Laterally compliant mounting structure
Methods and apparatus for a mounting structure including a first arm having a first stiffness and a second arm having a second stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness in at least one degree of freedom. The first arm includes a flex region that can deflect in response to loading. In embodiments, the mounting structure can movably secure an antenna array to a pedestal.
1. A system, comprising:
a base comprising a pedestal;
equipment comprising an antenna array; and
a mounting structure to movably secure the equipment to the base, wherein the mounting structure comprises;
a first arm having a first stiffness, wherein the first arm comprises a flex region configured to deflect in response to a thermal mismatch between the pedestal and the antenna array; and
a second arm having a second stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness in at least one degree of freedom.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the pedestal and the mounting structure are configured to move the antenna array from a stowed position to a deployed position by pivoting the antenna array about an elevation axis.
3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one degree of freedom comprises translation movement along the elevation axis or an axis parallel to the elevation axis.
4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the flex region is configured to flex in response to lateral loading.
5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the flex region has a thickness that is less than a thickness of adjacent areas of the first arm.
6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein a length of the flex region is at least ten times the thickness of the flex region.
7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein reaction forces at mountings of the mounting structure due to an externally applied lateral load condition are unequally distributed between a first side and second side.
8. The system according to claim 6 , wherein reaction forces at the mountings of the mounting structure due to a thermal expansion or contraction load condition are equally distributed between a first side and second side.
9. A method, comprising:
movably securing equipment, wherein the equipment comprises an antenna array, to a base, wherein the base comprises a pedestal, with a mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure comprises;
a first arm having a first stiffness, wherein the first arm comprises a flex region configured to deflect in response to a thermal mismatch between the pedestal and the antenna array;
a second arm having a second stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness in at least one degree of freedom.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the pedestal and the mounting structure are configured to move the antenna array from a stowed position to a deployed position by pivoting the antenna array about an elevation axis.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one degree of freedom comprises translation movement along the elevation axis or an axis parallel to the elevation axis.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the flex region is configured to flex in response to lateral loading.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the flex region has a thickness that is less than a thickness of adjacent areas of the first arm.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein a length of the flex region is at least ten times the thickness of the flex region.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein reaction forces at mountings of the mounting structure due to an externally applied lateral load condition are unequally distributed between a first side and second side.
16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein reaction forces at the mountings of the mounting structure due to a thermal expansion or contraction load condition are equally distributed between a first side and second side.