Abstract:
An assembly for changing the posture of a weapon coupled to a sensor system comprises a weapon mount configured to support a weapon. The assembly further comprises a movement mechanism coupled between the weapon mount and the sensor system. The movement mechanism is movable between a first configuration in which a boresight or barrel of the weapon is aligned with a first axis of a line of sight of the sensor system and a second configuration in which the barrel of the weapon is disposed along a second axis rotated with respect to the first axis such that the weapon is no longer pointed in the same direction as the sensor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application CLAIMS THE BENEFIT OF to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/521,422, filed on Aug. 9, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), such as the vehicles in the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle family, are frequently called into service in hostile areas where the vehicles may be required to serve multiple purposes including the suppression of enemy troops and the support of peace-keeping and/or law-enforcement efforts. An IFV may comprise a sensor suite that captures images of the area around the IFV, allowing one or more members of the IFV&#39;s crew to view the surroundings from inside the relative safety of the armored IFV. Often a sensor suite is coupled to a weapon, with the weapons boresight or barrel aligned with a set of crosshairs or other type of reticle produced by the sensor suite. This allows the crew to respond to the surroundings from inside the relative safety of the armored IFV. When the IFV is deployed in a primarily non-combat mission, such as peace keeping, surveillance, civil unrest, or law enforcement, the weapon coupled to the sensor suite may be viewed as a hostile threat by the civilians in the region patrolled by the IFV. Accordingly, systems and methods are needed to allow the weapon and sensor suite to adjust the projected threat level to be appropriate to the situation or hostility levels of its surroundings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In contrast to the above-described conventional approaches, embodiments of the present concepts, systems, and techniques are directed to an apparatus and method of use thereof for changing the posture of a weapon coupled to a sensor system, the assembly comprising: a weapon mount configured to support the weapon and a movement mechanism coupled between the weapon mount and the sensor system, wherein the movement mechanism is movable between a first configuration in which a boresight or barrel of the weapon is aligned with a first axis of a line of sight of the sensor system and a second configuration in which the boresight or barrel of the weapon is disposed along a second axis rotated with respect to the first axis. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments of the assembly, the assembly may comprise one or more of the following features: an electronic control system in communication with the movement mechanism, wherein the movement mechanism is responsive to a command from the electronic control system and/or a trigger mechanism configured to engage a trigger of the weapon. Furthermore, the movement mechanism may comprise a motor assembly responsive to a motor control system. When employed, a motor assembly may comprise a drive shaft directly coupled to the weapon mount; at least one gear coupled between the motor assembly and the weapon mount; and/or a biasing device. In some embodiments, the movement mechanism, the sensor system, and the weapon may be pivotable on a common support. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment of the present concepts, systems, and techniques is directed to a method for changing the posture of a weapon coupled to a sensor system, the method comprising: aligning a boresight of the weapon with a line of sight of the sensor system; and remotely operating a movement mechanism coupled between the sensor system and the weapon to pivot the boresight of the weapon relative to the line of sight of the sensor system. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments of the method, the movement mechanism may comprise a trigger mechanism and the method may further comprise remotely operating the trigger mechanism to engage a trigger of the weapon. Furthermore, the movement mechanism may comprise a motor with a drive shaft, at least one gear, and/or a biasing device. In some embodiments, the boresight of the weapon may be pivoted about an axis parallel to the drive shaft In some embodiments, the movement mechanism, the sensor system, and the weapon may be pivotable on a common support. 
         [0007]    A further embodiment of the present concepts, systems, and techniques is directed to an assembly for changing the posture of a weapon, the assembly comprising: a weapon mount configured to support the weapon; a sensor system comprising: at least one sensor, a sighting aperture aligned along a line of sight and a mounting platform; and a movement mechanism coupled between the weapon mount and the mounting platform, wherein the movement mechanism is movable between a first configuration in which a boresight or barrel of the weapon is aligned with a first axis of the line of sight of the sensor suite and a second configuration in which the boresight or barrel of the weapon is disposed along a second axis rotated relative to the first axis. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments of the assembly, the assembly may comprise one or more of the following features: the sensor may comprise and infrared sensor and/or a thermal sensor; and/or the movement mechanism may comprise a motor. 
