Mechanisms for the elevation structure of a giant telescope

PASJ: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan

Song, Xiaoli¹  Zhang, Hui³  Hu, Shouwei⁴ 

[1] Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210042, China;Technology, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics &Key Laboratory of Astronomical Optics &National Astronomical Observatories/Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics &University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

关键词: methods: analytical;    methods: numerical;    telescopes;   

DOI  :  10.1093/pasj/psy043

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: Oxford University Press

【 摘 要 】

This paper describes an innovative mechanism based on hydrostatic pads and linear motors for the elevation structure of next-generation extremely large telescopes. Both hydrostatic pads and linear motors are integrated on the frame that includes a kinematical joint, such that the upper part is properly positioned with respect to the elevation runner tracks, while the lower part is connected to the azimuth structure. Potential deflections of the elevation runner bearings at the radial pad locations are absorbed by this flexible kinematic connection and not transmitted to the linear motors and hydrostatic pads. Extensive simulations using finite-element analysis are carried out to verify that the auxiliary whiffletree hydraulic design of the mechanism is sufficient to satisfy the assigned optical length variation errors.

【 授权许可】

CC BY