Transportable radar utilizing harmonic drives for anti-backlash antenna movement

摘要

A transportable weather radar having radar electronics functionally located above the elevational joint and a frame superstructure rotationally connected to the elevational joint onto which is mounted a parabolic radar antenna adapted for Doppler weather radar use. The radar has a rotational drive assembly mounted below and supporting the elevational joint and a harmonic drive unit positioned inside the elevational joint so that the antennae may be rotated without significant backlash during rotational changes. A hollow center in the rotational joint allows for the passing of electronics cable through the middle of the joint and down through rotating assemblies and to electronics in or adjacent to the radar pedestal.

主权项

1. A Doppler weather radar having anti-backslash movement, comprising:
a. a pedestal for supporting said radar; b. a rotational assembly supported by said pedestal and adapted for continuous 360 degree rotation, said rotational assembly including a rotational axis, and wherein said rotational assembly further comprises a harmonic drive assembly including a harmonic drive actuator for driving rotation thereof, and wherein said harmonic drive actuator includes a rotational axis co-extensive with said rotational assembly rotational axis, and wherein said harmonic drive assembly and harmonic drive actuator define a bore through said harmonic drive assembly co-extensive with said rotational assembly rotational axis, and wherein said bore is adapted to permit the traversing of electrical wires therethrough; c. an elevational assembly rotationally supported by said rotational assembly and rotationally driven by said harmonic drive actuator, said elevational assembly including two axially aligned elevational joints mounted on opposite sides of said elevational assembly, and wherein said harmonic drive assembly is adapted to exclude rotational backlash upon rotation thereof; d. a frame superstructure rotationally supported by and spanning said elevational joints about said elevational assembly, said frame superstructure including a separate antenna mounting frame spanning said elevational assembly; and, e. a parabolic antenna assembly mounted on said antenna mounting frame having an orthomode feed horn and at least one waveguide assembly connected to said orthomode feed horn for bidirectional communications with a transceiver assembly.