High-Energy Beam Focusing on Flying Object via 3D Trajectory Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for focusing a high energy beam on a flying object in flight are ineffective due to the lack of three-dimensional information, leading to difficulties in maintaining focus as the object's aspect angle changes or performs maneuvers, causing feature points to become unidentifiable and the beam to lose target precision.

Innovation Solution

A method that records consecutive two-dimensional images, determines the flying object's three-dimensional trajectory, calculates a three-dimensional model, and projects a two-dimensional reference point onto this model to maintain focus on a three-dimensional reference point, allowing the high energy beam to track and focus accurately despite changes in aspect angle or maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If two-dimensional images are used for tracking reference points on a flying object, then the system is simple to operate, but the precision of beam focusing deteriorates when the object performs maneuvers or changes aspect angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidbeam focusing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional image coordinates to three-dimensional spatial coordinates by calculating the position of reference points in 3D space based on the flying object's trajectory and姿态 information. This dimensional upgrade allows the beam focusing system to maintain precision regardless of the object's maneuvers or aspect angle changes, while the operation remains relatively simple through automated calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If feature points are used to define reference points on a flying object, then the initial targeting is straightforward, but the reliability of tracking deteriorates when the object performs maneuvers causing features to become unidentifiable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoidtracking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates the three-dimensional position of reference points on the flying object based on its trajectory and姿态 data before the beam engagement begins. By establishing the spatial coordinates in advance and continuously updating them based on trajectory information, the system maintains reliable tracking even when the object performs maneuvers that make visual feature identification difficult or impossible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If two-dimensional reference points are used for beam focusing, then the system complexity is low, but the duration of effective focus deteriorates when the flying object changes aspect angle or performs maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidduration of focus
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By calculating reference point positions in three-dimensional space rather than relying on two-dimensional image coordinates, the system maintains accurate beam focusing for extended periods even as the flying object changes aspect angle or performs maneuvers. The additional dimensional information from trajectory and姿态 data compensates for the increased computational complexity, enabling sustained precise focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3098561B1Method for focusing a high-energy beam on a reference point on the surface of a flying object in flight
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 MBDA DEUTSCHIAND GMBH
  • EP3098561B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A method for focusing a beam (30) of a high energy radiation source (3), particularly a laser beam, on a reference point (HP) on the surface of a flying object in flight (1), comprises the following steps: a) Recording a number of consecutive two-dimensional images of the flying object (1) in flight with an imaging method using an image acquisition device (2); b) Determining the trajectory (T) of the flight path of the flying object (1) as a sequence of three-dimensional waypoints; c) Simultaneously determining the line of sight angle between the image acquisition device (2) and the position of the flying object (1) in synchronisation with the image; d) Calculating a three-dimensional model of the flying object (1) from the two-dimensional images recorded in step a) on the basis of the relative geometry to be calculated from the line of sight angles calculated in step c) and the trajectory (T) obtained in step b), and on the basis of predefined model assumptions about the flying object (1); e) Displaying the currently acquired two-dimensional image (1') of the flying object (1) in flight via an image reproduction device (4); f) Marking the reference point (HP') on the displayed two-dimensional image (1') of the flying object (1); g) Calculating the three-dimensional reference point (HP) on the surface of the flying object (1) starting from the two-dimensional reference point (HP') marked in step f) using the three-dimensional model of the flying object (1) calculated in step d), and h) Focusing the beam (30) of the high energy radiation source (3) on the three-dimensional reference point (HP) and causing the focus point of the beam (30) directed at the reference point (HP) to track said reference point (HP).