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Designers and Manufacturers of Astronomical Instrumentation. |
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Anssen Technologies German Equatorial Mounting System -
"Ellesa".
Premier Features of the Ellesa are: Ellesa TXL. Ellesa Observatory Version. Common Features for the Ellesa TXL and Observatory Version:
Strength, Rigidity and Precision of Manufacture. Thermal Mechanical Stability. Forward Compatibility. Number of Options Available. Number of Drive Controllers Available. Simple Operation. Ease of Fitment and Interchange of Optical Tube Assemblies.
Specifications.
**Please note that traditionally Anssen has fewer teeth on the worm
wheels than many of our competitors. High tracking accuracies are obtained
(amongst many other reasons) with gears that are precision machined and
precision ground and that are of large surface areas. A larger number of teeth
is not required to achieve high resolution tracking performance. The accuracy,
strength and shear loading is achieved with both relatively large surface areas
and cross sectional areas of each gear tooth. A larger number of teeth result in
smaller tooth size with smaller surface and cross sectional areas, hence weaker
teeth.
Please note that at the moment this website is still a work in
progress!
The Ellesa telescope mounting system has been developed from the need for
a high performance astronomical telescope mount to suit a wide variety of
customer needs. With the ongoing rapid development of high resolution CCD
cameras over the past ten years, astronomers are demanding ever increasing
performance levels for high resolution imaging. The requirements and demands on
the imaging platform has increased significantly as a result. For the astronomer
requiring a German equatorial mounting system where any number of optical
systems may be fitted, the Ellesa is the perfect choice. The Ellesa is optimised
to the Anssen range of optical tube assemblies. It is perfectly suited to the
various Ritchey-Chretien optical tube assemblies to 18" diameter, Newtonian,
refractor, astrograph, Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain. Anssen is passionate
about creating some of the best astronomical equipment available anywhere in the
world for the high end amateur astronomer.
Based on the needs of leading CCD imagers the Ellesa has been designed
and manufactured for a wide range of uses. We are indebted to several highly
experienced imagers from all over the world for their continual and ongoing
feedback during the development period of this project.
The Ellesa is available
in two basic variants and includes many options available which can be added as
needed. There is no need to purchase an item, or items that you may never need
or use.
The TXL variant offers a relatively light weight mount
for the size and capacity and is aimed squarely at several of the best quality
mounts available anywhere. With light weight high precision research grade
(Grade 2) R.A. and Declination worm wheels manufactured from 7075 grade
aluminium , precision stainless steel ground worms, 70mm diameter R.A. and
Declination shafts the mount enables precision tracking to +/-5 arc seconds
without external intervention for telescopes up to 70kg. It is possible to
achieve tracking accuracies to +/-2 arc seconds with programmable a drive
controller.To keep weight and prices to a minimum the TXL has no R.A. or
Declination axis clutch systems or external shaft position encoders. Find out
more details in the schedule below.
For the most critical and demanding
instrumentaton requirements it is difficult to exceed the quality and features
of the Ellesa Observatory variant. The R.A. and Declination worm wheels are
aluminium hubs fitted with a phosphor bronze gear insert which has been
precision hobbed and features lapped finishes to attain research grade (Grade 1)
quality. Precision machined, hardened and finely ground stainless steel worms
are a final procedure to attain research grade quality of the total product. On
completion each worm and wheel is numbered, tested and catalogued. Precision
tracking better than +/-5 arc seconds without external intervention, with a
programmable drive controller better than +/- 2 arc seconds.
Features also
of importance are the 88mm diameter R.A. and Declination shafts, adjustable
clutch systems on both axis, optical position encoders on both axis and a
telescope payload of 85kg. Find out more details in the schedule below.
Maximising
strength and minimising total weight has been an important aspect of the design
process. The mount is at the limits of existing technology and materials use,
whilst maintaining a reasonable asking price for product quality.
The basic design concept enables the
Ellesa to be operated successfully over extreme temperature ranges and
temperature gradients without affecting the performance or precision of
operation. Estimated operating temperature ranges from minimum of -10 degrees
Celcius to maximum of +50 degrees Celcius.
