Fixed EO Imaging Array Using Vehicle Portholes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gimbaled electro-optical (EO) imaging systems for vehicles require significant mechanical movement, leading to costly packaging constraints, added weight, and variable performance, making them impractical for applications where physical movement is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A fixed EO imaging system with multiple wide field-of-view (FOV) sub-systems arrayed around the vehicle body, utilizing portholes for viewing and eliminating the need for mechanical movement, allowing for a composite image to be generated without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gimbaled EO imaging system is used to provide a wide field-of-regard, then the system can sweep through the FOR, but it requires significant mechanical movement, added weight, and costly packaging constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple fixed EO sub-systems (at least two, typically three or more) positioned at different locations and orientations on the vehicle. Each sub-system captures a specific portion of the field-of-regard, and the processor combines these segmented views to reconstruct the complete FOR, eliminating the need for a single gimbaled system to sweep through the entire field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical gimbal system with a fixed optical architecture where multiple stationary EO sub-systems capture images simultaneously. Instead of mechanically moving a single camera through the field-of-regard, the system uses multiple fixed cameras positioned at different angles, with image processing combining their views to achieve the same observational coverage without mechanical movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gimbaled EO imaging system is used to sweep through the field-of-regard, then wide coverage is achieved, but it imposes expensive packaging constraints on other missile attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging function is segmented across multiple distributed sub-systems positioned at different locations on the vehicle body. This distribution allows each sub-system to be compact and fixed, eliminating the need for large gimbal structures and significant packaging space while maintaining comprehensive field-of-regard coverage through the combined views of all sub-systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a gimbaled EO imaging system is used, then the field-of-view can be swept, but it adds significant weight to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the heavy mechanical gimbal system by replacing it with multiple lightweight fixed EO sub-systems. The weight penalty of mechanical movement components is removed, and the system achieves field-of-regard coverage through the distributed fixed positioning and image processing of multiple lightweight cameras rather than moving heavy mechanical structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional EO imaging systems are used, then the system can image a field-of-regard, but it requires moving parts and motors associated with gimbaled or Risley prism-based systems
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging function is divided among multiple fixed sub-systems without moving parts. Each sub-system is a stationary camera positioned at a fixed location and orientation, capturing a specific sector of the field-of-regard. The processor combines these static captures to create the complete field view, eliminating all motors and moving components associated with conventional gimbaled or Risley prism systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical image sweeping mechanisms (gimbals and Risley prisms) with a fixed optical architecture using multiple stationary cameras. The field-of-regard coverage is achieved through the spatial distribution and combined views of these fixed sub-systems rather than through mechanical movement, completely eliminating motors and moving parts from the imaging system.
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
This solution provides a wide field-of-regard without mechanical parts, enabling efficient and cost-effective EO imaging, maximizing speed and range by positioning EO systems off the vehicle axis, and addressing mechanical, thermal, and aerodynamic challenges.
Implementation Method 1
an optical window secured to one of the portholes for transmitting electromagnetic radiation received from one of the plurality of portions of the FOR to the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including electro-optic (EO) imaging has a vehicle body having an outer surface including a front portion and a side portion, wherein the side portion includes a plurality of portholes. A propulsion source is within the vehicle body for moving the vehicle. A fixed EO imaging system having a field-of-regard (FOR) includes a plurality of fixed EO imaging sub-systems arrayed within the vehicle body. The fixed EO imaging sub-systems each have a different field-of-view (FOV) for providing a portion of the FOR and include a camera affixed within the vehicle body and an optical window secured to one of the portholes for transmitting electromagnetic radiation received from one of the portions of the FOR to the camera, wherein the cameras each generate image data representing one of the portions of the FOR therefrom. A processor is coupled to receive the image data from the plurality of fixed EO imaging sub-systems for combining the image data to provide composite image data spanning the FOR.