Modular Palletized Sensor System for Aircraft Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-borne sensor systems, particularly aerial sensors, face challenges in easy deployment and removal from aircraft, robustness against flight vibrations and shocks, and ground-based calibration without damaging the sensor platform.
Innovation Solution
A modular, palletized, deployable sensor system configured for roll-on/roll-off installation and removal from aircraft, featuring a pallet with a tray system, a moveable carriage, a pivotable arm and sensor head, and a wire guide for cable management, allowing for ground-based bore sighting and stability during flight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor system is rigidly mounted to the aircraft, then structural stability is improved, but the sensor loses calibration during flight vibrations and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into separate components: a rigid mounting structure that provides structural stability, and a damped sensor platform that isolates the sensor from vibrations. The damping elements create a segmented system where each component handles specific functions - the rigid structure resists external forces while the damped platform protects sensor calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
Damping elements are introduced as intermediary components between the rigid aircraft structure and the sensor platform. These intermediaries absorb and dissipate vibration energy, preventing it from reaching the sensor while maintaining overall structural stability. The damping material acts as a mediator that decouples the sensor from harmful vibrations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is deployed below the fuselage for wide viewing angle, then field of view is improved, but ground-based calibration becomes impossible due to insufficient clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor platform is designed with dynamic deployment capability, allowing it to be positioned at different heights. During ground-based calibration, the platform is raised to a higher position that provides sufficient clearance from the ground. During flight operations, it deploys to the lower position for optimal field of view. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between calibration accessibility and viewing angle.
Solution Approach 2:
Ground-based calibration is performed as a preliminary action before flight deployment. The sensor is calibrated while positioned in a calibration-friendly configuration (higher position with ground clearance), then deployed to the operational position (lower position for wide viewing angle) before flight. This sequencing of actions allows both calibration and optimal positioning to be achieved.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor system is custom-installed on the aircraft, then integration is improved, but deployment time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with universal mounting features that can be installed on various aircraft types without custom modifications. Standardized attachment points and interfaces allow the same sensor platform to be rapidly deployed on different aircraft models. This universality maintains good integration while dramatically reducing deployment time compared to custom-installed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is pre-configured with all necessary mounting hardware, wiring, and integration components before arrival at the aircraft. Quick-connect interfaces and pre-routed cables allow for rapid installation. The preliminary preparation of integration components enables fast deployment while maintaining proper system integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a modular, palletized system for a deployable sensor that provides for easy deployment with minimal interconnection to the vehicle carrying such system, and with no requirement for modification to the vehicle carrying such system. A pallet having a standardized construction for fitment onto a pallet-carrying portion of a vehicle carries a moveable carriage. The carriage in turn carries an arm and sensor head which may be moved through an opening in the vehicle (such as through the door of an airborne aircraft) and pivoted to deploy the sensor when intended for use, and to retract the sensor when such use is completed. As the system is specifically sized for fitment on a standard pallet profile, it may be installed on the pallet-carrying portion of such vehicle without need for retrofitting of the vehicle's body.