Method and system for controlling the movements of a sighting device and associated aircraft.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a sighting system (26) of an aircraft (1) comprising a sighting member (2) and a control device (27) controlling a movement of the sighting member (2), the sighting member (2) having at least two degrees of freedom in rotation with respect to a frame (3, 3') integral with said aircraft (1) being rotationally movable with respect to a frame (3) integral with said aircraft (1), a first degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in elevation (A1) and a second degree of freedom about an axis of rotation in azimuth (A2).The sighting system (26) includes at least one selection interface (7) for selecting a control mode for the movements of said sighting member (2) from among three modes comprising a first mode in which said sighting member (2) is left free to rotate, a second mode in which said sighting member (2) is held fixed relative to said chassis (3) and a third mode in which said sighting member (2) is remotely controlled by a pilot of the aircraft (1). Abbreviated figure: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method and system for controlling the movements of a sighting device and associated aircraft.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aircraft equipped with sighting devices. Such an aircraft may be, for example, a rotary-wing aircraft equipped with at least one lift rotor, such as a helicopter.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a method and a system for controlling the movements of such a sighting device and an aircraft thus equipped with this control system.

[0003] In addition, such aiming devices may in particular have an application to allow aiming at a target and may include an object of elongated shape which may be in the form of a barrel of a weapon, such as a machine gun, but also a projector to illuminate a target, a camera to film and / or photograph a target, a laser to measure distance or even a water cannon to spray an area for example to fight a fire.

[0004] Generally, such a sighting device is then rotationally mobile relative to a chassis fixed to the aircraft along two perpendicular axes of rotation. Thus, the sighting device can move in rotation relative to the chassis and can describe a first rotational movement about a first axis of rotation in elevation and a second rotational movement about a second axis of rotation in azimuth.

[0005] For example, when an aircraft is resting on the ground on a horizontal plane, the first axis of rotation in elevation allows a vertical scan to be performed with the sighting device, i.e. from top to bottom and vice versa, and the second axis of rotation in azimuth allows a horizontal scan to be performed with the sighting device, i.e. from left to right and vice versa.

[0006] The sighting device may also be positioned laterally at the rear of an aircraft cockpit and be operated exclusively by an operator located outside the aircraft cockpit. The sighting device may also be arranged at an opening and protrude all or part of the aircraft fuselage.

[0007] The operator operating the sighting device is then an additional physical person dedicated to this task who is on board in a cell of the aircraft arranged at the rear of the cockpit and is therefore not the pilot or co-pilot of this aircraft.

[0008] However, if the operator is unable to perform this maneuver of the aiming device or if the operator is absent, a pilot or co-pilot of the aircraft is not able to operate such a aiming device.

[0009] Alternatively and as described by document US20140319217A1, it is known to use a sighting system for handheld weapons comprising pairs of inertial sensors of the gyroscopic, accelerometric and magnetometric type arranged respectively on a weapon and on a helmet worn for example by a pilot of a vehicle, such as an aircraft.

[0010] Such a pair of sensors then makes it possible to determine both the relative orientations and the relative positions in space of the weapon and the helmet.

[0011] However, in this case, the hand-held weapon is exclusively controlled by an aircraft pilot.

[0012] US patent 11821996B1 discloses the tracking of the positions and orientations of entities and objects carried by those entities in an environment, and more specifically, the tracking of the relative positions and orientations of a weapon with respect to an entity in various environments. The entity may be a ground vehicle, a drone, an aircraft, or a human. When the entity is a human, an array of inertial measurement units may be mounted on a helmet worn by that human to detect the helmet's orientation. However, the weapon is then exclusively controlled remotely by a single person wearing the helmet.

[0013] The present invention therefore aims to provide a method and a control system that overcomes the limitations mentioned above. Such a method is intended in particular to allow safer control under all circumstances of the movements of a sighting device relative to a chassis attached to an aircraft.

[0014] Thus, the method and the control system make it possible to adapt to the different events of an aircraft mission and in particular to the case where the operator in control of the aiming device is absent from the aircraft or unable to control the movements of the aiming device.

