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US 9,802,693 B2Granted
Control surface calibration system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorChristopher J. Yeeles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for calibrating a set of transducers. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a target device, an imaging device, and a calibrator. The imaging device generates a plurality of images of a target formed by the target device as the target device is rotated relative to the imaging device about a pivot axis formed at an interface between a first structure and a second structure in response to the first structure being rotated about the pivot axis relative to the second structure. The calibrator identifies a plurality of angles of the target about the pivot axis using the plurality of images. The calibrator further identifies calibration information using the plurality of angles.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a target device attached to and positioned above a first structure generating a target that is directed towards an imaging device;
- an imaging device attached to and positioned above a second structure, the second structure rotatably connected to the first structure by a hinged interface along a pivot axis;
- a plurality of images generated by the imaging device as the first structure is rotated relative to the second structure about the pivot axis, each of the plurality of images including a point object formed by the target;
- a calibrator, implemented by a computer system connected to the imaging device, that identifies a location difference of the point object in the plurality of images, identifies a plurality of rotation angles of the target relative to the imaging device based on a location difference of the point object in the plurality of images, identifies calibration information using the plurality of rotation angles, and uses the calibration information to calibrate a set of transducers by converting output data into angular data in angular units, the output data generated by the set of transducers configured to measure an amount of rotation of the first structure about the pivot axis when the first structure is rotated about the pivot axis relative to the second structure;
- wherein the target device is a light pen or other means for generating a light beam that is attached to the first structure and the target is a beam of light generated by the light pen or the other means for generating the light beam.
2 more elements
A calibration system comprising:
- a number of target devices attached to and positioned above a control surface movably attached by a hinged interface to a wing of an aircraft, each generating a corresponding target that is directed towards a corresponding imaging device;
- a number of imaging devices attached to and positioned above the wing of an aircraft;
- a plurality of images generated by each of the number of imaging devices as the control surface is rotated relative to the wing about a pivot axis, each of the plurality of images including a point object formed by the corresponding target;
- a set of transducers that generates output data as the control surface is rotated about the pivot axis relative to the wing of the aircraft;
- and
- a calibrator, implemented by a computer system connected to the imaging device, that identifies a plurality of angles about the pivot axis for the target based on an average location difference of the point object in the plurality of images and identifies calibration information for rotation of the first structure about the pivot axis using the plurality of rotation angles in which the calibration information is used to convert the output data into angular data in desired angular units in order to calibrate the set of transducers;
- wherein the number of target device are light pens or other means for generating a light beam that are attached to and above the control surface and the target is a beam of light generated by one of the light pens or one of the other means for generating the light beam.
4 more elements
A method for calibrating a set of transducers, the method comprising:
- generating a beam of light by a light pen attached to and positioned above a control surface;
- directing the light beam towards a camera attached to and positioned above the wing of the aircraft;
- rotating the control surface relative to the wing of the aircraft about a pivot axis formed at a hinged interface between the control surface and the wing of the aircraft;
- generating, by the imaging device, a plurality of images as the light pen is rotated relative to the imaging device in response to the control surface being rotated about the pivot axis relative to the wing of the aircraft, wherein the beam of light forms a point object in each of the plurality of images;
- identifying, by a computer system connected to the imaging device, a plurality of rotation angles about the pivot axis for the beam of light based on a location difference of the point object in the plurality of images;
- and
- identifying, by the computer system, calibration information for rotation of the control surface about the pivot axis using the plurality of rotation angles and using the calibration information to convert output data into angular data in angular units, the output data generated by the set of transducers configured to measure an amount of rotation of the control surface about the pivot axis when the control surface is rotated about the pivot axis relative to the wing of the aircraft;
- and
- correlating, by the computer system, the output data with a corresponding one of the plurality of rotation angles identified from the plurality of images to calibrate the set of transducers.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.