Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Dennis C Richman

Rolf Krumes

James T Hall

Murty V Mantravadi

Susan M Raffensperger

Carl L Bose

Dennis Hilliard Rose

Eden Y Mei

Bradley D Ostman

Gilberto Di Benedetto

Daniel C Lorti

The present invention relates generally to ladar and more particularly to a tilted primary clamshell lens laser scanner for transmitting a generally collimated beam of radiation at a first frequency such that the beam rotates about a central axis so as to form a conical scanning pattern suitable for lidar applications. In addition, the ladar includes a system for transmitting at least one additional collimated beam of radiation at a second frequency at a wider angle then the first collimated beam.

Laser scanner with peripheral scanning capability

A scanner transmits a generally collimated beam of radiation such that the beam rotates about an axis to form a conical scanning pattern. The scanner comprises a concave parabolic reflector having a geometric axis and a focus, a rotation mechanism for effecting rotation of the concave parabolic reflector about a rotation axis which is angularly offset with respect to the geometric axis of the concave parabolic reflector, an opening formed in the concave parabolic reflector proximate the rotation axis thereof, and a convex parabolic reflector disposed along the rotation axis of the concave parabolic reflector and having a focus which is approximately co-located with the focus of the concave parabolic reflector. Directing collimated radiation through the opening formed in the concave parabolic reflector and onto the convex parabolic reflector while rotating the concave parabolic reflector about the rotation axis thereof effects transmission of a generally collimated beam of radiation such that the beam rotates about the rotation axis so as to form a conical scanning pattern.

Tilted primary clamshell lens laser scanner

An aircraft docking system is installed at a point of convenience within the dock in full view of the approaching aircraft and in view of the pilot, and has a display which is readily seen by the pilot through the cockpit windshield as the aircraft proceeds along a taxiway and during a turning of the aircraft from the taxiway into the dock. Operation of the docking system is based on the use of feature extraction templates of three-dimensional images of candidate aircraft for the dock. An image of the approaching aircraft is obtained by use of ranging circuitry of an optical laser radar. By comparing the image with the rotated and scaled model, the image can be interpreted to show the present location and orientation of the approaching aircraft. As the image is updated by the radar, the aircraft travel path, as represented by successive locations and orientations of the aircraft, is determined and is compared with the required travel path for the specific aircraft. Deviations between the two travel paths are noted and result in the generation of corrective display signals, in the manner of arrows by way of example, which are presented to the pilot.

Aircraft docking system

A system for sensing objects in the flight path of an aircraft and alerting the pilot to their presence includes a laser radar subsystem for emitting a beam of laser energy, receiving returns from objects, and processing the returns to produce range data related to the range of the objects from the aircraft. A scanning subsystem scans the beam and produces directional information related to the instantaneous direction of the beam relative to the aircraft. Processor circuitry controls operation, processes the range data and directional information with instrumentation data from the avionics system, produces video information related to the range, direction, and type of the objects, and interfaces the video information to the video display system. The processor circuitry may be programmed to (1) overlay video information on existing aircraft video display system, (2) provide acoustical warnings on an aircraft intercom, (3) analyze returns by subdividing the field of regard into a series of analysis windows, performing a statistical analysis of the returns related to each of the analysis windows, and identifying returns that fall into a common range interval, (4) transforming coordinates of objects measured relative to the aircraft to a horizon-stabilized, north-oriented coordinate system which is independent of the attitude of the aircraft, (5) inserting the coordinates of identified objects into a data base so that the coordinates may be used for constructing a video display at a later time and updating the data base to correct for movements of the aircraft, and (6) constructing a window-of-safety display of objects currently within the field of regard by adjusting the displayed position of the objects to compensate for avoidance maneuvers the pilot may execute.

Obstacle avoidance system for helicopters and other aircraft

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Dennis C Richman