Support structure with features for precision leveling
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F16M-011/24
F16M-007/00
F16M-011/04
F16M-011/14
F16M-011/18
F16M-011/20
F16M-011/34
출원번호
US-0701220
(2010-02-05)
등록번호
US-9163774
(2015-10-20)
발명자
/ 주소
Orlov, Evgeny M.
Shkurko, Alexei K.
출원인 / 주소
Orlov, Evgeny M.
대리인 / 주소
Paul Frank + Collins PC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
5인용 특허 :
6
초록▼
A support structure is provided that can comprise a central support member and leveling devices arranged in a deployed configuration where the leveling devices are radially offset from the central support member. In one embodiment of the support structure, each of the leveling devices can comprise a
A support structure is provided that can comprise a central support member and leveling devices arranged in a deployed configuration where the leveling devices are radially offset from the central support member. In one embodiment of the support structure, each of the leveling devices can comprise an actuator assembly for fine positioning of a support plane of the support structure. The actuator assembly can communicate with a control system, and in one example the control system is operatively configured to monitor the position of the support plane, providing feedback in the form of a control that operates the actuator to adjust the orientation of the support plane.
대표청구항▼
1. A support structure, comprising: a central support member defining a central support axis, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a first support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis wh
1. A support structure, comprising: a central support member defining a central support axis, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a first support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface and a support end opposite the pivot end, the support end defining a plane orthogonal to the central support axis;a central collar coupled to the central support member, the central collar having a position on the central support axis, the position describing a distance from the pivot end;a leveling device coupled to the central collar, the leveling device comprising an actuator for generating motion along a leveling device axis, the motion causing movement of the plane;a leveling collar coupled to the actuator and configured to move independent of the actuator;a support stay assembly comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member couples with the central support member proximate the support end, wherein the second elongated member couples with the central collar, and wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated members are configured to move together with the central collar;a second support pad aligned with the leveling device axis, the second support pad comprising a spherical joint permitting rotation about an articulating axes,a leveling indicator comprising a tilt sensor proximate the support end; anda controller in communication with the tilt sensor, the controller providing a control to the actuator, the control for controlling the motion of the actuator,wherein the leveling device is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling device relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration changes to the second configuration in response to the position of the central collar. 2. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the central collar is configured in surrounding relation to the central support member, and wherein the central collar comprises a configuration locking mechanism for causing the collar to compress against the central support member. 3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a pre-determined location identified for self-calibration, and wherein the actuator moves to the pre-determined location in response to the control. 4. A support structure, comprising: a central support member defining a central support axis, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a first support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface and a support end opposite the pivot end, the support end defining a plane orthogonal to the central support axis;a central collar coupled to the central support member, the central collar having a position on the central support axis, the position describing a distance from the pivot end, wherein the central collar comprises a collar in surrounding relation to the central support member, wherein the collar comprises a configuration locking mechanism for causing the collar to compress against the central support member;a leveling device coupled to the central collar, the leveling device comprising an actuator for generating motion along a leveling device axis, the motion causing movement of the plane, wherein the actuator comprises a motor assembly and a lead screw assembly coupled to the motor assembly;a leveling collar coupled to the actuator and configured to move independent of the actuator;a support stay assembly comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member couples with the central support member proximate the support end, wherein the second support member couples with the central collar, and wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated members are configured to move together with the leveling collar; anda second support pad aligned with the leveling device axis, wherein the second support pad comprises a spherical joint permitting rotation about an articulating axes,wherein the leveling device is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling device relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration changes to the second configuration in response to the position of the central collar. 5. A support structure, comprising: a central support member defining a central support axis, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a first support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface and a support end opposite the pivot end, the support end defining a plane orthogonal to the central support axis;a central collar coupled to the central support member, the central collar having a position on the central support axis, the position describing a distance from the pivot end;a leveling device coupled to the central collar, the leveling device comprising an actuator for generating motion along a leveling device axis, the motion causing movement of the plane,a leveling collar coupled to the actuator and configured to move independent of the actuator;the second support pad aligned with the leveling device axis, the second support pad comprising a spherical joint permitting rotation about an articulating axes; anda support stay assembly connecting the leveling device and the central support member, the support stay assembly having a plurality of elongated members comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member is secured to the central support member proximate the support end and the second elongated member is secured to the central collar, wherein the length of the first elongated member and the second elongated member are the same in the first configuration and the second configuration, and wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated members are configured to move together with the leveling collar, andwherein the leveling device is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling device relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration changes to the second configuration in response to the position of the central collar. 6. A support structure, comprising: a central support member defining a central support axis, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface and a support end opposite the pivot end, the support end defining a plane orthogonal to the central support axis;a central collar coupled to the central support member, the central collar having a position on the central support axis, the position describing a distance from the pivot end, wherein the central collar is configured in surrounding relation to the central support member, and wherein the central collar comprises a configuration locking mechanism for causing the collar to compress against the central support member;a leveling device coupled to the central collar, the leveling device comprising an actuator for generating motion along a leveling device axis, the motion causing movement of the plane, wherein the leveling device is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling device relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration changes to the second configuration in response to the position of the central collar, wherein the actuator comprises a pre-determined location identified for self-calibration, and wherein the actuator moves to the pre-determined location in response to the control;a support stay assembly having a plurality of elongated members connecting the leveling device and the central support member; anda leveling collar aligned with an axis of the leveling device, wherein the leveling collar is secured to the elongated members of the support stay assembly, and wherein the leveling collar moves independent of the actuator to cause movement of the plane,wherein the plurality of elongated members comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member couples with the central support member proximate the support end, wherein the second elongated member couples with the central collar, and wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated member are configured to move together with the leveling collar. 