Patent ID: 12231751

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The disclosure generally employs quantity units with the following abbreviations: length in meters (m) or inches (″), mass in grams (g) or pounds-mass (lbm), time in seconds(s), angles in degrees (°), force in newtons (N), temperature in kelvins (K), electric potential in volts (V), energy in joules (J), and frequencies in hertz (Hz) Electric power can be supplied by either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). Supplemental measures can be derived from these, such as density in grams-per-cubic-centimeters (g/cm3), moment of inertia in gram-square-centimeters (kg-m2) and the like.

FIG.1shows an elevation view100of a modular omni-directional sensor array (MOSA) enclosure110as installed on a flange120supported by a strut130as attached to a mast140, such as aboard a combat vessel. The MOSA enclosure110constitutes an omni-directional platform for continuous visual surveillance. The flange120represents an elevated position to enable visual monitoring and/or observation.

The MOSA enclosure110has a mass of 13 or 14 lbm, a height of 12.5″ and a width of 11″.FIG.2shows a perspective view200of the MOSA enclosure110comprising an upper optical module210and a lower equipment module220capped by a base plate230for attaching to the flange120. Both optical and equipment modules210and220are preferably octagonal in planform.

FIG.3shows a perspective exploded view300of modules310that comprise the MOSA enclosure110. The equipment therein includes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The optical module210includes an optical cover320with cavities325and eight optical lens windows330contained within a camera frame340. These viewport windows330form a symmetrical octagonal arrangement along the periphery of the optical module210for radially outward visual observation in all directions.

The windows330are angularly separated by 45° each. Eight COTS cameras345mount to the frame340and peer out their corresponding windows330aligned to their cavities325in the optical cover320. The FoV for each camera345can be set to overlap coverage with adjacent units. This enables the combination of windows330to enable full 360° foV coverage (beyond a practical focal distance) for all cameras345operating. Such cameras345can sense radiation reflected or emitted in the visible spectrum, or alternatively in the infrared, whichever intended.

The exemplary MOSA enclosure110has the purpose of providing a platform, suitable for the marine environment, for multiple fixed position cameras345. The MOSA enclosure110supports a continuous 360° optical field-of-view (FoV) for enhanced visual situational awareness on manned and unmanned maritime vessels. The MOSA enclosure110provides a central location, in a ruggedized casement, that enables optimal disposition of multiple cameras345on a common focal plane for reduced computer model degradation.

The equipment module220includes an octagonal housing350that contains a card holder360comprising a Nvidia® Jetson AGX Xavier developer kit having a connector port365. The base plate230is disposed beneath the housing350. An FPD-Link™ III Interface card370mounts to the Jetson AGX holder360.

The optical cover320houses a pair of optical cleaning pumps380disposed on a floor390composed of carbon fiber. The pumps380are preferably COTS automotive pumps for windshield-wiper cleaners. The cover320and housing350can be composed from powder nylon (i.e., polyimide 12) via additive manufacturing, also called three-dimensional (3D) printing. Alternative corrosion-resistant waterproof materials can also be considered without departing from the claim scope.

FIG.4shows a perspective assembly view400of the optical module210. The cover320forms an octagonal flat top410that connects to a sloped roof420with cleaning jets430extending as radial protrusions along the edges of the roof420above their corresponding cavities325. Vertical walls440support the roof420and contain the windows330. Angled flanges450attach to the corners of the octagonal walls440for fasteners to enclose the equipment module220.

FIG.5shows a perspective cutaway view500of the optical module210. The pumps380are suspended within the roof below the top410. A triplet of nuts510secure viewport components to the cavities325. The vertical walls440end in a bottom rim520opposite the roof420.

FIG.6shows a perspective exploded view600of the windows330in the optical module210. Each window330includes a carbon-fiber spreader610, a transparent disk620, and an O-ring630that all insert into their corresponding cavity325and secured by bolts510. The cleaning jets430spray fluid downward and radially inward shown by arrow640onto the transparent disks620to wash off salt spray that accumulates on the front faces of the windows330from exposure to their marine environment.

