Articulating Dome Gimbal Assembly for Low-Friction Beam Pointing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beam directors face challenges with increased weight, size, and power consumption due to environmental exposure, which leads to higher torque requirements, friction from seals, and optical misalignment caused by cantilevered optics, resulting in reduced precision and efficiency.
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 supporting the optic externally to minimize gravity sag and wind loading, while a high-reflectivity coating manages stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the beam director is directly mounted on the component and exposed to the environment, then the line-of-sight is extended, but the weight increases due to protective housing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent articulating systems: an internal gimbal structure for precise beam pointing and an external dome shell for environmental protection and extended line-of-sight. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing the need for oversized protective housing that would increase weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome shell acts as an intermediary structure that provides environmental protection and extends the line-of-sight without requiring the internal gimbal components to be directly exposed. The dome carries its own actuators, separating the protection function from the pointing function and reducing the weight burden on the moving gimbal components.
2Reliability
If robust protective housing is used to shield from wind forces, then the protection is improved, but the motor size increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented into the dome shell structure that shields the internal gimbal from wind forces and environmental contaminants. Since the dome is a separate articulated structure with its own actuators, the internal gimbal motors only need to move lightweight components, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining robust protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome shell serves as an intermediary protective structure that absorbs wind loading and environmental stresses, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the internal gimbal motors. This allows the use of smaller, more energy-efficient motors while maintaining reliable protection.
3Reliability
If seals are incorporated into the gimbal axes to prevent contaminants, then the contamination protection is improved, but the friction increases opposing gimbal motion
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is relocated from the internal gimbal axes to the dome shell articulation points. The dome shell, being an external structure, can accommodate larger seals and sealing mechanisms without affecting the internal gimbal's precision motion. This segmentation isolates the high-friction sealing functions from the precision pointing mechanism, maintaining both contamination protection and low-friction operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the exit window is positioned at an extreme location, then the line-of-sight is extended, but the cantilevered mass causes sag leading to optical misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The dome shell acts as an intermediary support structure that carries the exit window and protective optics. By providing dedicated support structures within the dome for the optics, the system achieves extended line-of-sight through the dome's articulation while preventing cantilevered sag through proper optical mounting. The internal gimbal then provides precise alignment adjustments to compensate for any residual misalignment.
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
This configuration reduces residual jitter and following error, improves beam quality, and decreases the overall weight and power consumption, enhancing the precision and efficiency of the beam director while ensuring eye safety and reducing thermal deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The dome can include a high-reflectivity coating on an interior surface of the dome to manage stray light
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.