Patent · US Expired

Antenna directing apparatus

US5517204A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
6References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 1993
Grant dateMay 14, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/1221
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An antenna having a central axis is supported on a supporting member which in turn is supported on an azimuth gimbal. The antenna and the supporting member are rotatable around an elevation axis perpendicular to the central axis gimbal is supported on a base and is rotatable around an azimuth axis perpendicular to the elevation axis. A first gyro having an input axis parallel to the elevation axis is secured to the supporting member, and a second gyro having an input axis perpendicular to both the central axis and the elevation angle axis is secured to the supporting member. An accelerometer is provided for outputting a signal representative of an inclination angle of the central axis relative to a horizontal plane. An azimuth transmitter is provided for outputting a signal representative of a rotation angle of the azimuth gimbal around the azimuth axis. The difference between a signal corresponding to the altitude angle of the satellite and the signal of the accelerometer is fed to the torquer of the first gyro, while the output signal of the azimuth transmitter and the signals corresponding to the ship's heading azimuth and a satellite azimuth angle are fed to a torquer of the se…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.