초록 ▼

A system for moving an object in one axis that creates highly dispersed but precisely controlled mechanical force to support, manipulate, and maintain an object, tool or application in precise alignment or orientation with respect to a stationary or moving target is disclosed. The system includes on

A system for moving an object in one axis that creates highly dispersed but precisely controlled mechanical force to support, manipulate, and maintain an object, tool or application in precise alignment or orientation with respect to a stationary or moving target is disclosed. The system includes one or more fluid containers within a cylindrical enclosure or drum, and a shaft running through longitudinal axis of the drum. The shaft is coupled to the drum by rotating assemblies so that the drum may rotate around the shaft or the draft may rotate inside the drum. The fluid inflatable containers are arranged in a inside the drum around the shaft so that each container exerts expansive force between a vane fixed to the drum and a vane fixed to the shaft. A volume of the fluid may be placed in the one or more fluid containers by control systems. By changing the volume of fluid in the one or more containers, forces are exerted on the vanes and the object is moved.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for moving an object in one axis relative to a reference, comprising: a connector for the object;a central support structure located beneath the object;a drum operatively connected to the reference, wherein the drum has an inner wall, pivot axis and an outer surface;wherein the reference

1. A system for moving an object in one axis relative to a reference, comprising: a connector for the object;a central support structure located beneath the object;a drum operatively connected to the reference, wherein the drum has an inner wall, pivot axis and an outer surface;wherein the reference is a shaft, having an outer surface, positioned axially through the pivot axis of the drum;one or more rotating assemblies supporting the shaft such that the shaft may turn within the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the shaft, running longitudinally along the shaft and extending radially to the inner wall of the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the drum, running longitudinally along the inner wall of the drum and extending radially to the outer surface of the shaft;a first fluid inflatable container placed inside the drum between one of the one or more vanes fixed to the drum and one of the one or more vanes fixed to the shaft such that expansion of the first fluid inflatable container exerts force simultaneously upon the vane fixed to the drum and the vane fixed to the shaft;one or more control valves, operatively connected to the first fluid inflatable container, to assist in pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;a source of compressed fluid connected operatively to the one or more control valves for pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;an electronic pressure sensor connected to the first fluid inflatable container;electronic actuators for the one or more control valves for pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;electronic level sensors or rotational position encoders for determining an altitude, azimuth, and pitch of the object; anda computer that controls the motion of the object to maintain an optimal solar energy collection by electronically actuating the one or more control valves in response to signals received from the electronic pressure sensor and the electronic level sensors or rotational position encoders;wherein the system for moving an object in one axis is able to orient the object through a variety of positions by systematic pressurization and depressurization of the first fluid inflatable container. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second fluid inflatable container operatively connected to one or more control valves, wherein the second fluid inflatable container is pressurized by the compressed fluid; andwherein the forces imposed by pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container against the vanes are opposed by the compressive forces imposed by the second fluid inflatable container. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the drum is operatively connected to the connector. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is operatively connected to the shaft. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a shock absorbing device for preventing damage to system components; anda locking device including a drift pin. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least two drums. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more torsion springs configured to resist the movement of the object from a neutral position. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning system, wherein the source of compressed fluid is a compressor mounted on the positioning system;an electronic pressure sensor connected to the first fluid inflatable container;electronic actuators for the one or more control valves for pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container, wherein the electronic level sensors are for determining an altitude and azimuth of the object; anda computer capable of communicating output values of the electronic pressure sensor and the electronic level sensors, and positions of the one or more control valves through electromagnetic signals. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning system, wherein the source of compressed fluid is a compressor mounted on the positioning system;an electronic pressure sensor connected to the first fluid inflatable container;electronic actuators for the one or more control valves for pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container, wherein the electronic level sensors are for determining an altitude and azimuth of the object; anda computer integrated with the connector that communicates output values of the electronic pressure sensor and the electronic level sensors, and positions of the one or more control valves through electromagnetic signals, the computer receiving and executing commands to reposition the object, wherein the object comprises a solar energy collecting surface, through electromagnetic signals. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning system, wherein the source of compressed fluid is a compressor mounted on the positioning system;an electronic pressure sensor connected to the first fluid inflatable container;electronic actuators for the one or more control valves for pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container, wherein the electronic level sensors, are integrated with the support structure, for determining an altitude and azimuth of the object; anda photovoltaic power source that powers the electronic pressure sensor, the electronic level sensors, the compressor, the one or more control valves, and the computer. