Infrared light means for remotely controlling devices on a rotating weapon assembly, without physical contact

摘要

The invention relates to remotely controlling a number of devices on an instrument mounted on a rotating assembly without physical contact to the assembly. A series of infrared light-emitting diodes mounted in a stationary ring configuration are placed around (but not directly touching) the rotating assembly to send control signals to infrared receiver devices located on the assembly. The rotating assembly might be the turret of a conventional Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS), the invention to replace convention internal slip-ring providing power and control to a gun on the CROWS. The infrared data links of this invention do not inhibit the movement of the rotating assembly, and further are not susceptible to radio-jamming by electronic warfare countermeasures. Additionally, the invention includes a mount that allows auxiliary devices with Picatinny Rails™ to also be attached to such a CROWS turret.

主权项

1. A means of coupling control signals to selectively control various component devices in a rotatable instrument, without said means of coupling directly touching said rotatable instrument, said means of coupling comprising:
a stationary ring array surrounding, but not directly touching, said rotatable instrument such that clearance always remains between the instrument and the stationary ring array in full 360 degrees of unimpeded possible rotation of said rotatable instrument within said stationary ring array, and an array of infrared light sensor receivers mounted facing outwardly around the circumference of said instrument, and an array of infrared light emitting diodes (LED's) mounted around said stationary ring array, said LED's facing the infrared light sensor receivers mounted on said rotatable instrument, and wherein said array of infrared light emitting diodes are functioned by selecting buttons at a control box, each button powers a respective light emitting diode, and wherein, broadcast signals of infrared light may be transmitted from said array of infrared light emitting diodes to said array of infrared light sensor receivers, and wherein said array of infrared light sensor receivers can produce a set of electrical output signals in response to said such infrared light broadcast signals, and wherein said electrical output signals are configured to electrically feed into a receiver box mounted on said rotatable instrument, and wherein, in response to said electrical output signals, said receiver box can feed control signals to various component devices of said rotatable instrument, said control signals configured to then cause selective operation of the various component devices in said rotatable instrument; wherein said rotatable instrument is a CROWS turret.