Optical Flight Motion Simulator Using Risley Pairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional 5-axis flight motion simulators are costly and space-intensive, limiting their use in testing navigation systems due to the need for large physical spaces and high power requirements, especially when testing multiple items simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The system replaces traditional target axes with Risley pairs, such as Risley prisms, gratings, or photonic crystals, which allow for angular variation of light projection with reduced rotational inertia and power consumption, enabling compact and cost-effective simulation of larger angles of incidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional 5-axis flight motion simulators are used, then high angular accuracy and wide field of regard are achieved, but system cost, space requirement, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical 5-axis flight motion simulator with an optical system using Risley prisms. Instead of physically moving a target through five degrees of freedom, the invention uses optical elements to steer and redirect light beams at different angles. This substitution of mechanical motion with optical manipulation dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining angular accuracy for testing navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the system by using optical path manipulation instead of mechanical positioning. By varying the orientation of Risley prisms and their associated mirrors, the system achieves different angles of incidence without moving the test article through complex mechanical trajectories. This parameter change from mechanical position to optical orientation reduces energy requirements.
2Measurement precision
If traditional 5-axis flight motion simulators are used, then high angular accuracy is achieved, but system cost and physical space requirement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical 5-axis flight motion simulator with an optical system using Risley prisms. Instead of physically moving a target through five degrees of freedom, the invention uses optical elements to steer and redirect light beams at different angles. This substitution of mechanical motion with optical manipulation dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining angular accuracy for testing navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional mechanical motion (five axes of rotation) to two-dimensional optical element manipulation (rotation of prisms and mirrors in a plane). By confining the motion to the optical plane rather than requiring full three-dimensional spatial movement, the system achieves the same angular testing capability in a much smaller physical footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional target axes are used, then wide field of regard is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path into discrete, manageable components: Risley prisms, mirrors, and mounting structures. Each component performs a specific function in steering or redirecting the light beam. This segmentation allows for simpler individual elements that can be independently optimized and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the capability to achieve a wide field of regard through combinatorial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical 5-axis flight motion simulator with an optical system using Risley prisms. Instead of physically moving a target through five degrees of freedom, the invention uses optical elements to steer and redirect light beams at different angles. This substitution of mechanical motion with optical manipulation dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining angular accuracy for testing navigation systems.
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 approach allows for the creation of multiple test stations in a smaller area with high angular accuracy and reduced power requirements, making it suitable for applications where space and budget are limited, while maintaining the ability to simulate a wide range of angles.
Implementation Method 1
Risley prisms are basic wedge prisms that have been used for decades to provide optical pointing and steering functions. Typically, they exist in pairs and are rotated independently of each other, allowing energy to be steered over a hemisphere of space
Implementation Method 2
Risley gratings can also be used for this purpose. Risley gratings utilize diffraction to generate the angular offset by sending all of the light into a particular nonzero diffracted order
Implementation Method 3
Risley pairs, such as Risley prisms, gratings, or photonic crystals, which allow for angular variation of light projection
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods provided herein are directed to a flight motion simulator. The target axes are replaced by a system of Risley pairs. Light is projected to the unit under testing at a range of angles by rotating elements within the Risley pairs.