公开(公告)号：US09798004B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-24

申请号：US15234826

申请日：2016-08-11

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： David C. Soreide ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/491

CPC classification number: G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/4815 ,  G01S7/4816 ,  G01S7/491 ,  G01S7/4917

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a distance to an object. An exemplary method includes directing light beams from three or more continuous-wave lasers onto a target, and also frequency shifting the light beams split off from the lasers to generate local oscillator beams. When the reflected sensor beam (reflected off the target) and the local oscillator beams are combined, the method further includes determining optical phases of heterodynes produced by combining the light beams within the reflected sensor beam and the local oscillator beams, and determining synthetic phases by taking the difference between the optical phases of the heterodynes. The method further includes determining synthetic wavelengths based on the differences between the frequencies of the lasers. The method further includes determining a distance to the target based on the synthetic phases and the synthetic wavelengths.

公开(公告)号：US20170090030A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-30

申请号：US15234826

申请日：2016-08-11

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： David C. Soreide ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/491 ,  G01S7/481

CPC classification number: G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/4815 ,  G01S7/4816 ,  G01S7/491 ,  G01S7/4917

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a distance to an object. An exemplary method includes directing light beams from three or more continuous-wave lasers onto a target, and also frequency shifting the light beams split off from the lasers to generate local oscillator beams. When the reflected sensor beam (reflected off the target) and the local oscillator beams are combined, the method further includes determining optical phases of heterodynes produced by combining the light beams within the reflected sensor beam and the local oscillator beams, and determining synthetic phases by taking the difference between the optical phases of the heterodynes. The method further includes determining synthetic wavelengths based on the differences between the frequencies of the lasers. The method further includes determining a distance to the target based on the synthetic phases and the synthetic wavelengths.

公开(公告)号：US20170059392A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-02

申请号：US14843685

申请日：2015-09-02

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Tai A. Lam ,  David C. Soreide ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01H9/00 ,  G01P3/36

CPC classification number: G01H9/00 ,  G01H13/00 ,  G01P3/36 ,  G01S7/4802 ,  G01S7/4812 ,  G01S17/58

Abstract: A laser Doppler vibrometer architecture and detection technique that can remotely identify targets based on their natural vibration frequencies using a scanning Fabry-Pérot interferometer. The proposed systems and methods can have stand-off distances longer than the coherence length of the laser by using spectroscopic detection methods instead of coherent heterodyne detection using a local oscillator. Pulsed lasers can be used which have high power output. In addition, by not using an acousto-optic modulator, the speed of the detectable target is not limited. Also the mixing efficiency of the return signal can be improved.

Abstract translation: 一种激光多普勒振动计结构和检测技术，可以使用扫描法布里 - 珀罗干涉仪，根据其天然振动频率远程识别目标。 所提出的系统和方法可以通过使用光谱检测方法代替使用本地振荡器的相干外差检测，具有比激光器的相干长度更长的间隔距离。 可以使用具有高功率输出的脉冲激光器。 此外，通过不使用声光调制器，可检测目标的速度不受限制。 此外，可以提高返回信号的混合效率。

公开(公告)号：US09453720B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-27

申请号：US14489057

申请日：2014-09-17

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Jeffrey H. Hunt ,  Stephen A. Walls ,  David Arthur Whelan ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01B11/24 ,  B64C1/06 ,  B64F5/00

CPC classification number: G01B11/24 ,  B64C1/069 ,  B64F5/10

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing fuselage sections. A scanning system is positioned between a first fuselage section held in a first cradle and a second fuselage section held in a second cradle. A group of beams of light is transmitted from the scanning system to targets on a first interior surface of the first fuselage section and a second interior surface of the second fuselage section. A reflected light is detected from a beam of light. Measurements of the first fuselage section and the second fuselage section are generated from using the reflected light generated in response to the beam of light. The measurements enable shaping at least one of the first fuselage section and the second fuselage section for joining the first fuselage section to the second fuselage section.

Abstract translation: 一种用于处理机身部分的方法和装置。 扫描系统位于保持在第一支架中的第一机身部分和保持在第二支架中的第二机身部分之间。 一组光束从扫描系统传输到第一机身部分的第一内表面上的目标和第二机身部分的第二内表面。 从光束检测反射光。 使用响应于光束产生的反射光产生第一机身部分和第二机身部分的测量。 该测量使得可以对第一机身部分和第二机身部分中的至少一个进行成形，以将第一机身部分连接到第二机身部分。

公开(公告)号：US09438338B1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-06

申请号：US14684748

申请日：2015-04-13

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Eric Yuen-Jun Chan ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: H04B10/00 ,  H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/112

CPC classification number: H04B10/11 ,  H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/1125 ,  H04B10/1129

Abstract: A free-space laser communication system for bidirectional transmission of telemetry data in Gigabit Ethernet (GBE) protocol using a dual atmospheric effect mitigation approach. This free-space bidirectional GBE laser communication system utilizes an Optical Combining Receiver Array and a Framer/Forward Error Correction/Interleaver (FFI) device to mitigate the combined effects of atmospheric turbulence and channel fading. Since the FFI device is designed for Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) protocol, an intelligent (or smart) media converter is used to convert GBE telemetry data to SONET frames, which enables the FFI device to perform an error correction algorithm and provide a seamless error-free GBE laser communication link for distance over a kilometer. This bidirectional laser communication system can be implemented with low-cost commercially available components.

