Compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device

Abstract

This invention provides a compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device, comprising: a multi-point source system, a collimating optical system, and an open-grid lens tube located inside an environmentally cooled chamber on a five-axis turntable; an insulating flange and a mechanical mounting interface located outside the environmentally cooled chamber on the five-axis turntable; and a target control system placed on the ground. The target control system is connected to the multi-point source system via cables; the open-grid lens tube is fixed to the mechanical mounting interface via the insulating flange, and then mounted on the five-axis turntable via the mechanical mounting interface; both the collimating optical system and the multi-point source system are mounted on the open-grid lens tube. This invention is small in size and light in weight, and can realize cold background infrared target simulation on a five-axis turntable, overcoming the shortcomings of existing infrared cold background target simulators based on vacuum cooled chambers, which are bulky and heavy and cannot be mounted on a turntable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of infrared guidance and control hardware-in-the-loop simulation technology, specifically to a compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device. Background Technology

[0002] Infrared cold background target simulators are an important means of verifying the performance and environmental adaptability of infrared guidance and control systems in low-temperature environments. Existing infrared cold background target simulators typically operate in a vacuum cold chamber, resulting in complex structures, large sizes, and heavy weights, making it impossible to install them on the outer two axes of a five-axis turntable.

[0003] With the development of non-vacuum refrigeration technology, a scheme combining a flexible insulated environment chamber with cryogenic gas convection refrigeration can be adopted. Through continuous convection heat exchange with cryogenic nitrogen, an environmental cold chamber that can adapt to the rapid rotation of a five-axis turntable can be constructed, making it possible to simulate infrared cold background targets on a five-axis turntable system.

[0004] Therefore, in order to simulate infrared cold background targets on a five-axis turntable, there is a market demand for a compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device that can adapt to low-temperature nitrogen convection cooling. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device.

[0006] A compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device provided by the present invention includes: a multi-point source system, a collimating optical system, an open grid lens tube, an insulating flange, a mechanical mounting interface, a target control system, and a five-axis turntable;

[0007] The multi-point source system, collimating optical system, and open grid lens barrel are located inside the environmental cold chamber on the five-axis turntable, while the thermal insulation flange and the mechanical mounting interface are located outside the environmental cold chamber on the five-axis turntable, and the target control system is placed on the ground.

[0008] Preferably, the target control system is connected to the multi-point source system via a cable;

[0009] The open-grid lens barrel is fixed to the mechanical mounting interface via the thermal flange, and then mounted on the five-axis rotary table via the mechanical mounting interface;

[0010] Both the collimating optical system and the multi-point source system are mounted on the open grid lens barrel.

[0011] Preferably, the multi-point source system includes a first point source, a second point source, a third point source, a first beam combiner, a second beam combiner, and a point source mounting base;

[0012] The first point source, the second point source, the third point source, the first beam combiner, and the second beam combiner are all fixedly connected to the point source mounting base, and then mounted to the open grid lens tube through the point source mounting base.

[0013] Preferably, the exit pupil of the collimating optical system is located at or around the rotation center of the five-axis turntable.

[0014] Preferably, the first point source, the second point source, and the third point source adopt the same structure;

[0015] Each point source includes a blackbody, an attenuator, a cold aperture, a first heat insulation structure, a second heat insulation structure, a cold plate, a two-dimensional displacement stage, an attenuator motor, a liquid nitrogen tube, a circulating cooling device, a first temperature controller, a motion controller, and a second temperature controller.

[0016] Preferably, both the first and second heat insulation structures are non-metallic heat insulation materials;

[0017] The attenuator is a circumferentially tapered attenuator, and the attenuation factor changes continuously with the rotation angle.

[0018] Both the cold aperture and the cold plate are made of metal.

