JPH10132938A - Portable underwater laser television - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the movement of a photographing place, and provide a clearer image of an object to be visually confirmed with good working property by irradiating with laser pulse and detecting the reflected light to generate an image signal. SOLUTION: A laser oscillator 5 oscillates laser pulse by the power supplied from a laser oscillator power source 5A. A laser optical system 6 is formed of a lens and reflecting mirror, and it converges the spot diameter of the laser pulse incident form the laser oscillator 5 and changes the optical path to emit the laser pulse toward an irradiating direction setting means 7. The irradiating direction setting means 7 controls the irradiating direction of the laser pulse emitted into water through a light transmitting part 1a. An image pickup part 8 generates the image signal of the object to be visually confirmed on the basis of the reflected light obtained by reflecting the laser pulse by the object to be visually confirmed, and outputs it to a liquid crystal display 10 and an unbilical cable C. The laser optical system 6, the irradiating direction setting means 7 and the image pickup part 8 constitute light irradiating and light receiving means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable underwater laser television, and more particularly, to a technique for clearly recognizing a visual object disposed in water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a laser visual recognition device that uses a laser beam to clearly recognize a visual target placed in water with poor transparency. Conventionally, this type of laser visual recognition device includes a laser oscillator that generates a laser pulse, an irradiation light receiving unit that irradiates the laser pulse to an underwater visual target and detects reflected light thereof, and a direction of the irradiation light receiving unit. And a control device for controlling and displaying an image of the visual recognition target based on the output of the irradiation light receiving means. Among them, the laser oscillator and the control device are provided on a ship such as a support ship, and the irradiation and light receiving means is arranged and fixed in the water near the object to be visually recognized.

In such a laser viewing device,
The laser pulse output from the laser oscillator on the support vessel is guided to underwater irradiation and light receiving means via an optical fiber cable, and the irradiation and light receiving means irradiates the laser pulse toward the visual recognition target, and the reflected light from the visual recognition target is emitted. Detected by the irradiation light receiving means, the detection signal is transmitted to the control device on the support ship, and the image of the visual recognition target is displayed on a monitor or the like.

[0004]

In a visual recognition apparatus using a laser beam of this type, an image of the visual target to be obtained is sharpened by increasing the intensity of a laser pulse applied to the visual target. Is known to be. However, in the conventional laser viewing device described above,
In order to drive a high-power laser oscillator, a large-capacity power supply is required. For example, a laser oscillator is provided on a support ship, and a laser pulse is guided to an irradiation light receiving unit via an optical fiber cable. .

In such a configuration, since the light intensity of the laser pulse applied to the object to be viewed is limited by the optical transmission capacity of the optical fiber cable, the high intensity laser pulse output from the laser oscillator is used. Cannot be directly illuminated on the viewing target, and a clear image cannot be obtained. In particular, when the viewing distance increases, the image of the viewing target is significantly deteriorated.

The irradiation and light receiving means is composed of a pan / tilt device for changing the irradiation direction of the laser pulse, a laser irradiation unit and a light receiving unit fixed on the pan / tilt device, and the pan / tilt device is located near an object to be viewed. It is fixed. Therefore, the range of the visual recognition target is limited by the installation position of the irradiation and light receiving means, and when the user attempts to visually recognize a plurality of viewing targets, the installation position of the irradiation and light reception means needs to be changed each time. Is bad. Changing the installation position of the irradiating and receiving means having a certain weight in water is extremely complicated and poor in workability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has the following objects. (1) To provide a portable underwater laser television that can easily move a shooting place in water. (2) To provide a portable underwater laser television capable of photographing an object to be viewed with good workability. (3) To provide a portable underwater laser television capable of obtaining a clearer image of a viewing target. (4) To provide a portable underwater laser television capable of irradiating a higher-intensity laser pulse to an object to be viewed.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, as a first means, a laser pulse output from a laser oscillator is irradiated on an object to be viewed underwater, and reflected light of the laser pulse is detected. A portable underwater laser television that displays an image of an object to be viewed, which is provided movably disposed in water, opposes water pressure, and has a light transmitting unit that transmits a laser pulse and reflected light, and The laser oscillator disposed in the main body, and irradiation and light receiving means disposed in the main body, irradiating a laser pulse toward the visual target, and detecting reflected light to generate a video signal of the visual target. , A display unit disposed in the main body and displaying an image of the visual recognition target based on the image signal.

As a second means, in the first means, the light transmitting portion is formed in a dome shape, and the irradiation light receiving means is an irradiation direction of a laser pulse emitted toward the visual recognition target through the light transmitting portion. Means for setting an irradiation direction setting means for setting the distance. In this case, the laser pulse whose irradiation direction has been set by the irradiation direction setting means is emitted into the water through the dome-shaped light transmitting portion.

