth.

[0011] The main structure of the telescope is made up of two substructures with relative movement between the azimuth structure and the altitude structure. The mechanisms of the telescope (azimuth and altitude) support said structures by actuating relative movement.

[0012] The invention relates to a precision support wherein an actuation is integrated on the basis of linear motors located in each one of the frames supporting the large mobile structure, which is supported by means of a hydrostatic-type system guaranteeing the correct positioning of the stator / rotor of the motor and maintaining the air gap at a very low and constant level. The hydrostatic feet, which operate with a 60-70 micron layer of typical oil, adapt to the track, ensuring the correct positioning of the linear motors which need an air gap of approximately one millimeter.

[0013] These frames which integrate the linear motors and the hydrostatic feet precisely adjust to the track on which they circulate, guaranteeing the correct operation of the systems, while the connection of each one of the frames to the large mobile driving structure is made by a kinematically compatible (flexible) connection which allows for relative movements between both (frame and large mobile structure). This way the mechanism is only affected in its operation by the small-scale deformations of the track via which same circulates, and not by the large-scale deformations of the structure.

[0014] The support and precision actuation system integrates three devices which are essential to the operation thereof: a) An actuating device which consists of a rail (3) located on a fixed support structure (1), the outer surface of which constitutes the stator of an electric linear motor, the rotor of which is located in each of the frames (7) which support the large mobile structure, located in correspondence with the stator in order to maintain the air gap at a very low and constant value (less than 1mm). b) A support device comprising at least one track (2) located on a plane parallel to that which defines the surface of the previously mentioned rail (3), on which a series of hydrostatic feet (4) slide which are present on the support face of each one of the frames which support the large mobile structure, guaranteeing a correct and very close positioning of the stator / rotor of the actuating linear motor. c) A connecting device between each one of the frames (7) and the large mobile driving structure, through a kinematically flexible connection which allows relative movements between both (frame (7) and large mobile structure), acting vertically and rigidly, but behaving as a ball joint by establishing a flexible connection at moments which enable relative rotation without the appearance of secondary moments.

[0015] This system is complemented with a brake unit also existing on each frame which is supported by the fixed support structure (1) and which support the large mobile structure. All of these brake units are mounted on a projection (11) which is located on a plane parallel to the tracks (2) on which the hydrostatic feet (4) and the rail (3) are supported which, in conjunction with the frames (7), forms the electric linear motor.Description of the figures

[0016] As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, the present specification is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a possible implementation of the system. Figures 2 and 3 show a side elevation and a plan view from below, respectively, of the support and actuating system of the invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view according to a transverse plane of the system. Figure 5 shows a deployment view of the connection between the large mobile structure (not shown) and the frame. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0017] As shown in the figures, the system for precision actuation and support for large mobiles structures is based on the existence of a fixed support structure (1) in which the large mobile structure is secured by a series of frames (7) placed at different points, normally uniformly distributed.

[0018] The fixed support structure (1) has a central rail (3) which is guarded by lateral tracks (2) which has, on the outer surface thereof, preferably on both sides, the constitution and configuration of the stator of an electric linear motor (5), the rotor of which is located in a frame (7) and located in correspondence with the same, maintaining the air gap at a low and constant value. The fixed support structure (1) has tracks (2) located on a plane parallel to that which defines the surface of the rail (3) on which a series of hydrostatic feet (4) present on the support face of the frame (7) slide, guaranteeing a correct and very close positioning of the stator / rotor of the actuating linear motor (5).

[0019] In turn, each of the frames (7) in which the large mobile structure is supported by the fixed support structure (1) comprises: The rotor of an electric linear motor (5) arranged longitudinally, in correspondence with the rail (3) present on the fixed support structure (1). A series of hydrostatic feet (4) arranged along the face by which said frame (7) is supported by the track (2) of the fixed support structure (1); which operate with a 60-70-micron layer of typical oil, thereby guaranteeing the support of the mobile structure on the fixed structure (1) with an approximation between the stator and the rotor of the linear motor which define an air gap less than 1 mm. Each frame (7) defines a connection mechanism in the large mobile driving structure, via a flexible kinematic connection that permits relative movements between both (frame and large mobile structure), such that the mechanism is only affected in its operation through the small-scale deformations of the track via which same circulates, and not through the large-scale deformations that the large mobile structure may have. This mechanism comprises rigid connections (10) which open in opposite directions toward the directions of the movements of the mobile structure, supporting thereon a rigid plate (8), parallel to and above the frame (7), while between both elements (frame (7) and plate (8)) an elastomer (9) is placed, which occupies the central area of the connection means and is suitable for making a rigid connection in a vertical direction, but flexible at moments which enable relative rotation, without the appearance of secondary moments, which compensates for possible errors in the track.

[0020] The fixed support structure (1) has a proyection (11) on a plane parallel to the tracks (2) and the rail (3) on which form a surface on which the hydraulic brakes (6) act, incorporated by each of the frames (7).

Claims

1. An integrated support and precision actuation system for large mobile structures, comprising a fixed support structure (1) and a series of frames (7), said integrated support and precision actuation system further comprising: - a rail (3) located on the fixed support structure (1); - at least one track (2), located on the fixed support structure (1) on a plane parallel to an upper surface of the rail (3), wherein the rail (3) is flanked by the at least one lateral track (2); - an electrical linear motor (5) consisting of a rotor and a stator, wherein an outer surface of the rail (3) constitutes the stator of the electric linear motor (5), and a rotor is fixed to each of the frames (7) and is arranged longitudinally, in correspondence with the rail (3); - a series of hydrostatic feet (4), attached to a lower support face of each one of the frames (7), wherein the hydrostatic feet are configured to slide on the at least one track (2), which guarantees a correct and very close positioning between the stator and the rotor of the electric linear motor (5); - connection means for connecting each one of the frames (7) with a large mobile structure, wherein the connection means comprises respective rigid connections (10) and a rigid plate (8), characterized in that for a given frame (7) the respective rigid connections (10) are distant one from another along the direction defined by the rail (3), and the rigid plate (8) is supported on the rigid connections (10); and, the integrated support and precision actuation system further comprising an elastomer (9) located in a central portion between the connections means, wherein such central portion is located between each of the frames (7) and the rigid plate (8), wherein the elastomer (9) is suited for making a rigid connection in the vertical direction, but flexible at moments which enable relative rotation between the frame (7) and the large mobile structure.

2. The integrated support and precision actuation system, according to claim 1, wherein the integrated support and precision actuation system comprises two tracks (2) on which the hydrostatic feet are supported, and wherein the two tracks (2) are located parallel and on each side of the rail (3).

3. The integrated support and precision actuation system according to the preceding claims, wherein each of the frames (7) comprises a hydraulic brake (6), and wherein the fixed support structure (1) comprises a disk (11) on a plane parallel to the tracks (2) and the rail (3), on which the hydraulic brake (6) acts.

4. The integrated support and precision actuation system according to the preceding claims, wherein the hydrostatic feet operate with a 60-70-micron layer of typical oil.

5. The integrated support and precision actuation system according to the preceding claims, wherein the integrated support and precision actuation system comprises an air gap between the rail (3) and the rotor which is less than 1 mm.