Optical Reticle Aiming for HPEM Effector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HPEM effectors lack a user-friendly aiming system that allows operators to visually align the effector's primary axis with moving targets, such as small drones, ensuring effective engagement and minimizing unnecessary pulse emissions.
Innovation Solution
An optical aiming device with a reticle is integrated into the HPEM effector, providing a visual representation of the effector's field of view and indicating the effective range of electromagnetic pulses, allowing precise alignment and estimation of pulse effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an HPEM effector is used to engage moving targets such as small drones, then the ability to disrupt or destroy electronic targets is improved, but the difficulty of accurately aligning the effector's primary axis with moving targets increases
Solution Approach 1:
An optical unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the operator and the HPEM effector. This optical unit provides a visual representation of the effector's field of view and includes a reticle that indicates the primary axis alignment, serving as a mediator that translates the invisible electromagnetic beam direction into visible optical cues for the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with an optical indication system. Instead of relying on mechanical gyroscopes or complex mechanical aiming mechanisms, the system uses an optical unit with a reticle that visually indicates the primary axis, substituting mechanical alignment complexity with optical visualization
2Productivity
If the effector emits electromagnetic pulses to engage targets, then the disruption or destruction of target electronics is achieved, but unnecessary pulse emissions occur due to inaccurate aiming
Solution Approach 1:
The optical unit provides real-time visual feedback to the operator about the effector's alignment with the target. The reticle indicates whether the primary axis is properly aligned with the target, giving the operator feedback on aiming accuracy before pulse emission, allowing the operator to avoid unnecessary emissions when alignment is poor
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary alignment verification through the optical unit before the actual pulse emission. The operator uses the reticle to confirm proper alignment in advance, ensuring that pulse emissions only occur when the effector is correctly positioned, thereby preventing wasteful energy expenditure
3Measurement precision
If a reticle is added to the optical unit to indicate the primary axis, then the precision of aiming is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for aiming precision from a complex optical system. Instead of implementing a full optical sight with multiple adjustment mechanisms, it extracts and implements only the reticle element that indicates the primary axis, achieving precision without the complexity of a complete optical sighting system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
A aiming device (6) for an HPEM effector (4) comprises an optical unit (16) having a central axis (18) and a surrounding cone of vision (20) such that at least a portion of a principal effective axis (10) of the effector (4) extends within the cone of vision (20), wherein the optical unit (16) optically reproduces the portion of the surroundings (14) lying within the cone of vision (20) in the form of a target image (26), and a reticle (28) for the target object (12) is represented in the target image (26). An effector device (2) comprises the aiming device (6) and the effector (4), wherein the optical unit (16) is oriented in an operating position (B) relative to the effector (4).