As a third means, in the above-mentioned first or second means, a means is employed in which the main body is provided with a propulsion means for navigating underwater.

As a fourth means, in any one of the first to third means, a means is employed in which the laser oscillator is a YAG laser oscillator for generating second harmonic light.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a portable underwater laser television according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration of the present embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral A denotes a portable underwater laser television set disposed underwater, B denotes a support ship, and C denotes an umbilical cable. The portable underwater laser television A has a cylindrical main body 1 formed to oppose water pressure.
And a thruster unit 2 (propulsion means).

The main body 1 is formed of a pressure vessel so as to withstand a water pressure of a depth of about 10 meters, and keeps various devices provided therein in a sealed state with respect to surrounding water. A dome-shaped light transmitting portion 1a made of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass is provided at a tip portion of the main body 1.
A laser pulse is radiated from the inside of the main body 1 through the light transmitting portion 1a to the underwater visual target, and the reflected light of the laser pulse from the visual target is taken to capture an image of the visual target. It has become.

The thruster units 2 are driven by a motor, and one pair is provided on the left and right sides of the main body 1. That is, when the thruster unit 2 is driven, the portable underwater laser television A travels underwater. FIG. 2 shows the back (rear end) of the main body 1.
FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 1b denotes a handle, and a pair is provided on the left and right sides of the back surface. The handle 1b is gripped by a diver when operating, for example, the direction of the main body 1.

Reference numeral 1c denotes a window, which is formed of a transparent member such as an acrylic plate. The diver or the like can check the image of the visual recognition target displayed on the display means (described later) in the main body 1 through the window 1c. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation panel, such as a switch for turning on the power of the portable underwater laser television A and a switch for operating the thruster unit 2, for photographing an image of an object to be viewed by the portable underwater laser television A. Are provided.

The support ship B is connected to a portable underwater laser television A via an umbilical cable C. The support ship B is provided with a monitor b1, and a video signal of a visual recognition target output from the portable underwater laser television A is input via an umbilical cable C. The umbilical cable C transmits the video signal of the visual recognition target and a part of the power required by the portable underwater laser television A from the support ship B to the portable underwater laser television A as described above. This power supply is transmitted to the portable underwater laser television A as, for example, a three-phase alternating current of 440 volts and 60 hertz.

Next, various devices provided in the main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 4 is a common base plate, 5 is a laser oscillator, 5A is a power supply for a laser oscillator, 6 is an optical system, 7 is an irradiation direction setting means, 8 is an imaging section, and 9 is an I / I (image intensity). A fire power source, 10 is a liquid crystal display (display means), and 11 is a control unit. The common base plate 4 is provided for fixing each device in the main body 1. Each of the above-described devices is fixed to the main body 1 via a common base plate 4 attached to the main body 1.

The laser oscillator 5 oscillates a pulsed laser beam (laser pulse) by power supplied from a laser oscillator power supply 5A provided exclusively. As the laser oscillator 5, YAG (Yttrium
An aluminum garnet laser oscillator that emits a laser pulse having a wavelength of 532 nm, which is second harmonic (SHG) light, is applied.

The oscillation of the laser oscillator 5 is controlled by the control unit 11.
Is controlled on the basis of a synchronization pulse supplied from the controller. For example, the repetition rate is 50 Hz and the pulse width is 5 ns.
A (nanosecond) laser pulse is emitted to the laser optical system 6. The laser oscillator 5 employs the Q-switch method as a means of synchronous oscillation, and oscillates a high-output laser pulse with high power efficiency with respect to the power supplied from the laser oscillator power supply 5A.

The laser optical system 6 is composed of a lens and a reflecting mirror, and focuses the spot diameter of the laser pulse incident from the laser oscillator 5 and changes the optical path to emit the same toward the irradiation direction setting means 7. .

The irradiation direction setting means 7 is a means for controlling the irradiation direction of the laser pulse emitted into the water through the light transmitting portion 1a, and is a reflecting mirror 7 for totally reflecting the laser pulse.
a and a pan-tilt device 7b for setting the direction of the reflecting mirror 7a
It is composed of The pan / tilt device 7b is driven by a motor, and rotates the reflecting mirror 7a about a fulcrum 7c in a plane parallel to the plane of the paper, and rotates the shaft 7d to rotate the reflecting mirror 7a in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper. It is configured to rotate within.

The irradiation direction setting means 7 constructed as described above
In, the reflecting mirror 7a emits the laser pulse incident on the reflecting mirror 7a from the laser optical system 6 into the water from the front downward and over a certain range on the side. The laser pulse emitted into the water is applied to the visual target, and the reflected light obtained by being reflected by the visual target enters the reflecting mirror 7a via the light transmitting portion 1a. The reflecting mirror 7a reflects the reflected light toward the imaging unit 8.

The imaging section 8 has a focus lens for focusing on the reflected light, an image intensifier (I / O) having a shutter function and amplifying the reflected light.
I), a high-sensitivity camera including an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a scanning device. The imaging unit 8 configured as described above generates a video signal of the visual target based on the reflected light obtained by the laser pulse being reflected by the visual target, and outputs the video signal to the liquid crystal display 10 and the umbilical cable C. I do. The laser optical system 6, the irradiation direction setting means 7, and the imaging section 8 constitute irradiation light receiving means.

The I / I power supply 9 is a power supply dedicated to the image intensifier. Liquid crystal display 10
Is a common base plate 4 such that the display surface faces the window 1c.
Fixed to The control device 11 is configured by a memory or the like in which a control program, which is a CPU (central processing unit), is stored. The control device 11 performs various processes according to the control program based on the operation information input from the operation panel 3 described above. Control the equipment.

Among the above-mentioned various devices, each device except for the laser oscillator 5 having a large power consumption and having a dedicated power supply and the image intensifier was supplied from the support ship B via the umbilical cable C. It is designed to be driven by AC power.

Next, the operation of the portable underwater laser television will be described. First, the diver turns the portable underwater laser television A in the direction of the viewing target. At this time, by operating the thruster unit 2, the position of the portable underwater laser television A can be easily moved underwater. At the shooting depth of the visible object, the portable underwater laser television A is stopped by considering the weight of the portable underwater laser television A so that the gravity acting on the portable underwater laser television A and the buoyancy balance. It becomes easy to hold.

Then, a wavelength 532 is output from the laser oscillator 5.
A laser pulse having a wavelength of 5 nm, a repetition rate of 50 Hz, and a pulse width of 5 ns is emitted. The laser pulse is applied to a reflecting mirror 7a via a laser optical system 6, and is reflected by the reflecting mirror 7a to pass the light transmitting portion 1a. The target object is illuminated underwater.

The wavelength 532 nm of the laser pulse is
The transmittance of the laser pulse in water is a good wavelength, and the laser pulse propagates through the water with low loss and irradiates the visual target. At this time, the visual target is irradiated with a laser pulse with a fixed spot diameter, and the irradiated portion reflects the laser pulse to generate reflected light. The reflected light propagates in the water and passes through the reflecting mirror 7 through the light transmitting portion 1a.
a and is reflected toward the imaging unit 8.

The reflected light is optically amplified by an image intensifier of the image pickup section 8, is received and scanned by an image pickup device, and is converted into a video signal of a visual recognition target. At this time, the focus lens is adjusted so that the focal point of the reflected light coincides with the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and the image intensifier opens and closes the shutter based on the synchronization pulse input from the control unit 11. In the pulsed reflected light, only the reflected light of a portion (time section) having a certain intensity or more, that is, a portion corresponding to the regular reflected light of the laser pulse is received by the image pickup device.

The light that propagates through the water and enters the portable underwater laser television A includes the scattered light of the laser pulse in addition to the regular reflection light of the laser pulse. Since the scattered light does not reflect the state of the visual recognition target object, it becomes a kind of noise with respect to the reflected light. Therefore, the image
By opening and closing the shutter of the intensifier and allowing the image sensor to receive only the regular reflection light of the laser pulse, it is possible to capture a high-quality image of the visual recognition target.

The video signal output from the image pickup unit 8 is input to the liquid crystal display 10 to display an image of the visual recognition target. The diver checks the state of the visual recognition target on the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 10, and adjusts the photographing site and the like of the visual recognition target by operating the pan / tilt device 7 b from the operation panel 3 as necessary. it can.

The video signal is output from the imaging unit 8 to the umbilical cable C and is output from the monitor b1 on the support ship B.
The image of the visual recognition target is also displayed. That is, since the same image of the visual recognition target as displayed on the underwater liquid crystal display 10 is also displayed on the monitor b1 on the support ship B,
The shooting position can be changed by giving an instruction to the diver from the support ship B via some communication means.

Finally, according to the above-described portable underwater laser television A of the present embodiment, Y is used as the laser oscillator 5.
Since a device that outputs AG-SHG light is applied, Y
Y whose wavelength can be varied even with an AG laser oscillator
Compared to the case where an AG-OPO (Optical Parametric Oscilator) is applied, the capacity of the laser oscillator power supply 5A can be greatly reduced, for example, to about 1/10. That is, in the portable underwater laser television A, the power consumption required for laser pulse oscillation is significantly reduced as compared with the related art, so that it is possible to reduce the number of times of charging and shoot for a long time.

