Abstract:
An optical component mounting apparatus for use in an aircraft for maintaining alignment of the optical components during use of the aircraft, the apparatus including an “L” shaped frame and a plurality of “L” shaped mounts, for holding the optical components, in adjustable positions by use of bolts extending through slots, oriented in three orthogonal directions, in the frame and the mounts.

Description:
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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein:. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical mounting frame of the present invention showing several optical components mounted thereon. 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded diagram of the optical mounting frame of FIG. 1, where the dotted and dashed lines show the orientation of objects when in an assembled state. 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of portions of an aircraft of the prior art. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus of the present invention generally designated  100 , which includes an optical mounting frame  101 , having a vertical side  102  and a horizontal side  104  with an optical laser component  106  disposed thereon. The terms vertical and horizontal are used herein to better aid in understanding the Figures; however, an actual implementation of the present invention may be done in any orientation and, in fact, may not have any elements which are oriented in a vertical or horizontal manner or even orthogonal to each other. Optical mounting frame  101  may be made of any suitable material having suitable physical characteristics, such as but not limited to, aluminum, titanium and the like. Preferably, optical mounting frame  101  has vertical side  102  and horizontal side  104  oriented in an orthogonal manner. However, vertical side  102  and horizontal side  104  may also be neither vertical nor horizontal and may be non-orthogonal. Disposed on optical mounting frame  101  are first optical mount  110 , second optical mount  120 , third optical mount  130  and fourth optical mount  140 . Optical mounts  110 ,  120 , 130  and  140  are shown retaining optical components  111 ,  121 ,  131 , and  141  respectively. Optical mounts  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  140  have first vertical leg  112 , second vertical leg  122 , third vertical leg  132 , and fourth vertical leg  142 , respectively, together with first horizontal leg  114 , second horizontal leg  124 , third horizontal leg  134 , and fourth horizontal leg  144 , respectively. Optical mounts  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  140  are fabricated pieces from the same suitable material having desirable mechanical and thermal expansion characteristics, and may contain first component riser  119 , second component riser  129 , third component riser  139  and fourth component riser  149 , respectively, which function to retain the optical component in an elevated position above optical mounting frame  101 . 
     Optical mounts  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  140  are coupled to optical mounting frame  101  through first vertical attachment assembly  116 , second vertical attachment assembly  126 , third vertical attachment assembly  136  and fourth vertical attachment assembly  146 , respectively, and similarly with first horizontal attachment assembly  118 , second horizontal attachment assembly  128 , third horizontal attachment assembly  138  and fourth horizontal attachment assembly  148 , respectively, all of which may be any type of known attachment means which provide many desirable characteristics of strength, rigidity, light weight, ease of use, etc. 
     Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an optical mounting frame  101  of FIG.  1 . The cooperation of optical mounts  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  140  with optical mounting frame  101  can be better understood by examining the connection of first optical mount  110 , as a representative of optical mounts  120 , 130  and  140  with optical mounting frame  101 . First vertical attachment assembly  116  of FIG. 1 can be better understood in relation to a first retaining bolt  202 , having a lock washer  203 , and flat washer  205  thereon, which is inserted through elongated vertical mount slot  204  located in first vertical leg  112 , through a spacer slot  221  in spacer  220  which is coupled to vertical side  102  by use of spacer screw  226  and spacer screw  228  which are inserted through spacer screw holes  222  and  224  respectively. First retaining bolt  202  extends through first elongated frame slot  206  located in vertical side  102  and thereafter, first retaining bolt  202  couples with washer  208  and washer  210  and retaining bolt nut  212 . Horizontal side  104  is coupled to first horizontal leg  114  in an identical fashion as vertical side  102  is coupled to first vertical leg  112  as described above. A second retaining bolt  232  may be placed through horizontal elongated mount slot  230  and second elongated frame slot  236 . 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a cutaway view of an aircraft, of the prior art, generally designated  300 , having a cutaway portion  301  exposing a structural frame  302  and an avionics rack  304  having at least one avionics receiving station  306  therein. 
     In operation, the present invention provides a compact, cost-effective, stable airborne optical mounting apparatus as follows:  100  may be rigidly disposed in cabinet or housing, not shown, or  100  may be disposed in such a cabinet so as to reduce shock from avionics rack  304  when  100  is inserted in an avionics receiving station  306 . Either approach of a rigid or shock-absorbing coupling of  100  to structural frame  302 , either directly or through avionics rack  304 , are well known in the art. 
     Irrespective of the coupling between  100  and structural frame  302 , optical component  111  is securely coupled to optical mounting frame  101  through first optical mount  110 . The placement of optical component  111  is adjustable in three axes. Alignment of optical component  111  is achieved by adjusting the placement of first optical mount  110  horizontally by use of spacer  220  and then securing first horizontal leg  114  with second retaining bolt  232 . The shape of horizontal elongated mount slot  230  allows for the horizontal adjustment made by spacer  220 . Vertical adjustment of first optical mount  110  can be accomplished in an identical manner. FIG. 2 shows no device similar to spacer  220  disposed between first horizontal leg  114  and horizontal side  104 , but if vertical adjustment were required, a similar spacer would be used. Adjustment in the Z direction, i.e. orthogonal to both the vertical and horizontal directions as used in this description, is accomplished by the shape of first elongated frame slot  206  and second elongated frame slot  236 . Alignment of optical component  111  is maintained by several features of the present invention, including the stable and rigid angular shape of optical mounting frame  101  and first optical mount  110  and the matching of thermal coefficients of materials in optical mounts  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140 . 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description, and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.