Adjustable Drive Mechanism for Telescope Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing precision alignment methods for large power gear drives, such as those in telescopes or antennas, are time-consuming due to their iterative nature and often fail to correct tilt errors, with designs using eccentric sleeves only adjusting backlash and making subsequent adjustments difficult.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable drive mechanism with a base plate and gear box featuring spherical portions that allow for three rotational degrees of freedom, enabling continuous adjustments without shims, and a securing system using fasteners and a torque reaction tool for secure alignment and positioning of the pinion gear relative to the driven gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If shimming methods are used for precision alignment, then alignment precision can be achieved, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and iterative
Solution Approach 1:
The baseplate incorporates adjustable feet with threaded rods that enable dynamic adjustment of the pinion gear housing position. This allows continuous adjustment in multiple directions without requiring iterative shimming, resolving the contradiction between achieving precision alignment and reducing adjustment time
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable feet with threaded rods allow independent control of vertical height, horizontal position, and angular orientation parameters. By changing these parameters continuously rather than through discrete shims, the system achieves precise alignment faster without iteration
2Manufacturing precision
If eccentric sleeves are used for backlash adjustment, then backlash can be corrected, but subsequent adjustments become difficult and tilt errors cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is segmented into independent adjustable components: adjustable feet for position/angle, shims for fine backlash control, and separate correction mechanisms. This segmentation allows each parameter to be adjusted independently without affecting others, enabling easy subsequent adjustments and tilt error correction
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable feet with threaded rods provide dynamic adjustment capability that allows the system to be re-adjusted at any time. This dynamic adjustability contradicts the static nature of eccentric sleeves, enabling easy subsequent adjustments and tilt error correction
3Manufacturing precision
If jackscrews are used for tilt adjustment followed by welding, then tilt can be corrected, but subsequent adjustment or correction becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable feet with threaded rods replace the static welded configuration with a dynamic, continuously adjustable mechanism. This allows tilt correction to be achieved without welding, maintaining full adjustability for subsequent corrections and repairs
4Manufacturing precision
If discrete shim adjustments are used for alignment, then backlash can be adjusted, but continuous adjustment capabilities in all directions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable feet with threaded rods enable continuous change of position and orientation parameters in multiple directions simultaneously. This provides versatile continuous adjustment capability while maintaining precise backlash control through the integrated shimming system
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable drive mechanism, which may be used to control the elevation angle of a telescope or antenna, is disclosed. The adjustable drive mechanism can include a base plate configured to couple with a support structure and having a first spherical portion facing away from the support structure. In addition, the adjustable drive mechanism can include a gear box having a pinion gear to interface with a driven gear of a telescope or antenna, and a housing in support of the pinion gear and including a second spherical portion configured to interface with the first spherical portion of the base plate. The first spherical portion and the second spherical portion can be movable relative to one another in three rotational degrees of freedom to facilitate alignment and positioning of the pinion gear relative to the driven gear.