[0015] For the sake of simplicity, the term "pilot" used hereafter may indifferently refer to a pilot or a co-pilot of the aircraft installed in a cockpit of the aircraft as opposed to an operator installed outside and at the rear of this cockpit.

[0016] The invention therefore relates to a method of controlling the movements of a sighting device of an aircraft, the sighting device comprising at least two degrees of freedom in rotation with respect to a chassis fixed to the aircraft, said at least two degrees of freedom comprising a first degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in elevation and a second degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in azimuth.

[0017] This method is remarkable in that it includes at least one selection of a control mode for the first and second degrees of freedom of the sighting device from among at least three modes comprising: - a first mode in which the sighting device is left free to rotate around the axes of rotation in elevation and azimuth so that it can be maneuvered by an operator, - a second mode in which the sighting device is held fixed relative to the chassis, the aircraft having at least one locking device configured to hold the sighting device in a predetermined position relative to the chassis, - a third mode in which the sighting device is remotely controlled by an aircraft pilot separate from the operator by means of at least one remote control device operated by the aircraft pilot and at least one actuator configured to change a position of the sighting device relative to the chassis, said at least one remote control device generating at least one control instruction, said at least one control instruction being transmitted to a controller, the controller generating a control order transmitted to said at least one actuator.

[0018] In other words, such a control method allows one to select alternatively one of the three control modes.

[0019] For example, an initial selection of one of the three modes can be made at the beginning of a mission, and then during the mission a second selection of another mode can be implemented if necessary or in the event of an emergency related to a sudden inability of the operator to maneuver the aiming device. Thus, such a second selection can be implemented, in particular, during a phase of flight, for example, to allow a pilot or co-pilot of the aircraft to take control of the aiming device's movements.

[0020] Furthermore, the actuator(s) are separate from the locking device(s).

[0021] The actuators may advantageously comprise two DC electric motors for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. The axes of rotation of these electric motors may respectively coincide with the elevation axis and the azimuth axis of rotation.

[0022] Transmission elements, such as gears, pinions, crowns or pulleys, can also allow the transmission of rotational motion between the motors and the axes of rotation in elevation and azimuth of the aiming device.

[0023] The locking elements may, in particular, comprise one or more indexing fingers, each having a cylindrical shape of revolution about an axis of revolution. The locking elements also comprise a motorized means, for example an electric motor, for each indexing finger. Each motorized means allows you to control a translational movement of an indexing finger along its axis of revolution between two positions relative to a support.

[0024] In a locking position of a first indexing finger, the latter cooperates with a first bore of complementary shape to block the rotational degree of freedom of the sighting member along the axis of rotation in elevation.

[0025] In a position of release of the first indexing finger, the latter is arranged outside the first bore of complementary shape to leave free the degree of freedom in rotation of the sighting member along the axis of rotation in elevation.

[0026] Similarly, in a locking position of a second indexing finger, the latter cooperates with a second bore of complementary shape to block the rotational degree of freedom of the sighting member along the axis of rotation in azimuth.

[0027] In a position of release of the second indexing finger, the latter is arranged outside the second bore of complementary shape to leave free the degree of freedom in rotation of the sighting member along the axis of rotation in azimuth.

[0028] In the second mode, the motorized means can be activated and each indexing finger is arranged in its first position so as to block the two rotational degrees of freedom of the sighting member.

[0029] For example, the predetermined position of the sighting device in this second mode may correspond to a predetermined elevation angle along the axis of rotation and a predetermined bearing angle along the axis of rotation. In this way, the predetermined position of the sighting device can allow a line of sight to be oriented towards a target, for example, in a forward direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft extending from the nose to the tail of the aircraft.

[0030] Finally, in the third mode, the locking organ(s) can be activated so that each indexing finger is arranged in its second position so as to release the two rotational degrees of freedom of the sighting organ.

[0031] Advantageously, said at least one selection being operated by the aircraft pilot using a selection interface, the method may include a transmission of a selection signal, carrying the selected control mode, from the selection interface to the controller.

[0032] In other words, the transmission of the selection signal can be carried out via wired or wireless means between the selection interface and the controller. Such a controller may include, in particular, a processing unit independent of the locking element(s) and the actuator(s). Alternatively, the controller may include several processing units integrated respectively into the locking element(s) and into the actuator(s).