[0035]

As described above, the portable underwater laser television according to the present invention has the following effects. (1) A portable underwater laser television that irradiates a laser pulse output from a laser oscillator to an underwater object to be viewed, detects reflected light of the laser pulse, and displays an image of the object to be viewed. A main body provided with a light transmitting portion that is movably disposed to oppose water pressure and transmits a laser pulse and reflected light, the laser oscillator disposed in the main body, and a laser pulse disposed in the main body. Irradiating the object toward the visual target, and irradiating and receiving means for detecting reflected light to generate a video signal of the visual target, and disposed in the main body, and displaying an image of the visual target based on the video signal. Since the display device includes the display means for performing the operation, the equipment required for photographing the visual recognition target object and displaying the image thereof is provided in the main body arranged underwater, and it is extremely easy to move the photographing place underwater. (2) Since various devices necessary for photographing a visual target and displaying an image of the visual target are provided in the main body that is moved underwater while being held by the diver, there is no need to fix the irradiation and light receiving means as in the related art. Therefore, it is possible to photograph the visual target with good workability. In particular, the workability is good when photographing a plurality of viewing targets. (3) Since the laser oscillation device is provided in the main body arranged underwater, there is no need to propagate the laser pulse from the support ship to the underwater irradiation and light receiving means via an optical fiber as in the conventional case. As a result, a high-intensity laser pulse can be applied to the viewing target. As a result, it is possible to obtain a clearer image of the visual recognition target object than before. (4) The light transmitting section is formed in a dome shape, and the irradiation / light receiving means includes irradiation direction setting means for setting the irradiation direction of the laser pulse emitted toward the visual recognition target via the light transmitting section. In a state where the direction is fixed, it is possible to irradiate a laser pulse over a certain range. Therefore, for example, by setting the orientation of the main body and confirming the image of the visual recognition target object displayed on the display means, it is possible to correct the imaging part and the like. (5) Y that generates second harmonic light as a laser oscillator
Since the AG laser oscillator is used, the power consumption required for laser pulse oscillation is significantly reduced as compared with the related art, so that it is possible to reduce the number of times of charging and perform imaging for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration of an embodiment of a portable underwater laser television according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a back surface of a main body in one embodiment of the portable underwater laser television according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a device configuration inside a main body in one embodiment of the portable underwater laser television according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Portable underwater laser TV, B: Support ship, b1
... Monitor, C ... Umbilical cable, 1 ... Main body, 1a ... Light transmitting part, 1b ... Handle, 1c ... Window part
2 thruster unit (propulsion means), 3 operation panel, 4 common base plate, 5 laser oscillator, 5A
... Power supply for laser oscillator, 6 ... Laser optical system (irradiation / light receiving means), 7 ... irradiation direction setting means (irradiation / light receiving means), 7a ... Reflector mirror (irradiation / light receiving means), 7b ... Means, 7c ... fulcrum (irradiation light receiving means), 7d ... axis (irradiation light receiving means), 8 ... imaging unit (irradiation light receiving means), 9 ... power supply for I / I, 10 ... liquid crystal display (display) Means), 11 ... Control unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Hirose 4-3778 Irifune-cho, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture Inside the Niigata Machinery Maintenance Office, Port and Harbor Bureau, Ministry of Transport (72) Inventor Hirotoshi Igarashi 4-, Irifunecho, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture 3778 In the Niigata Machinery Maintenance Office, Port and Harbor Bureau, Ministry of Transport (72) Inventor Junichi Akizono 3-1-1 Nagase, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture 3-1-1 Nagase, Port and Harbor Research Institute, Ministry of Transport (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Takahashi 2-1-1, Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries, Ltd.Tokyo First Factory (72) Inventor Haruwa Asazuma 2-1-1, Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.Tokyo First Factory (72) Inventor Riki Saito Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Chome No. 15 Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. Higashini Technical Center in over (72) inventor Ichiro Fujii, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Toyosu Chome No. 2 No. 16 Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. Toyosu comprehensive within the office

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A portable underwater laser television that irradiates a laser pulse output from a laser oscillator to an underwater viewing target, detects reflected light of the laser pulse, and displays an image of the viewing target, A main body provided with a light transmitting portion that is movably disposed in water and opposes water pressure, and transmits a laser pulse and reflected light; the laser oscillator disposed in the main body; Irradiation and reception means for irradiating the laser pulse toward the visual target, detecting reflected light and generating a video signal of the visual target, and disposed in the main body, and displaying an image of the visual target based on the video signal. A portable underwater laser television, comprising: display means for displaying 2. The portable underwater laser television according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting portion is formed in a dome shape, and the irradiation light receiving means emits a laser pulse emitted toward the visual recognition target through the light transmitting portion. A portable underwater laser television comprising an irradiation direction setting means for setting a direction. 3. The portable underwater laser television according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a propulsion means for navigating underwater. 4. The portable underwater laser television according to claim 1, wherein the laser oscillator is a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garne) that generates second harmonic light.
t) A portable underwater laser television characterized by being a laser oscillator.