Optical Telescope for Gimbaled Systems Using Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adding an on-gimbal optical system to a gimbaled system, such as a large gun mount, changes the mass properties and dynamic performance, causing imbalance and reduced acceleration capability, especially when the optical system is side-mounted.
Innovation Solution
The T3 module system, which includes an optical telescope barrel with pass-through apertures and an optical module with two mirrors that route and transmit laser beams independently of the gimbal system's axes, minimizing the impact of the added payload by maintaining beam alignment and correcting for tip, tilt, and translation errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an on-gimbal optical system is added to a gimbaled system, then the optical functionality is enhanced, but the mass properties change causing imbalance and reduced acceleration capability
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is extracted from the traditional on-gimbal configuration and relocated to an off-gimbal position. The optical components are mounted on a stable platform separate from the gimbal structure, allowing the gimbal to operate without the additional mass burden while still providing enhanced optical functionality through the extracted optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary optical transmission path is introduced between the off-gimbal optical system and the gimbaled payload. This intermediary path includes optical elements that transmit and redirect the optical beam, enabling the optical enhancement to function independently of the gimbal's moving components while maintaining system performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an on-gimbal optical system is added to a gimbaled system, then the optical functionality is enhanced, but the dynamic performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is extracted from the moving gimbal assembly and mounted on a stationary or separately controlled platform. This extraction eliminates the optical mass from the gimbal's moving components, restoring full acceleration capability while the optical system continues to function through the extracted configuration and intermediary transmission path.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a Coudé path design is used to direct light along the axis of rotation, then nutation of the beam path is avoided, but the mass properties of the payload change impacting gimbal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The Coudé path optical system is extracted from the gimbal-mounted payload configuration. Instead, the optical components are positioned on a separate stable platform, and the beam path is maintained through intermediary optical elements that redirect the light without requiring the payload to include the optical mass, thus preserving beam stability while eliminating the mass penalty.
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 T3 module system reduces the dynamic impact of the added payload by minimizing the center of gravity offset and weight, maintaining accurate beam alignment, and improving pointing precision while reducing the strain on the gimbal system's motors.
Implementation Method 1
an optical module comprising a first mirror and a second mirror proximate to the optical telescope barrel and operationally coupled to direct the incoming laser beam, as it exits the optical telescope barrel, to the optical suite
Implementation Method 2
The optical module further includes a second mirror proximate the first mirror, with the second mirror being configured to reflect the beam of electromagnetic energy from the third axis to a fourth axis
Implementation Method 3
Each pass-through aperture is positioned to permit an incoming laser beam to enter, travel laterally across, and exit the optical telescope barrel
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with an improved optical architecture. An optical telescope having a longitudinal axis is configured to allow a beam having a first wavelength to laterally transverse a telescope barrel along a first axis. An optical module directs and corrects the beam from the first axis to a second and third axis, and to a beam expander. The beam expander transmits a beam having a second wavelength through the optical telescope along the longitudinal axis. The optical architecture may be incorporated onto an on-gimbal component that is side-mounted to a gimbaled system, as a method of minimizing the operational burdens on the gimbaled system.