Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Cordant Technologies Inc.

David J Macon

Gary K Lund

Daniel W Doll

Randy L Everton

Peter Totman

Craig D Hughes

Mark R Egget

Marc A Hall

A method and apparatus for detecting and determining event characteristics such as, for example, the material failure of a component, in a manner which significantly reduces the amount of data collected. A sensor array, including a plurality of individual sensor elements, is coupled to a programmable logic device (PLD) configured to operate in a passive state and an active state. A triggering event is established such that the PLD records information only upon detection of the occurrence of the triggering event which causes a change in state within one or more of the plurality of sensor elements. Upon the occurrence of the triggering event, the change in state of the one or more sensor elements causes the PLD to record in memory which sensor element detected the event and at what time the event was detected. The PLD may be coupled with a computer for subsequent downloading and analysis of the acquired data.

Method and apparatus for detecting and determining event characteristics with reduced data collection

A gas generating eject motor includes a case containing an ignitable low temperature gas generant material that does not produce toxic gases upon the combustion thereof. The gas generant material is generally contained with a screen enclosure housed within the case. An igniter is disposed within the gas generant material for selectively igniting the gas generant to thereby generate combustion gases. A nozzle is disposed within an open aft end of the case for focusing and directing the combustion gases generated by the ignited gas generant material. The case is constructed and arranged to be separably attached to the aft end of a rocket to be launched from a launch platform, so that, upon ignition of the gas generant, the combustion gases focused by the nozzle will apply a thrust to the rocket and thereby propel, or eject, the rocket from the launch platform, at which time the combustible propellant of the rocket motor will ignite and the eject motor will be separated from the rocket.

Gas generating eject motor

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Ogden, UT, United States of America

David J Macon