Abstract translation: 一种用于使用双重大气效应减轻方法在千兆以太网（GBE）协议中双向传输遥测数据的自由空间激光通信系统。 这种自由空间双向GBE激光通信系统利用光学组合接收机阵列和成帧器/前向纠错/交织器（FFI）装置来减轻大气湍流和信道衰落的组合效应。 由于FFI设备是为同步光网络（SONET）协议而设计的，智能（或智能）媒体转换器用于将GBE遥测数据转换为SONET帧，从而使FFI设备能够执行纠错算法并提供无缝错误 - 免费的GBE激光通信链路，距离一公里。 这种双向激光通信系统可以用低成本的市售组件来实现。

公开(公告)号：US09739644B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US14723929

申请日：2015-05-28

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01D5/26

CPC classification number: G01D5/266

Abstract: A precision optical encoder that utilizes interferometric measurements of displacement to provide angle measurements using a laser which is injection locked to a reference laser having a secondary optical frequency which has been verified with respect to a primary optical frequency standard. The encoder shape encodes distance to rotation angle. By utilizing a laser source locked to a reference laser having a standardized (i.e., verified) secondary optical frequency for fundamental measurements of the encoder surface and real-time interferometer measurements, the encoder reports rotation angle measurements that are directly traceable to a primary optical frequency standard through the injected secondary optical frequency.

公开(公告)号：US20160076879A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-17

申请号：US14489057

申请日：2014-09-17

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： Jeffrey H. Hunt ,  Stephen A. Walls ,  David Arthur Whelan ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01B11/24

CPC classification number: G01B11/24 ,  B64C1/069 ,  B64F5/10

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing fuselage sections. A scanning system is positioned between a first fuselage section held in a first cradle and a second fuselage section held in a second cradle. A group of beams of light is transmitted from the scanning system to targets on a first interior surface of the first fuselage section and a second interior surface of the second fuselage section. A reflected light is detected from a beam of light. Measurements of the first fuselage section and the second fuselage section are generated from using the reflected light generated in response to the beam of light. The measurements enable shaping at least one of the first fuselage section and the second fuselage section for joining the first fuselage section to the second fuselage section.

Abstract translation: 一种用于处理机身部分的方法和装置。 扫描系统位于保持在第一支架中的第一机身部分和保持在第二支架中的第二机身部分之间。 一组光束从扫描系统传输到第一机身部分的第一内表面上的目标和第二机身部分的第二内表面。 从光束检测反射光。 使用响应于光束产生的反射光产生第一机身部分和第二机身部分的测量。 该测量使得可以对第一机身部分和第二机身部分中的至少一个进行成形，以将第一机身部分连接到第二机身部分。

公开(公告)号：US20150131081A1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-14

申请号：US14075925

申请日：2013-11-08

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： David C. Soreide ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01S17/36

CPC classification number: G01S17/36 ,  G01B9/02003 ,  G01B9/02008 ,  G01B9/02027 ,  G01B11/2441 ,  G01B2290/45 ,  G01S7/4815 ,  G01S7/491 ,  G01S7/4917 ,  G01S17/42 ,  G01S17/87

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position of an object in a coordinate system. An exemplary system includes three or more laser ranging sensors each configured to direct a sensor beam of continuous-wave light toward a target. Light reflecting off the target interferes with the sensor beam creating an interference beam. The interference beam is combined with local oscillator beams in each laser ranging sensor to create a synthetic wave beam. Each of the laser ranging sensors also includes an array of photodetectors that sense the synthetic wave beam, and is able to measure a distance to the target based on output from the array of photodetectors. The system further includes a controller that receives a distance measurement from each of the laser ranging sensors, and calculates a position of the target in the coordinate system based on the distance measurements.

Abstract translation: 用于确定坐标系中物体位置的系统和方法。 示例性系统包括三个或更多个激光测距传感器，每个激光测距传感器被配置为将传感器的连续波光束朝向目标。 反射目标的光线干扰传感器光束，产生干涉光束。 干涉光束与每个激光测距传感器中的本地振荡器波束组合以产生合成波束。 每个激光测距传感器还包括感测合成波束的光电检测器阵列，并且能够基于来自光电检测器阵列的输出来测量到目标的距离。 该系统还包括控制器，其接收来自每个激光测距传感器的距离测量，并且基于距离测量来计算坐标系中目标的位置。

公开(公告)号：US09025141B1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-05

申请号：US14075925

申请日：2013-11-08

Applicant: The Boeing Company

Inventor： David C. Soreide ,  Jonathan M. Saint Clair

IPC: G01S17/36

CPC classification number: G01S17/36 ,  G01B9/02003 ,  G01B9/02008 ,  G01B9/02027 ,  G01B11/2441 ,  G01B2290/45 ,  G01S7/4815 ,  G01S7/491 ,  G01S7/4917 ,  G01S17/42 ,  G01S17/87

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position of an object in a coordinate system. An exemplary system includes three or more laser ranging sensors each configured to direct a sensor beam of continuous-wave light toward a target. Light reflecting off the target interferes with the sensor beam creating an interference beam. The interference beam is combined with local oscillator beams in each laser ranging sensor to create a synthetic wave beam. Each of the laser ranging sensors also includes an array of photodetectors that sense the synthetic wave beam, and is able to measure a distance to the target based on output from the array of photodetectors. The system further includes a controller that receives a distance measurement from each of the laser ranging sensors, and calculates a position of the target in the coordinate system based on the distance measurements.

Abstract translation: 用于确定坐标系中物体位置的系统和方法。 示例性系统包括三个或更多个激光测距传感器，每个激光测距传感器被配置为将传感器的连续波光束朝向目标。 反射目标的光线干扰传感器光束，产生干涉光束。 干涉光束与每个激光测距传感器中的本地振荡器波束组合以产生合成波束。 每个激光测距传感器还包括感测合成波束的光电检测器阵列，并且能够基于光电检测器阵列的输出来测量到目标的距离。 该系统还包括控制器，其接收来自每个激光测距传感器的距离测量，并且基于距离测量来计算坐标系中目标的位置。