[0033] The selection interface may, in particular, be formed by a three-position toggle switch, each position corresponding to one of the three modes. Such a selection interface may also be formed by a screen with a touch panel, this selection interface having virtual buttons displayed on the screen.

[0034] According to another aspect, when the third mode is selected, the method may include a servo control of the position of the aiming device as a function of a position of the helmet, said at least one remote control device comprising a helmet positioning system.

[0035] Such a control system thus allows the pilot to control the movements of the sighting device simply by positioning his helmet in a particular direction.

[0036] Such a helmet positioning system may include helmet position sensors, or even helmet speed or acceleration sensors relative to the aircraft.

[0037] Such an arrangement is advantageous since it allows the pilot to retain the aircraft's piloting controls using his hands and / or feet and to pilot the movements of the sighting device using his head.

[0038] The present invention also relates to an aircraft sighting system comprising a sighting member and a control device controlling a movement of the sighting member, the sighting member having at least two degrees of freedom in rotation with respect to a chassis fixed to the aircraft, the at least two degrees of freedom comprising a first degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in elevation and a second degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in azimuth.

[0039] This system is remarkable in that the control device comprises: • at least one locking device configured to hold the sighting device in position and alternately release it from the chassis, • at least one actuator configured to change the position of the aiming device according to at least one control command, and • a controller generating said at least one command order transmitted to said at least one actuator,

[0040] and in that the aiming system comprises: • at least one remote control device configured to be operated by an aircraft pilot, said at least one remote control device generating at least one control command, said at least one control command being transmitted to the controller, • at least one selection interface allowing selection of a control mode for the movements of the aiming device from among three modes including: • a first mode in which the sighting device is left free to rotate around the axes of rotation in elevation and azimuth so that it can be maneuvered by an operator separate from the pilot, • a second mode in which the sighting device is held fixed relative to the chassis by means of said at least one locking device, and • a third mode in which the aiming device is remotely controlled by the aircraft pilot by means of said at least one remote control device.

[0041] In other words, such a control system is advantageous because it allows either an operator to maneuver the sighting device, or to lock it in position relative to the chassis in a predetermined position for example, or finally the pilot to maneuver this sighting device by means of at least one remote control device which is distant from the chassis on which the sighting device is arranged.

[0042] Thus, in the presence of an operator, the pilot can select the first mode and leave the degrees of freedom of the sighting device relative to the chassis free.

[0043] However, in the absence of the operator or the inability of the operator to maneuver the sighting device, the pilot can then select either the second or the third mode to use and orient the sighting device according to his preference.

[0044] In practice, said at least one remote control device may include a multidirectional button arranged on a handle of an aircraft flight control lever.

[0045] Such a button is said to be multidirectional because it can pivot through at least two degrees of rotational freedom relative to the handle. Such a multidirectional button can then be operated by a finger of the pilot, such as a thumb or index finger, to allow the pilot to manually change the aiming direction of the sight when the third mode is implemented.

[0046] Advantageously, said at least one remote control device may include a positioning system for a helmet worn by the pilot configured to measure a position of the helmet relative to the aircraft.

[0047] Such a positioning system can therefore participate in the control of the movements of the sighting organ by identifying the position or orientation of the helmet worn by the pilot.

[0048] In practice, said helmet positioning system may include a camera mounted on the helmet and a plurality of targets attached to the cockpit walls. The images captured by the camera are then processed by a computer which deduces a position and orientation of the helmet relative to the aircraft cockpit.

[0049] Such a helmet positioning system thus makes it possible to estimate the position and direction of the helmet worn by the pilot and consequently to orient the sighting device accordingly in a corresponding sighting direction.

[0050] In addition, said at least one remote control device may include a system for tracking at least one eye of the pilot.

[0051] Such a system for tracking at least one of the pilot's eyes makes it possible to deduce the direction in which the pilot is looking in order to orient the aiming device in that direction. For example, such a system for tracking at least one eye may include a tracking camera mounted on the helmet and oriented towards one of the pilot's eyes.

[0052] The images captured by this tracking camera are then processed by a computer which deduces a position and orientation of the gaze in relation to the helmet worn by the pilot and possibly, as a complement, a position and orientation of the helmet in relation to the cockpit.