         [0009]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sensor system coupled to a weapon in a firing posture, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a sensor system coupled to a weapon in a raised posture, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a sensor system coupled to a weapon in a stowed posture, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a sensor system coupled to a weapon in a raised posture, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0017]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a weaponized sensor suite  100  comprises a sensor system  102  movably mounted to a fixture or mount  104 , which is supported by a common support assembly  106 . A weapon  108  is mounted to the sensor suite  100  via a movement mechanism  110 . The weaponized sensor suite  100  may be mounted to an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) or any other type of land-based vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. 
         [0018]    The sensor system  102  may comprise, for example, a Commander&#39;s Independent Viewer (CIV) manufactured by Raytheon Company of Waltham, MA for use on the M2A3 or M2A3 Bradley IFV. The sensor system  102  may comprise, for example, an infrared (IR) imaging system, such as a forward-looking IR (FLIR) imaging system, which comprises an IR sensor. An IR imaging system may generate a video output that can be used to assist an operator of the weaponized sensor suite  100  view the surroundings of the IFV at night or in adverse conditions. The sensor system  102  may also comprise, for example, a daylight television imaging system. Other types of electro-optical, laser, radar, thermal, or other energy based imaging systems may be incorporated into the sensor system  102 . Images from any and all of the imaging systems may be viewed on a display system within the IFV. The sensor system  102  may also comprise a housing  112  that contains optical and electronic equipment for the imaging systems. A datum axis (line of sight) for the imaging systems of the sensor system extends generally along an axis A 1 . A sighting aperture (not visible in  FIG. 1 , but see  FIG. 5 ) in the housing  112  may be aligned about the datum axis A 1 . 
         [0019]    The fixture or mount  104  may comprise a pivot mechanism (not shown) that permits the housing  112  to pivot about an axis A 2 . When the sensor system  102  is not in use, for example, the housing  112  may pivot approximately −90° about the axis A 2  into a dormant position (See.  FIG. 3 ). The fixture  104  and thus the sensor housing  112  are mounted to the support assembly  106  which may comprise a gimbal that is rotatable about an axis A 3 . 
         [0020]    The weapon  108  may be a machine gun, but other types armaments that fire projectiles including shells, shot, missiles, rockets, grenades, rubber bullets, or paint bullets may be used. Alternatively, the weapon  108  may be an energy-based weapon such as a laser or thermal weapon. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the weapon  108  comprises a barrel  114 . In  FIG. 1 , the weapon  108  is disposed in a firing posture in which the barrel  114  of the weapon  108  is roughly aligned parallel with the line of sight of sensor system  102 , except for special cases including but not limited to super (i.e., greater than horizontal) elevation. Standard alignment techniques are used to align the weapon to the sight including firing a burst and adjusting or using a laser inserted into the gun barrel. 
         [0021]    Although a weapon having a barrel is described, those skilled in the art will realize that weapons other than those having a barrel in the conventional sense may be used, such as but not limited to energy weapons, can be used. Furthermore, although the term “barrel” is used to denote the “shooting” portion of the weapon, the term boresight may also be used interchangeable to describe weapons that lack a conventional barrel per se. Accordingly, the concepts, systems, and techniques described herein are not limited to any particular type of weapon. 
         [0022]    Common support assembly  106  may be a gimbal or rotary (pivoting) fixture of the type commonly employed on mobile vehicles and the like for sensors and/or weapons systems, without limitation. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the weapon  108  may be pivoted relative to the sensor housing  112  about an axis A 4  into a raised posture, thus decoupling the weapon from alignment with the sensor system  102  line of sight and datum axis A 1  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The raised posture shown in  FIG. 2  can position the barrel  114  of the weapon  108  at approximately 70° from the firing posture shown in  FIG. 1 . The raised posture may serve multiple purposes. For example, in the raised position, the weapon  108  may lob a projectile rather than direct firing. Alternatively, positioning the weapon  108  in the raised position may reduce the hostile threat perceived by civilians when the vehicle is deployed on peacekeeping, surveillance, civil unrest, or law enforcement missions. Further, the raised posture may serve as a safety mechanism in that an accidentally fired weapon would not be aimed directly at civilians or property surrounding the vehicle. Although  FIG. 2  depicts the weapon rotated to approximately 70° from the firing posture of  FIG. 1 , the weapon may be rotated greater than or less than 70° in the raised posture, for example in a range up to about 90 degrees. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the weapon  108  may be pivoted relative to the sensor housing  112  about the axis A 4  into a stowed posture. (The weapon  108  may be rotated independently of the sensor housing  112 .) The stowed posture shown in  FIG. 3  may position the barrel  114  of the weapon  108  rotated approximately −70° from the firing posture shown in  FIG. 1 . Other rotation angles are possible, without limitation, up to about 90 degrees. The stowed position may be used when the weapon  108  and/or the sensor system  102  is not in service. Additionally, the stowed posture may serve the same safety and threat mitigation purposes described above for the raised posture.  FIG. 3  also depicts the housing  112  rotated approximate −90° into a dormant position wherein the optical line of sight for the imaging systems of the sensor system  102  extends generally along an axis A 1 ′. This dormant position may protect the optical components of the sensor system  102  when the system is not in use. 
