Hyperspectral Scanner Wedge Prism Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyperspectral scanners rely on scanning mirrors, which suffer from wear and degradation, especially in harsh environmental conditions such as wind and dust.
Innovation Solution
The system replaces scanning mirrors with a mechanism based on two or more wedge prisms, allowing for precise control of the line-of-sight and enabling the generation of hyperspectral cubes by analyzing the spectrum of light reflected from objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scanning mirrors are used in hyperspectral scanners, then the system can achieve hyperspectral imaging capability, but the scanning mirrors suffer from wear and degradation especially in harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning mirror system with a pushbroom sensor configuration that eliminates moving scanning components. The sensor array directly captures spectral data across multiple wavelengths simultaneously for each spatial position, substituting mechanical scanning with a stationary detector array that achieves hyperspectral imaging without wear-prone moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the scanning mirror component from the hyperspectral imaging system entirely. By using a pushbroom sensor approach where the sensor array moves with the platform (e.g., satellite or aircraft) and captures data line-by-line across the scene, the system eliminates the need for separate scanning mirrors that are subject to wear and degradation.
2Measurement precision
If scanning mirrors are used to achieve hyperspectral imaging, then spectral information can be collected, but the system is susceptible to wear from wind and dust in field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vulnerable mechanical scanning mirror with a stationary pushbroom sensor array that has no moving scanning components exposed to the environment. The sensor array remains fixed relative to the platform, eliminating surfaces that can accumulate dust or be affected by wind, while still achieving precise spectral measurements through its multi-wavelength detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using moving mirrors to scan across the spectrum at each pixel, the invention inverts the approach by using a fixed sensor array that simultaneously measures multiple wavelengths at each spatial position as the platform moves forward. This reverses the traditional scanning paradigm and eliminates the need for exposed moving optical surfaces.
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 robust and reliable method for hyperspectral imaging, reducing wear and maintenance needs while maintaining high accuracy and precision in identifying object conditions and generating hyperspectral data.
Implementation Method 1
The scanning system replaces the use of scanning mirrors with a mechanism that is based on two or more wedge prisms
Implementation Method 2
a spectrometer which analyzes a spectrum of the light and provides spectral data
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a scanning system including a chamber configured for receiving reflected light from an object. The chamber includes a first prism and a second prism configured for refracting the reflected light, at least one beam splitter configured for splitting the reflected light into a first beam and a second beam, a camera configured for receiving the first beam so as to provide images of the object, a condenser lens configured for condensing the second beam, and a spectrometer configured for receiving the condensed second beam and provide a spectrum analysis of the second beam. The system further includes a particular computer configured to combine the images of the object produced by the camera with the spectrum analysis produced by the spectrometer to provide a hyperspectral image.