Closure device for an observation dome

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure device for an observation dome (1), having at least one closure element (4, 5) for a dome opening (3), which closure element can be moved between a closed position and an open position. In order to design such a device in such a way that, despite simple conditions relating to the production, transport and assembly of the components, a comparatively high total opening angle, in particular in connection with gap domes, and simple accessibility to the interior of the dome via the side are made possible, according to the invention at least two closure elements (4, 5) are provided that each extend along circular paths running concentrically with respect to one another and overlap one another in such a way that they jointly span a total opening angle (α), having a depth angle component (β), of more than 90°.

Description

[0001]

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a locking device for an observation dome, with at least one locking element for a dome opening that can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein two locking elements are provided which each extend along concentric circular paths and overlap each other in such a way that they together span a total opening angle of more than 90°.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Observation domes are used, for example, in connection with observatories to house and protect telescopes from the elements, or as so-called radomes to house radar equipment. With regard to the closing mechanism for the dome opening, a distinction is made, especially in observatories, between slit domes and hinged domes. DE19937551 A1, for example, shows a slit dome in which the closing element covering the dome opening can be moved along a circular path between an open and a closed position via a chain drive. To allow for simple manufacturing, transport, and assembly conditions, the closing element, which extends along a circular arc, cannot be arbitrarily large, but should ideally be in the range between 45° and 90°. In the case of DE19937551 A1, the total opening angle covered by the closing element is approximately...70°, starting from an elevation angle of 30° up to 100°. However, this has the disadvantage that not only is the maximum observation angle of a telescope mounted in the slit dome correspondingly limited, but also that access to the interior of the slit dome for any necessary work is made more difficult.

[0006] From KR101353690A1, locking devices for hinged domes are known, wherein four locking elements are provided which, in pairs, open in a flower-like manner to both sides with respect to a hinge located in the center of the dome, with a total opening angle of approximately 150°. A disadvantage of this design, however, is that a separate actuating mechanism is required for each of the locking elements. Furthermore, due to the design, it is not possible to open the locking elements below the horizon.

[0007] From JP°H10268210°A a closing device for an observation dome according to the preamble is known.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 2133214 A1 discloses a dome opening which has two locking elements, wherein the first locking element can be moved along a circular path via a chain and a sprocket and the second locking element can be opened via a lever mechanism.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of designing a closure device of the type described above in such a way that, despite simple conditions with regard to the manufacture, transport and assembly of the components, a comparatively high overall opening angle, particularly in connection with split domes, as well as easy access to the interior of the dome via the side, is made possible.

[0011] The invention solves the stated problem by providing a depth angle component to the overall opening angle. Due to these features, the individual locking elements can be dimensioned relatively compactly with an opening angle of less than 90° each, while the overlap nevertheless allows for an overall opening angle of more than 90° when closed and when open. Because the overall opening angle, according to the invention, has a depth angle component of preferably up to approximately 25°, the dome opening can be opened below the horizon, thus enabling better access to the interior of the dome from the side. Preferably, the overall opening angle also extends beyond the zenith. Although the locking device can, in principle, have more than two locking elements, particularly favorable design conditions and a compact construction result when exactly two locking elements are present.A good balance between compact dimensions of the locking elements and the associated simple manufacturing, transport and assembly conditions of the components on the one hand, and the largest possible overall opening angle on the other, is achieved when the locking device has exactly two locking elements that together cover an overall opening angle of approximately 150°.

[0012] The measures according to the invention also offer the advantage, due to the more compact dimensions of the individual locking elements, that the drive energy required to move the locking elements between the closed and open positions can be reduced. Against this background, it can be provided that the locking elements are connected to a common actuating drive, for example via a suitable gearbox, for moving them.

[0013] To enable precise adjustment of the overall opening angle, particularly to the minute, while maintaining a robust design and ease of use, it is proposed that the at least two locking elements be arranged between two stationary racks, each featuring a gear for engagement with one of the racks. The resulting rack and pinion drive ensures particularly reliable positive guidance of the locking elements along their associated concentric circular paths, which run between the concentric circular paths defined by the two stationary racks. Depending on the chosen gear teeth, the angular increments can also be adjusted accordingly. It is fundamentally irrelevant whether the radially outer or the radially inner locking element is the one that is deeper in the closed position, i.e.,The locking element rests below the horizon and therefore has to travel a longer displacement path along its respective circular path compared to the second locking element, as the length of the respective racks can be adjusted accordingly. Due to the design of the rack and pinion drive, and with appropriate component design, the locking element with the longer displacement path can be moved along its circular path at, for example, twice the displacement speed of the other locking element. The locking device can, in principle, include corresponding position or limit switches, allowing predefined positions of the locking elements along their circular paths to be reliably set.

[0014] A particularly advantageous design arises in this context when the overlapping racks, each extending along concentric circular paths, face each other in an overlap area, and one of the locking elements includes a toothed section that engages with the gear of another locking element. In this case, due to the lower required drive power, it is generally sufficient if only one of the gears is connected to a rotary drive as the actuating mechanism, with the power flow being transmitted via the toothed section from the drive-connected gear to the other locking element. However, the gears of both locking elements can also each be connected to a separate rotary drive, with the rotary drives being coordinated with each other.For a particularly compact design, it is recommended that the rotary drive be arranged on a locking element.

