Wind measurement system for optical devices

Abstract

A rifle scope 4 comprises ultrasonic elements 1 for emitting ultrasonic waves into the air flow and capturing them for analysis. a hinged protective cap 2 attached to a body of the rifle scope 4. The hinged protective cap 2 serves a dual purpose as a protective element for the objective lens 3 when the scope 4 is not in use and as a reflection surface for ultrasonic waves during wind measurement. Alternatively, the scope 4 has a reflective plate that can be retracted or extended. The reflective plate is lowered down on top of a surface with ultrasonic elements when wind measurements are not desired and retracted up to create an air gap when the wind measurement is to be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description sets forth exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. It should be recognised, however, that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the description also encompasses combinations and modifications to those exemplary aspects described herein. The present disclosure relates to a system and method for measuring wind speed and direction, particularly in the context of shooting accuracy. In some aspects, the system may be integrated into a rifle scope or other optical devices, providing real-time, non-intrusive wind data acquisition. This integration may allow for a more streamlined shooting process, as the shooter may not have to shift focus from the target to measure wind conditions. More specifically, the system may utilize ultrasonic waves to determine wind speed and direction. These waves may be emitted into the air flow and captured for analysis. In some cases, the system may incorporate an objective lens protective cap or a retractable reflective plate to create an air gap for the ultrasonic waves. This arrangement may allow for a compact form factor, without substantially altering the structure or weight of the rifle scope or other optical devices. The wind data acquired by the system may be used to adjust the point of aim, potentially enhancing shooting accuracy in varying wind conditions. In some aspects, the wind data may be displayed in various ways, such as in the rifle scope's viewfinder or on an external display. This flexibility in data presentation may provide the shooter with convenient and immediate access to wind information, facilitating quick adjustments to the point of aim. In some cases, the system may be an integral part of the rifle scope or other optical instruments. In other cases, it may be a separate accessory that can be mounted around the objective lens of other rifle scopes. This versatility may allow for the system to be used with a wide range of shooting equipment, potentially broadening its applicability and utility in the field. In addition to its use in rifle scopes, the system and method disclosed herein may also be beneficial for handheld optical instruments, such as binoculars, rangefinding binoculars, spotting scopes, night vision and thermal sights, binoculars, and monoculars. This broad applicability may provide users of these devices with valuable wind information, potentially enhancing their functionality and effectiveness. Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of a front part of a rifle scope 4 with an integrated wind measurement module is depicted. In some aspects, ultrasonic elements 1 may be located on the upper part of the objective lens 3. In some cases, a hinged protective cap 2 may be attached to the body of the rifle scope 4. The hinged protective cap 2 may serve a dual purpose. When the rifle scope 4 is not in use, the hinged protective cap 2 may act as a protective element for the objective lens 3, shielding it from dust, sand, moisture, and other potentially damaging elements. In other aspects, during wind measurement, the hinged protective cap 2 may act as a deflection surface for ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic elements 1 may emit ultrasonic waves into the air flow, which may then be deflected by the hinged protective cap 2 and captured for analysis. This arrangement may allow for a compact form factor, without substantially altering the structure or weight of the rifle scope 4. In some cases, the hinged protective cap 2 may be folded back to form a reflection surface for the ultrasonic waves. This may allow the wind measurement module to maintain a small form factor, even when in use. The use of the hinged protective cap 2 as a deflection surface for ultrasonic waves may provide a functional variation to the wind measurement module, potentially enhancing its utility and versatility. In other cases, the hinged protective cap 2 may be designed to be easily manipulated, allowing the shooter to quickly and conveniently switch between its protective and deflection functions. This may facilitate real-time, non-intrusive wind data acquisition, potentially improving shooting accuracy in varying wind conditions. In some aspects, the wind measurement module may be integrated into the rifle scope 4 in such a way that it does not substantially alter its form factor or weight. This may allow for the system to be used with a wide range of shooting equipment, potentially broadening its applicability and utility in the field. Referring to FIGS. 2-3, an isometric view of a rifle scope 4 with integrated wind measurement capabilities is depicted. In some aspects, a reflective plate 5 may be shown in a retracted position, enabling an air gap and revealing mounted ultrasonic elements 6. The retracted reflective plate 5 may be supported by pins 7, which can be pushed into cavities 8 to bring the reflective plate 5 down when there is no immediate demand for wind measurement, or when rifle is stored or transported. In some cases, the reflective plate 5 may be lowered down on top of the surface with ultrasonic elements 6 when wind measurements are not desired, for example, when the rifle scope 4 is not in use or when there is no wind during shooting. The reflective plate 5 may then be retracted up to create an air gap when the wind measurement is to be performed. This arrangement may allow for a compact form factor, without substantially altering the structure or weight of the rifle scope 4. In other aspects, the reflective plate 5 may be designed to be easily manipulated, allowing the shooter to quickly and conveniently switch between its retracted and extended positions. This may facilitate real-time, non-intrusive wind data acquisition, potentially improving shooting accuracy in varying wind conditions. In some cases, the wind measurement module may be integrated into the rifle scope 4 in such a way that it does not substantially alter its form factor or weight. This may allow for the system to be used with a wide range of shooting equipment, potentially broadening its applicability and utility in the field. In other cases, the wind measurement module may be a separate accessory that can be mounted around the objective lens 8 of other rifle scopes. This versatility may allow for the system to be used with a wide range of shooting equipment, potentially broadening its applicability and utility in the field. In addition to its use in rifle scopes, the system and method disclosed herein may also be beneficial for handheld optical instruments, such as binoculars, rangefinding binoculars, spotting scopes, night vision and thermal sights, binoculars, and monoculars. This broad applicability may provide users of these devices with valuable wind information, potentially enhancing their functionality and effectiveness. A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. SUMMARY OF INVENTION This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system includes a wind measurement module integrated into a rifle scope or other optical devices. The module uses ultrasonic waves to determine wind speed and direction, with the waves emitted into the air flow and captured for analysis. The system incorporates an objective lens protective cap or a retractable reflective plate to create an air gap for the ultrasonic waves. The wind data is then used to adjust the point of aim, providing real-time, nonintrusive wind data acquisition. According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the system may include one or more of the following features. The system may be an integral part of the rifle scope and other optical instruments or a separate accessory. The wind data can be displayed in various ways, including in the rifle scope's viewfinder or on an external display. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may also be beneficial for handheld optical instruments, such as binoculars, rangefinding binoculars, spotting scopes, night vision and thermal sights, binoculars, and monoculars. This broad applicability may provide users of these devices with valuable wind information, potentially enhancing their functionality and effectiveness. According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the system may include a hinged protective cap that serves a dual purpose. When the rifle scope is not in use, the hinged protective cap may act as a protective element for the objective lens, shielding it from dust, sand, moisture, and other potentially damaging elements. During wind measurement, the hinged protective cap may act as a deflection surface for ultrasonic waves. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the system may include a reflective plate that can be retracted or extended. The reflective plate may be lowered down on top of the surface with ultrasonic elements when wind measurements are not desired, for example, when the rifle scope is not in use or when there is no wind during shooting. The reflective plate may then be retracted up to create an air gap when the wind measurement is to be performed. The foregoing general description of the illustrative embodiments and the following detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspects of the teachings of this disclosure and are not restrictive.

