Gravity Compensation for High-Precision Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravity compensation systems for high-precision instruments, such as space telescopes, fail to achieve precise force intensity and direction adjustments in terrestrial adjustments, leading to suboptimal performance in microgravity environments due to reliance on predictive methods rather than physical measurements, resulting in insufficient precision and stability during adjustment phases.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses photogrammetric measurements to determine the 0g position of an instrument by averaging position measurements before and after a 180° rotation, applying tensile and pressure forces at multiple interface points to compensate for gravitational deformations, ensuring precise alignment and stability by calculating compensation forces with an intensity precision of ±1 Newton and direction precision of ±0.2 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If predictive methods are used to determine gravity compensation forces, then the adjustment process is simplified, but the precision of force intensity and direction adjustments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using photogrammetric measurements to capture the actual position of the instrument in gravity, comparing it with the simulated 0g position, and using this difference to iteratively adjust the compensation forces. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise determination of force intensity (±1 Newton) and direction (±0.2 degrees) while maintaining a practical adjustment process.
2Device complexity
If gravity compensation forces are applied at a single interface point, then the compensation system is simplified, but the precision and stability of the instrument deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gravity compensation into multiple independent interface points distributed across the instrument structure. At each interface point, photogrammetric measurements capture local deformations, and compensation forces are calculated and applied independently. This segmentation enables precise control of each interface point (±0.2 degrees direction precision) while maintaining overall system stability during adjustment.
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 method enables precise compensation of gravitational deformations, allowing high-precision instruments to be adjusted optimally for microgravity conditions, achieving precise force applications and maintaining instrument stability during terrestrial adjustments, thereby ensuring optimal performance in orbit.
Implementation Method 1
The position of the instrument in gravity is determined by photogrammetric measurements
Implementation Method 2
applying forces at a plurality of interface points of the instrument... applying tensile and pressure forces at multiple interface points to compensate for gravitational deformations
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6a~6b
AI summary
The gravity compensation process consists of: - measuring (8) by photogrammetry, positions of several aiming targets (14) distributed on the instrument, in a reference XYZ frame linked to the instrument, before and after turning the instrument over by rotation from 0° to 180° around a predetermined axis and, from the position measurements, deducing (9) a 0g position measurement of the instrument, - determining (20) intensities of compensation forces (F1, F2,..., FN) to be applied to the N interface points (16) to reach the 0g position, - then applying (25) the gravity compensation forces (F1, F2,..., FN) to the N interface points (16).