Active tangent link system for transverse support of large thin meniscus mirrors

Douglas R. Neill; Victor Krabbendam; John Andrew; Michael Warner; Steve Heathcote; German Schumacher; Brooke Gregory; Eduardo Serrano

doi:10.1117/12.730273

17 September 2007 Active tangent link system for transverse support of large thin meniscus mirrors

Douglas R. Neill, Victor Krabbendam, John Andrew, Michael Warner, Steve Heathcote, German Schumacher, Brooke Gregory, Eduardo Serrano

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6665, New Developments in Optomechanics; 66650F (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.730273
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

An active tangent link system was developed to provide transverse support for large thin meniscus mirrors. The support system uses six tangent links to control position and distribute compensating force to the mirror. Each of the six tangent links utilizes an electromechanical actuator and an imbedded lever system working through a load cell and flexure. The lever system reduces the stiffness, strength and force resolution requirements of the electromechanical actuator and allows more compact packaging. Although all six actuators are essentially identical, three of them are operated quasi statically, and are only used to position the optic. The other three are actively operated to produce an optimal and repeatable distribution of the transverse load. This repeatable load distribution allows for a more effective application of a look up table and reduces the demands on the active optics system. A control system was developed to manage the quasi static force equilibrium servo loop using a control matrix that computes the displacements needed to correct any force imbalance with good convergence and stability. This system was successfully retrofitted to the 4.3 meter diameter, 100 mm thick SOAR primary mirror to allow for more expeditious convergence of the mirror figure control system. This system is also intended for use as the transverse support system for the LSST 3.4 meter diameter thin meniscus secondary mirror.

Citation Download Citation

Douglas R. Neill, Victor Krabbendam, John Andrew, Michael Warner, Steve Heathcote, German Schumacher, Brooke Gregory, and Eduardo Serrano "Active tangent link system for transverse support of large thin meniscus mirrors", Proc. SPIE 6665, New Developments in Optomechanics, 66650F (17 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.730273

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