Gyroscopic Antenna Stabilizer for Vehicle Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively stabilize antennas on vehicles moving in vibration environments, such as helicopters, to maintain access to data networks due to inadequate compensation for low-frequency vibrations and insufficient structural support.

Innovation Solution

An antenna stabilization system comprising a gyroscopic stabilizer and a linear displacement spring attachment device, which converts rotational vibrations into linear displacements and provides a restoring force to counteract linear vibrations, ensuring the antenna remains positioned for stable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional spring damper systems are used to reduce vibrations, then some vibration attenuation is achieved, but the system cannot effectively dampen low frequency vibrations and does not provide sufficient structural support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration attenuationVSAvoidlow frequency vibration compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration compensation system is divided into two independent modules: a spring attachment device for structural support and high-frequency vibration attenuation, and a gyroscopic stabilizer specifically for low-frequency vibration compensation. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in its frequency range without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gyroscopic stabilizer acts as an intermediary device between the antenna mount and the vehicle platform, specifically targeting low-frequency vibrations that pass through the spring attachment device. The gyroscope converts rotational vibrations into linear displacements that counteract the low-frequency vibrations affecting the antenna.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a spring attachment device is used to provide structural support, then structural stability is improved, but it interferes with the antenna positioning mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidantenna positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring attachment device is designed with directionally selective characteristics, providing rigid structural support in the vertical direction while maintaining compliance and freedom of movement in the horizontal directions. This allows the antenna positioning mechanism to operate freely in the azimuth and elevation planes while the spring provides necessary structural support against gravity and vertical vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the antenna positioning system tries to compensate for vibrations, then communication stability is improved, but the system cannot handle the full range of vibration frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidvibration frequency compensation range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gyroscopic stabilizer exploits the vehicle's rotational vibrations and converts them into beneficial linear displacements through gyroscopic precession. The harmful rotational vibrations that would normally destabilize the antenna are transformed into controlled linear movements that counteract the low-frequency vibrations, turning the vehicle's vibration problem into a solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The system effectively reduces rotational and linear vibrations, allowing the antenna to maintain communication with satellites by translating vibrational torque into linear displacements and using restoring forces to counteract linear displacements, thus enhancing communication stability in vibration-prone environments.

Implementation Method 1

a gyroscopic stabilizer attached to the antenna mount configured to convert rotational vibrations into linear displacements of the antenna mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscopic precession: Precession

Implementation Method 2

a linear displacement spring attachment device connecting the antenna mount to the chassis mount and configured to provide a restoring force in opposition to the linear displacement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9450286B1Systems, devices, and methods for stabilizing an antenna

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 VIASAT INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, devices and apparatus are disclosed that include a chassis mount adapted to be attached to a vehicle and an antenna mount adapted to receive a satellite antenna. Further, the systems, methods, devices and apparatus that include a gyroscopic stabilizer attached to the antenna mount configured to convert vibrational torque applied to the antenna mount into a linear displacement of the antenna mount using one or more gyroscopes, each gyroscope having a control moment. In addition, the systems, methods, devices and apparatus that include a linear displacement spring attachment device connecting the antenna mount to the chassis mount and configured to provide a restoring force in opposition to the linear displacement.