Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Telescope
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-15
2003-02-11
Nguyen, Thong (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Telescope
C359S399000, C359S225100, C359S849000, C359S871000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06519084
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device, such as a telescope or antenna, which needs a directional control for tracking purposes. The device is weighty itself and installed on a structure, such as that installed in space, on board ship or on land, located in a place where reaction force or inertia force is unfavorable. In particular, when a telescope, for example, is installed on a space station or artificial satellite, if the telescope is moved, a large inertia force arises to act on the space station so that an attitude control of the station itself is badly affected. Hence, a telescope structured so as to cause no such inertia force and to be operated accurately in space, on board ship or on land, is provided.
2. Background of the Invention
When a large conventional astronomical telescope, such as the Hubble space telescope, is directed to an object to be observed, it is moved in its entirety, which requires a large amount of energy. In particular, in the case of a telescope to be operated in space, although not illustrated, a reflecting telescope is assembled in a satellite unit and this satellite unit itself must be attitude-controlled so as to direct the telescope to the object to be observed. Such attitude control of the telescope is done by performing an attitude control of a satellite unit mounted with a CMG (Control Moment Gyro) or by performing a position control of a satellite unit by gas jetting. Thus, only for moving the space telescope, a large amount of energy is needed. Also, when a telescope installed on a space station is operated, a large inertia force arises, which is not allowable in the space station. Hence, a structure that causes no such inertia force, even when the telescope is moved to be directed to an object, has long been desired. Further, when the device, such as an antenna or the like, is to be directed to an object, reaction force by the CMG or the like is used like in the case of the telescope.
In the prior art space telescope , as mentioned above, the telescope is assembled in the satellite and when the telescope is to be directed to an object, the satellite unit itself is attitude-controlled. In order to move the telescope, therefore, a large scale structure and a large amount of energy are required. Hence, development of a telescope having a structure that is simple and yet accurately attitude-controllable has been desired. Also, when the telescope installed on a space station is operated, a large inertia force arises to act on the space station to thereby cause a large problem on the attitude control of the space station itself. But, occurrence of such inertia force is not allowable in the space station, so that development of a telescope which is to be used on a space station and yet has a structure that causes no such inertia force has been likewise desired.
FIG. 20
is a constructional view of a large astronomical reflecting telescope in the prior art. In
FIG. 20
, numeral
221
designates a telescope body. A concave mirror
222
is provided in a lower part of the telescope body
221
and a condenser
223
is provided in an upper central part of same. In a central part of the concave mirror
222
, a hole
225
passes therethrough. A camera or an ocular
224
is provided right below the hole
225
.
In the astronomical telescope constructed as described above, light rays
230
coming from space enters the telescope body
221
through its upper portion and is reflected by the concave mirror
222
, like numeral
230
a,
then is converged by the condenser
223
, like numeral
230
b.
The light converged by the condenser
223
passes through the hole
225
provided in the central part of the concave mirror
222
and converges on the camera
224
to be taken as an image. In the reflecting telescope so constructed, the light
230
entering the upper portion of the telescope body
221
is partially blocked by the condenser
223
provided in the central portion of the telescope body
221
. Therefore, the light coming to the concave mirror
222
is reduced in quantity, and the converging ability as a whole is lowered. Thus, an improvement to take a further accurate image has also been desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention has the following objects:
To provide a telescope having a structure that cancels the inertia force generated when the telescope is moved to be directed to an object so that the telescope is usable in space without the occurrence of inertia force even if the telescope is installed on a space station.
To provide an equipment movement control device having a simple structure by which equipment, such as a telescope or antenna, is moved to be directed to an object and yet is moved accurately in a given direction.
To provide an astronomical reflecting telescope having a condenser structure in which a condenser is arranged so that entering light is not blocked by the condenser to thereby enhance a whole converging ability.
In order to attain the objects mentioned above, the present invention provides the following embodiments:
A telescope comprises a telescope body an d a reflecting mirror, a condenser and a camera or ocular contained in the telescope body. A counter weight moves rotationally at the same time that the telescope body is moved rotationally to be directed to an observed object so that inertia force caused by the rotational movement of the telescope body may be canceled.
A telescope comprises a telescope body and a reflecting mirror, a condenser and a camera or ocular contained in the telescope body. The reflecting mirror, condenser and camera or ocular are connected integrally to one another so that the reflecting mirror is movable together with the condenser and camera or ocular to be directed to an observation object.
A telescope comprises a telescope body and a reflecting mirror, a condenser and a camera or ocular contained in the telescope body. The reflecting mirror and a unit of the condenser and camera or ocular are movable independently of each other.
A telescope as mentioned above, in which a plurality of counter weights are fitted to a circumferential periphery of a bottom portion of the reflecting mirror.
A telescope as mentioned above, in which a plurality of counter weights are fitted to a circumferential periphery of a base portion to which the reflecting mirror is fitted.
A telescope as mentioned above, in which a counter weight is provided between the reflecting mirror and a base portion to which the reflecting mirror is fitted so that a bottom surface of the reflecting mirror and the base portion are connected to each other and the counter weight is movable in a direction reverse to a movement of the reflecting mirror.
A telescope as mentioned above, in which each of the counter weights is fitted via an actuator.
A telescope as mentioned above, in which a plurality of horizontal component counter weights are arranged on an upper surface of the base portion.
A first telescope as mentioned above, in which the counter weight comprises a counter weight for canceling the inertia force caused when an end of the telescope body inclines toward the observation object to move up and down rotationally, and a counter weight for canceling the inertia force caused when the telescope body, so inclining, rotates around an axis orthogonal to a base portion to which the telescope body is fitted.
A telescope as mentioned above, in which the counter weight for canceling the inertia force caused when the end of the telescope body moves up and down rotationally is fitted to an end of an arm, and the arm is rotatable.
If the telescope is rotated to be directed to an observation object, such as a star, a large inertia force occurs. In particular, when the telescope is installed on a space station, this inertia force acts on the station side to seriously influence the microgravity environment. Hence, occurrence of such inertia force is not allowable. In the invention above, such inertia force is canceled by the re
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
Nguyen Thong
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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