FALCK-SCHMIDT, Jan (Lahnsgade 92, Odense C, DK-5000, DK)
| CLAIMS 1. A system for local surveillance, preferably of a combat vehicle or other kind of action vehicle, where the vehicle is provided with sensors such as movement sensors or cameras, characterised in that these external sensors are arranged in a mast on a vehicle where sensors and mast are adapted to cover the local area around the vehicle. 2. System for local surveillance according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensors are mounted externally on a mast. 3. System for local surveillance according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensors are mounted internally in a mast. 4. System for local surveillance according to claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the mast of the system is a telescopic mast with at least one extendable telescoping segment and preferably with several extendable telescoping segments. 5. System for local surveillance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mast of the system is made of a fibre composite material, where the fibres are glass fibres, aramide fibres, carbon fibres or combinations thereof. 6. System for local surveillance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mast is mounted on the tower of a combat vehicle, e.g. at the rear end of the tower. 7. System for local surveillance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mast has a maximum height of at least 1.5 metres and preferably 2.5 metres or more. 8. System for local surveillance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition to sensors, a weapon is mounted in the mast as well. 9. System for local surveillance according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition to sensors, a water cannon is mounted in the mast as well. |
Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a system for local surveillance, preferably of a combat vehicle or other kind of action vehicle, where the vehicle is provided with sensors such as movement sensors or cameras.
Background of the Invention
In connection with use of combat vehicles and other kinds of action vehicles, it is common knowledge that the crew in these vehicles want to be informed about where in the terrain an attack is to be initiated, or from where an attack may be expected. Such vehicles are developed and adapted to defend themselves against and to combat threats that are at a relatively great distance. Typically, the overview of the local area in which the vehicle is located is relatively inferior. When vehicles of this kind are used for keeping peace and order or for military operations in e.g. an urban environment, there is thus a need for better orientation in the local area. By combat vehicles this is normally provided by a navigator sitting with his head or the upper part of the body up through a hatch. Such a disposition of the navigator is, however, not always expedient as the navigator in principle may be an easy target for an attacker. Moreover, it may often be difficult for a navigator to be orientated all the way around the vehicle due to the relatively tight space conditions.
In order to counteract these inexpediencies, it is known to use sensors of different kinds which are mounted on e.g. the tower of a combat vehicle. Mounting on the tower implies a partial protection of sensors or cameras against vandalism when the vehicle drives in an urban environment or similar. When sensors or cameras are arranged around the tower, they may then cover areas at the ends as well as sides of the vehicle. Sensors with such disposition, however, have the drawback that due the design of the tower they cannot "see" the area closest to the vehicle since here there are some blind angles. In the same way, it is necessary with wide angle lenses or similar in order to cover the area well, giving a tendency of a distorted image where precise estimation of the distance may be difficult. Object of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a system for local surveillance of the area around a combat vehicle or other kind of action vehicle, where a good overview of the local area is achieved and where a navigator is not exposed to direct attack. Description of the Invention
As mentioned in the introduction, the present invention concerns a system for local surveillance, preferably of a combat vehicle or other kind of action vehicle, where the vehicle is provided with sensors such as movement sensors or cameras, where these external sensors are arranged on a mast on a vehicle, where sensors and mast are adapted to cover the local area around the vehicle, hi this connection, the term mast is to be understood broadly, and may thus cover any upwardly projecting object on a vehicle or similar in or on which the said sensors may be arranged.
In connection with describing this invention, it is to be noted for the sake of good order that the invention may find application on vehicles both with and without weapons and may thus be used in connection with defensive and attack actions as well as for keeping peace and order, or for other tasks.
By using sensors for detecting activity in the local area around a combat vehicle or other action vehicle, several significant advantages are achieved. It is easier for the crew operating the vehicle to be oriented, thereby making it easier to solve the given task in an optimal way. By using sensors in a mast, a much better coverage of the area very close to the vehicle (local awareness situation) is achieved as the position of the sensors in the mast provide for elimination of blind angles due to the height above vehicle and terrain while at the same time not needing wide angle sensors, which in turn provides a much clearer image of the real circumstances.
