US3559937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical tracking mount
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1968-09-26
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1988-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A tracking mount for a laser telescope having a rotatable base, a yoke mounted on the base and a bracket mounted for rotation in the yoke. The bracket mounts the telescope and is supported in the yoke by two spherical air bearings. Each air bearing includes a spherical journal attached to the mounting bracket and upper and lower spherical bearing members in which the journal rotates. The bearing members of one air bearing are fixed to the yoke and the bearing members of the other air bearing are moveably mounted on the yoke by a flexure joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Broussard
- 👤 Josef M Beehm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:23
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/06; F16C32/0681; F16C32/0696; F16C27/00; F16C27/02; G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
A precision tracker for orienting a device mounted on the tracker comprising: a base means rotatable about a vertical axis for altering the azimuthal direction of the device; a U-shaped yoke mounted on said base for movement therewith about the vertical axis; a mounting bracket for the device to be oriented; bearing means for journaling said mounting bracket in said yoke for rotation about a horizontal elevation axis whereby the elevation of the device mounted on said mounting bracket can be changed by rotating the mounting bracket; said bearing means including two precision air bearings, each of said air bearings including a spherical journal connected to said mounting bracket and an upper and lower bearing member mounted on said yoke, said journal rotating in said upper and lower bearing members on a cushion of air whereby the mounting bracket is supported for rotation in said yoke without actually contacting said yoke so as to provide an almost frictionless mounting and one wherein some deflection or distortion due to loading of the mounting bracket can be tolerated because of the self alignment capabilities of the spherical air bearings; said mounting bracket and spherical journals attached thereto being symmetrical about a plane that coincides with said vertical axis and is perpendicular to the horizontal elevation axis, whereby any bending of the mounting bracket and attached journals due to loading will be symmetrical on both sides of this plane and therefore the angular orientation of a device mounted on the mounting bracket will not be affected by such deflection; means for mounting one of said air bearings to said yoke in a manner to permit horizontal movement of the air bearing relative to the yoke and along the horizontal elevation axis of the tracker whereby axial thrust loads due to temperature variations that cause changes in the length of the mount along the horizontal elevation axis will be prevented, said means for mounting one of said air bearings being a flexure joint that permits horizontal movement only and provides great rigidity in the vertical direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
A precision tracker for orienting a device mounted on the tracker comprising: a base means rotatable about a vertical axis for altering the azimuthal direction of the device; a U-shaped yoke mounted on said base for movement therewith about the vertical axis; a mounting bracket for the device to be oriented; bearing means for journaling said mounting bracket in said yoke for rotation about a horizontal elevation axis whereby the elevation of the device mounted on said mounting bracket can be changed by rotating the mounting bracket; said bearing means including two precision air bearings, each of said air bearings including a spherical journal connected to said mounting bracket and an upper and lower bearing member mounted on said yoke, said journal rotating in said upper and lower bearing members on a cushion of air whereby the mounting bracket is supported for rotation in said yoke without actually contacting said yoke so as to provide an almost frictionless mounting and one wherein some deflection or distortion due to loading of the mounting bracket can be tolerated because of the self alignment capabilities of the spherical air bearings; said mounting bracket and spherical journals attached thereto being symmetrical about a plane that coincides with said vertical axis and is perpendicular to the horizontal elevation axis, whereby any bending of the mounting bracket and attached journals due to loading will be symmetrical on both sides of this plane and therefore the angular orientation of a device mounted on the mounting bracket will not be affected by such deflection; means for mounting one of said air bearings to said yoke in a manner to permit horizontal movement of the air bearing relative to the yoke and along the horizontal elevation axis of the tracker whereby axial thrust loads due to temperature variations that cause changes in the length of the mount along the horizontal elevation axis will be prevented, said means for mounting one of said air bearings being a flexure joint that permits horizontal movement only and provides great rigidity in the vertical direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tracker recited in claim 1 wherein the flexure joint is composed of a plurality of aligned monoflexures which are rigidly attached to the yoke and the lower bearing member of the laterally moveably air bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The tracker recited in claim 2 wherein the bearing means includes: a supporting framework for each air bearing attached to said yoke; and flexible mounting means securing the upper bearing member of each air bearing tO its supporting framework, whereby the upper bearing member can move to compensate for misalignment due to deflection of the journal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tracker recited in claim 3 wherein the flexible mounting means is a universal flexure that permits pivotal movement in all directions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |