US12729938 - Air vehicle having a protected front optical element

The patent describes an aerial vehicle equipped with an optronic sensor protected by a removable cover that can withstand aerodynamic forces during flight. It includes a deactivation mechanism controlled by an electronic circuit to eject the cover, allowing for sensor calibration prior to removal.

Claim 1

1 . An aerial vehicle comprising: a fuselage having a front portion provided with an optronic sensor; a cover for protecting the optronic sensor, the cover being removably mounted and held on the fuselage by at least one retaining member arranged to retain the cover against aerodynamic forces exerted on the cover during flight, the cover comprising, facing the optronic sensor, a uniform internal surface making it possible to calibrate the optronic sensor before the cover is ejected; a deactivation member for deactivating the retaining member; and an electronic control circuit arranged to control the deactivation member in flight so as to allow the cover to be ejected. a fuselage having a front portion provided with an optronic sensor; a cover for protecting the optronic sensor, the cover being removably mounted and held on the fuselage by at least one retaining member arranged to retain the cover against aerodynamic forces exerted on the cover during flight, the cover comprising, facing the optronic sensor, a uniform internal surface making it possible to calibrate the optronic sensor before the cover is ejected; a deactivation member for deactivating the retaining member; and an electronic control circuit arranged to control the deactivation member in flight so as to allow the cover to be ejected.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12729938

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12729938