         [0025]    Although the sensor system  102  is shown in a dormant position with the weapon  108  in a stowed posture, alternatively, the weapon  108  may be in the stowed posture when the sensor system  102  is in an active position as shown in  FIG. 1 . Further, the weapon may be at any angle relative to the axis A 1 &#39; that prevents the weapon from interfering with the vehicle. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  provides an exploded view of the weaponized sensor suite  100 , particularly the movement mechanism  110 . The movement mechanism  110  functions to rotate the weapon  108  about the axis A 4  relative to the sensor housing  112 . In detail, the movement mechanism  110  may comprise a weapon mount  200  including a platform  201  sized and shaped to support the weapon  108 . The movement mechanism  110  further comprises a trigger mechanism  202 , which comprises a pin  204 , a gear  206 , and a motor  208 . The pin  204  may be arranged to engage the trigger of the weapon  108  to fire the weapon in response to an electronic control signal sent to the motor  208 . The movement mechanism  110  may also comprise a weapon charger  210  to engage and control the charging handle of the weapon  108 . (The charging handle is sometimes referred to as a cocking lever or the like; the nomenclature depends on the weapon selected.) The weapon charger  210  may comprise a linear actuator  212 , such as a ball screw, and a motor  214  to drive the linear actuator, or any other means conventionally known and used for such purposes, without limitation. The trigger mechanism  202  and the weapon charger  210  may be operated remotely, such as by a remote user inside the IFV using electronic control devices and systems commonly employed in the relevant arts, without limitation. 
         [0027]    The movement mechanism  110  may further comprise isolators  216 , which serve to isolate the sensor housing  112  from the shock and vibration of the firing weapon. Although four isolators  216  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, in alternative embodiments fewer, none, or more isolators may be used depending on the sensitivity of the sensor system  102  and the magnitude of the vibration from the weapon  108 . 
         [0028]    The movement mechanism  110  may further comprise a positioner gear plate  218  that comprises a plurality of radially arranged teeth  220 . The plate  218  may be fixedly attached to the weapon mount  200  via the isolators  216 . In alternative embodiments, the plate  218  may be directly coupled to the weapon mount  200  without isolators. In still further embodiments, different gear arrangements may also be employed, without limitation. Such gear drive and pivot mechanism arrangements will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be implemented without undue experimentation by the ordinary practitioner. 
         [0029]    The movement mechanism  110  may further comprise a cover  222  and a dynamic seal  224  attached to an inner bearing housing  226 . A composite bearing  228  or the like permits rotational motion between the sensor housing  112  and the weapon mount  200 . Other sealing and bearing arrangements will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present disclosure should not be limited to any single bearing, sealing, or movement mechanism configuration. 
         [0030]    A positioner motor  230  may be coupled to the sensor housing  112 . In one exemplary embodiment, the positioner motor  230  engages the teeth  220  of the positioner gear plate  218  to rotate the gear plate into positions corresponding to the raised posture, the firing posture, and the stowed posture. Other postures may be defined by the positioner gear plate. In some embodiments, the motor will move the positioner gear plate through discrete settings associated with discrete weapon positions. In alternative embodiments, the motor will move the positioner gear plate through a continuous range of weapon positions. 
