Short-wave Infrared Scope for Wind Speed Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-range shooting accuracy is compromised by air motion, particularly wind deflection, which varies significantly over long distances and is difficult to predict accurately due to topology and obstacles, necessitating improved methods for wind speed and direction determination.
Innovation Solution
A shortwave infrared (SWIR) based scope that uses infrared illumination to visualize and estimate wind speed and direction by leveraging scintillation phenomena, allowing users to observe air flow and calculate wind speed through methods like the zero crossing technique, and providing targeting offsets for accurate aiming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional anemometers are used to measure wind speed at the shooter's location, then wind speed measurement is achieved, but the measurement does not accurately predict air motion over the path of the round due to topology and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an infrared illumination beam as an intermediary medium between the shooter and target to visualize air motion. The infrared beam interacts with air molecules and obstacles along the trajectory, allowing direct observation of air flow patterns, temperature variations, and obstacles that would affect the round's path, thereby providing more reliable prediction data than traditional anemometers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-based wind measurement (anemometer at shooter location) to line-integrated visualization (infrared beam along entire trajectory). This dimensional change from 0D point measurement to 1D path visualization allows observation of air motion variations across the entire round's path, including effects of topology and obstacles.
2Ease of operation
If wind speed measurement is taken at the shooter's location, then measurement is obtained, but air motion variability over long distances cannot be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared illumination system serves multiple functions: it illuminates the target for viewing, provides a measurement medium for air motion visualization, and enables range finding. This multi-functionality allows the system to capture air motion profiles along the entire trajectory without adding separate complex measurement equipment.
3Loss of information
If infrared illumination is used to visualize air motion, then wind speed and direction can be observed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the infrared illumination function with the existing scope system. The illumination beam is integrated into the scope's optical path, and the same detector used for target visualization also captures air motion information along the beam path, eliminating the need for separate measurement instruments.
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 users to intuitively observe and numerically estimate wind speed and direction, improving accuracy in long-range shooting and other applications by providing a visual representation of air motion and precise ballistic corrections.
Implementation Method 1
allows air motion across the range to target to be observed. Close the ground, there exist localized 'cells' or pockets of air having optically distinct differences in indices of refraction to neighboring regions of air, all flowing in a laminar manner in the direction of prevailing wind. This variation in index of refraction scatters or refracts electromagnetic radiation differently, a phenomenon known as scintillation
Implementation Method 2
This variation in index of refraction scatters or refracts electromagnetic radiation differently
Implementation Method 3
an imaging detector configured to receive the scattered and refracted electromagnetic radiation and produce imagery of a viewed scene
Data Source
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AI summary
An infared-based scope configured to obtain and display video imagery that allows a user to estimate wind speed and direction over a trajectory to a target based on observed air motion in the video imagery. In certain examples, the scope further includes electronics configured to calculate the wind speed using video image processing techniques.