US3789414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pendulum stabilization for antenna structure with padome
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1972-07-19
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-07-19
Abstract
Abstract Tactical radio navigation systems provide bearing, distance and identification determining signals generated by a reply transmitter as emitted from an antenna structure. Antenna structures mounted on movable platforms, such as a ship''s mast, must be position stabilized to provide maximum power to the bearing and distance signals above the horizon. To stabilize the antenna structure, a supporting yoke mounts to the movable platform. This yoke supports bearings aligned along an axis to provide stabilization in a given direction. Mounted to these bearings are journals extending from the mounting plate of an antenna pedestal. The plate supports the central array of the antenna structure and has a spin motor attached to the underside thereof. This spin motor acts like a pendulum to stabilize the pedestal with reference to the horizon around the desired stabilization direction. Mounted to the output shaft of the spin motor are parasitic elements which rotate around the antenna structure to provide a modulation frequency. When two degrees of stabilization are required, a gimbal ring mounts to the supporting yoke and the pedestal mounts to the gimbal ring. In systems where multiple degrees of stabilization are required, bearings of the yoke are aligned along an axis in the first direction of desired stabilization and bearings of the gimbal ring are aligned along an axis in the second direction of desired stabilization.
Inventors
- 👤 G Bauer
- 👤 D Thornberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure having radiation elements for rotation about a central antenna array, comprising in combination: a support having first and second bearings with a common axis aligned to provide stabilization in the desired direction, a pedestal including a mounting plate having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom, the first shaft rotating in the first bearing and the second shaft rotating in the second bearing, dampening means attached to said support and direct coupled to one of the pivot shafts of said mounting plate for retarding the motion of said plate, a spin motor affixed to the underside of the mounting plate and having an output shaft coupled to the radiating elements, said motor providing a pendulum-like weight to maintain said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal position, a radome with a predetermined windage factor enclosing the central antenna array, and a shroud having substantially the same windage factor as said radome and enclosing the spin motor, said radome and said shroud providing substantially the same windage resistance above and below the pivot shaft of said mounting plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure having radiation elements for rotation about a central antenna array, comprising in combination: a support having first and second bearings with a common axis aligned to provide stabilization in the desired direction, a pedestal including a mounting plate having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom, the first shaft rotating in the first bearing and the second shaft rotating in the second bearing, dampening means attached to said support and direct coupled to one of the pivot shafts of said mounting plate for retarding the motion of said plate, a spin motor affixed to the underside of the mounting plate and having an output shaft coupled to the radiating elements, said motor providing a pendulum-like weight to maintain said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal position, a radome with a predetermined windage factor enclosing the central antenna array, and a shroud having substantially the same windage factor as said radome and enclosing the spin motor, said radome and said shroud providing substantially the same windage resistance above and below the pivot shaft of said mounting plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure having radiation elements for rotation about a central antenna array, comprising in combination: a support having first and second bearings aligned along a common axis in a direction of desired stabilization, a pedestal including a mounting plate having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom, the first pivot shaft rotating in the first bearing and the second shaft rotating in the second bearing of said support, a spin motor affixed to the underside of the mounting plate and having an output shaft coupled to the radiating elements, said motor providing a pendulum-like weight to maintain said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal position, a radome having a predetermined windage factor enclosing the central antenna array and the radiation elements, said radome attached to the mounting plate opposite said spin motor, and a shroud having substantially the same windage factoR as said radome and enclosing the spin motor and attached to said mounting plate on the side opposite said radome, said radome and said shroud providing substantially the same windage plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure having radiation elements for rotation about a central antenna array, comprising in combination: a support having first and second bearings aligned along a common axis in a direction of desired stabilization, a pedestal including a mounting plate having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom, the first pivot shaft rotating in the first bearing and the second shaft rotating in the second bearing of said support, a spin motor affixed to the underside of the mounting plate and having an output shaft coupled to the radiating elements, said motor providing a pendulum-like weight to maintain said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal position, a radome having a predetermined windage factor enclosing the central antenna array and the radiation elements, said radome attached to the mounting plate opposite said spin motor, and a shroud having substantially the same windage factoR as said radome and enclosing the spin motor and attached to said mounting plate on the side opposite said radome, said radome and said shroud providing substantially the same windage plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure as set forth in Claim 2 including an adjustable dashpot attached to said support and having an output shaft direct coupled to one of the pivot shafts of said mounting plate for retarding the motion of said plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A motion stabilized antenna structure as set forth in claim 3 including means for locking said mounting plate in a fixed position with respect to said support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
231 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure having radiation elements for rotation about a central antenna array, comprising in combination: a support having first and second bearings aligned along a common axis in a direction of desired stabilization, a gimbal ring having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom and including third and fourth bearings aligned along a common axis to provide stabilization in a second desired direction, the first shaft rotating in the first bearing and the second shaft rotating in the second bearing of said support, a pedestal including a mounting plate having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom, the first shaft rotating in the third bearing and the second shaft rotating in the fourth bearing, a spin motor affixed to the underside of the mounting plate and having an output shaft coupled to the radiating elements, said motor providing a pendulum-like weight to maintain said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal position, a radome having a predetermined windage factor enclosing the central antenna array and the radiation elements, said radome attached to the mounting plate opposite said spin motor, and a shroud having substantially the same windage factor as said radome and enclosing the spin motor and attached to said mounting plate on the side opposite said radome, said radome and said shroud providing substantially the same windage resistance above and below the pivot shaft of said mounting plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
231 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure having radiation elements for rotation about a central antenna array, comprising in combination: a support having first and second bearings aligned along a common axis in a direction of desired stabilization, a gimbal ring having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom and including third and fourth bearings aligned along a common axis to provide stabilization in a second desired direction, the first shaft rotating in the first bearing and the second shaft rotating in the second bearing of said support, a pedestal including a mounting plate having first and second pivot shafts extending therefrom, the first shaft rotating in the third bearing and the second shaft rotating in the fourth bearing, a spin motor affixed to the underside of the mounting plate and having an output shaft coupled to the radiating elements, said motor providing a pendulum-like weight to maintain said mounting plate in a substantially horizontal position, a radome having a predetermined windage factor enclosing the central antenna array and the radiation elements, said radome attached to the mounting plate opposite said spin motor, and a shroud having substantially the same windage factor as said radome and enclosing the spin motor and attached to said mounting plate on the side opposite said radome, said radome and said shroud providing substantially the same windage resistance above and below the pivot shaft of said mounting plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure as set forth in claim 5 including an adjustable dashpot attached to said support and having an output shaft direct coupled to one of the pivot shafts of said gimbal ring for retarding the motion of said ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pendulum stabilized antenna structure as set forth in claim 6 including a second adjustable dashpot attached to said gimbal ring and having an output shaft direct coupled to one of the pivot shafts of said mounting plate for retarding the motion of said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A motion stabilized antenna structure as set forth in claim 5 including means for locking said gimbal ring and said mounting plate in a fixed position with respect to said support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A motion stabilized antenna structure as set forth in claim 5 including a second plurality of radiation elements mounted to the output shaft of the spin motor for rotation about the central antenna array and the first plurality of radiation elements to provide a second modulating frequency to radiation emitting from said array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |