Motorized tracking device

Abstract

A mount and tracking mechanism for solar panels and antennae. The tracking mechanism comprises electric motor actuators which operate a small gear reducer drive. The output of the small reducer drive is connected to the input of a large gear reducer drive. The output of the large gear reducer drive moves the solar panels or antennae. This arrangement results in a substantial increase in the torque of the output shaft of the large gear reducer drive.

1 . A tracking assembly for use with electromagnetic radiation receivers requiring precise orientation, said tracking assembly comprising:
 a support base;   a first assembly having an output of a first gear reducer directly coupled to said support base to prevent backlash and an input coupled to a first bi-directional actuator, operation of said first controllable bi-directional actuator permitting rotation of said first housing assembly in a first axis around said support base;   a second housing assembly secured to said first housing assembly, said second housing assembly having an input of a second gear reducer coupled to a second bi-directional actuator and an output of said second gear reducer coupled to a mounting block, operation of said second controllable bi-directional actuator permitting rotation of said mounting block in a second axis orthogonal to said support base;   means for securing a receiver to said mounting block; and   a controller for selectively applying power to said first and said second controllable bi-directional actuators for positioning the receiver.   
   
   
       2 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each said bi-directional actuator is coupled to a cone drive worm gear for rotation of said gear reducers. 
   
   
       3 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein an input of a third gear reducer is coupled to said first bi-directional actuator and an output of said third gear reducer is coupled to said input of said first gear reducer. 
   
   
       4 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 3  wherein an input of a fourth gear reducer is coupled to said second bi-directional actuator and an output of said fourth gear reducer is coupled to said input of said second gear reducer. 
   
   
       5 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said first and said second gear reducers comprise a cone drive worm gear. 
   
   
       6 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said controller includes means to enable alignment of the receiver with satellites or other objects located above the surface of the earth. 
   
   
       7 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said means to enable alignment further includes means for measuring signal strength from said satellite and means responsive to said measured signal strength for actuating said controller to optimize receiver alignment. 
   
   
       8 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said means to enable alignment comprise sensors positioned adjacent the output of said first and said second gear reducers to determine the rotation of the output of said first and said second gear reducers. 
   
   
       9 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 8  wherein said sensors comprise limit switches which measure the degree of rotation of the outputs of said first and said second gear reducers. 
   
   
       10 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said controller includes an interface which enables an operator to make small changes in the alignment of said receiver with said satellite or other object based on a signal strength or video image. 
   
   
       11 . The tracking assembly of  claim 1  wherein said controller includes information to position said receiver in a position wherein said receiver would be least affected by wind. 
   
   
       12 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said controller includes information to position said receiver in a position wherein said receiver would be least affected by snow fall. 
   
   
       13 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said first and said second gear reducers have larger gears than said third and said fourth gear reducers and a larger torque output. 
   
   
       14 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said first and said third gear reducers are mounted to a first support plate; said first and said second gear reducers are mounted to a second support plate; said second support plate is substantially parallel to said first support plate; said first and said fourth gear reducers are mounted to a third support plate; said third support plate is substantially orthogonal to said first and said second support plates. 
   
   
       15 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said controller is programmable to retain the position of new satellites and other objects. 
   
   
       16 . The tracking assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said controller is remotely controlled.