Stabilizing active suspension of the aerostat radar station rotating antenna

The paper considers the problem of the precision accurate angular orientation and stabilization of the radar station rotating antenna suspended from the tethered balloon and exposed to external vibrational influences capable of leading to significant amplitudes of the low-frequency oscillations in roll and pitch (±15°) at the angular velocity of 10 s-1. Analysis of the known solutions to this problem demonstrated that they all were reduced to the aerostat stabilizers in the form of the tail assembly, as well as to using passive or active stabilizing suspensions. It was noted that gimbal or other suspension with formation of a physical pendulum was used in passive suspensions that were unable to meet modern requirements for accuracy of orientation and stabilization of the rotation axis of the aerostat radar antenna (no more than 6’). Additional use of the servo drives with the self-braking mechanical gears or introduction of the active suspension based on a tripod in combination with the pendulum suspension would inevitably lead to an increase in mass, energy consumption and cost. Possibility of solving this problem is shown on the example of a stabilizing active suspension constructed using the pneumatic automation system elements. A stabilizing active suspension for the rotating antenna of an aerostat radar station is proposed. The proposed suspension is universal and could be used in other areas, for example, in lifting and transport systems designed to work with the objects of increased hazard, as well as in precise installation works in the hard-to-reach locations, for example, with using helicopters or high-altitude cranes.