WO1996039726A1

WO1996039726A1 - System for fine antenna-aiming adjustment on three orthogonal axes

Info

Publication number: WO1996039726A1
Application number: PCT/EP1996/002200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cesare Bassi; Elio Deponti; Francesco Marras
Original assignee: Italtel S.P.A.
Priority date: 1995-06-05
Filing date: 1996-05-22
Publication date: 1996-12-12
Also published as: IT1275306B; ITMI951167A0; ZA964541B; AU5901196A; ITMI951167A1

Abstract

There is described a system for fine antenna-aiming adjustment using antenna supports which can be aimed along three orthogonal axes and whose aiming can be adjusted both roughly and finely by the appropriate use of setting and adjustment screws. By the use of jaws and flanges (2, 3, 5, 8) coupled appropriately with the antenna bracket (1), the various components can be mutually aimed by means of screws (4, 7, 11, ...18) which can run in slots or slits made in the components.

Description

"System for fine antenna-aiming adjustment on three orthogonal axes"

* * * * *

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the field of support systems for antennas and specifically a system of fine antenna aiming adjustment with three orthogonal axes.

The aiming system which is the object of the present invention was conceived mainly for operating on integrated antenna & equipment radio systems even though it can be employed in systems with equipment in a remote location. In the implementation of antenna aiming systems an important problem to be solved is to provide in all cases an antenna system easy to install and repair, i.e. allowing operation with the fullest ease and safety in field installation and repair.

Another problem is implementation of an aiming system which would facilitate as much as possible setting and adjustment operations and especially those of fine antenna aiming adjustment along three orthogonal axes to make accessible the adjustments on the antenna-support side and then the rear side of the antenna. There are known in the art various types of antenna aiming adjustment but none capable of ensuring fine adjustment of antenna aiming along all three orthogonal axes and making accessible the adjustments on the antenna-support side and then on the rear side of the antenna.

Accordingly the purpose of the present invention is to solve all the above mentioned problems and indicate a system of fine antenna aiming adjustment using antenna supports directable along three orthogonal axes, whose aiming is adjustable both roughly and finely by means of the appropriate use of setting and adjustment screws. Through the use of jaws and flanges which couple appropriately to the antenna support, the various components can be directed mutually by screws which can run in slots or slits made in the components.

To achieve these purposes the present invention has for its subject matter a system of fine antenna aiming adjustment along three orthogonal axes, as better described in claim 1 and subsequent claims.

The advantages afforded by the antenna aiming system which is the object of the present invention appear evident.

This configuration of the antenna support system allows achieving adjustment of the antenna along three orthogonal axes corresponding to elevation, azimuth and polarization by rotation of screws and/or turnbuckles arranged in positions easily reached from the rear of the antenna. Specifically, the elevation and azimuth are found in this configuration by means of side-by-side and hence easily used controls.

Fine adjustment of polarization finds particular advantage in those radio systems operating on crossed polarization and in particular those adopting the frequency reuse technique.

Further purposes and advantages of the present invention are clarified in the detailed description of an embodiment thereof given below by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1 B show, with reference to the antenna support, a side and a top view respectively of the antenna aiming system,

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 show three section planes of front views of the antenna support bracket indicated by reference number 1 on three planes perpendicular to the axes E-E of FIG. 1 B, and

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show respectively two mutually orthogonal side views and a top view of a variant embodiment of the antenna azimuth control system.

With simultaneous reference to FIGS. 1A and 1 B the antenna 21 is rigidly set by screws 20 to a support bracket 1 which is in turn connected to an antenna supporting pole 22 of the entire system through an interface element 2 consisting of: a jaw 3 connected to the antenna supporting pole 22 by a pair of U-bolts 4 which surround the pole like a band, a round flange 8 which couples to the support bracket 1 through screws 11 which in the example described here are four in number, and in its central part two perpendicular ribs which unite on one side of the jaw 3 and on the other to the round flange 8. The support bracket 1 comprises two orthogonal parts, one on which engages the antenna 21 and the other on which engages the round flange 8, with reinforcing ribs if desired between the two parts (sectioned in FIG. 1 B).

The flange 8 is provided with teeth 9 (better seen in FIG. 2B) which mesh with a screw 6 which can rotate in two seats 10 (of which a detail is shown in FIG. 2B) integral with the support bracket 1 around an axis having a direction orthogonal to the axis E-E (elevation axis).

