Supporting and handling system for optical devices and instrumentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional telescope structures are rigid, complex, and costly, limiting flexibility, modularity, and adaptability, making it difficult to modify or replace optical components, and resulting in high construction costs and invasive installation processes, which hinder scientific progress and telescope versatility.

Innovation Solution

A supporting and handling system with arc-shaped structures equipped with sliding guides for azimuth and altitude movement, allowing independent kinematic and dynamic operation of primary and secondary units, along with a control system for synchronization and vibration compensation, enabling flexible use as telescopes, radio-telescopes, or energy concentrators, and reducing the need for extensive foundations and invasive construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid structural system is used to keep optical components aligned, then alignment stability is improved, but device complexity and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidstructural system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the telescope structure into independent modular units (primary unit with primary mirror, secondary units with secondary mirrors/instruments) that can be separately supported and positioned. Each unit has its own support structure, allowing independent assembly, disassembly, and replacement without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces rigid fixed connections with dynamic positioning systems including motorized mounts, adjustable support structures, and active alignment mechanisms. This allows the system to maintain alignment stability while enabling flexible reconfiguration and component replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid structural system with high stiffness is used to support big-sized telescopes, then structural stability is improved, but weight and construction cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstructure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy rigid structure is divided into separate support systems for each optical unit. The primary mirror has its own support structure, and secondary units have independent mounts, reducing the need for a single heavy overarching framework while maintaining structural stability for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces passive rigid mechanical support with active positioning systems including motorized mounts, adjustable jacks, and computer-controlled alignment mechanisms. This allows lighter structures to achieve the same stability through active correction rather than passive rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If optical components are fixed in a rigid structure, then alignment accuracy is maintained, but adaptability and ease of replacement decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidcomponent replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Optical components are divided into separate replaceable units (primary mirror in primary unit, secondary mirrors and instruments in secondary units). Each unit can be independently removed and replaced by detaching its support structure, enabling flexibility in configuring different optical setups without compromising alignment accuracy through precise mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic mounting mechanisms including motorized adjustments, movable platforms, and active alignment systems that allow components to be easily installed, positioned, and replaced. These mechanisms maintain alignment accuracy automatically through computer control while enabling rapid reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If a complex rigid structure is used for big-sized telescopes, then optical alignment is maintained, but ease of maintenance and modification decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical alignmentVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The telescope is segmented into independent units (primary unit and multiple secondary units) that can be accessed separately. Maintenance personnel can work on individual mirrors or instruments by accessing their specific support structures without needing to disassemble the entire telescope structure, greatly improving maintenance ease while preserving alignment through dedicated positioning systems for each unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11150440B2Supporting and handling system for optical devices and instrumentation

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 MANCINI DARIO

AI summary

A supporting and handling system for optical devices, in particular telescopes, radio-telescopes or sun concentrators, and instrumentation, is described, comprising: a primary unit; an independent secondary unit; first motored means for moving the primary unit; second motored means for moving the secondary unit; an arc-shaped structure equipped with sliding guides in altitude with respect to the ground for the rotation of the secondary unit with respect to an altitude rotation axis; a hexapod system to move the primary unit; and a control system.