US 12,278,418 B2
Electro-mechanical linear drive unit for precise positioning e.g. of a large reflector used in radio astronomy or of a communication antenna
Martin Süss, Mainz (DE); Thomas Zimmerer, Mainz (DE); and Gundolf Wieching, Bonn (DE)
Assigned to OHB DIGITAL CONNECT GMBH, Bremen (DE); and MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V, Munich (DE)
Appl. No. 18/018,496
Filed by OHB Digital Connect GmbH, Bremen (DE); and Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V., Munich (DE)
PCT Filed Jul. 27, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/071102
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 27, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/022800, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 3, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0282958 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. H01Q 1/12 (2006.01); G02B 7/182 (2021.01); H02K 7/11 (2006.01); H02K 7/116 (2006.01); H02K 7/12 (2006.01); H01Q 15/14 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 1/125 (2013.01) [H02K 7/116 (2013.01); H02K 7/12 (2013.01); H01Q 15/14 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A linear drive unit with minimized play and friction for precise positions of radio astronomical devices, the linear drive unit comprising:
a first actuator element;
a second actuator element;
at least a guiding unit configured to enable linear relative movement between the first actuator element and the second actuator element;
a first power unit attached to the first actuator element and configured to provide the second actuator element with a first linear driving force;
a second power unit attached to the first actuator element and configured to provide the second actuator element with a second linear driving force; and
a control unit for controlling the first power unit and the second power unit, the control unit being configured to control the first driving force and the second driving force such that the first driving force and the second driving force are mutually reinforcing or act in opposite directions,
wherein the first power unit comprises a first motor having a first drive pinion, and wherein the second power unit comprises a second motor having a second drive pinion, wherein the first drive pinion is provided so as to mesh with a first toothed rack of the second actuator element, and
wherein the second drive pinion is provided so as to mesh with the first toothed rack or with a second toothed rack of the second actuator element,
wherein the first driving force is caused by a first driving torque generated by the first power unit, and wherein the second driving force is caused by a second driving torque generated by the second power unit,
wherein the control unit is configured to control the first and second driving torques such that the first driving torque and the second driving torque act in opposite directions, and such that the first driving torque or the second driving torque amounts to between 0% and 30% of the respective other driving torque.