Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] Keeping antennas straight

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Keeping antennas straight
From: Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 17:21:00 -0700
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 4/19/14, 1:29 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:


This class of problem involves many uncontrolled variables
such as friction, and how closely a clamp such
as a Slip Knott fits the mast, how much the mast deforms


know what slipped.  Also, be careful what you wish for.
If you have no slip as a mechanical safety valve, your rotator
may break.


In the long run, something like a camera pointed up at the antenna and some software to recognize the instantaneous position of the antenna which then controls the rotator might be the way to go. Then you don't care if it slips,and in fact, you can put what is effectively a slip clutch on it to limit the torque.

This is what they do with some motorized gates: the drive from motor to gate is through a sort of band clamp arrangement. If something jams the gate, or a car pushes through, the clamp just slips. The feedback to the motor controller is driven off the actual gate position, not the actuator.



_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>