Claims

1. A rifle scope incorporating ultrasonic elements for emitting ultrasonic waves into the air flow and capturing them for analysis; and a hinged protective cap attached to the body of the rifle scope, characterised in that the hinged protective cap serves a dual purpose as a protective element for the objective lens (3) when the scope is not in use and as a reflection surface for ultrasonic waves during wind measurement.

2. The rifle scope of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic elements are configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the air flow and capture them for analysis, the analysis being used to determine wind speed and direction.

3. The rifle scope of claim 2, wherein the analysis of the ultrasonic waves includes a time of flight method or a phase shift method to calculate wind speed and direction.

4. The rifle scope of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display for presenting the wind data to a user, the display being integrated into the viewfinder of the rifle scope or mounted externally to the rifle scope .

5. The rifle scope of any preceding claim, wherein the hinged protective cap is configured to fold back to form a reflection surface for the ultrasonic waves when the rifle scope is in use, and to act as a protective element for the objective lens when the rifle scope is not in use.

6. A method for measuring wind speed and direction, the method comprising:emitting ultrasonic waves into the air flow using ultrasonic elements (1) integrated into a rifle scope (4);capturing the ultrasonic waves for analysis; andusing a hinged protective cap (2) attached to the body of the rifle scope (4) as a deflection surface for the ultrasonic waves,characterised in that the hinged protective cap (2) serves a dual purpose as a protective element for an objective lens (3) when the scope is not in use and as a deflection surface for ultrasonic waves during wind measurement.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the ultrasonic elements (1) are configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the air flow and capture them for analysis, the analysis being used to determine wind speed and direction.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the analysis of the ultrasonic waves includes a time of flight method or a phase shift method to calculate wind speed and direction.

9. The method of claim 6 or 7, further comprising a step of presenting the wind data to a user, the data being displayed in the rifle scope's viewfinder (4) or on an external display.

10. The method of any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the hinged protective cap (2) is configured to fold back to form a reflection surface for the ultrasonic waves when the rifle scope (4) is in use, and to act as a protective element for the objective lens (3) when the rifle scope (4) is not in use.

11. A rifle scope incorporating ultrasonic elements for emitting ultrasonic waves into the air flow and capturing them for analysis; and a reflective plate that can be retracted or extended,characterised in that the reflective plate is lowered down on top of the surface with ultrasonic elements when wind measurements are not desired and retracted up to create an air gap when the wind measurement is to be performed.

12. The rifle scope of claim 11, wherein the reflective plate is supported by pins that can be pushed into cavities to bring the reflective plate down when there is no immediate demand for wind measurement.

13. The rifle scope of claim 12, wherein the reflective plate is retracted up to create an air gap when the wind measurement is to be performed.

14. The rifle scope of claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic elements are configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the air flow and capture them for analysis, the analysis being used to determine wind speed and direction.

15. The rifle scope of claim 14, wherein the analysis of the ultrasonic waves includes a time of flight method or a phase shift method to calculate wind speed and direction.

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