APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING CABLES OR THE LIKE AND A ROTATABLE ANTENNA UTILIZING THE SAME

• US 3,789,415 A
• Filed: 12/26/1972
• Issued: 01/29/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Loral Aerospace Corp. (MHR Holdings LLC (New York))
• Original Assignee: Jack M. Vickland
• Inventors: Vickland, Jack M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gensler, Paul L.
• Application Number:
  US05/318,265
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 343/757,763,764,766 254/175.3,175.5,175.6,175.7
• US Class Current: 343/763
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/04 for varying one co-ordinate of the orientation

Abstract

Apparatus for wrapping cables, hoses or the like, leading from fixed structure to a rotatable element such as a mechanical scanning antenna, said apparatus accommodating multiturn rotation of the antenna without subjection of the cables or hoses to substantial torsional forces. A planetary cable winding and guiding carrier is used, in association with a main cablereceiving drum which comprises the sun element of a planetary cable take-up system.

Claims

1. Apparatus for guiding and wrapping cables connected between fixed structure and a rotatable element, comprising:

a main drum to which such a cable is connectable in a region intermediate points of connection to said fixed structure and said rotatable element, to provide for wrapping of such cable thereon, means for driving said main drum in a given direction during rotation of such an element in said given direction and for driving said main drum in the reverse direction during rotation of such an element in the reverse direction;

a planetary carrier mounted for rotation about the axis of said main drum and carrying planetary drum means for guding and receiving cable during at least a major portion of a wrapping operation; and

means biasing said planttary carrier for rotation in a direction opposite to said given direction, said planetary carrier and said planetary drum means being constrained by a cable being wrapped, against the bias of said biasing means, to operate as a planetary system, with respect to the main drum means, during cable wrapping.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and further characterized in that gravitationally responsive means is utilized to bias said planetary carrier.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and further including means biasing said planetary drum means toward rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of bias of said planetary carrier.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, and in which said means for biasing said planetary drum means includes a negator spring.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and in which an intermediate portion of said planetary carrier is mounted for rotation about said axis, and said planetary drum means includes a pair of planet drums rotatably mounted on said carRier and straddling said axis.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, and further characterized in that:

when said element begins rotation in said given direction the cable extends from its point of connection to fixed structure, traverses said two planet drums, and extends therefrom into connection with said main drum; and

when said element completes rotation in said given direction the cable extends directly from its point of connection to fixed structure to said main drum, without traversing said planet drums.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and in which a plurality of cables is connectable in the system, provision being made to secure each such cable to the main drum.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, and further including belt means to which cables may be secured, the construction and arrangement being such that said belt means serves to space such cables in the direction of the axis of rotation of said main drum means during cable wrapping.

9. Apparatus for connecting cable means or the like between base structure and a rotatable antenna, in such manner as to allow multiturn rotation of said antenna in a given direction with respect to said base structure and with freedom for return of said antenna in the reverse direction, without subjecting said cable means to substantial torsional forces, said apparatus including, at least one cable having a first portion fixed to said base structure, a second portion associated with the rotatable antenna in such manner as to be rotated with respect to the first portion in response to rotation of said antenna, and means for wrapping a portion of said cable, intermediate said first and second portions, during such multiturn rotation of said antenna, said last means comprising:

main cable-receiving drum means coaxial and rotatable with said antenna, said cable being secured to said main drum means and extending therefrom to said antenna for association therewith;

a planetary carrier having a center portion mounted for rotation about the axis of said main drum means and carrying adjacent each opposite end thereof, a planetary drum for guiding and receiving cable during at least a major portion of the wrapping operation; and

means biasing said planetary carrier for rotation in a direction opposite to said given direction, said planetary carrier and said planetary drums being constrained by said cable, against the bias of said biasing means, to operate as a planetary system, with respect to the main drum means, during wrapping of the cable.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, and further including means biasing each said planetary drum toward rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of bias of said planetary carrier.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, and in which a plurality of cables are employed, each fixed to said base structure and each associated with the rotatable element and secured to the main drum means.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, and further including flexible belt means to which the plurality of cables are secured, and which serves to space said cables in the direction of the axis of rotation of said main drum means during cable wrapping.