Non-Planar Mirror Optical Gimbal for Aperture Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical gimbals are limited by their aperture, restricting the field of regard and requiring rotation of optical components to change look directions, which can be mechanically complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An optical gimbal system featuring a non-planar mirror with a motor that translates along multiple axes, allowing the digital camera's field of view to be adjusted without rotating optical components, thereby expanding the field of regard without rotating any optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical gimbals rotate optical components to change look directions, then the field of regard is limited by the aperture, but the mechanical complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical rotation of optical components with a linear translation mechanism. A motor translates the mirror along a translation axis, and the non-planar mirror surface (with varying curvature) redirects light to different look directions without any rotational motion. This substitution of linear translation for rotational movement reduces mechanical complexity while expanding the field of regard beyond aperture limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a non-planar mirror surface where the curvature varies at different locations. By translating the mirror along a translation axis, different portions of the mirror with different curvatures are positioned to redirect light, effectively changing the optical parameters dynamically. This allows the system to achieve multiple look directions from a single mirror position range, expanding adaptability without increasing mechanical complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional optical gimbals use rotation to adjust field of view, then look direction control is achieved, but the system requires larger components and more mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rotational mechanical systems with linear translation. The motor-driven linear translation of the mirror along a single axis eliminates the need for complex rotational gimbals and multiple axes of rotation. The non-planar mirror surface compensates for the limited translation range by using varying curvature to redirect light to different angles, achieving precise look direction control with smaller, lighter components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to optical direction control by using the curvature variation across the mirror surface (spatial dimension) rather than relying on rotational movement (angular dimension). The non-planar mirror surface allows a single linear translation to produce multiple look directions, effectively adding an optical dimension to the mechanical translation, which reduces the need for large rotational mechanisms.
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
Enables a larger field of regard and more precise control over look directions with smaller components, improving the ability to image through small apertures and confined spaces without the mechanical complexity of rotating optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror having a non-planar surface, and a digital camera having an optical axis directed toward a portion of the non-planar surface to have the mirror fold the optical axis
Data Source
AI summary
An optical gimbal system includes a mirror having a non-planar surface and a digital camera having an optical axis directed toward a portion of the non-planar surface to have the mirror fold the optical axis. A motor is mechanically coupled to the mirror, the digital camera, or both the mirror and the digital camera. The motor is configured to translate the mirror relative to the digital camera along at least one translation axis.