Fiber Optic Laser Rangefinder Gimbal Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser rangefinders (LRFs) integrated with cameras on gimbal assemblies face increased size and weight due to structural and heat management issues, leading to performance degradation from heat coupling and complexity in mirror-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optically coupled LRF system using a gimbal assembly with first and second fiber optic cables and a fiber optically coupled laser interface module, along with opposing mirrors to direct and receive laser beams, reduces size, weight, and heat, while maintaining system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser rangefinder is integrated with a camera on a gimbal assembly, then the system can view and measure range to objects, but the weight and size of the gimbal assembly dramatically increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser rangefinder components (laser source, receiver) are separated from the main gimbal assembly and placed in remote locations. Fiber optic cables transmit laser beams between the remote components and the gimbal, allowing the heavy LRF components to be segregated from the moving gimbal structure, thereby reducing gimbal weight while maintaining range measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Fiber optic cables serve as intermediaries to transmit laser beams between the remote transmitter/receiver assemblies and the gimbal assembly. This intermediary approach allows the LRF functionality to be distributed across different locations without requiring the heavy components to be mounted on the gimbal itself, thus reducing the moving weight.
2Reliability
If a laser rangefinder is integrated with a camera on a gimbal assembly, then the system can view and measure range to objects, but the structure, motors, drive power, drive electronics and support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: remote transmitter assembly, remote receiver assembly, fiber optic coupling system, and gimbal assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the gimbal assembly by removing heavy LRF components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical coupling methods (such as direct mounting or mirror-based coupling) are replaced with fiber optic coupling. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical integration, heavy mounting structures, and associated support requirements, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the LRF is in the gimbal assembly, then range measurement is enabled, but waste heat from the laser couples into the gimbal structure causing boresight and optical distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The laser source and receiver are extracted from the gimbal assembly and placed in remote locations. This extraction removes the primary heat-generating components from proximity to the sensitive optical path, eliminating the source of heat-induced boresight and optical distortions while preserving range measurement capability through fiber optic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
Fiber optic cables act as thermal isolators, transmitting laser beams while preventing heat transfer from the remote laser source to the gimbal assembly. This intermediary approach allows optical energy transmission while blocking thermal energy, thereby eliminating heat coupling into the gimbal structure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If mirrors are used to couple the LRF onto the gimbal assembly, then heat coupling is averted, but the gimbal assembly complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror-based optical coupling system is replaced with fiber optic coupling. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple mirrors, alignment mechanisms, and associated support structures, thereby reducing gimbal assembly complexity and size while still achieving heat isolation and enabling LRF functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling method is changed from reflective (mirrors) to transmissive (fiber optics). This parameter change in the coupling mechanism eliminates the need for complex mirror assemblies and alignment systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining the heat isolation benefit.
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
The solution effectively minimizes size, weight, and heat in the gimbal assembly, reducing optical distortions and enhancing system performance by using fiber optics to transmit and receive laser beams, while allowing for modular replacement of components without disassembling the camera and gimbal system.
Implementation Method 1
a first fiber optic cable for receiving a laser beam from a remote transmitter assembly, a second fiber optic cable for transmitting a return laser beam to a remote receiver assembly
Implementation Method 2
the opposing mirrors are configured to direct the laser beam from the fiber optically coupled laser interface module to a target. Furthermore, the opposing mirrors are configured to direct the return laser beam from the target to the fiber optically coupled laser interface module
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optically coupled laser rangefinder (LRF) for use in a gimbal system to input/extract a laser beam into/from a camera is disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optically coupled LRF includes a gimbal assembly. Further, the gimbal assembly includes a first fiber optic cable for receiving the laser beam from a remote transmitter assembly, a fiber optically coupled laser interface module to receive the laser beam and opposing mirrors to direct the laser beam to a target. In addition, the gimbal assembly includes a second fiber optic cable for transmitting a return laser beam to a remote receiver assembly. The opposing mirrors are further configured to direct the return laser beam from the target to the fiber optically coupled laser interface module. The fiber optically coupled laser interface module is further configured to transmit it to the receiver assembly via the second fiber optic cable.