Fiber-Optic Camera Sensitivity Calibration for Lightning Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerospace lightning testing systems for calibrating camera light sensitivity are costly, complex, and require specialized expertise due to the use of high-voltage equipment, with inconsistent electric arcs and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system using a light emitter, fiber splitter, light collector, and fiber optic cables to generate controlled light pulses, combined with a controller for precise shutter and pulse timing, allows for calibration of camera sensitivity through safe, low-voltage means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high-voltage capacitive discharge system is used to simulate lightning strikes, then the testing capability is achieved, but the system cost, complexity, and safety risks increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light pulse as a simplified copy or analog of the actual lightning electrical discharge. Instead of replicating the complex high-voltage electrical phenomenon, the invention creates an optical equivalent that preserves the calibration function while eliminating the need for dangerous high-voltage equipment. The light pulse mimics the temporal and intensity characteristics of lightning without requiring the harmful electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical/mechanical high-voltage capacitive discharge system with an optical system. The light emitter, fiber optic cables, and light collector create an optical measurement and calibration system that substitutes for the electrical testing system, thereby reducing complexity and eliminating safety hazards associated with high-voltage electricity while maintaining the ability to calibrate and test camera sensitivity.
2Reliability
If a high-voltage capacitive discharge system is used to simulate lightning strikes, then the testing capability is achieved, but the system cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light pulse as a simplified copy or analog of the actual lightning electrical discharge. Instead of replicating the complex high-voltage electrical phenomenon, the invention creates an optical equivalent that preserves the calibration function while eliminating the need for dangerous high-voltage equipment. The light pulse mimics the temporal and intensity characteristics of lightning without requiring the harmful electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components such as standard light emitters, commercial fiber optic cables, and conventional light collectors. These components are far cheaper and easier to manufacture than high-voltage capacitive discharge systems, which require specialized engineering. The fiber optic infrastructure uses off-the-shelf technology that can be deployed without specialized manufacturing expertise.
3Reliability
If a high-voltage capacitive discharge system is used to simulate lightning strikes, then the testing capability is achieved, but safety risks and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light pulse as a simplified copy or analog of the actual lightning electrical discharge. Instead of replicating the complex high-voltage electrical phenomenon, the invention creates an optical equivalent that preserves the calibration function while eliminating the need for dangerous high-voltage equipment. The light pulse mimics the temporal and intensity characteristics of lightning without requiring the harmful electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the harmful aspect (high-voltage electricity) while preserving the useful function (calibration of camera sensitivity for lightning detection). By converting the electrical calibration method to an optical method, the invention removes safety risks entirely while maintaining testing capability. The harmful high-voltage components are replaced with benign light sources that pose no safety threat to operators.
4Reliability
If a high-voltage capacitive discharge system is used to simulate lightning strikes, then the testing capability is achieved, but the consistency of the electric arc deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light pulse as a simplified copy or analog of the actual lightning electrical discharge. Instead of replicating the complex high-voltage electrical phenomenon, the invention creates an optical equivalent that preserves the calibration function while eliminating the need for dangerous high-voltage equipment. The light pulse mimics the temporal and intensity characteristics of lightning without requiring the harmful electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs controlled light pulses with precise temporal characteristics to simulate the time-varying nature of lightning discharges. The light emitter generates periodic or controlled single pulses that replicate the rise time, peak intensity, and decay characteristics of actual lightning events. This periodic or pulsed optical action provides consistent, repeatable calibration signals that are superior to the variable electric arcs produced by high-voltage systems.
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
Provides a cost-effective, reliable, and safer method for calibrating camera sensitivity by using commonly available components, reducing complexity and improving safety compared to high-voltage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber splitter having an input port, a first output port and a second output port, wherein the fiber splitter is configured to receive the light pulse via the input port and to provide a first portion of the light pulse to the first output port and a second portion of the light pulse to the second output port
Implementation Method 2
a light collector configured to receive the first portion from the first output port and convert the first portion to a first signal that is representative of a light characteristic of the first portion
Data Source
AI summary
A system for calibrating the light sensitivity of a camera includes a light emitter for emitting a light pulse, a fiber splitter for receiving the light pulse via an input port and providing first and second portions of the light pulse to respective first and second output ports, and a light collector for receiving the first portion from the first output port and converting the first portion to a first signal representative of a light characteristic of the first portion. A first fiber optic cable connects the light emitter and the input port, a second fiber optic cable connects the first output port and the light collector, and a third fiber optic cable has a first cable end connected with the second output port and a second cable end for emitting the second portion of the light pulse for capture by the camera. A related method is also provided.