FIGS.7A and7Bshow a perspective cutaway and interior views700of the optical cover320, which includes an interior ring710between the roof420and the walls440. Arc clips720extending from the roof420support the pumps380. Inner feed conduits730extend radially inward from the cleaning jets430over the ring710. Cleaner fluid supplied via the pumps380feeds into the conduits730to spray onto the disks620via nozzles on the jets430for removing salt spray accumulation from exterior faces of the transparent disks620.

FIG.8shows a perspective assembly view800of the equipment module220. The octagonal housing350contains the Jetson AGX holder360and related components that operate to provide operational control for the cameras345. The electrical connector port365provides 24 V of regulated voltage potential from the vessel to feed a DC-DC convertor810inside the housing350of the equipment module220. The FPD-Link™ III Interface card370mounts to the Jetson AGX holder360by AM brackets820. The DC-DC convertor810steps down the voltage to 12 V for powering the Jetson AGX holder360, its FPD-Link™ III Interface card370, and several cooling fans.

FIGS.9A and9Bshow perspective views900of the camera frame340that includes the frame structure910. This includes upper and lower hexagonal rims920and930that connect to an annular center post940via bent spokes950. Eight legs960support the lower rim930, reinforced by diagonal spars970. Braces980connect between the rims920and930to contain the cameras345within designated cavities990. A tube can also be inserted through the hollow post940to supply the pumps380with cleaning fluid, such as water. The structure910is preferably composed from nylon via 3D printing.

The MOSA enclosure110is assembled by first mounting the NVIDIA Jetson AGX and Designcore Nvidia Jetson AGX Link™ III interface card370to the brackets820on the Jetson AGX Xavier360. This controller assembly attaches to the housing350, which then bolts to the base plate230. The COTS cameras345insert between the braces980with cables feeding through the central post940. Next the lower housing350bolts to the base plate230, and the camera frame340bolts to the lower housing350. The pumps380, optical windows330, and camera frame340are assembled to the cover320.

The camera frame340mounts eight cameras345. Each optical window330secures to the cover320using the O-ring630to hermetic seal the transparent disk640. The spreader610conforms to the window330to distribute the fastening load from the bolts510. Finally, the assembled cover320is secured along its rim520to the lower housing350.

The camera array holder340preferably accommodates eight D3RCM-OV10640-953 cameras345purchased from D3 Engineering. FPD-Link™ III cables connect each camera345to the Designcore Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier FPD-Link™ III Interface card370, which subsequently connects to Jetson AGX Xavier MIPM CSI data lanes. Images from the cameras345can be monitored via closed-circuit and/or recorded as desired.

The housing350contains a DC-DC convertor810of 24 V input power to supply 12 V output power to the Jetson AGX Xavier360, Designcore Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier FPD-Link™ III interface card370, as well as cooling fans. The Jetson AGX Xavier360connects via the port365to an RJ45 network cable that sends video and target data to the platform. Overall, the MOSA enclosure110protects the cameras345and Jetson AGX Xavier360and other related electrical equipment from maritime environmental conditions.

The vessel supplies DC electrical power with regulated voltage of 24 V through the connector port365to the equipment module220rather than internally by batteries. The supplied electrical power feeds to the DC-DC converter810to reduce this potential to 12 V that connects to Jetson AGX Xavier360and FPD-Link™ III interface card370. Thus DC power is supplied to the Designcore Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier FPD-Link™ III interface card370for distribution to each camera345for operation through the FPD cable. The port365can also provide Ethernet connection.

Once assembled in accordance with exploded view300, the modular omni-directional sensor array (MOSA) enclosure110mounts to the flange120on the mast140of the maritime platform, via the base plate230as shown in view100. The input power of 24 V connects through a maritime connector at port365. The RJ45 network cables connect to the network switch on the flange120to stream video and data for omni-directional awareness.

There are several distinct advantages to this modular omni-directional sensor array (MOSA) enclosure110. The all-in-one feature enables sensing, processing, and output of video from within the confines of the enclosure to the platform. In addition, cooling fans and a heat sink in the design mitigate the risk of overheating. One of the cooling fans was disposed directly under the Jetson AGX Xavier360against its Jetson AGX Xavier heat sink. In addition, the housing350can include a pair of fans mounted to the sides.

While certain features of the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments.