Target actuation system

Abstract

A target actuation system is provided. The target actuation system includes a housing having a target actuation mechanism, remote control unit, actuation power source, and a mechanism guard plate. The target actuation mechanism includes an actuator, a target attachment feature configured to receive a target, and an attachment spindle about which the target attachment feature can rotate. The remote control unit is operatively connected to the actuation mechanism and configured to actuate the actuation mechanism upon receiving an actuation signal from a remote transmitter. Once actuated, the substrate is moved from a target-unexposed position to a target-exposed position. The target attachment feature includes modular configurations that allow for the target actuation system to be reconfigured for a particular type of target movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target actuation system, comprising:
 a housing;   an actuator, comprising:
 a connection point disposed at a first end of the actuator for attachment to a substrate; and 
 a displacement point disposed at a second end of the actuator and configured to move relative to the connection point from a first unactuated position to a second actuated position and change a length of the actuator when a moving force is received; 
   an actuation power source connected to the actuator and configured to provide the moving force to the actuator;   a remote control unit configured to provide an actuation signal and activate the actuation power source; and   an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the housing and having a spindle configured to rotate about a first axis and having at least one protrusion configured to translate the moving force and displacement of the actuator into a rotational movement about the first axis, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to receive a target substrate, and wherein the at least one protrusion is separate from the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The target actuation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a guard plate connected to the housing and arranged at an angle to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The target actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation power sources is a tank configured to hold pressurized gas, and wherein the pressurized gas is regulated via a fluid connection to the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The target actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a target attachment feature, and wherein an arrangement of the target attachment feature defines a direction of the rotational movement about the first axis, the target attachment feature including a modular connection area configured for selective attachment to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . An actuation mechanism, comprising:
 a spindle configured to rotate about a first axis and having at least one protrusion configured to translate a force provided by an actuator into a rotational movement about the first axis; and   a spindle housing having at least one bearing surface and configured to support the spindle and attach to a receiving point of a target actuation system.   
     
     
         6 . The actuation mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the receiving point of the target actuation system includes one or more kinematic attachment features, and wherein the spindle housing is configured to selectively attach to the one or more kinematic attachment features of the target actuation system. 
     
     
         7 . The actuation mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one protrusion is formed in a substantially arcuate shape having a convex surface and a concave surface, and wherein the concave surface is configured to receive the force provided by the actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The actuation mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is disconnected from the at least one protrusion and only engages the concave surface of the at least one protrusion when actuated. 
     
     
         9 . The actuation mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator includes an arcuate contact feature disposed on an actuating member of the actuator, wherein the arcuate contact feature is configured to engage the concave surface of the at least one protrusion when actuated.