The overall basic design enables the mount
and all options to be upgraded at any time as needed by the customer. It is
therefore possible to purchase the mount with only basic accessories as needed
at the time of purchase, bearing in mind that as needs and requirements increase
further accessories can be purchased to increase the performance levels of the
product. We expect that many new options will be made available in the near
future so as to increase the versatility of the total product. Also, as
technology develops in the industry in general newer and higher level options
will become available.
A significant number of options are
available for both variants of the Ellesa. The choice can be made by the
customer to suit particular requirements. If neccesary during the ordering
process we will provide assistance with what is needed.
Both versions of the Ellesa
are compatible with a number of drive controllers and total observatory systems
offered by various manufacturers and depend on customer needs and requirements.
The customer is not forced to purchase a proprietary drive controller, or any
controller at all. During the ordering process Anssen determines the most
suitable motor and gear reducer combination as needed by the customer.
Basic processes and operations are well laid out
with simple manual access assuming that the majority of the use of the equipment
is in total darkness and most probably with the operator wearing protective
clothing. During both imaging operations and computer controlled operations it
is entirely possible that the operator will rarely need to manually touch the
mount which increases time management efficiencies and end image quality. We are
aware that during imaging runs and surveillance operations every second can
count.
The
general layout of the German equatorial mounting system permits a flexible
arrangement of telescope payloads which are neccessary to many amateurs. Simple
and straightforward design techniques of the Ellesa help accentuate the ease of
fitting any number of optical tube assemblies up to the permssible maximum load
capacity. It should be noted that although we advertise a maximum load rating in
kilograms for each version of the mount these are only offered as a guide. There
are many telescopes which are overly long relative to their weight and aperture
and may overload the mount. Please contact us should you have concerns about
this point.
FEATURES.
ANSSEN
ELLESA.
TXLANSSEN
ELLESA.
OBSERVATORY
VERSION
R.A. Worm Wheel Diameter.
306.0mm (12.0")
7075 grade aluminium
**236 Tooth306.0mm (12.0")
phosphor bronze
**236 Tooth
Decl. Worm Wheel Diameter.
220.0mm (8.7")
7075 grade aluminium
**166 Tooth220.0mm (8.7")
phosphor bronze
**166 Tooth
Worm Shaft Diameter.
32.0mm stainless steel
32.0mm stainless steel,
hardened and ground
R.A. Shaft
Bearing Diameter.110.0mm tapered roller
at both ends of shaft110.0mm tapered roller
at both ends of shaft
Declination Shaft
Bearing
Diameter.110.0mm tapered roller
at both ends of shaft110.0mm tapered roller
at both ends of shaft
R.A. Worm Wheel
Bearing
Diameter.Not
applicable as there is
no clutch system.
Worm wheel is solid
mounted.183.0mm
Declination Worm Wheel
Bearing
Diameter.Not
applicable as there is
no clutch system.
Worm wheel is solid
mounted.183.0mm
R.A. Shaft Diameter.
70.0mm
Steel, zinc
plated88.0mm
High Tensile Steel,
zinc plated
Declination Shaft Diameter.
70.0mm
Steel, zinc
plated88.0mm
High Tensile Steel,
zinc plated
Latitude Adjustment Range.
15-58 degrees, additional
available
15-58 degrees, additional
available
Azimuth Adjustment Range.
+/-7
degrees
+/-7
degrees
R.A. and Decl. Clutches.
Not
Available
Yes,
Adjustable
Claimed Maximum Periodic Error without
intervention.
+/-
7 arc second
Less
than +/- 5 arc second
R.A. and Decl. Shaft Encoders.
20000
steps per telescope shaft rev.Not
Available
Yes
Weight Equatorial Head.
without
counterweight shaft,
weights or saddle plate.(kg.)36
kg.
45
kg.
Maximum OTA Load Capacity.
70
kg.
85
kg.
Counterweight Shaft.
Straight shaft, not threaded.
length: 455mm
diameter: 44.4mm
weight: 5
kgThreaded to suit
threaded counterweights.
length: 630mm
diameter: 44.4mm
weight: 7.5 kg
Counterweights.
see
"Ellesa Optional Equipment".see
"Ellesa Optional Equipment".
Drive Controllers
Piers
Counterweights
Telescope
Saddle
Plates
Anticipated
Shipping Schedules
Price
List
Last Revised:
May 12, 2006.
Copyright © 2006. Anssen Technologies Ltd. All rights
reserved.