Optical system for vehicle flight control

• US 7,039,292 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Breiholz, Arlen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ellen E.
• Application Number:
  US10/936,928
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• Field of Search: 385/147
• US Class Current: 385/147
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0816 by means of one or more reflecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/10 Simultaneous control of position or course in three dimensions G05D1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/102 specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors

Abstract

A switchable optical system includes a primary optical system positioned to receive a forward view image, forward from the vehicle, during a reconnaissance mode of operation. A secondary optical system is operatively associated with the primary optical system for receiving opposing side images, side-looking from the vehicle. An imaging sensor is operatively associated with the primary optical system and with the secondary optical system. A mode switch is operatively associated with the primary optical system and the secondary optical system for switching between the reconnaissance mode of operation and a biomimetic mode of operation. The forward view image is sensed by the imaging sensor during the reconnaissance mode of operation; and, a portion of the forward view image and the opposing side images are simultaneously sensed by the imaging sensor for balancing the optic flow during the biomimetic mode of operation.

Claims

1. A switchable optical system for a flight control system of a vehicle, comprising:

a primary optical system positioned to receive a forward view image, forward from the vehicle, during a reconnaissance mode of operation;

a secondary optical system operatively associated with said primary optical system for receiving opposing side images, side-looking from the vehicle, during a biomimetic mode of operation;

an imaging sensor operatively associated with said primary optical system and with said secondary optical system; and

,

a mode switch operatively associated with said primary optical system and said secondary optical system for switching between said reconnaissance mode of operation and said biomimetic mode of operation,

wherein said forward view image is sensed by said imaging sensor during said reconnaissance mode of operation and a portion of said forward view image and said opposing side images are simultaneously sensed by said imaging sensor for balancing the optic flow during said biomimetic mode of operation.

2. The switchable optical system of claim 1,

wherein said primary optical system comprises:

a primary mirror positioned to receive said forward view image and for reflecting said forward view image approximately 90 degrees,

wherein said mode switch comprises means for optically removing peripheral portions of said primary mirror for said biomimetic mode; and

,

wherein said secondary optical system comprises;

a pair of secondary mirrors positioned optically behind said peripheral portions of said primary mirror,

wherein during biomimetic flight opposing side images are received by said pair of secondary mirrors and said portion of said forward view image is simultaneously received by said primary mirror, thereby providing the capability of balancing the optic flow during said biomimetic mode.

3. The switchable optical system of claim 2 wherein said means for optically removing said peripheral portions of said primary mirror comprises mechanical means for moving said peripheral portions in the desired orientation to optically remove them.

4. The switchable optical system of claim 2 wherein said means for optically removing said peripheral portions of said primary mirror comprises electrical switching means for optically removing them.

5. The switchable optical system of claim 2 wherein said primary mirror comprises an electronically controlled mirror.

6. The switchable optical system of claim 2 wherein said primary mirror comprises a reversible electrochemical mirror (REM).

7. The switchable optical system of claim 2 wherein said peripheral portions comprise corners of said means for optically removing said peripheral portions of said primary mirror comprises mechanical means for flipping said peripheral portions in the desired orientation to optically remove them.

8. The switchable optical system of claim 1,

wherein said primary optical system, comprises:

a front lens system positioned to receive said forward view image and transmit said forward image to a rear portion of said primary optical system; and

,

wherein said secondary optical system, comprises;

a pair of secondary mirrors positioned optically behind said front lens system and introducible into the optical path provided by said forward view image during said biomimetic mode, opposing side images being received by said pair of secondary mirrors and said forward view image being simultaneously received by said imaging sensor thereby providing the capability of balancing the optic flow during said biomimetic mode.

9. The switchable optical system of claim 8, further comprising a rear lens system at a rear portion of said primary optical system for receiving said transmitted forward view image.

10. The switchable optical system of claim 8 wherein said pair of secondary mirrors are introducible into the optical path at about a 45 degree angle to said optical path.

11. The switchable optical system of claim 8 wherein said secondary optical system further includes a secondary lens system for transmitting said opposing side images to said pair of secondary mirrors.

12. The switchable optical system of claim 10 wherein said means for introducing said pair of secondary mirrors into the optical path comprises electrical switching means for introducing them.

13. The switchable optical system of claim 10 wherein said means for introducing said pair of secondary mirrors into the optical path comprises mechanical switching means for introducing them.

14. The switchable optical system of claim 1,

wherein said primary optical system comprises:

a primary mirror positioned to receive said forward view image and for reflecting said forward view image approximately 90 degrees toward said imaging sensor; and

,

wherein said secondary optical system comprises;

a pair of secondary mirrors mounted between said primary mirror and said imaging sensor, wherein during said reconnaissance mode of operation said pair of secondary mirrors are oriented outside of the optical path of said forward view image, said secondary optical system further comprising means for repositioning said secondary mirrors such that, during said biomimetic mode, said opposing side images are received by said secondary mirrors and directed toward said imaging sensor.

15. The switchable optical system of claim 1, wherein said secondary optical system comprises a pair of rotary shutters.

16. The switchable optical system of claim 1, wherein said secondary optical system comprises a pair of diagonally mounted, mirrored rotary shutters.

17. A flight control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a) a switchable optical system, comprising;

i. a primary optical system positioned to receive a forward view image, forward from the vehicle, during a reconnaissance mode of operation;

ii. a secondary optical system operatively associated with said primary optical system for receiving opposing side images, side-looking from the vehicle, during a biomimetic mode of operation;

iii. an imaging sensor operatively associated with said primary optical system and with said secondary optical system; and

,

iv. a mode switch operatively associated with said primary optical system and said secondary optical system for switching between said reconnaissance mode of operation and said biomimetic mode of operation,

wherein said forward view image is sensed by said imaging sensor during said reconnaissance mode of operation and a portion of said forward view image and said opposing side images are simultaneously sensed by said imaging sensor for balancing the optic flow during a biomimetic mode of operation, said imaging sensor providing image data;

b) an image processor connected to said switchable optical system for receiving the image data from said imaging sensor processing said image data and providing right optic flow data, left optic flow data and forward looking data, said image processor also providing mode control feedback data to said mode switch;

c) a biomimetic guidance system for receiving said right optic flow data, left optic flow data, and forward looking data and providing left and right steering commands to a vehicle autopilot; and

d) a reconnaissance system for receiving said forward looking data and providing reconnaissance commands to an end user.

18. The flight control system of claim 17, wherein said primary optical system comprises a reversible electrochemical mirror (REM).

19. A method for providing flight control for a vehicle, comprising the steps of

a) receiving a forward view image, forward from the vehicle, during a reconnaissance mode of operation utilizing a primary optical system;

b) receiving opposing side images, side-looking from the vehicle, utilizing a secondary optical system operatively associated with said primary optical system, during a biomimetic mode of operation;

c) switching between said reconnaissance mode of operation and said biomimetic mode of operation utilizing a mode switch operatively associated with said primary optical system and said secondary optical system;

d) sensing said forward view image during said reconnaissance mode of operation; and

,

e) simultaneously sensing a portion of said forward view image and said opposing side images for balancing the optic flow during said biomimetic mode of operation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of receiving a forward view image primary optical system comprises utilizing a reversible electrochemical mirror (REM).