Hardened data acquisition system
First Claim
1. A self contained data acquisition apparatus, comprising:
- a. at least one transducer means for detecting shock levels effected by an explosive source;
b. signal conditioning means for obtaining an analog signal representative of the detected shock levels from said transducer means;
c. means for converting the analog signal to a corresponding digital signal;
d. memory means for storing the digital signal as data;
e. processing means for controlling the operation of at least said signal conditioning, converting and memory means;
f. container means for enclosing in a given space at least said signal means, converting, memory and processing means;
g. means for encapsulating at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; and
h. means within the container means for at least shock isolationally enveloping said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means;
wherein said container means and said enveloping and encapsulating means substantially prevent shock forces caused by said explosive source, as well as electrical and magnetic effects outside said container means, from adversely affecting said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The hardened data acquisition system (HDAS) of the present invention is a mpact system built to fit within a canister container, which may be inserted in a moving projectile, such as an artillery shell. Any shock level, air pressure or acceleration/deceleration experienced by the HDAS is measured by a transducer as an analog signal. The analog signal, after proper amplification and filtering, is fed to an analog-to-digital converter and converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is in turn fed to a memory where a predetermined amount of the data is recorded. The thus recorded data can be downloaded to the external environment by an interface section. To provide integrity, the different electronic circuit components of the HDAS are encased in plastic instead of ceramic. Moreover, the different electronic components are encapsulated with an epoxy resin, before being inserted into a canister container. After insertion, the container is filled with shock isolation micro-balloon particles to envelop the electronic components. With such a configuration, the HDAS is able to withstand a tremendous amount of force and still be able to accurately record the acquired data. The HDAS is also able to maintain its memory for several months due to the very low power requirement in standby status, thus affording measurements in areas prohibiting immediate re- entry.
10 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A self contained data acquisition apparatus, comprising:
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a. at least one transducer means for detecting shock levels effected by an explosive source; b. signal conditioning means for obtaining an analog signal representative of the detected shock levels from said transducer means; c. means for converting the analog signal to a corresponding digital signal; d. memory means for storing the digital signal as data; e. processing means for controlling the operation of at least said signal conditioning, converting and memory means; f. container means for enclosing in a given space at least said signal means, converting, memory and processing means; g. means for encapsulating at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; and h. means within the container means for at least shock isolationally enveloping said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means;
wherein said container means and said enveloping and encapsulating means substantially prevent shock forces caused by said explosive source, as well as electrical and magnetic effects outside said container means, from adversely affecting said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 25)
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14. A self contained data acquisition apparatus to be carried by a projectile, comprising:
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a. at least one transducer means for detecting impact levels encountered by said projectile from the time it is launched to when it lands; b. signal conditioning means for obtaining an analog signal representative of the detected impact levels from said transducer means; c. means for converting the analog signal to a corresponding digital signal; d. memory means for storing the digital signal as data;
processing means for controlling the operation of said signal conditioning, converting and memory means;e. container means for enclosing in a given space at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; f. means for encapsulating at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; and g. means within the container means for shock isolationally enveloping at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; h. wherein said container means and said enveloping and encapsulating means substantially prevent shock forces caused by impacts encountered by said projectile, as well as electrical and magnetic effects outside said container means, from adversely affecting said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26)
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27. A self contained data acquisition apparatus to be carried by a projectile, comprising:
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a. at least one transducer means for detecting motions of said projectile during flight; b. signal conditioning means for obtaining an analog signal representative of the detected motions from said transducer means; c. means for converting the analog signal to a corresponding digital signal; d. memory means for storing the digital signal as data; e. processing means for controlling the operation of at least said signal conditioning, converting and memory means; f. container means for enclosing in a given space at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; g. means for encapsulating at least said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; and h. means within the container means for at least shock isolationally enveloping said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means; wherein said container means and said enveloping and encapsulating means substantially prevent forces encountered by said projectile during flight, as well as electrical and magnetic effects outside said container means, from adversely affecting said signal conditioning, converting, memory and processing means. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification