초록 ▼

The object of the invention is to provide an improved laser altimeter for a flight simulator which will allow measurement of the height of the simulator probe above the terrain directly below the probe tip. A laser beam 22 is directed from the probe 13 at an angle q20 on the terrain. The angle q22 m

The object of the invention is to provide an improved laser altimeter for a flight simulator which will allow measurement of the height of the simulator probe above the terrain directly below the probe tip. A laser beam 22 is directed from the probe 13 at an angle q20 on the terrain. The angle q22 makes with the horizontal is varied so as to bring the beam spot into coincidence with a plumb line 18 coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the probe 13. A television altimeter camera 30 observes the beam spot and has a raster line aligned with the plumb line 18. Spot detector circuit 26 coupled to the output of the TV camera monitors the position of the beam spot relative to the plumb line 18. An error signal is produced by computer 28 driving, via a servo motor 23, the laser beam optics so as to cause the beam spot to come into coincidence with the plumb line 18. At coincidence, computer 28 looks up in a table the altitude of the probe for the given angle q31.

대표청구항 ▼

In a method for determining the altitude of a flight simulator probe moving relative to and above the terrain of a flight simulator model wherein the imaginary line extending from the probe in a direction normal to the model is characterized as the probe plumb line, the steps of: directing a pencil-

In a method for determining the altitude of a flight simulator probe moving relative to and above the terrain of a flight simulator model wherein the imaginary line extending from the probe in a direction normal to the model is characterized as the probe plumb line, the steps of: directing a pencil-like beam of radiation from said probe onto the model keeping said beam within a plane containing said probe plumb line to produce a beam spot on said model; detecting the location of said beam spot relative to two orthogonal coordinates with a detector situated remote from said probe plumb line and having a linear sensitivity zone optically aligned with said probe plumb line; varying the angular orientation of the beam within said probe plumb line plane and relative to a reference plane so as to cause said beam spot to impinge on the model site intersected by said probe plumb line; determining the angular orientation of the beam relative to said reference plane; and utilizing the determined angular orientation of said beam to determine the altitude of said probe over the terrain of the model.