Neck Torque Study Induced by Head-Borne Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) in Ground-Based Applications. Version V1.2

Abstract

While providing a critical capability to conduct missions under the cover of darkness, Night Vision Goggles (NVG) are a recognized source of acute and chronic neck injuries . US Army Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate and the Naval Surface Warfare Center needed to characterize the mass, Center of Gravity (CG) and neck torque generated by existing NVG and Visual Augmentation Systems (VAS) in order to understand the potential for neck pain and injury created by existing systems and provide insight on the mass and CG properties needed for future systems. NVG use light intensifier tubes to amplify existing light while VAS incorporate both light intensifiers and infra-red thermal imagers. (For the purposes of this report, NVG systems are a sub-set of VAS.) This project had three tasks: 1. Develop a method to measure the mass and CG of VAS. 2. Measure the mass and CG of seven (7) VAS and their associated mounts: AN/PVS-7D, AN/PVS-14, AN/PVS-15A, AN/PVS-23, Fusion Goggles, AN/PEQ-20, Advanced Digital Multispectral (ADM)-NVG. Calculate the neck torque generated by these systems. 3. Develop computational models of the VAS, mounts and helmets with appropriate mass properties to allow virtual measurement of mass, CG and neck torque. Additionally, a virtual model was built of the FGS-PI system.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA519127

Entities

People

  • Emily Ward
  • Matthew G. Bevan
  • Quang Luong

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Army Personnel
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Joints (Anatomy)
  • Military Research
  • Night Vision
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Pain
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Point Clouds
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Test Methods
  • Three Dimensional
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Personnel Management and Statistics in the Military and Department of Defense
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems