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Pulsar Monitoring Antenna Design Project

Hole plinth
Frame
Frame with Driveshaft
Finished Structure and Antennas

July 2003 - Frame fully fabricated and Galvanised.
The Picture (right) shows the frame sitting in the grounds of the University Observatory at Acre  Road.  
Provisional mechanical finish date August 15th 2003.
To complete the mechanical assembly the Frame is to be fully positioned accurately on the plinth, the Rotator and shaft are to be attached and correctly aligned, and finally the Antenna Array with welded Aluminium H-section is to be mounted on top of the shaft (which runs up the 56 degree angled beam).



Photo of Fully Fabricated Antenna Support Structure July 2003.
 Pulsar Monitorring Antenna Support Frame
May 2003 - Concrete plinth laid at Acre Road and cabling and conduit installed.
Structure for Glasgow to be completed by end of June/mid July 2003.

January 2003 - Finalised Design of the Radiotelescope (Pulsar Monitoring Antenna) Structure
to be situated in the grounds of the Glasgow University Observatory on Acre Road in Glasgow. The structure is currently undergoing manufacture by the mechanical workshop within the physics department here at Glasgow University. There will also be one further structure to be built for the GEO600 site in Hanover, Germany and will be sent out early to mid 2003.

Information about the Structure
The structure has been designed using 100x100mm steel box section and will be mounted on a concrete plinth. The design incorporates a HyGain T2XDX Tail-Twister rotator turning the shaft which in turn rotates the antenna. As the rotator is designed to support an Antenna array vertically (the typical arrangement when supporting an antenna), extensive design work into a shaft and bearing assembly was required to ensure that the Rotator is not damaged when mounting it at the specified 56degree* (aimed towards the pole star). To account for the unique design a 2" aluminium shaft supported by two NSK NP2 plummer block bearings.

The final structure will be either galvanised and powder coated or given a special silicon coat and will last it's specified lifespan of around 15 years.

OTHER NOTES:
* The structure supplied for the GEO site in Hannover will be manufacture to accomodate a 52.5degree angle so as to be aimed accurately at the pole star (as opposed to the 56 degree angle required in Glasgow)
Rendering of the fully assembled Pulsar Monitoring Antenna.
Assembly

Rendering of Radiotelescope in use.

Radiotelescope1

Detail View of the adjustable bearing stand at top bearing.


Zoom 1

An adjustable bearing stand is a necessary addition to the design and ensures that the shaft from the rotator can always be kept straight even if the angled box section beam deflects over time due to weathering.


Final Assembly August 14th 2003