[0053] Advantageously, the sighting system may include a viewing device comprising a sighting camera arranged on the sighting member, the sighting camera generating images of an environment outside the aircraft towards which the sighting member is directed, the images being transmitted to a display arranged in an aircraft cockpit or in a helmet to be viewed by the pilot.

[0054] In other words, such a display device allows the pilot to view on the display an area of ​​the external environment covered by the sighting device. Such an area may not be visible from the cockpit. The display may, for example, consist of a screen mounted on an instrument panel or on a cockpit console.

[0055] According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one locking member may comprise an indexing finger and a bore of complementary shape, the indexing finger being movable in translation between a locking position in which the indexing finger cooperates with the bore and a release position in which the indexing finger is arranged outside the bore.

[0056] Consequently, each rotational degree of freedom of the sighting member can be alternately locked or unlocked by means of an indexing finger. The translational movement of each indexing finger can advantageously be motorized, for example, by means of a worm gear system and an electric motor driving the screw of this system in rotation.

[0057] Furthermore, the control device may include at least two stops configured to limit angularly in rotation one of said at least two degrees of rotational freedom of the sighting member relative to the chassis.

[0058] Such stops are advantageously configured to prevent the aiming device from being oriented towards a component of the aircraft.

[0059] In practice, said at least two stops can be chosen from the group comprising mechanical stops, electrical stops and software stops.

[0060] Mechanical stops can be defined based on safety masks to be applied to prevent the sighting device from being oriented towards the aircraft. Such safety masks can be obtained by means of a digital model analysis of the aircraft. The sighting device's movement is simulated, and areas are intentionally blocked to ensure that a line of sight will not encounter any physical part of the aircraft, such as rotor blades, a fuselage, antennas, a payload arm, a rear fairing, or a tail boom in the case of a helicopter.

[0061] Usually, such mechanical stops include metal parts which are placed at the ends of the permissible stroke of the sighting device, near the axes of rotation in elevation and azimuth.

[0062] In the case of the third mode, it is possible to configure the aiming device's servo control with additional safety barriers such as a software stop, which can be configured according to the different equipment installed on the aircraft, or an electrical stop with an angular presence sensor.

[0063] In this case, such an electrical stop can be redundant and used in case of failure of a computer initially implementing the software stop.

[0064] The mechanical stop may also be redundant and only be activated in the event of failure of the software and / or electrical stops.

[0065] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising a sighting system including at least one sighting member and a control device for the movements of said at least one sighting member.

[0066] Such an aircraft is remarkable in that the sighting system is as previously described.

[0067] For example, such an aircraft may include two sighting devices arranged laterally respectively on the left and right sides with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

[0068] In this case, the aircraft may also include two sighting systems, each comprising at least one sighting control device, at least one remote control device and at least one selection interface.

[0069] The invention and its advantages will become apparent in more detail in the following description, with illustrative examples given by reference to the accompanying figures, which represent:

[0070] [Fig. 1], a diagram illustrating an aircraft in side view,

[0071] [Fig. 2], a perspective view of a sighting device fitted to an aircraft,

[0072] [Fig. 3], an exploded perspective view of a sighting device,

[0073] [Fig. 4], another exploded perspective view of a sighting device,

[0074] [Fig. 5], a top view of an aircraft equipped with two sighting devices,

[0075] [Fig. 6], a schematic view of a selection interface equipping such an aircraft,

[0076] [Fig. 7], a schematic view of a selection interface equipping such an aircraft, And

[0077] the [Fig.8], a logic diagram illustrating a method for controlling a sighting device.

[0078] Elements present in several separate figures are assigned one and the same reference.

[0079] As already mentioned, the invention relates to a control system 26 for controlling movements of a sighting device 2 equipping an aircraft 1, such as for example a rotary-wing aircraft having at least one rotor 18 for participating in the lift of this rotary-wing aircraft 1.

[0080] Such a sighting device 2 allows aiming at a target and may include an elongated object which may be in the form of a gun barrel but also a light source to illuminate a target, a camera to film and / or photograph a target, or even a water cannon to spray an area for example to fight a fire.

