Space suit helmet display system

• US 9,500,868 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Dopilka, David J., Schuck, Daryl
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jr., Kenneth B
• Application Number:
  US14/327,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20160011418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0123 comprising devices increasing the field of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0127 comprising devices increasing the depth of field
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0187 slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence

Abstract

A space suit helmet capable of meeting the demands of future space suit helmet display requirements in a decoupled-helmet, helmet-mounted design with sufficient eye relief is provided. A display system and a redirecting assembly are coupled together and mounted to the helmet. The display system generates an image and the redirecting assembly orients the image with respect to a predetermined valid eye location volume within the helmet.

Claims

1. A helmet suitable for use in space, comprising:

a display system mounted to the helmet that is configured to generate an image, the display system comprising a relay lens assembly configured to create an intermediate virtual image;

a processor module configured to command the display system to generate the image; and

a redirecting assembly coupled to the display system for orienting an image with respect to a static predetermined valid eye location volume within the helmet,

wherein the redirecting assembly comprises, (1) a fixed focusing lens assembly configured to create a virtual image based on the intermediate virtual image, the virtual image focused at a static predetermined virtual image distance, the static predetermined virtual image distance being independent of ambient scenery, and (2) a first mirror oriented to redirect the intermediate virtual image toward the predetermined valid eye location volume.

2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the fixed focusing lens assembly is located at a static first predetermined distance from the predetermined valid eye location volume.

3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the display system and redirecting assembly are enclosed within an externally mounted housing.

4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the fixed focusing lens assembly is located at a static second predetermined distance from the predetermined valid eye location volume.

5. The helmet of claim 4 wherein:

the fixed focusing lens assembly is located within the helmet; and

the display system and first mirror are located in housing mounted on an external surface of the helmet.

6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the image comprises a three dimensional, moving image.