PRECISION ALIGNMENT APPARATUS

摘要

A precision alignment apparatus for precisely orienting and stabilizing the orientation of a sensor, for example a magnetometer sensor, is disclosed. The simplest embodiment of the invention consists of a sensor support and a second support on which the sensor support is mounted with a trunnion. A wedge engages the two supports on one side of the trunnion axis so that advancement of the wedge will rotate the two supports relative to one another. A lead screw connected to the wedge serves to advance and retract the wedge relative to the supports. Rotation of the two supports is opposed by a stabilization mechanism that can be another wedge and lead screw assembly or a spring. In more complex embodiments an additional support and an additional wedge mechansim are employed for orienting the sensor about another axis. Three axis adjustment is likewise possible.