DEVICE FOR THE ORIENTATION AND ANGULAR POSITIONING OF THE ROTATIONAL AXIS OF A ROTATING LOAD

摘要

An orienting and angular positioning device for the rotational axis of a rotatable load such as a dish antenna for the dynamic tracking of a non-stationary satellite is described. The antenna is supported on a support member which is rotatably mounted on one mounting plane of a wedge-shaped intermediate member which has two mounting planes which are inclined relative to one another at a predetermined angle A. The other mounting plane of the wedge is rotatably mounted to an inclined upper mounting plane of a fixed member. Releasable mechanisms are provided for holding the fixed member solidly connected with the support member and for holding the intermediate member solidly connected with the support member. A drive unit is fixed to the intermediate member and has a drive pinion engaged with a gear on the support member. When the fixed member and support member are held solidly connected with one another operation of the drive unit causes rotation of the wedge relative to both members to reorientate the rotational axis of the support member. The support member can be rotated about its axis by operation of the drive unit when the intermediate member is held solidly connected with the fixed member.