Director Mount Autoalignment for Stabilized Subsystem Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning subsystems on moving platforms, such as naval ships, require costly external calibration equipment and time-consuming procedures to compensate for mechanical misalignments, which disrupt the accuracy of subsystem orientation and stability.
Innovation Solution
A director mount arrangement with a pivot frame and control system using servomotors and angular rate sensors to automatically align the subsystem by generating control signals based on platform orientation information, allowing for real-time compensation of mechanical misalignments without external measurement equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external measurement/calibration equipment is used to measure mechanical misalignments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The subsystem uses its own angular rate sensors to measure mechanical misalignments rather than requiring external measurement equipment. The control unit processes signals from the subsystem's existing sensors to determine misalignment angles, making the system self-diagnostic and eliminating the need for separate calibration equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular rate sensors originally designed for stabilization purposes are made to serve dual functions: both stabilizing the subsystem and measuring mechanical misalignments. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated measurement equipment while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If external measurement/calibration equipment is used to measure mechanical misalignments, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subsystem performs self-calibration using its own sensors and control unit, eliminating the need for time-consuming external calibration procedures. The control unit continuously monitors and corrects misalignments in real-time during platform operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment measurement and correction process operates continuously during platform operation rather than requiring periodic shutdowns for calibration. The control unit continuously processes sensor data and applies correction signals to maintain accurate alignment.
3Device complexity
If mechanical misalignments are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but orientation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously receives angular rate information from the subsystem's sensors, compares it with expected values based on platform orientation, and generates correction signals to compensate for misalignments. This closed-loop feedback system maintains orientation accuracy without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts control parameters and correction signals based on measured misalignment angles. The control unit modifies the relationship between sensor inputs and actuator commands to compensate for mechanical deviations, maintaining accuracy despite physical misalignments.
4Manufacturing precision
If alignment corrections are applied continuously, then orientation accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies alignment corrections selectively based on the magnitude of measured misalignments. When misalignments are within acceptable tolerances, full correction is not applied, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient orientation accuracy for normal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fast, cost-effective, and accurate automatic alignment of subsystems relative to the platform, improving orientation and stability by using existing sensors for alignment corrections, thus reducing the need for expensive external calibration.
Implementation Method 1
angular rate information, indicative of the angular rate of subsystem, provided from angular rate sensors
Implementation Method 2
platform orientation information, indicative of the orientation of platform, provided from a main gyro
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a director mount arrangement for automatic alignment of a subsystem relative to a platform, wherein said director mount arrangement is arranged to pivotably support the subsystem. The director mount arrangement comprises a pivot frame arrangement and a control system. The control system comprises a control unit arranged to generate control signals so as to control the orientation of and stabilize the subsystem. The control signals are generated based on angular rate of subsystem and orientation operating commands provided from an operator. The control unit further generates estimated control signals based on platform orientation information and determine a difference between the control signals and the estimated control signals, wherein the difference is indicative of mechanical misalignments betweenthe subsystem and the platform.The control unit further generates alignment corrections based on the determined difference so as to automatically align the subsystem relative to the platform.