초록 ▼

Casings and housings for use in high speed airflow (for example for mounting on a high speed vehicle) are described. In one embodiment, a housing for imaging equipment is described. The housing has a tapering form with symmetrical angular truncations such that it tapers in the form of a wedge with t

Casings and housings for use in high speed airflow (for example for mounting on a high speed vehicle) are described. In one embodiment, a housing for imaging equipment is described. The housing has a tapering form with symmetrical angular truncations such that it tapers in the form of a wedge with two substantially planar regions. At least one substantially planar region includes an aperture formed of optically transparent material.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular casing for sensing apparatus configured to be externally mounted on a high speed aircraft, the modular casing comprising: a nose section, at least one body section and one tail section, wherein said sections are detachably connected to one another so as to permit disassembly of the casi

1. A modular casing for sensing apparatus configured to be externally mounted on a high speed aircraft, the modular casing comprising: a nose section, at least one body section and one tail section, wherein said sections are detachably connected to one another so as to permit disassembly of the casing, and wherein the nose section has a tapering form with symmetrical angular truncations such that the nose section tapers in the form of a wedge with two substantially planar regions and terminates with a leading edge strip; andmounting means configured to allow the modular casing to be externally mounted onto the high speed aircraft, wherein the mounting means comprises a load carrying structure for providing hardpoint attachments to a host aircraft. 2. A modular casing according to claim 1 which is roughly cylindrical in shape along at least a portion of its length. 3. A modular casing according to claim 1 in which the casing sections are connected by connectors arranged to interact with two adjacent casing sections. 4. A modular casing according to claim 1 in which at least one casing section comprises a cut-out portion arranged to provide access to the interior of the casing and/or to receive an interface that is configured to allow information gathered by a sensor housed in the casing to be accessed. 5. A modular casing according to claim 1 which comprises pressure relief valves. 6. A modular casing according to claim 1 in which the sections are independently rotatable about the common axis of the casing. 7. A modular casing according to claim 1 which is configured to house one or more of each of the following: sensor, location sensor, communication device, driver equipment, memory, battery, electronic control unit, desiccator, electronic interface. 8. A modular casing according to claim 1, the casing comprising a housing for imaging equipment, wherein the housing is configured to be used in high speed airflow, wherein at least one substantially planar region comprises an aperture formed of optically transparent material. 9. A modular casing according to claim 8 in which the housing comprises an ogive form having symmetrical angular truncations. 10. A modular casing according to claim 8 in which both planar regions are provided by optically transparent materials. 11. A modular casing according to claim 8 in which the strip is capable of heat conduction. 12. A modular casing according to claim 8 in which the optically transparent material comprises glass. 13. A modular casing according to claim 8 which further comprises a base region which is substantially cylindrical in shape. 14. A modular casing according to claim 8 in which the internal angle of the wedge is approximately 40-45°. 15. A modular casing according to claim 8 wherein the housing is configured to act as a nose cone when the casing is mounted on a high speed aircraft. 16. A modular casing according to claim 1, the casing being configured to be mounted on the exterior of an aircraft, the casing being configured such that at least one of the following qualities/quantities thereof is similar to that of a known aircraft store carried by the aircraft to which the casing is intended to be mounted: length, weight, center of mass, center of gravity, inertia length, cross sectional area. 17. A modular casing for sensing apparatus configured to be mounted on a high speed vehicle, the modular casing comprising: a nose section, at least one body section and one tail section, wherein said sections are detachably connected to one another so as to permit disassembly of the casing;mounting means configured to allow the modular casing to be mounted onto the high speed vehicle wherein the mounting means comprises a load carrying structure for providing hardpoint attachments to a host vehicle; anda housing for imaging equipment, wherein the housing is configured to be used in high speed airflow, the housing having a tapering form with symmetrical angular truncations such that it tapers in the form of a wedge with two substantially planar regions, wherein at least one substantially planar region comprises an aperture formed of optically transparent material, and wherein the housing comprises an ogive form having symmetrical angular truncations. 18. A modular casing for sensing apparatus configured to be mounted on a high speed vehicle, the modular casing comprising: a nose section, at least one body section and one tail section, wherein said sections are detachably connected to one another so as to permit disassembly of the casing;mounting means configured to allow the modular casing to be mounted onto the high speed vehicle wherein the mounting means comprises a load carrying structure for providing hardpoint attachments to a host vehicle; anda housing for imaging equipment, wherein the housing is configured to be used in high speed airflow, the housing having a tapering form with symmetrical angular truncations such that it tapers in the form of a wedge with two substantially planar regions, wherein at least one substantially planar region comprises an aperture formed of optically transparent material, and wherein both planar regions are provided by optically transparent materials.