[0019] Preferably, the blackbody is fixed to the two-dimensional displacement stage via the first heat insulation structure;

[0020] The attenuator is fixedly connected to the attenuator motor shaft by a second heat insulation structure;

[0021] The two-dimensional displacement stage is connected to the target control system via the motion controller;

[0022] The cold aperture is located on the focal plane of the collimating optical system. The cold aperture is tightly attached to the cold plate. The cold plate has a hollow structure inside and is connected to a circulating cooling device via a liquid nitrogen pipe.

[0023] Preferably, the collimating optical system is an off-axis reflective optical system, comprising a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a third mirror.

[0024] Preferably, the open-grid lens barrel has a grid-shaped hollow structure.

[0025] Preferably, the insulating flange is made of non-metallic insulating material.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. This invention is small in size and light in weight, and can realize the simulation of cold background infrared targets on a five-axis turntable, overcoming the shortcomings of existing infrared cold background target simulators based on vacuum cold chambers, which are large in size and weight and cannot be installed on the turntable.

[0028] 2. This invention can simulate multiple point targets in the infrared mid-wave and long-wave bands. The energy and position of each point target can be controlled, realizing the simulation of multi-point source composite targets in infrared mid-wave and long-wave cold background under high-speed relative motion conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of a compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the working principle of a single point source.

[0032] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows: 1. Multi-point source system; 11. First point source; 12. Second point source; 13. Third point source; 14. First beam combiner; 15. Second beam combiner; 16. Point source mounting base; 2. Collimating optical system; 21. Primary mirror; 22. Secondary mirror; 23. Third mirror; 3. Open grid lens tube; 4. Insulating flange; 5. Mechanical mounting interface; 6. Target control system; 7. Five-axis turntable; 111. Blackbody; 112. Attenuator; 113. Cold aperture; 114. First heat insulation structure; 115. Second heat insulation structure; 116. Cold plate; 117. Two-dimensional displacement stage; 118. Attenuator motor; 119. Liquid nitrogen tube; 110. Circulating refrigeration device; 121. First temperature controller; 122. Motion controller; 123. Second temperature controller. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0034] The present invention provides a compact infrared mid-to-long-wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device, comprising: a multi-point source system 1, a collimating optical system 2, an open grid lens tube 3, an insulating flange 4, a mechanical mounting interface 5, a target control system 6, and a five-axis turntable 7.

[0035] The multi-point source system 1, collimating optical system 2, and open-grid lens tube 3 are located inside an environmentally cooled chamber on a five-axis turntable 7. The insulating flange 4 and mechanical mounting interface 5 are located outside the environmentally cooled chamber on the five-axis turntable 7. The target control system 6 is placed on the ground. The target control system 6 is connected to the multi-point source system 1 via cables. The open-grid lens tube 3 is fixed to the mechanical mounting interface 5 via the insulating flange 4, and then mounted onto the five-axis turntable 7 via the mechanical mounting interface 5. Both the collimating optical system 2 and the multi-point source system 1 are mounted on the open-grid lens tube 3.

[0036] The multi-point source system 1 generates multiple infrared point source radiations, that is, it generates multiple infrared point source radiations and combines them into a single infrared radiation beam. This infrared radiation beam is collimated by the collimating optical system 2, forming a parallel beam of infrared dual-band multi-channel composite radiation. The exit pupil of the collimating optical system 2 is located at or near the rotation center of the five-axis turntable 7. The target control system 6 is connected to the multi-point source system 1 via cables, controlling the energy and position of each point source target, and setting the temperature control and cooling temperatures of relevant components in the multi-point source system 1.

[0037] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, the multi-point source system 1 includes a first point source 11, a second point source 12, a third point source 13, a first beam combiner 14, a second beam combiner 15, and a point source mounting base 16. The first point source 11, the second point source 12, the third point source 13, the first beam combiner 14, and the second beam combiner 15 are all fixedly connected to the point source mounting base 16, and then mounted onto the open grid lens tube 3 via the point source mounting base 16. The beam generated by the first point source 11 and the beam generated by the second point source 12 are combined through the first beam combiner 14, where the first beam combiner 14 transmits the beam from the first point source 11 and reflects the beam from the second point source 12. The combined beam from the first point source 11 and the second point source 12 is then combined a second time with the beam from the third point source 13 through the second beam combiner 15, where the combined beam from the first point source 11 and the second point source 12 passes through the second beam combiner 15, and the beam from the third point source 13 is reflected by the second beam combiner 15.

