Rotating Head Optical Platform Assembly for Ship Mast Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical detection systems are bulky and large, limiting their placement on unstable surfaces like ships, and result in high frequency pointing errors due to their size, which impede rapid targeting and data accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A compact and integrated optical platform assembly with a stationary body and a rotating head, utilizing a rotary connector to allow the head to rotate 360 degrees, minimizing movement to the head alone for faster and more accurate pointing, and incorporating a scan mirror and modular optical components for enhanced sensitivity and range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor-driven gimbal platform is used to support the optical detection system, then the stability and pointing aim are improved, but the device becomes large and bulky, limiting placement on ship masts
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system is divided into separate functional modules (optical module, laser module, scanning module) that can be independently positioned and mounted. This segmentation allows the heavy components to be strategically placed while keeping the overall footprint small enough for ship mast installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-axis gimbal mounting approach to a three-dimensional distributed mounting architecture where components are positioned at different heights and locations along the mast structure, optimizing both stability and space utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire optics module moves with the motor-driven gimbal system, then the system can track targets, but high frequency pointing errors occur due to bulkiness, impeding rapid targeting
Solution Approach 1:
The scan mirror is extracted from the heavy optical module and placed in a separate, lightweight scanning assembly. This allows the scanning function to operate independently with minimal inertia, enabling rapid angular adjustments and high-speed target acquisition without moving the entire optical train.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic separation where the lightweight scanning module can rapidly reposition the laser beam and scan mirror to track moving targets, while the heavier optical detection module remains relatively stationary, optimizing both tracking speed and detection stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical detection system is placed on an unsteady platform like a ship, then operational flexibility is improved, but motion compensation becomes more difficult with bulky gimbal systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates motion compensation functions into independent modules with individual inertial measurement units and control systems for each major component. This segmented approach allows targeted stabilization of critical elements without requiring a complex whole-system gimbal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces bulky mechanical gimbal compensation mechanisms with electronic stabilization using inertial sensors and software-based image stabilization algorithms, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining compensation effectiveness on moving platforms.
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 the placement of optical detection systems in smaller spaces, such as ship masts, with reduced size restrictions, improving pointing accuracy and data sensitivity by concentrating movement in the lightweight rotating head, thus enhancing detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
scanning an environment by emitting a laser to a mirror housed within an upper rotating assembly
Implementation Method 2
activating a laser housed within a lower non-rotating assembly of an optical platform assembly
Implementation Method 3
emitting a laser to a mirror... retrieving an emitted laser beam that is reflected from the target object
Data Source
AI summary
An optical platform assembly may include a head with a scan mirror; a body with an optical module to detect a hard body object; and a rotary connector that attaches the head to the body of the optical platform assembly. In some instances, the rotary connector may allow the head to rotate about the body, where the body is mounted and stationary to the surface. The optical body may be configured to detect for specific hard body objects, such as periscopes.