Supports – With condition responsive control means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-03-06
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports
With condition responsive control means
C248S188300, C248S631000, C248S638000, C267S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196515
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to support systems for use with antennas and telescopes, and the like, and more specifically to a support system employing a load equalizing floating platform that eliminates distortions from support structure or foundation settlement, equalizes support forces and prevents rotation of the support system due to overturning moments at all support points.
Existing telescopes use a floating support system for primary mirrors and three hard defining points to stabilize rotation and carry overturning moments. Such prior art support systems allow structure distortion because they only support moments at the three hard defining points. The present invention allows all of the support points to resist moments and prevent distortion while still equalizing the support vertical loads.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide for a support system employing load equalizing floating platform that eliminates distortions from support structure or foundation settlement, equalizes support forces and prevents rotation of the support system due to overturning moments at all support points.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To accomplish the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for an improved support system comprising a load equalizing floating platform. An exemplary support system comprises four jacks including opposed pairs of jacks for coupling to four respective supports. Each jack comprises a support rod having upper and lower pressure plates attached thereto that are disposed in a cavity to form first, second, third and fourth pressure chambers. Each of the first pressure chambers of all jacks are coupled together. Also, the respective second pressure chambers of the jacks are coupled to the third pressure chambers of the opposed jacks. Each of the fourth pressure chambers of all jacks are coupled together. Additional pairs of jacks may be added to the support system.
There is no requirement that the support system be symmetric, or that the center of gravity or the center of loading be at the center of the support system. However, a minimum of two pairs of jacks (4 jacks) are needed. Also, for any in-plane orthogonal axis pair through the center of area of the jacks, the cross sectional areas for all coupled chambers should be substantially equal on opposite sides of etch axis.
The load equalizing floating platform equalizes the support forces and prevents rotation of the support system due to overturning moments at all support points. The hard defining points employed in prior art support systems are not needed or used in the present system.
The present invention eliminates stresses and deformations in symmetric structures due to unequal support movement. The present invention is useful for antenna reflector structures, large telescope mirrors and other structures where support movement or moment loads can degrade performance or function.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5180127 (1993-01-01), Klose
patent: 5285995 (1994-02-01), Gonzalez
patent: 5356110 (1994-10-01), Eddy
patent: 6022005 (2000-02-01), Gran
Chin-Shue Alvin
Float Kenneth W.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
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