Helicopter Blade Tracker Sunlight Filter Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional helicopter blade tracking systems experience reduced accuracy in direct and bright sunlight, leading to improper tracking of blade positions.

Innovation Solution

A sunlight filter device with a hollow filter housing and a multi-layered filter assembly, including a polarizer and neutral density filter lens, is integrated with the helicopter blade tracker to filter out sunlight, ensuring accurate blade position detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the helicopter blade tracker operates in direct and bright sunlight, then the device can function in outdoor conditions, but the accuracy of blade position detection is substantially reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational capability in sunlightVSAvoidblade position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A polarizing filter assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the sunlight and the blade tracker sensor. The filter selectively blocks polarized sunlight while allowing non-polarized reflected light from the blade to pass through, enabling the tracker to function in sunlight without accuracy degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The polarizing filter changes the polarization state of transmitted light, effectively filtering out polarized sunlight. This optical property change allows the sensor to distinguish between direct sunlight and reflected blade light, maintaining detection accuracy in previously unusable lighting conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 sunlight filter device significantly improves blade position detection accuracy by maintaining detection within the 30 to 60 blade cross counts range, even in direct sunlight, ensuring proper alignment of helicopter blades.

Implementation Method 1

a polarizer and neutral density filter lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

filter assembly mounted in the receiving cavity of the filter housing and is adapted to filter out sunlight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8854631B1Filter device for helicopter blade tracker

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 MOREHEAD WILLIAM J

AI summary

A sunlight filter device for a helicopter blade tracker includes a filter housing, a filter assembly and a mounting system. The filter housing has a first opening, a second opening and a receiving cavity formed between the first opening and the second opening. The filter assembly is mounted in the receiving cavity of the filter housing, and is adapted to block sunlight. The mounting system extends from the filter housing to securely mount the filter housing on the helicopter blade tracker.