Simulation of visual blackout due to aircraft maneuvering
AssigneeThe Singer Company
InventorsCarl E. Hoyt, Timothy E. Hale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A means of simulating loss of peripheral vision and the eventual total black-out experienced by a pilot, undergoing high acceleration forces while maneuvering an aircraft is disclosed. The simulation is achieved by modifying the pilot's helmet by incorporating thereon a variable optical device which when excited causes a reduction of pilot vision. The reduction in vision is progressive, in direct proportion to the level of excitation applied, which excitation itself is directly proportional to the acceleration forces simulated.
Claims42
Apparatus for simulating the progressive degradation of vision experienced by a person undergoing acceleration stresses, said apparatus comprising:
- a. means for providing signals representative of selected acceleration forces;
- b. optical means for selectably controlling the area of clear optical transmission therethrough, and being sensitive to variable excitation for varying the size of said area of clear optical transmission;
- c. means responsive to said signals for providing said excitation to said optical means such that said area of clear light transmission therethrough is progressively decreased in response to first acceleration forces and progressively increased in response to second acceleration forces;
- and
- d. means for mounting said optical means with respect to said person such that said person experiences a change in his field of view as said area of clear optical transmission changes.
Apparatus for causing the variation of the optical transmission characteristic of a variable optical medium to progress from selected areas of said variable optical medium toward other predetermined areas of said medium, said apparatus comprising:
- means for applying a variable excitation force to said variable optical medium;
- and
- means for establishing a gradient across said layer of said medium;
- wherein the gradient established is a graded variation in the thickness of said variable optical medium layer such that upon application of the variable excitation the change in optical transmission characteristic progresses from the thicker to the thinner portions of said layer;
- and
- means for mounting said variable optical medium with respect to a person such that said person experiences a change in his field of view as the area of clear optical transmission of said variable optical medium varies in response to simulated acceleration forces.
Apparatus for achieving a progressive variation of the optical transmission characteristic of a variable optical medium, such that upon application of a variable excitation force said variation progresses from selected portions of said variable optical medium toward other, predetermined areas of said medium said apparatus comprising:
- voltage means for providing said variable excitation;
- first and second electrodes on either side of said optical medium, said electrodes consisting of highly conductive segments in contact with highly resistive segments;
- and
- means for impressing said variable voltage across said optical medium by applying said voltage directly to the highly conductive segments of the electrodes;
- and
- means for mounting said variable optical medium with respect to a person such that said person experiences a change in his field of view as the area of clear optical transmission of said variable optical medium varies in response to simulated acceleration forces.
A method of simulating the degradation of vision experienced by a person undergoing high acceleration forces which method comprises the steps of:
- providing signals representative of selected acceleration forces;
- supplying an optical device sensitive to variable excitation for selectively controlling light transmission;
- providing said excitation to said optical device such that an area of clear optical transmission is progressively deminished in response to first acceleration forces and progressively increased in response to second acceleration forces;
- and
- mounting said optical device with respect to said person such that said person experiences a change in his field of view as said area of clear optical transmission changes.
The method for achieving a progressive variation of the optical transmission characteristic of a variable optical medium such that said variation progresses from selected portions of said variable optical medium toward other predetermined areas of said medium said method comprising the steps of:
- applying a variable excitation force to said variable optical medium;
- establishing a gradient across said layer of said medium;
- wherein the gradient established is a graded variation in the thickness of said variable optical medium layer such that upon application of the variable excitation the change in optical transmission characteristic progress from the thicker to the thinner portions of said layer;
- and
- mounting said variable optical medium with respect to a person such that said person experiences a change in his field of view as the area of clear optical transmission of said variable optical medium varies in response to simulated acceleration forces.
A method for achieving a progressive variation of the optical transmission characteristic of a variable optical medium such that upon application of a variable excitation force said variation progresses from selected portions of said variable optical medium toward other, predetermined areas of said medium said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a variable voltage as said variable excitation;
- providing on either side of said optical medium electrodes made up of discrete segments;
- impressing said variable voltage across said optical medium by applying said voltage to said discrete electrode segments through a selection matrix;
- controlling said matrix to sequence the application of said voltage among said electrode segments;
- and
- mounting said variable optical medium with respect to a person such that said person experiences a change in his field of view as the area of clear optical transmission of said variable optical medium varies in response to simulated acceleration forces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.