Searchlight Stabilization Using Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing searchlights on moving vessels struggle to maintain a stable beam direction towards a point on the sea surface due to vessel movements such as pitch, roll, yaw, surge, swing, heave, and changes in the searchlight's placement, leading to ineffective illumination during operations like rescue or navigation.

Innovation Solution

A searchlight system with two degrees of freedom, controlled by motors and a control unit that receives data from heading sensors, vessel movement sensors, and GPS, to adjust the beam axis and maintain focus on a desired point on the sea surface despite the vessel's movements, incorporating sensors for pitch, roll, yaw, heave, and translational movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a searchlight is mounted on a moving vessel, then the searchlight can be used for illumination during vessel operations, but the beam direction becomes unstable due to vessel movements such as pitch, roll, yaw, surge, swing, and heave

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearchlight usability during vessel operationsVSAvoidbeam direction stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses vessel movement sensors to detect pitch, roll, yaw, surge, swing, and heave movements, and heading sensors to monitor beam direction. The control unit processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the searchlight orientation via motors to compensate for vessel movements, maintaining stable illumination on the target point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the searchlight with an automated control system that uses sensors and motors. The control unit calculates required adjustments based on sensor data and commands motors to reposition the searchlight, substituting human operation with an automated electromechanical system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the searchlight is manually adjusted to track a target, then the beam can be directed towards the desired point, but the operator cannot continuously compensate for all vessel movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget acquisition accuracyVSAvoidcontinuous tracking difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The searchlight system performs self-adjustment through the automated control system. The sensors continuously monitor vessel movements and beam position, and the control unit automatically commands motor adjustments without requiring continuous manual intervention, enabling the system to service itself in maintaining accurate target tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Illumination intensity

If the searchlight placement on the vessel changes, then the searchlight can be positioned for optimal illumination, but the beam axis point of intersection with the sea surface shifts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget illumination qualityVSAvoidbeam intersection point accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses heading sensors to continuously monitor the beam axis direction and vessel movement sensors to detect changes in searchlight placement. The control unit processes this feedback and calculates compensatory adjustments, commanding motors to reposition the searchlight and maintain the beam intersection point at the desired sea surface location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7672760B2Searchlight

Publication Date: 2010.03.02 APTOMAR

AI summary

A searchlight (3) on board a vessel (1) arranged for illuminating a point (2p) and maintain said point (2p) illuminated regardless of the movements of said vessel (1).