Hughes Aircraft Company

Other

Raytheon Company

Gary R Redford

Daniel K Schotter

Stanley P Peterson

Gregory LoStracco

George H Hulderman

A flight launched fiber optic dual payout system (10) for a command guided missile (12) is disclosed which combines a missile (12) with two fiber optic cable dispensers (18, 20) into a single unit that can mount to a single launch station of a launch platform (14). The dual payout system (10) of the present invention includes a missile (12) having a missile dispenser (18) for dispensing a first fiber optic cable (22) connected to the missile (12) and a launch platform dispenser (20) for dispensing a second fiber optic cable (24) detachably connected to the missile dispenser (20). The first and second fiber optic cables (22, 24) are connected by a length of reinforced cable splice or leader line (26) which is housed in a protective retainer (28) on a launch platform interface unit (16) that operates to mount the missile (12) to the launch platform (14) and complete a fiber optic data link between the missile (12) and the launch platform (14). In a 'launch-ready' position, the launch platform interface unit (16) separates the launch platform dispenser (20) from the missile dispenser (18) to facilitate payout of the fiber optic cable (22, 24). Upon missile launch, the launch platform dispenser (20) is retained with the launch platform (14). Further, the launch platform interface unit (16) provides a universal interface (36) for attaching any given command guided missile (12) to variety of high-speed, mobile launch platforms (14) such as aircraft and helicopters.

Flight launched fiber optic dual payout system

A sensor system includes a sensor having a planar array of sensor elements, each of which produces an output responsive to an energy input. The sensed energy reaching the sensor elements is controlled by at least two, and preferably a plurality of, light valves. A controller selects one of the light valves at a time to transmit energy of a scene segment impinging upon the light valve. An optical fiber bundle includes an optical fiber cable for each light valve extending from the sensor to the respective light valve. Each optical fiber cable has an optical fiber for each element of the sensor array. Preferably, each light valve is divided into a plurality of pixels, arranged such that the optical fibers of each optical fiber cable map the energy impinging upon each pixel of one of the light valves to a corresponding respective planar sensor element of the sensor array. A lens focuses a scene onto the light valves, such that a segment of the scene is imaged onto each of the light valves.

Scanning light valve sensor system employing fiber optics

An optical fiber dispensing system (30) includes a canister (42) within which an optical fiber (12) is wound, and a helix dampener (40) that reduces the helical diameter of the optical fiber (12) as it is paid out from the canister (42) along a payout axis (20). The canister (42) is either a cylinder or a slightly tapered cone. The helix dampener (40) is a structure overlying the payout end of the canister (42) and extending beyond the canister (42) along the payout axis (20). The interior surface of the helix dampener (40) defines a locus (36) of points whose distance from the payout axis (20) decreases with increasing distance from the canister (42), to an opening (38) through which the optical fiber (12) is dispensed. The interior surface of the helix dampener (40) is preferably as a series of discontinuous rings (48) whose central opening diameter decreases with increasing distance from the canister (42), or as a smooth continuous axially symmetric surface (84) whose distance from the payout axis (20) decreases with increasing distance from the canister (42). The gradual reduction of the diameter of the helical pattern of the optical fiber (12) by the helix dampener (40) stabilizes the path of the optical fiber (12) prior to its exiting from the dispenser (30).

Optical fiber dispensing system

A filament (36) of a material having resilient springlike characteristics is helically wound to form a hollow tubular guide (34) for an optical fiber (14) dispensed from a wound stack (37). The guide can have a constant diameter (34) or, alternatively, include portions of a different diameter (44, 50, 52). A further embodiment especially advantageous for use in a helicopter (10) positions a rigid tube (58) around the guide (56) leaving a portion of the guide extending from the rigid tube.

Flexible payout duct

An optical fiber (18) payout system for a missile (10) which is to be hot-launched from a tube (12) reinforces that part of the fiber to be exposed to propulsion gases by juxtaposing with one or more wires (24) and encasing within a thermally protective sheath (22) forming a so-called leader (20). The leader (20) extends outwardly of the missile aft end (16) and is releasably secured within a rail assembly (32) by a flexible strip (46) having a line of perforations (48) extending along its longitudinal axis. The outer end portion of the leader (20) is secured to an anchor block (52). On launch, the leader (20) tears loose from the flexible strip (46), the restraining action of which prevents optical fiber predispensing.

Open breech hot launched fiber optic payout system

A fiber optic cannister includes a compliant baselayer underlying layers of an optical fiber wound onto a bobbin. The compliant material is useful to form a base layer over which the layers of optical fiber are wound. The use of such a compliant baselayer eliminates the need to fabricate and stock expensive baselayer wire material.

Fiber optic canister with compliant baselayer

A drumlike canister onto which a filament is wound is rotatably mounted to an airborne vehicle, the axis of rotation being generally parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis. At launch, as the filament unwinds and is payed out the canister is rotated to remove the twist from the filament produced on winding.

Filament payout apparatus

Optical signal attenuation due to bends in an optical fiber (12) is measured by bending a segment of the optical fiber (12) into the shape of interest, measuring the attenuation in that segment, propagating the bent region along the length of the optical fiber (12), and repeating the measurement. The attenuation as a function of the position of the bent segment along the length of the optical fiber (12) is thereby measured. The approach is of particular interest in determining peel point bending loses along the length of the optical fiber (12) to identify areas of signal transmission.

Measurement of optical attenuation along the length of bent optical

A method and apparatus for payout testing of an optical fiber. The invention involves the attachment of a pod to a high speed aircraft with a parachute released during flight to initiate payout. The apparatus of the invention includes a bobbin mounted on a craft for retaining a coil of optical fiber and a parachute for using the air or fluid flow past the craft when the craft is in motion to pull the fiber from the coil. In a specific embodiment, the invention includes an electrooptical circuit for sending and receiving an optical signal along the fiber. Further, more specific, embodiments contemplate the use of load cells on the craft and parachute ends of the fiber to measure tension. This information is then transmitted to a receiver for analysis and/or storage. Other specific embodiments include a brake for inhibiting the payout of fiber during aborted test runs and a turns counter for providing a measure of the rate and amount of fiber payout.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Gary R Redford