Telescope Support Decoupling for Vibration Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopes face challenges with deformations that affect image quality and stability, particularly due to vibrations from external sources like helicopter rotors, and existing designs either transmit deformations between mirrors or increase weight and size.
Innovation Solution
A telescope design with three fixing portions on the primary mirror's rear side and rigid connections that secure the support independently, reducing deformation transmission and allowing for autonomous assembly, while minimizing the support's size and mass to elevate eigenmode frequencies above vibration frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the support is fixed to the primary mirror at the peripheral edge, then the structure is simple, but deformations of the primary mirror are transmitted to the support causing modifications in relative positions of the mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent legs (at least three) that connect the secondary mirror support to the primary mirror at separate locations. This segmentation allows each leg to independently manage deformations, preventing transmission of primary mirror deformations to the secondary mirror support while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs act as intermediary elements between the primary mirror and the secondary mirror support. These legs are designed with specific mechanical properties that allow them to isolate the secondary mirror from deformations of the primary mirror, thereby maintaining precise relative positioning without direct rigid connection at the peripheral edge.
2Manufacturing precision
If the primary mirror and support are fixed independently on a common base element, then the relative position is stable, but the weight and size of the telescope increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are integrated directly with the primary mirror structure, eliminating the need for a separate common base element. The legs extend from the primary mirror to support the secondary mirror, combining the functions of structural support and positioning while reducing overall weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary mirror structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the optical element and the structural base for mounting the support legs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional base elements, thereby reducing weight and size while maintaining stable relative positioning.
3Reliability
If the support size and mass are reduced to elevate eigenmode frequencies, then vibration resistance improves, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are designed with optimized geometric parameters (cross-sectional area, length, distribution) that elevate the eigenmode frequencies above vibration frequencies from helicopter rotors. The parameters are carefully selected to achieve high vibration resistance while maintaining sufficient structural strength through efficient material distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes materials and construction techniques that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the support to be lightweight (for high eigenmode frequencies) while maintaining the structural strength necessary to support the mirrors and withstand operational loads.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a telescope (100) comprising a primary mirror (1), a secondary mirror (2) and a support (3) for maintaining the secondary mirror forward of the primary mirror, which telescope is optimised to have reduced static and dynamic deformation. For this purpose, three rigid connections that connect the support to three securing portions of the telescope extend through the primary mirror inside an outer peripheral edge (12) of said primary mirror. The telescope can be assembled independently, and the three securing portions, which are located on a rear face (11) of the primary mirror, can be used to secure the telescope to a loading base of a variable-orientation device. Such a telescope can be adapted to be used on board a helicopter.