A system according to the invention may have 3, 4, 5 or more sensors provided in connection with the mast whereby a 360° overview may readily be achieved if so desired. The sensors may advantageously be coupled to one or more monitors where an image from each sensor is presented, either at once or at short intervals. Surveillance on monitors of image input from different sensors is commonly known from other types of surveillance, e.g. from monitoring production facilities, and thus there is nothing new and inventive in this part of the system.
In one variant of the invention, the said sensors are mounted externally on a mast and are possibly equipped with mechanisms for individual control of zoom and direction of the sensors. In another variant of a system for local surveillance, the sensors are mounted internally of a mast, providing further protection to the sensors against vandalism, bullets and against impacts from e.g. branches or similar. Thus there are obvious advantages by mounting the sensors internally of the mast, particularly on vehicles that may be exposed to violent conditions.
In a preferred variant of a system for local surveillance according to the invention, the mast of the system is a telescopic mast with at least one extendable telescoping segment and preferably with several extendable telescoping segments. By such a mast is achieved great adaptability as the mast can be retracted and extended to a suitable height according to need. It is thus not required that the mast is always extended to its full length, a fact which may facilitate common driving with the vehicle to some extent. The mast of the system may advantageously be constructed from a fibre composite material, where the fibres are glass fibres, aramide fibres, carbon fibres or combinations thereof, but obviously there may be used other types of fibres as well as other types of material for such a mast. In a preferred variant of a system for local surveillance according to the invention, the mast may be mounted on the tower of a combat vehicle, e.g. at the rear end of the tower. By disposing the mast at the rearmost part of the tower there is achieved a position where a good overview is achieved via sensors in the mast while at the same time the mast does not interfere with the operation of the vehicle and the general view of the driver. By such a position there is furthermore obtained the possibility of retrofitting systems according to the invention on existing vehicles, e.g. on Leopard tanks. In yet a preferred embodiment, the system is provided with a mast having a maximum height of at least 1.5 metres and preferably 2.5 metres or more. Such a height is entirely sufficient for surveillance of the local area, at the same time providing possibility of having robust and stable mast which does not take up much space in retracted condition. However, it is obvious that a mast can be made with a lower or much higher structure if that is appropriate for the application. For example, the mast may have other functions by other tasks where it is not required with surveillance of the local area. The system for local surveillance may, apart from sensors, also be fitted with one or more weapons in the mast, as well as one or more water cannons maybe arranged for controlling e.g. demonstrators in connection with riots of different kinds.
Description of the Drawing
The invention will in the following be explained more closely with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a combat vehicle as seen from the front with a system for local surveillance.
Fig. 2 shows a combat vehicle as seen from the front without a system for local surveillance.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 , here in the shape of a schematic combat vehicle, where a mast 3 is mounted on the tower 2. The mast 3 is a telescoping mast consisting of five telescoping segments 4. At the top of the mast is mounted an undefined number of sensors 5 which are adjusted to monitor the local area around the vehicle 1. Appearing on Fig. 1 , a free view across the local area is achieved, corresponding to only the area 6 which is within the broken lines 7 being impossible to monitor. However, this area 6 is significantly smaller than by the previous method where one or two persons 8 perform the surveillance with the upper part of their bodies out of hatches at the top side 9 of the tower. It is even possible to perform surveillance that leaves an even lesser area 6 without surveillance. This may be achieved by increasing the height of the mast 3. On Fig. 2 is seen a drawing which, like on Fig. 1, shows the area that cannot be monitored. This area 10 is significantly greater than the area 6 on Fig. 1. The shown schematic views are seen from the front of the vehicle 1, and it does not require much imagination to acknowledge that the problem is even greater at the rear end of the vehicle. It is thus possible with a mast 3 to perform a 360° surveillance without one or two persons exposing themselves to possible hazards.
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