Flight Vehicle Optical Pointing Device with Nod Gimbal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pointing devices for optical systems in flight vehicles are limited by size, weight, degrees of freedom, field of regard, and cost, which restrict their effectiveness in directing electromagnetic radiation efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A pointing device comprising a beam deviation structure, a rotation assembly, and a nod gimbal that allows the beam deviation structure to pivot about a rotation axis and a nod axis, enabling the optical system to be positioned for a larger field of regard and efficient radiation guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pointing devices with gimbals and structures are used to direct the line of sight, then the optical system can be positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation, but the device size, weight, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary gimbal structures and conventional pointing mechanisms from the optical system. By removing these complex components, the invention achieves the same line of sight direction control function through a simplified direct mounting arrangement, thereby reducing weight while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the optical system itself serve multiple functions: it acts as both the optical component and the pointing mechanism. The optical system is directly mounted to the seeker body without requiring separate pointing devices, allowing it to perform both optical detection and direction control functions simultaneously, thus eliminating the need for additional weighted pointing structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pointing devices with multiple gimbals and structures are used, then the optical system can be positioned for a field of regard, but the device volume and packaging space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary gimbal structures and conventional pointing device components that consume packaging space. By extracting these elements, the invention maintains the field of regard capability through direct optical mounting while significantly reducing the volume required for the pointing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention nests the optical system directly within the seeker body structure, eliminating the need for separate pointing device housings and mounting structures. This nested arrangement allows the optical components to be positioned directly for the required field of regard without requiring additional packaging volume for conventional pointing device structures.
3Ease of operation
If conventional pointing devices with multiple components are used, then the optical system can be directed along a line of sight, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates multiple conventional pointing device components, gimbals, and mounting structures from the system. By removing these complex components, the invention maintains radiation guidance capability while significantly reducing manufacturing cost through a simplified direct mounting approach that requires fewer parts and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the optical system serve as both the optical detection component and the pointing mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pointing devices, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while preserving radiation guidance capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the optical system has a limited field of view, then the sensor bandwidth is constrained, but the pointing device must be complex to expand the field of regard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes conventional pointing device structures including gimbals and mounting mechanisms that would be required to expand the field of regard. By extracting these components, the invention achieves an expanded field of regard through direct optical mounting to the seeker body, thereby expanding the field of regard without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the optical system itself the pointing mechanism, allowing it to directly provide an expanded field of regard through its mounting arrangement to the seeker body. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pointing devices, achieving field of regard expansion without adding the complexity of conventional pointing structures.
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
The solution provides a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective pointing device that enhances the field of regard for optical systems, allowing for efficient radiation guidance with reduced packaging volume and improved mechanical adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
pivoting a wedge prism about a nod axis to a pitch angle (ρ), the wedge prism having a wedge deviation angle (α)
Implementation Method 2
a rotation assembly configured to support the beam deviation structure such that the beam deviation structure is pivotable about the rotation axis
Implementation Method 3
a nod gimbal configured to support the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure such that the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure are pivotable about a nod axis
Data Source
AI summary
A pointing device is provided for directing electromagnetic radiation along a line of sight within a flight vehicle. The pointing device includes a beam deviation structure; a rotation assembly configured to support the beam deviation structure such that the beam deviation structure is pivotable about the rotation axis; and a nod gimbal configured to support the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure such that the rotation assembly and the beam deviation structure are pivotable about a nod axis.