Digital ballistic impact detection system
First Claim
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1. A method for estimating the magnitude of a ballistic impact comprising:
- providing an impact recorder having a self-powered shock sensor powered by a signal from a resonant response to a ballistic impact event, the signal being proportional to a magnitude of the ballistic impact event, the self-powered shock sensor comprising an array of resonators, each resonator in the array being tuned for resonant response within a frequency range corresponding to that generated by the ballistic impact event, the impact recorder further configured to transport the electric signal to a memory device and capture a value of the resonant response;
retrieving the captured resonant response; and
utilizing the captured resonant response to determine the magnitude of the ballistic impact.
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Abstract
Methods and devices for a miniature, ultra-low power impact recorder for detecting, quantifying and recording the energy of an explosive blast or ballistic projectile impact. In one embodiment, the impact recorder can included a sensor comprised of an array of electromechanical resonators that is sensitive to the vibrations produced in selected, discrete frequency ranges that approximate the spectral signature characteristics of the shockwave resulting from the ballistic impact event, even after traveling through impacted material or body tissues.
48 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for estimating the magnitude of a ballistic impact comprising:
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providing an impact recorder having a self-powered shock sensor powered by a signal from a resonant response to a ballistic impact event, the signal being proportional to a magnitude of the ballistic impact event, the self-powered shock sensor comprising an array of resonators, each resonator in the array being tuned for resonant response within a frequency range corresponding to that generated by the ballistic impact event, the impact recorder further configured to transport the electric signal to a memory device and capture a value of the resonant response; retrieving the captured resonant response; and utilizing the captured resonant response to determine the magnitude of the ballistic impact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An impact recorder for measuring the severity of a ballistic impact experienced by a combat soldier comprising:
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a self-powered shock sensor powered by a signal from a resonant response to a ballistic impact event, the signal being proportional to a magnitude of the ballistic impact event, the self-powered shock sensor comprising; a plurality of resonators, each resonator being tuned for resonant response within a different frequency range, each of said different frequency ranges being within a frequency range corresponding to that generated by the ballistic impact event; an electronic circuit configured to carry the signal away from the shock sensor; and an electronic memory configured to capture a value of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An impact recorder for measuring the severity of an impact event comprising:
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a self-powered shock sensor powered by signals from resonant responses to a ballistic impact event, the signals being proportional to a magnitude of the ballistic impact event within a frequency range of vibrations generated by the impact event, the self-powered shock sensor comprising; an array of piezoelectric cantilever beams, each beam being tuned for resonant response within a different frequency range, each of said different frequency ranges being within a frequency range corresponding to that generated by the ballistic impact event; an electronic circuit configured to carry the signals away from the shock sensor; and an electronic memory configured to capture responses associated with the different frequency ranges conveyed by the signals to determine the severity of the impact event. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification