Launch Vehicle LIDAR Shape Sensing for Attitude and Volume Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attitude alignment methods for launch vehicles face challenges in accurately detecting structural deformations and changes due to fuel charging and discharging, especially in structures composed of tanks, which are not easily detected by sensors installed on the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system utilizing a LIDAR sensor to generate a three-dimensional shape of the launch vehicle and compare it with reference shape information to calculate state information, including attitude and volume changes, by generating detection points and connecting them to form a three-dimensional shape, and comparing this with reference shape information to estimate structural abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed on the launch vehicle to measure attitude, then initial attitude alignment can be performed, but structural deformations caused by fuel charging and discharging cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical window as an intermediary component that allows laser beams to penetrate the launch vehicle structure and reach inertial sensors inside. This mediator enables external optical alignment equipment to communicate with internal sensors without direct physical connection, solving the problem of detecting structural deformations while maintaining attitude measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based sensing with optical field-based detection. By using laser beams and optical windows instead of mechanical connections, the system can detect structural deformations through optical path changes, achieving both attitude measurement and structural monitoring without mechanical interference
2Ease of operation
If optical alignment equipment is used to transmit laser beams to inertial sensors, then attitude alignment can be achieved, but separate optical windows must be installed which complicates the system structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical window to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a protective cover for the inertial sensors and a transmission medium for laser beams. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate alignment apertures, reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function and the optical transmission function into a single optical window component. By combining these functions, the system reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure, making the attitude alignment process easier to operate without compromising detection capability
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
Accurately estimates changes in the launch vehicle's attitude and volume, detects structural deformations such as swelling and bending, and identifies ice formation during fuel handling, enhancing the precision of attitude alignment and ensuring stable flight trajectories.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor 110 includes LIDAR
Implementation Method 2
transmits an optical alignment laser to an inertial sensor unit mounted on the launch vehicle using optical alignment equipment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a diagnostic system of a launch vehicle, and more particularly, to a technology capable of accurately estimating a change in attitude and volume of the launch vehicle by generating a three-dimensional shape of the launch vehicle and comparing the three-dimensional shape with reference shape information using a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor to calculate state information of the launch vehicle.