USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Other

Frank E Hudson

Larry D Sawyer

Josephine Covino-Hrbacek

Robert B Williams

Albert H Lepie

Mark W Decker

Howard L Bowman

Robert L Darwin

R Allen Boyack

William M Maraffio

Mary Hunstad

An fire protection system for use in shipboard magazines wherein electric at detectors in a ship magazine provide temperature data to a fire panel. Upon detection of predetermined threshold temperatures, the fire panel initiates an alarm system and activates a fire sprinkler valve to apply water to fire sprinklers in the magazine. Temperature data from the heat sensors and stored weapon response data are used by a damage control system to generate graphic display data showing thermal conditions in the magazine and estimated times and temperatures at which stored munitions will undergo thermal destruction.

Electrical detector actuated magazine sprinkler (EDAMS) system

A high voltage differential is applied across two separated electrodes by a oltage supply. Between these electrodes is located a sample of the solid propellant or other energetic material. The voltage differential across the electrodes generates a spark of measurable voltage, current and time duration in the sample in order to foretell at what energy level sustained ignition of the sample occurs. This spark is measured by a voltage monitor which, upon reaching a predetermined level, sends a signal to a short-circuiting network. The short-circuiting network, after a predetermined time delay, shorts the electrical path across the electrodes thereby removing the voltage differential across the sample and ending the ignition test. An operator is then able to determine visually whether or not the spark of known voltage, current and time duration has created sustained ignition of the sample material. With this information much can be ascertained about the electrostatic hazards of energetic material, thereby making the handling of these materials less dangerous.

Controlled spark ignition testing apparatus

A flywheel tensile testing apparatus for viscoelastic materials is used for high-rate tensile testing to determine the mechanical properties such as the initial modulus, the stress-strain characteristics, energy at break, and void formation of energetic materials such as solid propellants and plastic bonded explosives under deformation rates in excess of 20,000 inches per minute. The tensile tester is comprised of a plurality of support trestles which are mounted on a common base. A flywheel and a light weight engagement wheel are mounted for rotation on the support trestles. A clutch and rotor assembly is located between the flywheel and the light weight engagement wheel so that when the clutch is engaged, the stored energy of the flywheel is transferred to a rotor assembly which in turn drives the light weight engagement wheel. The flywheel is driven by a variable speed motor. The activation of the clutch and rotor assembly are preferably performed in response to an electronic signal. A stretching mechanism for elongating the viscoelastic test specimen is located proximate the light weight engagement wheel and further positioned so as to tangentially align the viscoelastic test specimen with the light weight engagement wheel. The light weight engagement wheel is initially in a stationary or stopped position. When activated, the light weight engagement wheel quickly ramps up to the desired speed and engages the stretching mechanism which initiates the high rate tensile test on the viscoelastic test specimen.

High rate flywheel tensile testing apparatus for viscoelastic materials

Growing community of inventors

Ridgecrest, CA, United States of America

Frank E Hudson