Optical Telescope Fibre Positioning Devices

Abstract

A positioning system comprising a mounting assembly arranged to move a positioning device via a magnetic coupling interaction between the mounting assembly and the positioning device. The positioning device is configured to limit the spread of flux away from the device.

1 . A positioning system, comprising a mounting assembly arranged to move a positioning device via a magnetic coupling interaction between the mounting assembly and the positioning device, and wherein the positioning system is configured to limit the spread of flux away from the device 
     
     
         2 . The positioning system of  claim 1  wherein the positioning device controls the position of an optical fibre. 
     
     
         3 . The positioning system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting assembly comprises a magnetic flux guide including a magnet, the magnetic flux guide being configured to guide the magnetic flux between the magnet and the positioning device. 
     
     
         4 . The positioning system of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic flux guide is of ferrous material. 
     
     
         5 . The positing system of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic flux guide is cup shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The positioning system of  claim 1  wherein, in use, the magnetic flux guide is in contact with the positioning device. 
     
     
         7 . The positioning system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a support structure for contacting the positioning device. 
     
     
         8 . The positioning system of  claim 7  wherein support structure is a jewel bearing. 
     
     
         9 . The positioning system of  claim 7  wherein the support structure comprises multiple contact elements. 
     
     
         10 . The positioning system of  claim 1  wherein the mounting assembly is moved by a piezo electric actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The positioning system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical fibre support tube, the positioning device being moved at regular time intervals and wherein the frequency of movement of the positioning device matches a resonant frequency of optical fibre support tube. 
     
     
         12 . A sensor array for an optical telescope comprising a plurality of the positioning systems of  claim 1  wherein the positioning devices are configured adjacent to one another and the magnetic flux of each device is limited to limit interference with adjacent devices. 
     
     
         13 . An electrical circuit for controlling a switching system, the system comprising a plurality of switches, each switch being configured to apply a selected electrical signal to an actuator, a processor for determining how many electrical signals should be applied to each actuator and a control means for controlling the electrical signals and for counting the number of electrical signals applied to each actuator and for controlling the configuration of the plurality of switches to deliver the determined number of electrical signals. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling a switching system, the switching system including a plurality of switches, the switches being configured to deliver electrical signals to an actuator, comprising the steps of: determining a number of electrical signals to be delivered to each actuator, counting the number of electrical signals delivered to each actuator, determining whether additional electrical signals should be delivered to the actuator and controlling the configuration of the switch in dependence on whether further electrical signals should be delivered. 
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling a switching system according to  claim 15  comprising the step of determining the polarity of the number of electrical signals delivered to each actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling a switching system according to  claim 15  wherein the electrical signals are voltage pulses at a predefined frequency. 
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling a positioning system in an optical telescope comprising the steps of  claim 15 . 
     
     
         18 . A tube for supporting an optical fibre in a fibre positioning system for use in an optical telescope, wherein the tube is comprised of a pultruded carbon fibre tube. 
     
     
         19 . A tube for supporting an optical fibre in a fibre positioning system for use in an optical telescope according to  claim 19  wherein the pultruded carbon fibre has high modulus.