Tunable Reflective Skin for Unmanned System Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for managing and tracking unmanned mobile systems, such as GPS and wireless telemetry, are inadequate for increasing operational density and safety, particularly in environments where optical imaging and deep learning are being considered for enhanced location and communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and tunable optically reflective skin is developed, composed of stacked sub-wavelength layers and nano- or micro-structures that change reflectivity when stretched or flexed, integrated with actuators and a controller to dynamically adjust reflectivity in response to environmental conditions and operational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional GPS and wireless telemetry systems are used for tracking unmanned mobile systems, then the systems can provide basic location and communication capabilities, but they are inadequate for increasing operational density and safety in environments where optical imaging and deep learning are being considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical skin's reflectivity可调 (tunable) rather than fixed. The skin can dynamically adjust its optical properties in response to environmental conditions and operational requirements, allowing the unmanned system to adapt its tracking and communication characteristics in real-time based on the situation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the optical reflectivity parameters of the skin through mechanical deformation (stretching, flexing). This changes the optical characteristics of the system to optimize performance for different operational scenarios, enhancing both reliability and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical skin is made flexible and stretchable to enable tuning of reflectivity, then the adaptability for different operational conditions is improved, but the mechanical durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly applies this principle by using a flexible skin composed of thin film layers that can be stretched and flexed. This flexible structure enables the tuning of optical reflectivity while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties for durability through careful material selection and structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by stacking multiple sub-wavelength layers with different optical and mechanical properties. This composite structure allows the skin to achieve both flexibility for tuning and sufficient mechanical durability by combining materials that complement each other's properties
3Reliability
If stacked sub-wavelength layers and nano- or micro-structures are used to achieve tunable reflectivity, then the optical performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical skin into multiple stacked sub-wavelength layers, each with specific optical properties. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer's thickness and material composition to achieve the desired overall reflectivity tuning while managing the complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dimensional approach by working at the sub-wavelength scale (nano- and micro-structures), operating in a different size dimension than conventional optical structures. This enables unique optical properties and tuning mechanisms that would not be achievable at larger scales, optimizing performance while managing complexity through scale-based design
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 tunable reflective skin enhances the performance of remote location, identification, and tracking systems by optimizing optical signal transmission and reception, offering improved mechanical durability and adaptability for various applications, including unmanned aerial, marine, and ground systems.
Implementation Method 1
skins or films that are mechanically durable and which exhibit settable or tunable optical reflection characteristics when subject to changes in shape or physical dimensions. Embodiments include skins with stacked sub-wavelength layers and nano-, or micro-, structures which experience dimensional changes and exhibit changeable reflectivity
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile system includes a self-supporting platform, a tunable reflective skin or film disposed on and secured to the mobile platform, one or more actuators and a controller. The tunable reflective skin or film includes one or more layers that are at least partially reflective to optical energy at one or more optical wavelengths. The skin or film is substantially flexible and/or stretchable and has an optical reflectivity to incident electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength which is selectively variable when flexed and/or stretched. The actuators are able to flex and/or stretch the skin or film in response to receipt of a control signal. The controller generates the control signal based on a measured value of the optical reflectivity of the skin or film to the incident electromagnetic radiation of the given wavelength.