Payload Activation Device Using Optical Focus for Clean Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current payload activation mechanisms, such as lanyards, can become entangled with other payloads or increase the aircraft's radar cross-section, and may prevent weapons bay doors from closing properly, as they are fixedly attached and do not allow for clean release without leaving material behind.
Innovation Solution
A payload activation device using a fixed focal length camera to determine the distance of the payload from the platform by focusing on an object, triggering a processor to actuate an activation mechanism, which can include a servo or a cord system with a retardation device to activate the payload at a predetermined tension or distance, allowing for clean separation and activation without leaving material on the aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lanyard is used to mechanically couple the payload to the hardpoint for activation, then the payload can be activated at a predetermined tension, but the lanyard becomes entangled in other payloads, increases the radar cross section of the aircraft, and prevents the weapons bay doors from closing properly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful lanyard material from the activation system by replacing it with an optical camera and processor. The camera captures images of a reference object, and the processor determines focus state to trigger activation, eliminating the physical lanyard that causes entanglement and radar cross-section problems while maintaining reliable payload activation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical lanyard-based activation system with an optical-mechanical system. Instead of using a physical cord to transmit activation force, the system uses a camera to capture optical information about the payload's position relative to the platform, and a processor to convert this information into an activation signal, thereby substituting mechanical coupling with optical sensing and electronic control
2Loss of substance
If a fixed focal length camera is used to determine payload distance from the platform, then the activation can be triggered at a predetermined distance without material left on the aircraft, but the system requires image processing to determine focus states
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system serves itself by using its own optical focus state as the activation trigger. The fixed focal length camera captures images of a reference object on the platform, and the processor simply needs to determine whether the image is in focus or out of focus to trigger activation. This self-referential approach eliminates the need for complex external sensing systems while achieving clean release without material left on the aircraft
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter used for activation from physical tension (lanyard pull) to optical focus state. By monitoring whether the image of the reference object is in focus or out of focus, the system determines the payload's distance from the platform and triggers activation at the predetermined distance, converting a mechanical parameter change into an optical parameter change for activation control
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 clean activation of payloads without entanglement or radar cross-section increase, allowing for efficient and reliable deployment of air-launched weapons by using computer vision techniques to determine focus states and trigger activation mechanisms, reducing complexity and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a camera having a fixed focal length, arranged to capture an image of an object on a platform for carrying a payload having the payload activation device, wherein when the payload is in a first position relative to the platform the image of the object is in a first focussed state and when the payload is in a second position relative to the platform the image of the object is in a second focussed state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention provides a payload activation device. The payload activation device comprises a camera having a fixed focal length, arranged to capture an image of an object on a platform for carrying a payload having the payload activation device, wherein when the payload is in a first position relative to the platform the image of the object is in a first focussed state and when the payload is in a second position relative to the platform the image of the object is in a second focussed state. The payload activation device also comprises a processor configured to determine whether the image of the object is in the first focussed state or the second focussed state and to cause actuation of an activation mechanism within the payload when the image of object is in the second focussed state to activate the payload. The present invention also provides a deployable payload having the payload activation device and an aircraft for carrying the deployable payload.