[0081] The sighting device 2 can be arranged in a part of the aircraft 1, behind and outside a cockpit 38, and can be operated by an operator. The sighting device 2 is mounted in a movable rotational manner relative to a chassis 3 fixed to the aircraft 1 so as to be able to perform a first rotational movement about an axis of rotation in elevation A1 and a second rotational movement about an axis of rotation in bearing A2.

[0082] In other words, the sighting device 2 is arranged with the chassis 3 via a ball-and-finger joint and has two degrees of rotational freedom about the elevation axis A1 and the azimuth axis A2, which can be oriented perpendicularly to each other. Such an elevation axis A1 can thus be substantially horizontal when the aircraft 1 is resting on a horizontal surface, and the azimuth axis A2 can be substantially vertical, as shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0083] In addition, the system 26 includes a control device 27. The control device 27 includes, on the one hand, at least one locking member 4 configured to hold in position and alternately release the sighting member 2 from the chassis 3 and, on the other hand, at least one actuator 6 configured to change a position of the sighting member 2 according to at least one command generated by the selection interface 7.

[0084] The system 26 also includes at least one remote control device 5 configured to be operated by a pilot of the aircraft 1, this device or these devices of remote control 5 generating a command instruction transmitted to the position control controller 9 of the aiming device 2, 2'.

[0085] Such a controller 9 then generates said at least one command order according to the command instruction received.

[0086] Such at least one remote control device 5 may in particular include a multidirectional button 33 arranged on a handle 34 of a flight control lever 35 of the aircraft 1, such as for example a control lever for a cyclic pitch controlling a cyclically varying pitch of the blades of a helicopter rotor 18.

[0087] In addition, as a complement or alternative, said at least one remote control device 5 may include a positioning system 12 for a helmet 11 worn by the pilot of the aircraft 1 to evaluate the position and orientation of the helmet 11.

[0088] Such a positioning system 12 may in particular include one or more position sensors capable of measuring a relative position of the helmet 11 in the cockpit 38. Such a positioning system 12 of the helmet 11 may thus include at least one sensor, such as a camera 8 mounted on the helmet 11 and a plurality of targets 36 attached to the walls 37 of the cockpit 38.

[0089] The term "sensor" here refers to a physical sensor capable of directly measuring the parameter in question, but also to a system that may include one or more physical sensors as well as signal processing means for providing an estimate of the parameter based on the measurements provided by these physical sensors. Similarly, the term "measurement" of this parameter will refer both to a raw measurement from a physical sensor and to a measurement obtained through more or less complex signal processing from raw measurements.

[0090] In addition, such systems for positioning a helmet in a cockpit are known and it is possible to refer to the literature for detailed descriptions of these systems.

[0091] Furthermore, the sighting system 26 may include at least one selection interface 7 allowing a pilot to select a control mode for the movements of the sighting device 2 from among at least three modes comprising: • a first mode M0D1 in which the sighting device 2 is left free to rotate around the rotation axes in elevation (Al) and azimuth (A2) so that it can be maneuvered by an operator separate from the pilot, • a second mode M0D2 in which the sighting device 2 is held fixed relative to the chassis 3 by means of said at least one locking device 4, • a third mode M0D3 in which the sighting device 2 is remotely controlled by the pilot of the aircraft 1 by means of said at least one remote control device 5.

[0092] Such a selection interface 7 may in particular include a toggle switch, a rotary button or a screen with a touch panel allowing the display of at least three virtual buttons allowing the individual selection of one of the at least three modes M0D1, M0D2 or M0D3.

[0093] As shown in figures 2 to 4, such a sighting member 2 is therefore movable relative to a chassis 3 along two axes of rotation A1, A2.

[0094] Such a chassis 3 can thus emerge laterally from a fuselage of the aircraft 1 and include rods or supports secured by attachment points to a load-bearing structure of the aircraft 1. The chassis 3 can also also include a cylinder of revolution 14 oriented along the axis of rotation in bearing A2.

[0095] The system 26 includes a linking arm 13 having a first bore 16 cooperating with a pin 17 of the sighting member 2 along the axis of rotation in elevation A1 and a second bore 15 oriented along the axis of rotation in azimuth A2 and cooperating with the cylinder of revolution 14 of the chassis 3. Such a linking arm 13 thus makes it possible to provide the two degrees of freedom in rotation in elevation and azimuth of the sighting member 2 with respect to the chassis 3.