7. A support structure according to claim 6, wherein the leveling collar comprises a coupling joint permitting angular displacement of the first elongated member relative to the central support axis. 8. A support structure according to claim 1, further comprising a manual level indicator coupled to a support plate on the central support member proximate the support end. 9. An automated multi-axis support structure, comprising: a central support member defining a central support axis, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface and a support end with a support plate orthogonal to the central support axis;a central collar aligned with the central support axis, the central collar comprising an outer retaining ring and a configuration locking mechanism for changing the inner diameter of the outer retaining ring;a leveling collar comprising a clamp with an aperture defining a leveling mount axis;an actuator assembly aligned with the leveling mount axis, the actuator assembly comprising a leveling device with an outer housing exteriorly surrounded by the clamp;a control system coupled to the actuator assembly, the control system comprising a dynamic leveling indicator proximate the support plate and a controller providing a control to the actuator, the control for controlling the motion of the actuator; anda support stay assembly comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member couples with the central support member proximate the support end, wherein the second elongated member couples with the central collar, wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated members are configured to move together with the leveling collar, and wherein the leveling collar is configured to move independent of the outer housing. 10. An automated multi-axis support structure according to claim 9, wherein the controller is operatively configured to execute a fine positioning algorithm, wherein the fine positioning algorithm queries the dynamic leveling indicator for information about the orientation of the support plate, and wherein the control causes operation of the actuator to change the orientation of the support plate. 11. An automated multi-axis support structure according to claim 9, further comprising second a support pad and a joint coupling the second support pad to the leveling device, wherein the joint permits relative rotation of the second support pad about one or more axes of an articulating axes of the joint. 12. An automated multi-axis support structure according to claim 11, wherein the joint comprise a ball member and a socket, and wherein the socket is formed as part of the support pad. 13. An automated multi-axis support structure according to claim 11, wherein the outer housing is movable along the leveling device axis. 14. An automated multi-axis support structure according to claim 9, wherein the leveling device is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling device relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration changes to the second configuration in response to the position of the central collar. 15. A system for leveling a load, comprising: a central support system comprising a central support member comprising a pivot end with a first support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface, the central support member having a central support axis, a support plane orthogonal to the central support axis, the support plane for receiving the load;a leveling mount system for adjusting the position of the support plane, the leveling mount system comprising a leveling device with a leveling mount axis and an actuator aligned with the leveling mount axis, the actuator for providing movement of the support plane, the movement comprising a fine positioning movement;a support stay system comprising a plurality of elongated members coupling the leveling device and the central support member;a central collar and a leveling collar, one each coupled to, respectively, the central support member and the actuator, wherein the leveling collar is configured to move independent of the actuator;a second support pad aligned with the leveling device axis, the second support pad comprising a spherical joint permitting rotation about an articulating axes, anda control system providing a control to the actuator, the control system comprising a dynamic leveling indicator providing information about the orientation of the support plane,wherein the control operates the fine positioning movement to adjust the orientation of the support plane in response to the information,wherein the leveling device is operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling device relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration changes to the second configuration in response to the position of the elongated members relative to the central support axis,wherein the actuator assembly comprises a motor and a lead screw assembly coupled to the motor, wherein the control causes the motor to position the lead screw assembly at a pre-determined location,wherein the pre-determined location comprises a zeroing condition for the fine positioning movement, andwherein the plurality of elongated members comprise a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member couples with the central support member proximate the support end, wherein the second elongated member couples with the central collar, wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is configured to move together with the leveling collar, and wherein the leveling collar is configured to move independent of the outer housing. 16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the central collar is configured to change position on the central support member to move the elongated members. 17. A support structure, comprising: a support plate defining a support plane and a central support axis orthogonal to the support plane;a central support member coupled with the support plate, the central support member comprising a pivot end with a first support pad that contacts a deployment surface when deployed and is configured to articulate about a pitch axis, a roll axis, and a yaw axis when in contact with the deployment surface;a plurality of leveling devices coupled to the support plate, each of the leveling device comprising an actuator for generating motion along a leveling device axis causing movement of the support plane;a second support pad aligned with the leveling device axis, the second support pad comprising a spherical joint permitting rotation about an articulating axes,a central collar and a leveling collar, one each coupled to, respectively, the central support member and the actuator, wherein the leveling collar is configured to move independent of the actuator;a support stay assembly comprising a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each coupled with the leveling collar, wherein the first elongated member couples with the central support member proximate the support plate, wherein the second elongated member couples with the central collar, wherein each of the first elongated member and the second elongated members are configured to move together with the leveling collar;a controller coupled to the actuator, the controller providing a control for controlling the motion of the actuator; anda leveling indicator comprising a tilt sensor coupled to the controller, the tilt sensor for measuring the orientation of the support plane, wherein the position of the actuator is selected in response to the tilt sensor,wherein the leveling devices are operative in a first configuration and a second configuration, andwherein each of the first configuration and the second configuration describe a radially offset relation of the leveling devices relative to the central support axis. 18. A support structure according to claim 17, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member rotate amongst a plurality of angular positions relative to the central support axis, and wherein the first configuration and the second configuration correspond to different ones of the angular positions.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Burdi Roger D. ; Baker Richard H. ; Ooms John W., Height adjustable work surface and control therefor.
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