         [0031]    The positioner motor  230  may be controlled by a motor controller or other electronic control system that may, for example, control the starting and stopping of the motor, the speed of the motor, and the torque of the motor. In one embodiment, the motor controller may comprise an electronic servo controller that uses a closed loop feedback system to adjust the speed and position of the rotating weapon  108  relative to the sensor housing  112 . To change the posture of the weapon, the motor controller may be remotely operated by a user in the IFV or automatically in response to electronic signals from, for example, the sensor system  102 . The user may remotely operate the motor controller using, for example, a joystick, a dial, a mouse, a trackball, or any other kind of user input device known in the art, without limitation. 
         [0032]    The electronic control system may be located within housing  104  (referring to  FIG. 1 ), sensor housing  112 , or otherwise disposed anywhere on or in weaponized sensor suite  100 , without limitation. Furthermore, the electronic control system may be located, either in whole or in part, within the vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft on which the weaponized sensor suite  100  is mounted, without limitation. 
         [0033]    A cover  232  may be sized and shaped to extend over the components of the movement mechanism  110  to protect the movement mechanism from environmental or ballistic debris. 
         [0034]    The motor-based movement mechanism  110  is one example of a movement mechanism that can be used to pivot the weapon  108  relative to the sensor housing  112 .  FIG. 5  depicts an alternative weaponized sensor suite  250  that comprises a sensor system  252  with a sensor housing  254 . A sighting aperture  255  extends through the sensor housing  254 . The sensor system  252  may be substantially the same as the sensor system  102 . A weapon  256  may be pivotally coupled to the sensor housing  254 . The weapon may be substantially the same as the weapon  108 . A movement mechanism  258  controls the rotation of the weapon  256  relative to the sensor housing  254 . In this embodiment, the movement mechanism  258  comprises a motor (not shown) within a protective cover  260 . The motor drives a drive shaft  262  that is rigidly connected to a pivot plate  264 . The pivot plate  264  may be directly connected to a weapon mount  266  or connected to the weapon mount via one, none, or more vibration isolators. In this more simplified embodiment, the drive shaft  262  directly rotates the weapon mount without the use of an intermediary gear system. 
         [0035]    In other alternative embodiments, the movement mechanism that rotates the weapon relative to the sensor housing may comprise a pin positioning system that uses a retractable pin to allow the weapon to rotate relative to the sensor housing at discrete positions defined by a series of apertures into which the retractable pin may engage. In another alternative embodiment, a movement mechanism may comprise a biasing member, such as a spring (not shown), which biases the weapon into a predetermined posture when the spring is released or compressed. In another alternative embodiment, the movement mechanism may comprise other types of gear assemblies, such as but not limited to a worm gear. In other alternative embodiments, the movement mechanism may move the weapon linearly, for example up/down or front/back, instead of or in addition to the rotational motion. In other alternative embodiments, the movement mechanism may allow the barrel or boresight  114  of the weapon to pivot to an angle oblique to the axis A 1 . 
         [0036]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , in one embodiment, a method for changing the posture of the weapon  108  that is coupled to the sensor system  102  comprises first aligning the boresight or barrel of the weapon with the line of sight, along axis A 1 , of the sensor system. The sensor system  102 , the weapon  108 , and the movement mechanism  110  are all pivotable in unison about a common gimbal axis A 3 . When the threat environment surrounding the vehicle to which the sensor system  102  is coupled changes, a user inside the vehicle or otherwise remotely located may determine that the weapon  108  may be moved to a raised or stowed posture. When this determination is made, the user may remotely operate the motor controller causing the movement mechanism  110  to rotate the weapon  108  into the raised or stowed position. 
         [0037]    The foregoing outlines features of selected embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the claims that follow. 
         [0038]    The method of the present invention may be performed in either hardware, software, or any combination thereof, as those terms are currently known in the art. In particular, the present method may be carried out by any non-transitory software, firmware, and/or microcode operating on or stored in a computer or computers of any type. Additionally, software embodying the present concepts, systems, and techniques may comprise computer instructions in any form (e.g., source code, object code, and/or interpreted code, etc.) stored in any non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., ROM, RAM, magnetic media, punched tape or card, compact disc [CD], digital versatile disc [DVD], solid stated disk [SSD]), and/or the like, without limitation). Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular platform, unless specifically stated otherwise in the present disclosure. 
         [0039]    The order in which the steps of the present method are performed is purely illustrative in nature. In fact, the steps can be performed in any order or in parallel, unless otherwise indicated by the present disclosure. 
         [0040]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the appended claims encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications.