US 12,347,918 B2
Antenna positioner with eccentric tilt position mechanism
Kurt A. Zimmerman, Dunwoody, GA (US); Thaddeus D. Oxford, Decatur, GA (US); and Scott D. Leach, Gainsville, GA (US)
Assigned to Viasat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by Viasat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/978,438.
Application 17/978,438 is a continuation of application No. 16/960,314, granted, now 11,522,266, previously published as PCT/US2019/021170, filed on Mar. 7, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/640,386, filed on Mar. 8, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0050129 A1, Feb. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01Q 1/12 (2006.01); H01Q 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 1/1257 (2013.01) [H01Q 3/08 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a structure configured to pivot about a pivot axis and comprising a contact point at a location different than the pivot axis;
a positioning system coupled with the structure and configured to track movement, of an object moving along an object path, about at least two angular degrees of freedom relative to the structure that are separate from the pivot axis; and
an actuator configured to pivot the structure about the pivot axis, the actuator comprising:
a linkage coupled with the structure at a location offset from the pivot axis; and
a drive element configured to move the linkage and cause a change in relative angle between the structure and a base about the pivot axis in response to movement of the linkage, wherein the change in relative angle between the structure and the base is limited at a first angle by a physical contact between the contact point of the structure and the base.