[0096] Furthermore, the control device 27 may include at least two stops 45, 46 configured to limit angularly in rotation one of the rotational degrees of freedom of the sighting member 2 relative to the chassis 3.

[0097] Such stops 45, 46 are advantageously configured to prevent the aiming device 2 from being oriented towards an aircraft device 1.

[0098] In the example shown, the said at least two stops 45, 46 are mechanical stops forming radial outgrowths emerging from a flat base 47 of the cylinder of revolution 14 to limit the degree of rotational mobility of the sighting member 2 relative to the chassis 3 along the axis of rotation in azimuth A2.

[0099] These stops 45, 46 can then cooperate with a rim 48 of the connecting arm 13.

[0100] Similarly, such stops can also be arranged at the level of the degree of rotational mobility of the sighting member 2 relative to the chassis 3 along the axis of rotation in elevation AL. In this case, the stops can be arranged at the level of the first bore 16 and the pin 17 of the sighting member 2.

[0101] Alternatively, such at least two stops 45, 46 may be electrical stops and / or software stops.

[0102] The mechanical stops can be defined according to safety masks to be applied to prevent the sighting device 2 from being oriented towards the aircraft 1.

[0103] According to another aspect, said at least one locking member 4 may comprise an indexing finger 43 and a bore 44 of complementary shape. The indexing finger 43 may be moved manually by a pilot and / or an operator or alternatively the indexing finger 43 may be moved automatically by a motorized means, for example an electric motor 39. Each motorized means 39 then allows to control a translational movement of an indexing finger 43 along its axis of revolution between two positions relative to a support.

[0104] Each indexing finger 43 is movable in translation between a locking position in which the indexing finger 43 cooperates at least partially with the bore 44 and a release position in which the indexing finger 43 is arranged outside the bore 44.

[0105] The indexing finger 43 and the motorized means are shown here as being fixed to the connecting arm 13 and the bore 44 is provided in the flat base 47 of the cylinder of revolution 14. Conversely, the indexing finger 43 and the motorized means can be fixed to the flat base 47 of the cylinder of revolution 14 and the bore 44 can be provided in the connecting arm 13.

[0106] In addition, the flat base 47 or the connecting arm 13 may have several bores 44 to allow the sighting member 2 to be held in position relative to the chassis 3 according to different predetermined orientations.

[0107] Similarly, an indexing finger and at least one additional bore can also be arranged at the degree of rotational mobility of the sighting member 2 relative to the chassis 3 along the axis of rotation in elevation Al.

[0108] In this case, the indexing finger and the additional bore(s) can be arranged at the level of the first bore 16 and the pin 17 of the sighting member 2.

[0109] As shown in [Fig.5], the aircraft 1 may include several sighting devices 2, 2' and in particular two sighting devices arranged laterally on either side of a median plane P of the aircraft 1 oriented vertically and extending between a nose and a tail of the aircraft 1.

[0110] Each sighting device 2, 2' is then mobile in rotation respectively relative to a chassis 3, 3' fixed to the aircraft 1.

[0111] It is then possible to define a reference value, for example zero, of the angle of rotation of each sighting member 2, 2' around the axis of rotation in bearing A2 as being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A3 passing through the plane P.

[0112] Each sighting member 2, 2' can then, for example, move in rotation relative to this reference value around the axis of rotation in bearing A2 in a range of +90° forward and -70° backward.

[0113] Consequently, as shown in [Fig.6], the system 26 can include several selection interfaces 7, 7' each having a three-position selection toggle switch 20, 20' to allow individual selection for each sighting member 2, 2' of one of the three modes M0D1, M0D2, M0D3.

[0114] Consequently, the pilot can select, for example, the first mode M0D1 on a first sighting device 2 and the third mode M0D3 on a second sighting device 2'. If, during the mission, the operator is no longer able to control the movements of the first sighting device 2, the pilot can then select the second mode M0D2 using the selection interface 7 and its selection toggle switch 20.

