| The InView Unmanned Aircraft payload | - InView Payload |
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Above: the InView with under-wing mounted payloads. InView users can add their own main and under-wing payloads to suit a particular mission. |
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Above: attaching the mid-size Canon G10 digital camera to the vibration isolation assembly on a modular payload mount. Payload mounts can be readily swapped in and out to suit the mission.
Above: an example of the main modular payload, mounted on a 410 mm long x 272 mm wide x 6.35 mm thick base plate made of "1/4 inch thick LitePly". In the above example, a Canon G10 mid-size camera is attached using a vibration isolation mount on the payload base, which itself is attached to the underside of the InView using 6 OFF M6 screws.
Above: the modular payload base plate is lowered into the central fuselage and then secured using six M6 wingnuts. We show an example of a payload we used to test the imaging capabilities of a mid-size Canon G10 digital camera. The size of the opening in the fuselage is 360 mm x 222 mm.
Above: a payload consisting of a Canon G10 mid-size camera used as the main payload to perform downward looking (plan view) imagery as the InView flies along. Two small handles are used to ease the lowering of the module in the main payload bay of the InView.
Above: example of the image quality to be had from the Canon G10 digital camera in a down-looking camera configuration. You can download a copy of the original photo, which has been reduced in resolution for this web page.
Above: side viewing Canon G10 digital camera on an experimental camera mount looking through a thin glass window in the side of the fuselage.
Above: example of the imagery from a Canon G10 digital camera mounted in a side looking configuration. You can download a copy of the original photo, which has been reduced in resolution for this web page.
Above: another side looking aerial photograph, together with a magnified view from the same photograph, taken using a Canon G10 digital camera on the InView. You can download a copy of the original high resolution image. Since the main payload is located at the Centre of Gravity of the aircraft, the payload weight can vary from zero to 4 kg, as long as the Centre of Gravity of the main payload is within 50 mm of the centre of the payload base plate.
Above: dimensions of the modular main payload base plate on which one can locate any sensor.
Above: 3D CAD view of a payload base plate with no equipment mounted on it.
Above: the InView can carry an under-wing payload at the join between the left hand and right hand wing sections. Attachment of an under-wing payload is through the use of M6 nuts and bolts on a 50 mm spacing.
Above: the attachment of one of two under-wing magnetometers used to measure the gradient in the Earth's magnetic field in a geophysical survey. Each under-wing payload can weigh up to 1 kg, but the total weight of the main payload in the fuselage and the under-wing payloads must not exceed 6.0 kg.
Above: the wing sections are pushed togetehr and then secured using nuts and bolts. The hard points for use in the attachment of the underwing payloads are also used to secure the attachment of the wing sections.
Above: preparations to attach the second under-wing magnetometer.
Above: completion of the attachment of the two under-wing payloads. |
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