[0015] To further improve transport and assembly conditions, at least one of the locking elements and / or at least one of the racks can be constructed from segments that can be detachably connected to one another. This reduces the packing dimensions of the components for transport and simplifies handling during assembly of the device due to the segmented design.

[0016] The invention also relates to an observation dome, in particular a slit dome, with a closing device according to the invention. It is self-evident that such an observation dome can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation with respect to a base. For this purpose, a corresponding rotary drive can be provided, via which the dome is connected to the drive by means of a gearbox. For example, a guide ring with rollers can be provided for this purpose. In the case of an observation dome designed as a slit dome, the dome opening or the opening slit of the dome extends along the circumference of the dome from a front surface towards an opposite rear surface between two preferably symmetrical dome halves. In the open position, the closing elements provide a dome opening with a total opening angle of preferably approximately...150° free, wherein the total opening angle is formed from an elevation angle component of preferably approx. 125° and a depression angle component of preferably approx. 25°.

[0017] Favorable design conditions arise when the observation dome is designed as a geodesic dome, for example, with a frequency of 3v. The resulting basic structure of mounting struts and triangular plates not only simplifies manufacturing, transport, and assembly, but also allows for high structural integrity despite a comparatively lower overall weight, thanks to the good load distribution across the dome surface. Furthermore, the geodesic shape, unlike a pure sphere, reduces the surface area relative to its volume, leading to comparatively better thermal insulation. This can reduce the energy required for temperature control inside the dome, which may be necessary depending on weather conditions and the type of observation unit being monitored.

[0018] The design as a geodesic dome also creates the conditions for particularly simple mounting of, for example,

[0019] Photovoltaic panels may be provided, or the triangular dome surfaces may be formed by corresponding photovoltaic panels themselves.

[0020] Brief description of the invention

[0021] The invention is illustrated in the drawing as an example. It shows

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an observation dome according to the invention with a locking device according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a section along line II - II, with the locking device in the open position.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 with the locking device in the closed position and

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of an observation dome according to the invention in an embodiment as a geodesic dome.

[0026] Ways to implement the invention

[0027] An observation dome 1 according to the invention, including a closing device, is arranged on a base 2 forming a rotating pedestal and is rotatable 360° relative to this base about a vertical axis. The observation dome 1 is designed as a slit dome and accordingly has a dome opening 3 extending along the circumference of the dome from the front of the dome towards the opposite rear of the dome between the dome halves, which can be closed by means of closing elements 4, 5 in the form of cover slides.

[0028] Figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate how the dome opening 3 can be opened or closed by means of two movable locking elements 4 and 5, which can be positioned between an open position (Figure 3) and a closed position (Figure 4). As shown in the figures, the locking elements 4 and 5 extend along concentric circular paths and overlap each other such that they together span a total opening angle α of approximately 150°. This total opening angle α spans the zenith and also includes a depression angle component β of approximately 25°.

[0029] The two locking elements 4, 5 are arranged between two stationary racks 6, 7 and each has a gear 8, 9 for engaging with one of the racks 6, 7. The racks 6, 7, which thus also extend along concentric circular paths and overlap, face each other in an overlap area. The locking element 5 comprises a toothing that engages with the gear 8 of the other locking element 4. For clarity, the toothing of the racks 6, 7 and the locking element 5 is indicated by dashed circular arc lines. Due to the comparatively compact dimensions of the locking elements 4, 5 according to the invention, it is generally sufficient to move them if only one of the gears, e.g.The gear 8 is connected to a rotary drive, for example on the locking element 4, as an actuating drive, so that the power flow is directed via the gear teeth from the drive-connected gear 8 to the second locking element 5. As a further aid, it can be provided that the locking elements 4 and 5 are guided on guide rollers extending, for example, along a circular path, or themselves have guide rollers that engage in corresponding arc-shaped guide rails. Fig. 4 shows an exemplary side view of a possible embodiment of a geodetic observation dome, the outer shell of which is at least partially constructed from triangular plates 10, which are attached to corresponding mounting struts or mounting brackets (not shown in detail).

Claims

Patent claims 1. A closing device for an observation dome (1) with at least one closing element (4, 5) for a dome opening (3) that can be moved between a closed position and an open position, wherein at least two closing elements (4, 5) are provided which each extend along concentric circular paths and overlap each other in such a way that they together span a total opening angle (a) of more than 90°, characterized in that the total opening angle (a) has a depression angle component (β).

2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two locking elements (4, 5) are arranged between two stationary racks (6, 7) and each have a gear (8, 9) for engaging with one of the racks (6, 7).

3. Locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that the racks (6, 7) are facing each other in an overlap area and that one of the locking elements (5) comprises a toothing that interacts with the gear (8) of another locking element (4).

4. Locking device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the gears (8, 9) is connected to a rotary drive as an actuating drive.

5. Locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotary drive is arranged on a locking element (4, 5).

6. Locking device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking elements (4, 5) are connected to a common actuating drive.

7. Observation dome (1 ) with a locking device according to one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Observation dome (1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that in the open position the closing elements (4, 5) release a dome opening (3) under a total opening angle (a) of up to 150°, wherein the total opening angle (a) is formed from an elevation angle component of up to 125° and a depression angle component (β) of up to 25°.

9. Observation dome (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the observation dome (1) is designed as a geodesic dome.

10. Observation dome (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the observation dome (1) has mounting receptacles for photovoltaic panels.

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