Self-Attaching Coupler for Missile Sensor Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current missile sensor testing systems face issues with accuracy due to ambient light interference, human error in positioning, limited comprehensive testing capabilities, lack of portability, and inefficiencies in using mercury vapor lamps, which affect sensitivity and the ability to simulate complex missile signatures effectively.
Innovation Solution
A self-attaching coupler system with LED bulbs, digital storage, and internal filters that generates and emits simulated missile signatures, allowing for precise testing of sensor sensitivity and accuracy across multiple quadrants, and the ability to store and customize test parameters, enabling comprehensive and portable testing without external laboratory access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mercury vapor lamps are used to generate test signals, then the system can emit light in the appropriate wavelength, but the system becomes heavy, requires external power, and needs significant warm-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light generation from mercury vapor lamps to LED technology. This parameter change enables the system to operate on battery power without requiring external power sources, significantly reducing weight and eliminating warm-up time while maintaining the ability to emit light in the appropriate wavelengths for missile signature detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs LED bulbs which are inexpensive, lightweight, and have instant-on capability compared to mercury vapor lamps. These LEDs can be easily replaced if needed and do not require the heavy infrastructure of external power sources and cooling systems that mercury vapor lamps require
2Ease of operation
If handheld couplers are used for testing, then the system is portable, but human error in positioning occurs and environmental light interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed with self-attaching capabilities that allow it to automatically position itself on the sensor without requiring manual alignment by an operator. This self-service feature eliminates human error in positioning while maintaining the portability and ease of operation of the handheld design
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler acts as an intermediary device that physically attaches to the sensor and creates a controlled environment. This intermediary structure blocks environmental light interference from reaching the sensor during testing, thereby improving measurement precision while the coupler itself remains portable and easy to deploy
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive signature testing is implemented, then the system can accurately detect and identify missile signatures, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal coupler design that can test multiple types of sensors and multiple missile signatures using the same basic hardware platform. The system uses software-controlled LED arrays that can generate various wavelength combinations to simulate different missile signatures, eliminating the need for multiple specialized testing devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple testing functions into a single integrated coupler unit. The coupler integrates light emission, signal generation, sensor attachment, and data collection capabilities in one device, allowing comprehensive signature testing without requiring multiple separate systems
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
The system provides accurate and repeatable testing of missile sensors' ability to detect and identify simulated signatures, enhances sensitivity testing, and allows for flexible and secure onsite signature generation, reducing human error and environmental interference, thereby improving the reliability and adaptability of missile warning systems.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may be an LED bulb that generates and emits light in the ultraviolet or infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 2
The coupler may include a filter that blocks environmental light
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler that generates and emits a simulated missile signature for assessing the operational capability of a missile approach warning system. The coupler may be directly attached to the system by an adapter. Couplers may be used in multiplicity, simultaneously or sequentially. The simulated signature may be digitally stored, as may be the results of the assessment. Simulated signatures may also be generated from freeform. The coupler also performs sensitivity testing.