Propeller Blade Imaging for Stereo Distance Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial vehicles face weight and drag increases due to imaging devices mounted externally, which hinder their operational efficiency, and existing stereo ranging methods require multiple imaging devices separated by a baseline, complicating distance determination in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
Integrating imaging devices into propeller blades, leveraging the high-speed rotation to act as two devices, capturing images at different orientations to determine stereo distance information using stereo ranging algorithms, allowing for single-device stereo ranging with high accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging devices are mounted externally on aerial vehicles, then imaging functionality is provided, but weight and drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is integrated into the propeller blade structure itself, merging the propulsion component with the imaging function. This eliminates separate external mounting structures, reducing overall weight while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller blade serves dual functions: providing propulsion thrust and housing the imaging device for stereo ranging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated imaging structures, thereby reducing weight and drag.
2Measurement precision
If multiple imaging devices separated by a baseline are used for stereo ranging, then distance determination capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the dynamic rotation of the propeller blade to create temporal separation of imaging events. A single imaging device captures images at different rotational positions, and the system dynamically calculates baseline distance based on the known propeller geometry and rotation state, replacing the need for multiple static imaging devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from spatial separation of multiple imaging devices to temporal separation using a single device. By capturing images at different moments during propeller rotation and incorporating the temporal dimension into the stereo ranging calculation, the system achieves distance determination with a single device.
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
This approach reduces weight and drag while enabling precise, high-speed distance determination, enhancing navigation, surveillance, and collision avoidance capabilities without the need for external imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
Stereo ranging (or stereo triangulation) is a process by which distances or ranges to objects may be determined from digital images depicting such objects that are captured using imaging devices, such as digital cameras, that are separated by a fixed distance
Data Source
AI summary
A propeller provided on an aerial vehicle may include a digital camera or other imaging device embedded into a surface of one of the blades of the propeller. The digital camera may capture images while the propeller is rotating at an operational speed. Images captured by the digital camera may be processed to recognize one or more objects therein, and to determine ranges to such objects by stereo triangulation techniques. Using such ranges, a depth map or other model of the surface features in an environment in which the aerial vehicle is operating may be defined and stored or used for any purpose. A propeller may include digital cameras or other imaging devices embedded into two or more blades, and may also use such images to determine ranges to objects by stereo triangulation techniques.