AU2010324778A1 - Articulated sensor support structure - Google Patents
Articulated sensor support structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2010324778A1 AU2010324778A1 AU2010324778A AU2010324778A AU2010324778A1 AU 2010324778 A1 AU2010324778 A1 AU 2010324778A1 AU 2010324778 A AU2010324778 A AU 2010324778A AU 2010324778 A AU2010324778 A AU 2010324778A AU 2010324778 A1 AU2010324778 A1 AU 2010324778A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- support structure
- sensor support
- mast
- hatch
- image sensor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- RZVHIXYEVGDQDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 9,10-anthraquinone Chemical compound C1=CC=C2C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C(=O)C2=C1 RZVHIXYEVGDQDX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000408659 Darpa Species 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B15/00—Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
- G03B15/006—Apparatus mounted on flying objects
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B29/00—Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64U20/00—Constructional aspects of UAVs
- B64U20/80—Arrangement of on-board electronics, e.g. avionics systems or wiring
- B64U20/87—Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64U2101/00—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
- B64U2101/30—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for imaging, photography or videography
Abstract
Embodiments include an assembly comprising: (a) a camera support structure comprising: a masthead (320) disposed on the distal end of a mast (210) wherein the masthead (320) is configured to receive an imaging element (1110); where a proximal end of the mast (210) rotatably engaging an azimuth-elevation joint assembly (140); and (b) a camera support structure housing 100 comprising an aperture (120) and a hatch (110) wherein the hatch (110) is resiliently biased to close the aperture (120), and wherein the camera support structure (220) is configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by at least one of the release of a pin (1150) restraining a loaded spring and a rotational actuation of the mast via the azimuth-elevation joint assembly (140).
Description
WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 DESCRIPTION TITLE: Articulated Sensor Support Structure 5 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to and the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/264,601, filed November 25, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes, 10 FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH The invention was made with Government support under HROO 11-07-C-0075 awarded by DARPA. The Government has certain rights in the invention. 15 TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments pertain to articulated support structures and particularly to modular articulated support structures for a sensor. BACKGROUND 20 A sensor, such as an imaging sensor, may be mounted on a support member such as a stanchion. An imaging sensor may be mounted on a powered platform having two axes of rotation. DISCLOSURE 25 Embodiments include an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: a sensor support structure which comprises a sensor masthead disposed on a distal end of a mast, wherein a proximal end of the mast rotatably engages an azimuth-elevation joint assembly. In some embodiments, the unmanned aerial vehicle may be comprised of an azimuth-elevation 30 joint assembly comprising a first angular actuator of a first rotational degree-of- freedom and a second angular actuator of a second rotational degree of freedom. In some embodiments of the unmanned aerial vehicle the sensor masthead may be configured to 1 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 receive an imaging element. In other embodiments of the unmanned aerial vehicle the sensor support structure may be a camera support structure In other embodiments the unmanned aerial vehicle may further comprise a sensor support structure housing, which may be a camera support structure, comprising an aperture having a perimeter that may 5 further comprise a hatch rotatably attached to a portion of the sensor support structure housing; wherein the hatch is resiliently biased to rotatably engage the aperture proximate to the perimeter of the aperture. In this embodiment, the sensor support structure may be configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by the release, e.g., via a lineal actuator, of a pin restraining a loaded spring and/or may be configured to overcome the hatch resilient 10 bias by a rotational actuation of the mast via at least one of: (a) the first angular actuator and (b) the second angular actuator. Embodiments include an assembly comprising: (a) a camera support structure comprising: a masthead disposed on the distal end of a mast wherein the masthead is 15 configured to receive an imaging element; where a proximal end of the mast rotatably engaging an azimuth-elevation joint assembly wherein the azimuth-elevation joint assembly comprises a first angular actuator of a first rotational degree-of-freedom and a second angular actuator of a second rotational degree of freedom; and (b) a camera support structure housing comprising an aperture and a hatch where the hatch may be 20 resiliently biased to close about the aperture and where the camera support structure may be configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by at least one of: (a) the release of a pin restraining a loaded spring and (b) a rotational actuation of the mast via at least one of: (i) the first angular actuator and (ii) the second angular actuator. 25 Some embodiments include a method of deploying and retracting an image sensor support structure from an image sensor support housing, where the method comprises: (a) removing a loaded spring restraining pin of a mast of the image sensor support structure; (b) rotatably swinging open a hatch, that may be rotatably resiliently biased, of the image sensor support housing, by the unrestrained spring loaded mast; and (c) 30 rotationally actuating the mast via at least one of the first angular actuator and the second angular actuator. Method embodiments of deploying and retracting an image sensor support structure from an image sensor support housing may further comprise 2 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 elevationally retracting the mast of the image sensor support structure and replacing the loaded spring restraining pin of the mast of the image sensor support structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary housing having a translucent top with an open hatch and a top view of a deployed support structure; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary housing of FIG. 1 where the hatch of the 10 translucent top is closed; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the sensor support in a retracted position; FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the sensor support in an early stage of extension; 15 FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the sensor support in an early stage of extension with the hatch open; FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the extended sensor support in a rotatable position; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the extended sensor support in 20 a rotatable position 90 degrees from the angle of rotation depicted in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the extended sensor support in a rotatable position 180 degrees from the angle of rotation depicted in FIG. 6; FIG. 9 depicts the exemplary housing that may engage a forward portion of an air vehicle; 25 FIG. 10 depicts the exemplary housing engaging a forward portion of an air vehicle; and FIG. 11 depicts in a top-level a block diagram of a system that may use an exemplary embodiment of the articulated sensor support assembly 30 BEST MODES Reference is made to the drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary housing having a translucent top with an open hatch and a top view of a deployed support structure. A housing 100 is depicted having a transparent 3 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 top 102 comprising a hatch 110 and a partial fixed cover 111, and where the housing 100 further includes an enclosure 115. The bottom portion of the enclosure is shown as including a transparent aperture 130. A sensor support assembly 140 is shown disposed on a top surface of the bottom portion of the enclosure 120, where the sensor support 5 assembly 105 is shown including a camera lens. The top 102 may be opaque or translucent. The sensor support structure 105 is shown mounted on a first rotatable joint 125 and a second rotatable joint 126, 127. The hatch 110 may be configured to rotate about a spring-loaded hinge in the direction of closing on the aperture when the support structure is retracted into the housing volume. 10 FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exemplary housing of FIG. 1 where the hatch 110 of the translucent top 102 is closed. A portion of the sensor support assembly 140 is shown retracted in the volume defined by the enclosure 115 and the top 102. A mast 210 or arm is shown extending from the second joint 126, 127 to a sensor mounting member 220. 15 FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the sensor support in a retracted position. A lens 310 and lens attachment assembly 320 are shown disposed at the sensor mounting member 220, and the lens 310 is shown oriented toward the transparent aperture 130. 20 FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the sensor support in an early stage of extension. The arm or mast 210 may be rotated about the axis of the second joint due to a release spring previously in tension or may be driven by an actuating element. As the mast 210 is rotated away from the bottom of the enclosure, the sensor attachment 25 assembly 320 contacts and lifts the hatch 110. FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the sensor support, in an early stage of extension with the hatch 110 open as the sensor attachment assembly 320 clears the edge of the hatch 110. 30 FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the extended sensor support in a extended potion and rotatable about the first rotatable joint 125. FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the extended sensor support in a rotatable position 90 4 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 degrees from the angle of rotation depicted in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the extended sensor support in a rotatable position 180 degrees from the angle of rotation depicted in FIG. 6. 5 FIG. 9 depicts the exemplary camera structural housing 100 that may engage a forward portion of an air vehicle 900. An input/output interface 910 may be disposed within the receiving cavity 920 of the air vehicle 900, e.g., along a wall 921 defining a portion of the receiving cavity 920. FIG. 10 depicts the exemplary camera structural housing 100 engaging a forward portion of an air vehicle 900. Accordingly in an air 10 vehicle embodiment, the lens may support a down-looking imaging device. The output of the imaging device may be used to aid flight control and/or landing guidance. Once the landing phase is complete, the sensor support assembly may be commanded or released to extend, via the hatch, to an upright position and thereafter scan in azimuth to pan the horizon in a reconnaissance or surveillance mode. FIG. 11 depicts in a top-level block 15 diagram of a system 1100 that may use an exemplary embodiment of the articulated sensor support assembly 1105. In a retracted position, the image sensor 1110 may provide information for flight control processing 1131 by a processor 1130 and/or the image information may be transmitted to a receiving station via a downlink such as a transmitter 1140 and antenna 1141. Once landed, the image sensor may be used for 20 reconnaissance/surveillance and such use may be facilitated by the release 1150 of a spring-loaded arm or the actuation of an elevation actuator 1151 applying torque to elevate rotationally the sensor support assembly. The release mechanism 1150 may comprise a solenoid-actuated pin. The reconnaissance/surveillance processing 1132 may command, via an output interface, an azimuth motor 1152 to turn the sensor support assembly in 25 order to scan the local horizon. In some embodiments, the sensor support assembly may be returned to a stowed position for take-off by the elevation actuator 1151. It is contemplated that various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still fall within 30 the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed by way of examples should not be 5 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 6
Claims (13)
1. An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: 5 a sensor support structure comprising: a sensor masthead disposed on a distal end of a mast; wherein a proximal end of the mast rotatably engages an azimuth-elevation joint assembly.
2. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 wherein the azimuth-elevation joint assembly 10 comprises a first angular actuator of a first rotational degree-of- freedom and a second angular actuator of a second rotational degree of freedom;
3. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 wherein the sensor masthead is configured to receive an imaging element; 15
4. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 wherein the sensor support structure is a camera support structure.
5. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a sensor support structure 20 housing comprising an aperture having a perimeter,
6. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 5 further comprising a hatch rotatably attached to a portion of the sensor support structure housing; wherein the hatch is resiliently biased to rotatably engage the aperture proximate to the perimeter of the aperture; 25
7. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 6 wherein the sensor support structure is configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by the release of a pin restraining a loaded spring. 30
8. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 6 wherein the sensor support structure is configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by the release of a pin restraining a loaded spring and a rotational actuation of the mast via at least one of: the first angular actuator and the second angular actuator. 7 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037
9. The unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 5 wherein the sensor support structure housing is a camera support structure. 5
10. An assembly comprising: a camera support structure comprising: a masthead disposed on a distal end of a mast wherein the masthead is configured to receive an imaging element; wherein a proximal end of the mast rotatably engaging an azimuth-elevation 10 joint assembly wherein the azimuth-elevation joint assembly comprises a first angular actuator of a first rotational degree-of- freedom and a second angular actuator of a second rotational degree of freedom; and a cameral support structure housing comprising an aperture and a hatch wherein the hatch is resiliently biased to rotatably engage the aperture; and wherein the 15 camera support structure is configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by at least one of: the release of a pin restraining a loaded spring and a rotational actuation of the mast via at least one of the first angular actuator and the second angular actuator. 20
11. A method of deploying and retracting an image sensor support structure from an image sensor support housing, the method comprising: removing a loaded spring restraining pin of a mast of the image sensor support structure; rotatably swinging open a hatch of the image sensor support housing, by the 25 unrestrained spring loaded mast; and rotationally actuating the mast via at least one of the first angular actuator and the second angular actuator.
12. The method of deploying and retracting an image sensor support structure from an 30 image sensor support housing of claim 11 wherein the hatch is rotatably resiliently biased.
13. The method of deploying and retracting an image sensor support structure from an image sensor support housing of claim 11 further comprising: 8 WO 2011/066410 PCT/US2010/058037 elevationally retracting the mast of the image sensor support structure; and replacing the loaded spring restraining pin of the mast of the image sensor support structure. 5 9
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US26460109P | 2009-11-25 | 2009-11-25 | |
US61/264,601 | 2009-11-25 | ||
PCT/US2010/058037 WO2011066410A1 (en) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-11-24 | Articulated sensor support structure |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2010324778A1 true AU2010324778A1 (en) | 2012-06-14 |
Family
ID=44066914
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU2010324778A Abandoned AU2010324778A1 (en) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-11-24 | Articulated sensor support structure |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2504237A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2013512148A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20120094062A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102712371A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2010324778A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2797643A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011066410A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB201111270D0 (en) | 2011-07-01 | 2011-08-17 | Qinetiq Ltd | Casing |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2677515A (en) * | 1951-12-21 | 1954-05-04 | Lockheed Aircraft Corp | Combined landing gear operating mechanism, side strut and down lock |
DE1903575B1 (en) * | 1969-01-24 | 1970-05-14 | Ver Flugtechnische Werke | Covering device for a passage opening of an aircraft landing gear that can be swiveled out and in |
US6286806B1 (en) * | 2000-01-20 | 2001-09-11 | Dan E. Corcoran | Adjustable sensor supporting apparatus and method |
US6880987B2 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2005-04-19 | Quickset International, Inc. | Pan and tilt positioning unit |
US7000883B2 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2006-02-21 | The Insitu Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for stabilizing payloads, including airborne cameras |
US20050029398A1 (en) * | 2003-08-04 | 2005-02-10 | Lowe Jerry D. | Flying craft camera and sensor mechanized lift platform |
US7066501B2 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-06-27 | Avibank Mfg., Inc. | Aircraft latch |
US7841783B2 (en) * | 2006-02-16 | 2010-11-30 | Brandebury Tool Company, Inc. | Miniaturized turret-mounted camera assembly |
BRPI0701237B1 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2019-03-19 | Embraer S.A. | SCALING SYSTEM FOR AIRCRAFT SENSORS |
CN201287830Y (en) * | 2008-10-14 | 2009-08-12 | 西安展翼航空科技有限公司 | Stabilising bracket for aerial photography camera |
-
2010
- 2010-11-24 WO PCT/US2010/058037 patent/WO2011066410A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-11-24 AU AU2010324778A patent/AU2010324778A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-11-24 CA CA2797643A patent/CA2797643A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-11-24 KR KR1020127016101A patent/KR20120094062A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2010-11-24 JP JP2012541200A patent/JP2013512148A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-11-24 EP EP10833940A patent/EP2504237A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-11-24 CN CN2010800610657A patent/CN102712371A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2013512148A (en) | 2013-04-11 |
EP2504237A1 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
WO2011066410A1 (en) | 2011-06-03 |
CN102712371A (en) | 2012-10-03 |
KR20120094062A (en) | 2012-08-23 |
CA2797643A1 (en) | 2011-06-03 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MK1 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(a) - no request for examination in relevant period |