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning system, wherein the source of compressed fluid is a compressor mounted on the positioning system;an electronic pressure sensor connected to the first fluid inflatable container;electronic actuators for the one or more control valves for pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container, wherein the electronic level sensors are for determining an altitude and azimuth of the object, and wherein the computer has wireless communication capabilities integrated with the connector; anda photovoltaic power source to power the electronic pressure sensor, the electronic level sensors, the compressor, the one or more control valves, and the computer, wherein the computer regularly transmits a status of the first fluid inflatable container and outputs values of the electronic pressure sensor, the electronic actuators, the electronic level sensors, and the photovoltaic power source to an external control system. 12. A system for moving an object in one axis relative to a reference, comprising: a connector for the object;a drum operatively connected to the reference, wherein the drum has an inner wall, pivot axis and an outer surface;wherein the reference is a shaft, having an outer surface, positioned axially through the pivot axis of the drum;one or more rotating assemblies supporting the shaft such that the shaft may turn within the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the shaft, running longitudinally along the shaft and extending radially to the inner wall of the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the drum, running longitudinally along the inner wall of the drum and extending radially to the outer surface of the shaft;a first fluid inflatable container placed inside the drum between one of the one or more vanes fixed to the drum and one of the one or more vanes fixed to the shaft such that expansion of the first fluid inflatable container exerts force simultaneously upon the vane fixed to the drum and the vane fixed to the shaft;one or more control valves, operatively connected to the first fluid inflatable container, to assist in pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container; anda source of compressed fluid connected more control valves for pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;wherein the system for moving an object in one axis is able to orient the object through a variety of positions by systematic pressurization and depressurization of the first fluid inflatable container; andwherein the rotating assemblies include three or more casters mounted directly or indirectly on the enclosure for supporting the reference and allowing the reference to freely rotate within the drum. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein each caster is adjustable for creating a tolerance between the caster and the shaft and each caster is mounted to a rotating assembly with one or more bolts. 14. A system for moving an object in one axis relative to a reference, comprising: a connector for the object;a drum operatively connected to the reference, wherein the drum has an inner wall, pivot axis and an outer surface;wherein the reference is a shaft, having an outer surface, positioned axially through the pivot axis of the drum;one or more rotating assemblies supporting the shaft such that the shaft may turn within the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the shaft, running longitudinally along the shaft and extending radially to the inner wall of the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the drum, running longitudinally along the inner wall of the drum and extending radially to the outer surface of the shaft;a first fluid inflatable container placed inside the drum between one of the one or more vanes fixed to the drum and one of the one or more vanes fixed to the shaft such that expansion of the first fluid inflatable container exerts force simultaneously upon the vane fixed to the drum and the vane fixed to the shaft;one or more control valves, operatively connected to the first fluid inflatable container, to assist in pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;a source of compressed fluid connected operatively to the one or more control valves for pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;a positioning system;a compressor mounted on the positioning system;an electronic pressure sensor connected to the first fluid inflatable container;electronic actuators for the one or more control valves for pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;electronic level sensors for determining an altitude, azimuth, and pitch of the object;rotational position encoders to encode the rotational position of the drum or the shaft; anda computer that controls motion of the object to maintain an optimal solar energy collection by electronically actuating the one or more control valves in response to signals received from the electronic pressure sensor, the rotational position encoders and the electronic level sensors;wherein the system for moving an object in one axis is able to orient the object through a variety of positions by systematic pressurization and depressurization of the first fluid inflatable container. 15. A system for moving an object in one axis relative to a reference, comprising: a connector for the object;a drum operatively connected to the reference, wherein the drum has an inner wall, pivot axis and an outer surface;wherein the reference is a shaft, having an outer surface, positioned axially through the pivot axis of the drum;one or more rotating assemblies supporting the shaft such that the shaft may turn within the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the shaft, running longitudinally along the shaft and extending radially to the inner wall of the drum;one or more vanes fixed to the drum, running longitudinally along the inner wall of the drum and extending radially to the outer surface of the shaft;a first fluid inflatable container placed inside the drum between one of the one or more vanes fixed to the drum and one of the one or more vanes fixed to the shaft such that expansion of the first fluid inflatable container exerts force simultaneously upon the vane fixed to the drum and the vane fixed to the shaft;one or more control valves, operatively connected to the first fluid inflatable container, to assist in pressurizing and de-pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container; anda source of compressed fluid connected operatively to the one or more control valves for pressurizing the first fluid inflatable container;wherein the fluid is a solid at ambient temperature and may be heated by a heating device and transformed to a liquid to move the object, wherein after the object is in place, the liquid may be cooled to ambient temperature and transformed back to a solid fluid; andwherein the system for moving an object in one axis is able to orient the object through a variety of positions by systematic pressurization and depressurization of the first fluid inflatable container.