The two seats indicated by 10' have the same function as the seats 10 but are used as an alternative if the antenna is installed in the position symmetrically opposite the antenna supporting pole 22 so that a single type of interface element 2 can be used in both cases.

By loosening the screws 1 1 and turning the screw 6 there is achieved fine rotation of the antenna support (±20°) along the axis E-E and then fine elevation adjustment. This rotation is permitted because the round flange 8 is provided with the slots 13 (FIG. 2B) in which the screws 11 can run.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the support bracket 1 is provided with a number of threaded holes 17 (more numberous than the screws 11) to allow setting of the interface element 2 by means of the round flange 8 and the screws 11 which are inserted in four of the threaded holes 17. By appropriately selecting the four threaded holes in which to insert the screws 11 there is achieved preliminary rough stepped adjustment of elevation in an angle which in the non-limiting example described here is ±50°.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 2A there is present a turnbuckle 7 fixed on one side to the support 5, which is in turn rigidly connected to the pole by a U-bolt 14 under the jaw 3, and on the other side to the jaw 3 of the interface element 2.

After loosening the U-bolts 4, rotating the turnbuckle 7 achieves fine rotation around the axis O-O and hence fine azimuth adjustment.

Rough azimuth adjustment is achieved by manually rotating the support bracket 1 around the antenna supporting pole 22 after loosening the U-bolts 4 while using the support 5 to hold up the antenna system.

The azimuth adjustment system thus uses two components 3 and 5 which are both attached to the pole and engaged one against the other and are tightened or loosened alternately and made to run against each other. The variant just described has the advantage of being usable with poles of different diameter thanks to the special pole attachment (the U-bolts).

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1 B and 3, rotation around the antenna polarization axis P-P is achieved by loosening the screws 20 for fixing the antenna to the support by turning the screw 16 or the screw 18, depending on the desired direction.

These screws buck against a reinforcing rib 19 present in the rear part of the reflector to cause rotation of the antenna around the axis P-P. Rotation is allowed by the slots 15 in the support bracket 1 in which the antenna setting screws 20 can run after loosening.

After adjustment, all the setting screws must be tightened.

Variants on the embodiment of the non-limiting example described are possible without going beyond the protective scope of the present invention. In accordance with a possible variant embodiment especially useful in case of fixed-diameter poles, the azimuth adjustment system can be provided as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C.

In the new interface element 23 the jaw 3 and the U-bolts 4 of FIGS. 1 A, 1 B are replaced by a jaw 24 which is tightened on the supporting pole by means of a counter-jaw 25 and the screws 26. The jaw 24 and the counter-jaw 25 have a central inner groove in ring form shown in broken lines in the FIGS.. In addition, the counter-jaw 25 has a central through slot 32 in whose sides are provided two ribs for support of the screws 27 and 28, which can be fitted if necessary with lock nuts.

The support 5 and the U-bolts 14 of the FIGS. 1A, 1B are replaced by a ring consisting of two parts 29 and 30 connected on one side by a pin 31 and on the other side, by means of appropriate side-by-side protuberances, using the screws 33. The screws 27 and 28 buck on the sides of these protuberances.

By turning them on the pin 31 , the two parts 29 and 30 are opened to allow wrapping around the pole to which they are rigidly fastened by the screws 33. Then the jaw 24 and the counter-jaw 25 are mounted on the pole in such a manner that the ring formed by the two parts 29 and 30 remains in the central groove and the protuberances of the parts 29 and 30 emerge from the slot 32.

After loosening the screws 26, rough azimuth adjustment is achieved by manually turning the jaw and counter-jaw on the ring to utilize the appropriate breadth of the central through slot 32. Fine azimuth adjustment is achieved by turning the screws 27 and 28, depending on the desired direction of rotation.

In accordance with another possible variant embodiment, the polarization adjustment system by means of the screw 16 and 18 can be replaced by a turnbuckle of the type indicated by reference number 7 in FIG. 2A and appropriately anchored on one side of the support bracket 1 and on the other to the antenna 21 , if necessary through a reinforcing rib of the type indicated by reference number 19 in FIG. 3.

In accordance with another variant, in the embodiment of the fine elevation adjustment system the round flange 8 and the support bracket 1 can be interchanged to provide the teeth 9 of the support bracket 1 and the seats 10 and 10' for the adjustment screw 6 on the round flange 8. In accordance with another variant, in the embodiment of the fine polarization adjustment system the support bracket 1 and the rear part of the antenna can be interchanged to provide the supports for the adjustment screws 16 and 18 on the rear part of the antenna, and the reinforcing rib 19 on the support bracket 1.

