Steerable antenna system
First Claim
1. A steerable antenna system, comprising:
- a motor;
a spindle drivingly engaged to said motor;
a chassis fixedly disposed on said spindle, said chassis having a stop disposed about a periphery thereof;
a ring cam, disposed on said chassis and having at least one groove formed therein;
a lever arm, wherein a first portion of said lever arm is disposed in said groove of said ring cam and a second portion of said lever arm is pivotally mounted on said chassis;
an antenna hingedly mounted on said lever arm; and
a solenoid disposed on a base portion of said steerable antenna system and configured to engage a portion of said ring cam, wherein, when said solenoid is activated, said motor adjusts the elevation of said antenna, and wherein, when said solenoid is deactivated, said motor adjusts the azimuth of said antenna to acquire a signal from a desired signal source.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steerable antenna system for adjusting the elevation of an antenna for communication with a central facility via a satellite. The steerable antenna system includes a motor, a spindle drivingly engaged to the motor, and a chassis fixedly disposed on the spindle. The chassis has a stop disposed about its periphery. A first waveguide is fixedly disposed on the chassis and a second waveguide is disposed on an antenna. A ring cam is mounted on the chassis, and a grooved is formed in the ring cam. A first portion of a lever arm is pivotally mounted on the chassis and a second portion of the lever arm is disposed in the groove of the ring cam. An antenna is hingedly mounted on the chassis and to the lever arm. A solenoid, disposed on a base of the steerable antenna system, is configured to engage a portion of the ring cam. In use, when the solenoid is activated, power from the motor is used to adjust the elevation of the antenna. When the solenoid is deactivated, power from the motor is used to adjust the azimuth of the antenna to acquire a satellite.
96 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A steerable antenna system, comprising:
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a motor; a spindle drivingly engaged to said motor; a chassis fixedly disposed on said spindle, said chassis having a stop disposed about a periphery thereof; a ring cam, disposed on said chassis and having at least one groove formed therein; a lever arm, wherein a first portion of said lever arm is disposed in said groove of said ring cam and a second portion of said lever arm is pivotally mounted on said chassis; an antenna hingedly mounted on said lever arm; and a solenoid disposed on a base portion of said steerable antenna system and configured to engage a portion of said ring cam, wherein, when said solenoid is activated, said motor adjusts the elevation of said antenna, and wherein, when said solenoid is deactivated, said motor adjusts the azimuth of said antenna to acquire a signal from a desired signal source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A steerable antenna system, comprising:
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a motor; a spindle drivingly engaged to said motor; a chassis fixedly disposed on said spindle; a cam, disposed on said chassis and having at least one groove formed therein; a lever arm, wherein a first portion of said lever arm is disposed in said groove of said cam and a second portion of said lever arm is pivotally mounted on said chassis; an antenna hingedly mounted on said lever arm; and a solenoid disposed on a base portion of said steerable antenna system and configured to engage said cam, wherein, when said solenoid is activated, said motor adjusts the elevation of said antenna, and wherein, when said solenoid is deactivated, said motor adjusts the azimuth of said antenna to acquire a signal from a desired signal source. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A steerable antenna system, comprising:
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a chassis rotatingly connected to a motor; a cam disposed on said chassis, said cam having at least one groove formed therein; a lever arm having a first portion mounted in said groove of said cam and a second portion pivotally mounted on said chassis, and wherein said lever arm is configured to support an antenna; and a solenoid, disposed on said steerable antenna system, wherein rotation of said chassis while said solenoid is activated causes an adjustment in elevation of said antenna and wherein rotation of said chassis while said solenoid is deactivated causes an adjustment in azimuth of said antenna.
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27. A method for adjusting an antenna, comprising the steps of:
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(a) signaling a motor of said antenna to stop acquisition of a signal from a desired signal source; (b) activating a solenoid; (c) activating said motor to rotate a chassis of an assembly between 270° and
360°
so that rotation of said chassis is translated into adjustment of the elevation of said antenna;(d) deactivating said solenoid; and (e) using said motor to rotate said antenna so that said desired source signal can be reacquired. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification