Remote Tip-Tilt Pulley Actuation for Harsh Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation devices for tip and tilt control cannot be remotely operated in environments with high temperatures and electromagnetic interference, making it impossible to place actuators near the device, such as in the MAST-U's mirror positioning system.
Innovation Solution
A remote actuation device using a pulley system with two idler pulleys and a fixed pulley, actuated by a single cable preloaded by a spring, providing two degrees of freedom for tip and tilt control, allowing operation from a distance and overcoming spatial constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actuators are placed near the controlled load for direct mechanical actuation, then actuation precision and responsiveness are improved, but the device cannot be used in environments with high temperatures and electromagnetic interference where actuators cannot be positioned close to the load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary element that transmits actuation force from the actuator to the controlled load over a distance. The cable system including pulleys and tension members enables mechanical force transmission without requiring the actuator to be physically adjacent to the load, thus allowing operation in harsh environments while maintaining control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling between actuator and load with a cable-pulley mechanical transmission system. This substitution allows the actuator to be positioned remotely while still achieving precise mechanical actuation of the controlled load through the cable tensioning mechanism
2Length of moving object
If a cable and pulley system is used for remote actuation, then the distance between actuator and load is increased, but the system complexity increases with multiple pulleys and cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested pulleys where smaller pulleys are positioned within or alongside larger pulleys, and the cable path is routed through multiple pulleys in a compact arrangement. This nesting approach allows the system to achieve the required cable length and mechanical advantage while minimizing the overall spatial footprint and reducing visual and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cable serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits actuation force, provides mechanical advantage through the pulley system, and acts as a tension member that can be pre-loaded to eliminate slack. The pulleys also serve dual purposes of changing cable direction and providing mechanical advantage, reducing the need for additional components
3Device complexity
If a single cable is used to control two degrees of freedom, then the number of actuators is reduced, but the precision of controlling both tip and tilt movements simultaneously becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function by using two separate cables or a single cable with two independent actuation points, where each actuator controls one degree of freedom (tip or tilt). This segmentation allows independent control of each rotational axis while maintaining a simplified actuator configuration, and the pulley system integrates these segmented controls into coordinated movement
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 precise and efficient tip and tilt control in challenging environments by transmitting mechanical movements through a highly adaptable cable and pulley system, suitable for integration in difficult-to-access areas.
Implementation Method 1
actuated by a single cable preloaded by means of a spring
Implementation Method 2
The transmission of the two degrees of freedom is provided by means of a pulley system made up of two idler pulleys and one fixed pulley
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a remote actuation device for tip and tilt control, wherein the transmission of the two degrees of freedom is provided by means of a pulley system made up of two idler pulleys (7) and one fixed pulley (21), actuated by means of a single cable (12) preloaded by means of a spring (5). The two idler pulleys (7) rotate around the tipping axle, while the fixed pulley (21) is attached at the tilting axle to the support (2) of the surface of the controlled load (1). The cable (12) is fixed to the fixed pulley and passed through the two idler pulleys (7) to two actuators (13), one at each end of the cable, so that the mechanism moves in both axles.