Optical Super-Elevation Device for Continuous Target Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional super-elevation devices for crew-served weapons require operators to re-acquire targets after setting the super-elevation angle, are often large, heavy, expensive, and have high power requirements, and do not allow continuous line of sight during elevation procedures.
Innovation Solution
An optical super-elevation device using an elevation follower mirror and a small motor actuator that counter-rotates with the weapon's elevation rate, maintaining the line of sight and reducing size, weight, and power consumption, while incorporating a controller to manage mirror and weapon position information for precise angular control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical super-elevation devices are used, then the super-elevation angle can be set, but the operator must re-acquire the target after setting the angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical super-elevation adjustment system with an optical system using a movable mirror. The mirror is positioned to reflect the target image to the sighting device, allowing the operator to maintain continuous visual contact with the target while the weapon is elevated, thereby eliminating the need to re-acquire the target after setting super-elevation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable mirror acts as an intermediary optical element between the target and the sighting device. By adjusting the mirror's position, the system maintains the line of sight to the target while accommodating the elevated weapon position, serving as a mediator that resolves the conflict between weapon elevation and target acquisition.
2Ease of operation
If electro-mechanical super-elevation devices are used to maintain continuous line of sight, then the operator can view the target during elevation, but the device becomes large, heavy, expensive and complex with high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electro-mechanical tracking systems with a simpler optical solution using a movable mirror. Instead of using motors and sensors to track the weapon's elevation and automatically adjust the sighting device, the system uses a mirror that can be manually or mechanically positioned to maintain the line of sight, significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for continuous target viewing - the optical reflection path - and implements it through a simple movable mirror mechanism. This extracts the core benefit of electro-mechanical systems (continuous line of sight) while eliminating their drawbacks (complexity, size, weight, power requirements).
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 continuous target engagement with reduced power usage and improved accuracy, allowing operators to maintain the target in sight during elevation, offering a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective solution compared to conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
an elevation follower mirror, together with an actuator (for example, a relatively small motor), that counter-rotates with an opposite angular rate to the weapon elevation rate, thereby maintaining the line of sight to the target during the elevation process
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical super-elevation device including an elevation follower mirror that counter-rotates with an opposite angular rate to the weapon elevation rate, thereby maintaining the line of sight to the target during the elevation process. In one example, the optical super-elevation device includes a modular housing having a mounting bracket configured to fixedly mount to at a weapon or azimuth axis of a tripod, an elevation follower mirror rotatably mounted within the housing, and a mirror actuator coupled to the elevation follower mirror and configured to counter-rotate the elevation follower mirror at an angular rate opposite to an elevation rate of the weapon to maintain a line of sight to a target during super-elevation of the weapon.