Claims

1. System for fine antenna aiming adjustment on three orthogonal axes respectively of elevation, azimuth and polarization and comprising a first antenna bracket (1) to be connected to an antenna supporting pole (22), characterized in that: it includes an interface element (2) between said first bracket (1) and said antenna supporting pole (22) consisting of an element (3,4,5, 14;24,25,29,30) for rigid connection to said antenna supporting pole (22), a central part, and a flange (8) perpendicular to said elevation axis and connecting to said first bracket (1); - said first bracket (1) consists of a first part, which develops along said elevation axis and on which is fixed the antenna, and a second part, orthogonal to the first, and to which is connected said flange (8); said rigid connection element (3,4,5, 14;24,25,29, 30) comprises two components (3 and 5) both attached to said antenna supporting pole (22), mutually engaged and sliding one against the other, which are tightened or loosened alternately for azimuth adjustment, being also provided fine azimuth adjustment means connected between said two components (3 and 5); said second part of the first bracket (1) and said flange (8) are connected together through elevation adjustment means which allow their mutual rotation; and - said first part of the first bracket (1) and the rear part of the antenna are connected together through polarization adjustment means which allow their mutual rotation.

2. Fine antenna aiming adjustment system in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the two components of said rigid connection element (3,4,5,14) consist respectively of: a first jaw (3) connected to said antenna supporting pole (22) through U-bolts (4) surrounding said pole like a band; a second bracket (5) connected to said antenna supporting pole (22) through U-bolts (14) surrounding said pole like a band in a position underlying and supporting said first jaw (3), said first jaw being rotated on said second bracket for azimuth adjustment; and in that said fine azimuth adjustment means consist of a turnbuckle (7) connected on one side to said second bracket (5) and on the other to said first jaw (3).

3. Fine antenna aiming adjustment system in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that the two components of said rigid connection element

(24,25,29,30) consist respectively of: a second jaw (24) which tightens on said antenna supporting pole (22) by means of a counter-jaw (25) and screws (26) with said jaw and counter-jaw having a central internal groove in ring form in whose sides are provided two ribs for support of first adjustment screws (27,28), said counter-jaw also having a central through slot (32); a ring consisting of two parts (29,30) connected together on one side by a pin (31) and on the other, through side-by-side protuberances, by screws (33) which tighten said ring on said antenna supporting pole (22), said ring (29,30) being inserted in said central internal groove of said second jaw and counter-jaw in such a manner that said side-by-side protuberances emerge from said central through slot (32) while for azimuth adjustment said second jaw and counter jaw (24,25) and said ring (29,30) are mutually rotated; and in that said fine azimuth adjustment means consist of said first adjustment screws (27,28) which buck against said side-by-side protuberances.

4. Fine antenna aiming adjustment system in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that said elevation adjustment means connected between said second part of the first bracket (1) and said flange (8) comprise: first slots (13) made in a circumference of said flange (8); threaded holes drilled in a corresponding circumference of said second part of said first bracket (1) and more numerous than said first slots (13); - first screw means (11), one for each of said first slots, coupling said first slots with said threaded holes; for elevation adjustment there being previously selected those of said threaded holes into which to insert said first screw means, the latter running in said first slots in such a manner as to allow mutual rotation of said second part of said first bracket (1) and said flange (8); and - for fine elevation adjustment there being provided teeth (9) either on said flange (8) or on said second part of the first bracket (1), and seats (10,10') for an adjustment screw (6) provided in corresponding positions either on said second part of the first bracket (1) or on said flange (8), with the threading of said adjustment screw engaging with said teeth (9).

5. Fine antenna aiming adjustment system in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that said polarization adjustment means connected between said first part of the first bracket (1) and the rear part of the antenna comprise second slots made in a circumference of said first part of the first bracket (1) and in which are inserted second screw means (20) which connect to said rear part of the antenna, the rotation of said second screw means providing said polarization adjustment.

6. Fine antenna aiming adjustment system in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that for fine polarization adjustment there are provided both second adjustment screws (16,18), held by supports made either on said first part of the first bracket (1) or on the rear part of the antenna, and a reinforcing rib against which buck said second adjustment screws (16,18) being provided correspondingly either on the rear part of the antenna or on said first part of the first bracket (1).

7. Fine antenna aiming adjustment system in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that for fine polarization adjustment there is provided a second turnbuckle connected on one side to said first part of the first bracket (1) and on the other to said rear part.