Rotorcraft SAR Light Control With Automated Search Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional searchlight configurations for rotorcrafts require complex manual maneuvers to control the searchlight beam, making search and rescue operations cognitively demanding and technically difficult, especially in challenging environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for SAR light control on rotorcrafts that utilize a SAR controller to convert cartesian inputs into pan and tilt commands, allowing for efficient control of the searchlight beam without manual intervention, enabling predefined search patterns to be followed automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotorcraft maneuvers to control the searchlight beam direction, then the searchlight can be re-oriented, but the operational complexity and cognitive demand on the pilot increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that decouples the searchlight control from rotorcraft maneuvering. The searchlight control system includes pan-tilt mechanisms and control circuits that allow independent adjustment of beam direction without requiring pilot intervention or rotorcraft movement, thus simplifying operation while managing complexity through automated intermediary controls
Solution Approach 2:
The searchlight system performs self-service by automatically controlling its own beam direction through integrated pan-tilt mechanisms and control circuits. The system independently adjusts the searchlight orientation without external manual input, enabling the searchlight to serve itself in terms of positioning and direction control
2Productivity
If multiple sequential pan and tilt movements are used to move the searchlight beam from point A to point B, then the beam can be re-positioned, but the time and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system calculates and executes the complete trajectory of pan and tilt movements in advance to move the searchlight beam directly from point A to point B. Rather than performing multiple sequential adjustments, the system pre-computes the optimal path and executes it as a coordinated sequence, significantly reducing the time required for beam re-positioning while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pan and tilt control operations into a unified coordinated system. Instead of treating pan and tilt as separate sequential actions, the control circuits integrate both movements simultaneously, allowing the searchlight beam to be re-positioned through combined pan-tilt trajectories that reduce total adjustment time and improve efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pilot controls both the rotorcraft and searchlight simultaneously, then complete control is achieved, but the cognitive demand and technical difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent functional modules: rotorcraft flight control and searchlight beam control. The searchlight control module includes dedicated pan-tilt mechanisms and control circuits that operate independently from flight controls, allowing the pilot to control each function separately rather than simultaneously, thus reducing cognitive demand while maintaining complete adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The searchlight control system provides multi-functionality by enabling both automated beam control and manual override capabilities. The universal control architecture can operate in different modes (automated positioning, manual control, or combined), allowing the pilot to adapt the system to specific operational needs without increasing workload, as the system handles complex coordination automatically
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for controlling a search and rescue (SAR) light on a rotorcraft. The system includes a processor programmed to: for each cartesian input point in a sequence defining a cartesian pattern, determine an initial light head orientation as a function of the real-time rotorcraft state; generate and transmit a pan command and a tilt command as a function of the initial light head orientation and the cartesian input point; and identify a delta-range. A pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera is configured to continuously slave and have a field of view centered on a beam axis of the SAR light. The PTZ camera captures a video stream and transmits it; zooms in on the field of view of the PTZ camera when the delta-range is positive; and zooms out on the field of view of the PTZ camera when the delta-range is negative.