[0038] The first point source 11, the second point source 12, and the third point source 13 can adopt the same structure. For example... Figure 2As shown, each point source includes a blackbody 111, an attenuator 112, a cold aperture 113, a first heat insulation structure 114, a second heat insulation structure 115, a cold plate 116, a two-dimensional displacement stage 117, an attenuator motor 118, a liquid nitrogen pipe 119, a circulating cooling device 110, a first temperature controller 121, a motion controller 122, and a second temperature controller 123. The infrared radiation generated by the blackbody 111 is attenuated by the attenuator 112 and reaches the cold aperture 113, then forms the infrared beam of the target through a small hole on the cold aperture 113. The cold aperture 113 is located on the focal plane of the collimating optical system 2. The blackbody 111 and the cold aperture 113 generate infrared radiation beams for the target and the cold background, respectively.

[0039] Specifically, the blackbody 111 is fixed to the two-dimensional displacement stage 117 via the first heat insulation structure 114. The two-dimensional displacement stage 117 is connected to the target control system 6 via the motion controller 122, and drives the blackbody 111 to perform two-dimensional linear motion according to the control commands issued by the target control system 6, thereby equivalently simulating the two-dimensional line-of-sight motion of the point target within the field of view. The attenuator 112 is fixed to the shaft of the attenuator motor 118 via the second heat insulation structure 115. The attenuator 112 is a circumferentially tapered attenuator 112, and the attenuation factor changes continuously with the rotation angle. The attenuator motor 118 is connected to the target control system 6 via the motion controller 122, and drives the attenuator 112 to rotate according to the control commands issued by the target control system 6, thereby simulating the continuous energy change of the infrared point target. Both the first heat insulation structure 114 and the second heat insulation structure 115 are made of non-metallic heat insulation materials to prevent heat transfer between the blackbody 111 or the attenuator 112 and other mechanical structures, thereby reducing system thermal noise. The first temperature controller 121 heats and maintains the temperature of temperature-sensitive components such as the motor and guide rails in the two-dimensional displacement stage 117 according to the temperature set by the target control system 6, enabling the two-dimensional displacement stage 117 to operate normally in a cold environment. The second temperature controller 123 heats and maintains the temperature of the attenuator motor 118 according to the temperature set by the target control system 6, allowing the attenuator motor 118 to operate normally in the low-temperature environment of continuous convection cooling with cold nitrogen in the ambient cold chamber. The cold aperture 113 is tightly attached to the cold plate 116, and both are made of metal. Through sufficient heat exchange via heat conduction, the temperature of the cold aperture 113 is kept consistent with the temperature of the cold plate 116. The interior of the cold plate 116 is hollow and connected to the circulating cooling device 110 via a liquid nitrogen pipe 119. The circulating cooling device 110 maintains the temperature of the cold plate 116 and the cold aperture 113 at the set low temperature through continuous liquid nitrogen circulation cooling according to the temperature set by the target control system 6, forming a uniform and stable infrared cold background.

[0040] The collimating optical system 2 includes a primary mirror 21, a secondary mirror 22, and a third mirror 23. The collimating optical system 2 can be an off-axis reflective optical system, which can achieve unobstructed infrared mid- / long-wave dual-band beam transmission and shorten the optical path length, reducing the size of the target simulator. Furthermore, the off-axis reflective optical system can be an off-axis three-reflective optical system, including a primary mirror 21, a secondary mirror 22, and a third mirror 23, which can better correct aberrations and improve optical imaging quality.