[0115] Furthermore, when aircraft 1 carries on board both a pilot and a co-pilot, the pilot can select, for example, the third mode M0D3 on a first sighting device 2 and the co-pilot can also select the third mode M0D3 on a second sighting device 2'.

[0116] In addition, each selection interface 7,7' may include a two-position arming toggle switch 21,21' allowing, for example, each sighting device 2,2' to be armed so that the pilot can then trigger a complementary action using each sighting device 2,2'. Such a complementary action is then implemented by means of an additional control device not shown and allowing, for example, firing a projectile with a cannon of the sighting device, illuminating a target with a light source, taking a picture with a camera or even spraying an area with a water cannon.

[0117] Each toggle arming switch 21, 21' is thus movable between a first position POS1 corresponding to an inactive state preventing the triggering of the additional action by the additional control member and a second position POS2 corresponding to an active state allowing the triggering of the additional action by the additional control member.

[0118] As shown in [Fig.7], the system 26 may include several selection interfaces 107, 107' each having a four-position selection toggle switch 120, 120' to allow individual selection for each sighting member 2, 2' of one of the four modes M0D1, M0D2, M0D3 or M0D3'.

[0119] The third modes M0D3 and M0D3' correspond to modes in which the two sighting organs 2, 2' can be remotely controlled alternately by a pilot and a co-pilot of the aircraft 1 respectively by means of at least two remote control organs 5.

[0120] Consequently, the pilot can select, for example, the third mode M0D3 on a first selection toggle switch 120 to remotely control the first sighting device 2 and the co-pilot can select the third mode M0D3' on a second selection toggle switch 120' to remotely control the second sighting device 2'.

[0121] On the other hand, if the co-pilot is absent or unable to remotely control the second sighting device 2', the pilot may then select the third mode M0D3' using the selection interface 107 and its selection toggle switch 120.

[0122] As shown in [Fig.8], the invention also relates to a method 100 for controlling the movements of the sighting device 2, 2' equipping the aircraft 1.

[0123] Such a method 100 thus includes at least one selection 101 of the control mode of the movements of the sighting member 2, 2' from among three modes comprising the first mode M0D1, the second mode M0D2 and the third mode M0D3 described previously.

[0124] In addition, the selection(s) 101 are operated by the pilot(s) of aircraft 1 using one or more selection interfaces 7, 7'.

[0125] The method 100 then includes a transmission 102 of a selection signal, carrying the selected control mode, from a selection interface 7, 7' to the position control controller 9 of each sighting member 2, 2'.

[0126] Furthermore, when the third mode M0D3 is selected, the method 100 may include a servo 103 of the position of the sighting member 2, 2' as a function of a position of the helmet 11, said at least one remote control member 5 comprising a positioning system 12 of the helmet 11.

[0127] Naturally, the present invention is subject to numerous variations in its implementation. Although several embodiments have been described, it is understood that it is not conceivable to exhaustively identify all possible embodiments. It is, of course, conceivable to replace a described means with an equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A method (100) for controlling the movements of a sighting device (2, 2') of an aircraft (1), said sighting device (2, 2') having at least two degrees of freedom in rotation with respect to a frame (3, 3') integral with said aircraft (1), said at least two degrees of freedom having a first degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in elevation (A1) and a second degree of freedom in rotation about an axis of rotation in azimuth (A2), characterized in that said method (100) includes at least one selection (101) of a control mode for said first and second degrees of freedom of said sighting device (2, 2') from among at least three modes comprising: - a first mode (M0D1) in which said sighting device (2, 2') is left free to rotate about said axes of rotation in elevation (A1) and in azimuth (A2) to be maneuverable by an operator, - a second mode (M0D2) in which said aiming device (2,2') is held fixed relative to said chassis (3, 3'), said aircraft (1) comprising at least one locking device (4) configured to hold said sighting device (2, 2') in a predetermined position relative to said chassis (3, 3'), - a third mode (M0D3, M0D3') in which said sighting device (2, 2') is remotely controlled by a pilot of the aircraft (1) distinct from said operator by means of at least one remote control device (5) actuated by said pilot of the aircraft (1) and at least one actuator (6) configured to change a position of said sighting device (2, 2') relative to said chassis (3, 3'), said at least one remote control device (5) generating at least one control command, said at least one control command being transmitted to a controller (9), said controller (9) generating a control command transmitted to said at least one actuator (6).,

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one selection (101) is operated by said pilot of the aircraft (1) using a selection interface (7, 7', 107, 107'), said method (100) includes a transmission (102) of a selection signal, carrying said selected control mode, from said selection interface (7, 7', 107, 107') to said controller (9).

