Active Vortex Control System for Optical Sensor Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems protecting sensitive components from hostile external environments, such as electro-optical sensors, are hindered by the need for expensive optical windows that suffer from thermal distortion and mass engineering challenges, leading to delayed target acquisition and tracking in missile systems.
Innovation Solution
An active vortex control system (AVOCS) generates a vortex in front of sensitive components by injecting gas into a cavity, interfering with external flow fields and maintaining coherence to block external flow, eliminating the need for optical windows and allowing earlier component activation during missile intercepts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If optical windows are used to protect sensitive components from external flow fields, then components are protected from thermal loads and contamination, but the system experiences thermal distortion of the window's refractive index causing image distortion and position shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical window from the system entirely and replaces it with a vortex flow control mechanism. The vortex acts as a virtual barrier that protects sensitive components without introducing thermal distortion, thereby eliminating the trade-off between protection and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vortex flow field as an intermediary between the external environment and the sensitive components. This vortex acts as a protective mediator that deflects hot external flow while allowing optical signals to pass through without distortion, solving both protection and imaging accuracy requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical windows are used to protect components, then thermal protection is provided, but the system cost and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical windows with a simpler, actively controlled vortex system. The vortex is generated by relatively simple gas injection nozzles and maintained by active flow control, offering a cost-effective and manufacturable solution compared to precision optical windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical/optical window structure with an active fluid dynamic system. Instead of using a solid optical barrier that requires precise manufacturing and thermal management, the system uses a controlled vortex flow field that adapts dynamically to protect components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical windows are used to allow multiple frequencies to pass, then broadband transmission is achieved, but significant engineering mass and manufacturing challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a homogeneous vortex flow field that uniformly protects all frequencies of optical radiation. Unlike optical windows that require complex multi-layer coatings to transmit different frequencies, the vortex flow provides uniform protection across the entire electromagnetic spectrum without adding differential mass for different frequency ranges.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the nose cone is retained to protect components during flight, then thermal protection is maintained, but target acquisition and tracking are delayed by several seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the vortex protection system in advance by positioning injection nozzles and pre-charging gas supply systems before nose cone jettison. The vortex is rapidly established immediately after nose cone removal, allowing target acquisition to begin without delay while maintaining thermal protection during the brief exposure period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static passive protection system (nose cone) to a dynamic active protection system (vortex). The vortex can be rapidly activated and adjusted in real-time, allowing the system to provide protection when needed while enabling quick transition to sensor operation, thereby reducing target acquisition time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
AVOCS enables earlier and more reliable target acquisition and tracking by protecting components from thermal loads and debris, reducing the likelihood of system failure and the need for additional assets, while conserving resources by allowing earlier jettisoning of nose cones and reducing thermal distortion.
Implementation Method 1
An active vortex control system (AVOCS) that injects gas into a cavity to generate a vortex in front of the components
Implementation Method 2
The rotating fluid stabilizes the flow and eliminates any random oscillations of the stagnant gas
Data Source
AI summary
An active vortex control system (AVOCS) includes a set of primary injectors that inject gas into a cavity to generate a vortex in front of and possibly around components inside the cavity. The vortex interferes with an external flow field in an opening to the cavity to protect the components from the external environment. Sets of secondary injectors may inject gas at a reduced mass flow into the cavity to compensate for energy losses to maintain the coherence of the vortex. The AVOCS is well suited for use in windowless endo- and exo-atmospheric interceptors to protect the electro-optical imagers and optical components from Earth atmosphere.