Supports – Including energy absorbing means – e.g. – fluid or friction...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-11-27
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Including energy absorbing means, e.g., fluid or friction...
C248S913000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322040
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to aviation electronics or avionics, and more particularly relate to opto-electronic avionics, and more particularly relates to holographic optical data processing for avionics equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, designers of avionics systems have endeavored to provide systems with improved functionality and simultaneous cost reductions. One example of an area of inquiry has been the use of holographic optical data storage for storage of large amounts of data to be used in flight systems. For example, recently there has been considerable attention given to reduction of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Ground collision avoidance systems have been proposed which use GPS receivers and a terrain database to reduce such CFIT accidents. One obstacle in such systems is providing a terrain database, which contains the vast amount of information required, while concomitantly meeting the needs of very fast data retrieval times. Holographic data storage is one possible scheme that could be used.
While these holographic data storage approaches have many advantages, is they also have significant drawbacks.
Holographic data storage systems require very stable conditions. The relatively short wavelengths of the light in the optical range results in a requirement to preserve precise alignment of components to allow for measurement and detection of these optical signals. However, the environment in an aircraft is relatively hostile. The dramatic temperature changes and vibration, which are commonplace on-board an aircraft, are not trivial obstacles when designing an airborne holographic data storage system.
Use of standard optical laboratory component mounting equipment, such as an optical rail which positions mounting brackets along a linear rail member or an optical table, with numerous mounting holes across the table top, has often failed to provide the requisite preservation of alignment of the optical components.
Consequently, there exists a need for improvement in airborne optical systems which address the requirement of precise alignment of optical components in a relatively hostile environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a ruggedized optical mounting system.
It is a feature of the present invention to utilize multiple points of contact between each optical component and the mounting framework
It is an advantage of the present invention to allow enhanced stability and alignment control.
It is another feature of the present invention to utilize multiple planes of contact between each optical component and the mounting framework.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a cost effective a and compact airborne optical component mounting system.
The present invention is an apparatus and method for mounting and aligning optical components on an aircraft, which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out with a “misalignment amplifying lever arm-less system” in a sense that there is a great reduction in the amount of misalignment, which often is amplified as a result of the use of multiple adjustable mounting stages between the mounting framework and the optical component.
Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method for mounting optical components in an airborne environment which includes a multi-planar frame for securing a plurality of optical components in a predetermined orientation where each component is secured through at least one coupling on at least two of the planes of the frame.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4298248 (1981-11-01), Lapp
patent: 4601452 (1986-07-01), Rando
patent: 4690507 (1987-09-01), Zimmermann
patent: 4936655 (1990-06-01), Leib et al.
patent: 5029791 (1991-07-01), Ceccon et al.
patent: 5353167 (1994-10-01), Kuklo et al.
patent: 6038013 (2000-03-01), Ohsaki
“Compact holographic storage demonstrator with rapid access” by Ian McMichael, William Christian, David Pletcher, Tallis Y. Chang, and John H. Hong, published in Allied Optics, vol. 35, No. 14, May 10, 1996.
“Holographic storage promises high data density” published in Laser Focus World, beginning at p. 81, Nov. 1996.
Robertson Richard L.
Woytassek Mark A.
DeLuca J.
Eppele Kyle
Jensen Nathan O.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
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