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, when said third mode (M0D3) is selected, said method (100) comprises a servo control (103) of said position of said aiming member (2, 2') as a function of a position of said helmet (11), said at least one remote control member (5) comprising a positioning system (12) of said helmet (11).

4. A sighting system (26) of an aircraft (1), said sighting system (26) comprising a sighting member (2, 2') and a control device (27) controlling a movement of said sighting member (2, 2'), said sighting member (2, 2') comprising at least two rotational degrees of freedom relative to a frame (3, 3') integral with said aircraft (1), said at least two degrees of freedom comprising a first rotational degree of freedom about an elevation axis (A1) and a second rotational degree of freedom about an azimuth axis (A2), characterized in that said control device (27) comprises: • at least one locking member (4) configured to hold and alternately release said sighting member (2, 2') relative to said frame (3, 3'), • at least one actuator (6) configured to modify a position of said sighting member (2, 2') as a function of at least one order,and • a position control controller (9) for said aiming device (2, 2'), said controller (9) generating said at least one control order transmitted to said at least one actuator (6), and in that said aiming system (26) comprises: - at least one remote control device (5) configured to be operated by a pilot of the aircraft (1), said at least one remote control device (5) generating at least one control command, said at least one control command being transmitted to said position pilot controller (9) of said sighting device (2, 2'), - at least one selection interface (7, 7', 107, 107') allowing selection (101) of a control mode for the movements of said sighting device (2, 2') from among at least three modes comprising: • a first mode (M0D1) in which said sighting device (2, 2') is allowed to rotate freely about said rotation axes in elevation (A1) and azimuth (A2) to be maneuverable by an operator other than said pilot, • a second mode (M0D2) in which said sighting device (2, 2') is held fixed relative to said chassis (3, 3') by means of said at least one blocking device (4),and • a third mode (M0D3) in which said sighting device (2, 2') is remotely controlled by said aircraft pilot (1) by means of said at least one remote control device (5).

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one remote control element (5) comprises a multidirectional button (33) arranged on a handle (34) of a flight control lever (35) of said aircraft (1).

6. System according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that said at least one remote control element (5) comprises a positioning system (12) for a helmet (11) worn by said pilot configured to measure a position of said helmet (11) relative to said aircraft (1).

7. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said positioning system (12) of said helmet (11) comprises a camera (8) mounted on said helmet (11) and a plurality of targets (36) attached to the walls (37) of a cockpit (38) of said aircraft (1).

8. System according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said at least one remote control member (5) comprises a tracking system (10) of at least one eye of said pilot.

9. System according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that said sighting system (26) comprises a viewing device (40) comprising a sighting camera (41) arranged on said sighting member (2, 2'), said sighting camera (41) generating images of an environment outside said aircraft (1) in the direction of which said sighting member (2, 2') is oriented, said images being transmitted to a display (42) arranged in a cockpit (38) of said aircraft (1) for viewing by said pilot.

10. System according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that said at least one locking member (4) comprises an indexing finger (43) and a bore (44) of complementary shape, said indexing finger (43) being movable in translation between a locking position in which said indexing finger (43) cooperates with said bore (44) and a release position in which said indexing finger (43) is arranged outside said bore (44).

11. System according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that said control device (27) comprises at least two stops (45, 46) configured to limit angularly in rotation one of said at least two degrees of rotational freedom of said sighting member (2, 2') with respect to said chassis (3, 3').

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that said at least two stops (45, 46) are chosen from the group comprising mechanical stops, electrical stops and software stops.

13. Aircraft (1) comprising a sighting system (26) comprising at least one sighting member (2, 2') and a control device (27) for the movements of said at least one sighting member (2, 2'), characterized in that said sighting system (26) is according to any one of claims 4 to 12.

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