Articulating Dome Gimbal Assembly for Low-Jitter Beam Pointing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam directors face challenges with increased weight, size, and power consumption due to environmental exposure, which leads to high residual jitter, optical misalignment, and inefficiency in precise motion control, primarily caused by robust seals and cantilevered optics.
Innovation Solution
The use of an articulating dome shell structure that encloses the gimbal, featuring a primary and secondary dome with actuators and seals, allows independent movement of the dome and gimbal, reducing friction and weight, and supports the optic externally to minimize gravity sag and wind loading, thereby enhancing precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If robust seals are incorporated into the gimbal axes to protect against environmental contaminants, then the beam director can operate in exposed environments, but friction increases opposing gimbal motion and causing high residual jitter and following error
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent articulating systems: an internal gimbal for precise beam pointing and an external dome for environmental protection. The dome shell articulates independently to follow the same trajectory as the internal gimbal, allowing the gimbal to operate in a protected environment while the dome provides the seal against contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome shell acts as an intermediary protective layer between the external environment and the internal gimbal components. It provides the sealing function against contaminants while the internal gimbal maintains precision motion control, effectively separating the protective function from the motion control function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the exit window is positioned at an extreme cantilevered location to complete the optical train, then the optical path is achieved, but gravity causes sag leading to optical misalignment and reduced beam quality
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into two independent systems: the internal gimbal that positions the optics and the external dome that provides structural support. The dome shell carries the exit window and articulates independently, providing structural support to prevent sag while allowing the internal optical train to maintain precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the support function to an external dimension by placing the dome shell outside the internal gimbal assembly. The dome provides structural support in the external dimension while the internal gimbal operates in its own dimension for precise optical positioning, eliminating the gravity sag problem.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gimbal structure is exposed to allow direct mounting on the host component, then line-of-sight is extended, but wind forces bear directly on the structure requiring more robust housing and increased motor size
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the wind-exposed dome shell from the internal gimbal structure. The dome shell provides the external protective envelope that interacts with wind forces, while the internal gimbal operates in a protected environment with reduced wind loading, allowing for lighter and more efficient motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome shell serves as an intermediary structure that shields the internal gimbal from wind forces. It provides the necessary environmental protection and wind loading resistance while allowing the internal components to operate with reduced structural requirements.
4Reliability
If larger motors are used to address unbalanced wind forces and support increased weight, then the gimbal can operate in exposed conditions, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation function is segmented between the external dome shell and internal gimbal. The dome shell handles the heavy lifting of wind resistance and gravitational forces, while the internal gimbal operates with minimal wind loading, allowing both systems to use smaller, more energy-efficient motors than a single exposed system would require.
Data Source
AI summary
A dome protects an articulating gimbal that orients a line-of-sight of a laser beam. The dome is mounted on a host and encloses the articulating gimbal. The dome has first and second shells. The first shell is rotatable about a first axis relative to the host, and the second shell is disposed on the first shell and is rotatable about a second axis relative to the first shell. A first actuator is coupled to the first shell and is configured to rotate the first shell about the first axis relative to the host. A second actuator is coupled to the second shell and is configured to rotate the second shell about the second axis relative to the first shell. A controller is coupled to the first and second actuators and is configured to match the rotation of the first and second shells to the line-of-sight of the laser beam.