Modular Three-Axes Antenna Pedestal for Ship Installation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-axes tracking antenna systems for ships are cumbersome and require cranes for installation due to their weight and size, limiting their compactness and ease of installation on mobile platforms.

Innovation Solution

A modular three-axes antenna pedestal system that breaks down into manageable subassemblies, using extruded aluminum beams and quick-release fasteners, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and incorporating a motion platform and pedestal control unit to control the antenna's orientation, reducing the need for cranes during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional three-axes tracking antenna system is used, then the antenna can maintain accurate orientation with respect to satellites, but the system becomes too heavy and bulky requiring cranes for installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna orientation accuracyVSAvoidpedestal weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pedestal is divided into three separate modular frames (azimuth frame, cross-level frame, elevation frame) that can be manufactured and installed independently. Each frame handles a specific degree of freedom, reducing the weight that must be lifted and installed as a single unit while maintaining the complete tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three frames are nested within each other in a hierarchical structure where the azimuth frame contains the cross-level frame, which in turn contains the elevation frame. This nested configuration allows compact integration of all three axes of motion while reducing the overall spatial footprint and facilitating easier installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If a traditional three-axes tracking antenna system is used, then the antenna can track satellites accurately, but the system size becomes too large for compact installation on mobile platforms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite tracking accuracyVSAvoidpedestal volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The three frames are nested within each other in a hierarchical structure where the azimuth frame contains the cross-level frame, which in turn contains the elevation frame. This nested configuration allows compact integration of all three axes of motion while reducing the overall spatial footprint and facilitating easier installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pedestal is divided into three separate modular frames (azimuth frame, cross-level frame, elevation frame) that can be manufactured and installed independently. Each frame handles a specific degree of freedom, reducing the weight that must be lifted and installed as a single unit while maintaining the complete tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a traditional three-axes tracking antenna system is used, then the antenna maintains stable orientation during ship motions, but the system complexity increases making installation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna stability during ship motionsVSAvoidpedestal structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pedestal is divided into three separate modular frames (azimuth frame, cross-level frame, elevation frame) that can be manufactured and installed independently. Each frame handles a specific degree of freedom, reducing the weight that must be lifted and installed as a single unit while maintaining the complete tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each of the three frames serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling a specific degree of freedom for tracking, and serving as a mounting platform for motors and sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the installation of tracking antennas without the need for cranes, improving logistical flexibility and reducing installation complexity by distributing the weight of the system across multiple subassemblies, thus facilitating installation on ships and other mobile platforms.

Implementation Method 1

the motion platform senses the position and movement the antenna assembly with respect to the earth's gravity vector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10553929B2Tracking antenna system having modular three-axes pedestal

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 SEA TEL INC D B A COBHAM SATCOM

AI summary

A modular three-axes antenna pedestal includes: an azimuth frame rotatably mounted about an azimuth axis, the azimuth frame having an azimuth beam and a post releasably mounted to the azimuth beam; an azimuth driver rotating the azimuth frame about the azimuth axis; a cross-level frame pivotally mounted on the azimuth frame to pivot about a cross-level axis; a cross-level driver pivoting the cross-level frame relative to the azimuth frame; an elevation frame supporting a tracking antenna, the elevation frame being pivotally mounted on the cross-level frame to pivot about an elevation axis; and an elevation driver pivoting the elevation frame relative to the cross-level frame. A method of using the modular three-axes antenna pedestal is also disclosed.