[0041] The open-grid lens tube 3 is designed with a grid-shaped hollow structure while ensuring strength. This not only reduces weight but also enables convective heat exchange between the inside and outside of the lens tube. This allows the cold nitrogen gas in the environmental cold chamber to fully convect and exchange heat between the collimating optical system 2 and the multi-point source system 1 inside the target simulator device, maintaining a low temperature and suppressing system thermal noise to facilitate the achievement of a cold background.

[0042] The heat insulation flange 4 is made of non-metallic heat insulation material to prevent the five-axis turntable 7 and mechanical installation interface 5 in the normal temperature environment from conducting heat to the open grid lens tube 3 in the low temperature environment of the environmental cold chamber, and to further conduct heat to the collimating optical system 2 and the multi-point source system 1 through the open grid lens tube 3, which would cause an increase in background thermal noise and a decrease in optical imaging quality.

[0043] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0044] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A compact infrared medium-long wave cold background multi-point source composite target simulation device, characterized in that, include: Multi-point source system (1), collimating optical system (2), open grid lens tube (3), thermal flange (4), mechanical mounting interface (5), target control system (6) and five-axis turntable (7); The multi-point source system (1), collimating optical system (2), and open grid lens tube (3) are located in the environmental cold chamber on the five-axis turntable (7), the thermal flange (4) and the mechanical mounting interface (5) are located outside the environmental cold chamber on the five-axis turntable (7), and the target control system (6) is placed on the ground; The open-grid mirror tube (3) has a grid-shaped hollow structure; The insulating flange (4) is made of non-metallic insulating material; The target control system (6) is connected to the multi-point source system (1) via a cable; The open mesh lens tube (3) is fixed to the mechanical mounting interface (5) through the heat insulation flange (4), and then installed on the five-axis turntable (7) through the mechanical mounting interface (5); Both the collimating optical system (2) and the multi-point source system (1) are mounted on the open grid lens barrel (3); The multi-point source system (1) includes a first point source (11), a second point source (12), a third point source (13), a first beam combiner (14), a second beam combiner (15), and a point source mounting base (16). The first point source (11), the second point source (12), the third point source (13), the first beam combiner (14) and the second beam combiner (15) are all fixedly connected to the point source mounting base (16), and then mounted to the open grid lens tube (3) through the point source mounting base (16); The exit pupil of the collimating optical system (2) is located at or around the rotation center of the five-axis turntable (7); The first point source (11), the second point source (12), and the third point source (13) adopt the same structure; Each point source includes a blackbody (111), an attenuator (112), a cold aperture (113), a first heat insulation structure (114), a second heat insulation structure (115), a cold plate (116), a two-dimensional displacement stage (117), an attenuator motor (118), a liquid nitrogen tube (119), a circulating cooling device (110), a first temperature controller (121), a motion controller (122), and a second temperature controller (123). Both the first heat insulation structure (114) and the second heat insulation structure (115) are non-metallic heat insulation materials; The attenuator (112) is a circumferentially tapered attenuator (112), and the attenuation factor changes continuously with the rotation angle; Both the cold aperture (113) and the cold plate (116) are made of metal.

2. The compact infrared medium-long wave cold background multi-point source complex target simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blackbody (111) is fixed to the two-dimensional displacement stage (117) through the first heat insulation structure (114); The attenuator (112) is fixed to the shaft of the attenuator motor (118) via the second heat insulation structure (115); The two-dimensional displacement stage (117) is connected to the target control system (6) through the motion controller (122); The cold stop (113) is located on the focal plane of the collimating optical system (2). The cold stop (113) is closely attached to the cold plate (116). The interior of the cold plate (116) is hollow and connected to the circulating cooling device (110) through the liquid nitrogen pipe (119).

3. The compact infrared medium-long wave cold background multi-point source complex target simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collimating optical system (2) is an off-axis reflective optical system, including a primary mirror (21), a secondary mirror (22) and a third mirror (23).

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