Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Other

Orbital Atk, Inc.

Alliant Technologies Inc.

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.

John L Shipley

Mark R Eggett

Edward C Mathias

Jerry W Jenson

Robert L Graham

Don Wilford Wallentine

Russell A Crook

Mont A Johnson

Lee H Pearson

Mark Earl Ewing

Robert P Graham

Lydia L Biegert

David H Johnson

Sorin V Teles

Robert C Bunker

A strain measurement device includes a reference material, and a displacement sensor configured to detect relative changes in distance between the sensor and the reference material. At least one of the displacement sensor and the reference material is coupled with a pre-cured elastomeric material. The displacement sensor generates a data signal to a processor that is configured to determine a strain of another elastomeric material based at least in part on the data signal received from the sensor. A displacement sensor and a reference material may be positioned within an elastomeric material within a casing of a solid rocket motor for determining strain experienced by the elastomeric material, such as the propellant of the solid rocket motor. A method includes installing a sensor of an elastomeric material. Another method includes determining strain of an elastomeric material of a solid rocket motor.

Strain measurement device, a solid rocket motor including same, and related methods

Methods, devices, and systems relating to a sensing device are disclosed. A device may comprise a structure including a first surface and a second, opposite surface, wherein the structure comprises one or more segments. Further, the device may include a plurality of sensors disposed on the structure, wherein each segment of the one or more segments comprises a first sensor of the plurality of sensors coupled to the first surface and an associated second sensor of the plurality of sensors coupled to the second surface. Moreover, each sensor of the plurality of sensors may be configured to measure a strain exhibited on an adjacent surface of the structure at an associated segment of the one or more segments.

Device and method relating to a sensing device

Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include performing a process associated with a sensor bonded to a structure and generating measured data in response to the process. The method may further include comparing the measured data to known reference data to determine integrity of a bond between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a sensor system including at least one sensor bonded to a structure. The system may further include a sensing system configured to initiate an application of one or more stimuli to the at least one sensor and monitor a property associated with the at least one sensor. The sensing system may further be configured to determine an amount of bond between the at least one sensor and the structure based on the monitored property. Structures having one or more sensors bonded thereto and an associated sensing system for determining bond integrity between the one or more sensors and the structure are also disclosed.

Methods and systems for verifying sensor bond integrity and structures employing such systems

Methods, devices, and systems relating to a sensing device

Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include heating a sensor that is operably coupled to a measuring circuit and then measuring an output signal over time. The method may further include determining, from the output signal, a percentage of bond integrity remaining between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a measurement circuit having a sensor operably coupled to a sensing system. The sensing system may be configured for applying a thermal shock to the sensor and subsequently measuring an output signal of the measuring circuit. The sensing system may also be configured for determining, from the output signal, an amount of bond between the sensor and the structure.

Methods and systems for verifying sensor bond integrity

A sensor for measuring material properties such as the relaxation modulus of a material in situ and a method of measuring material properties of a material are disclosed. The sensor may be substantially embedded in the material, and includes a deformable driver. When actuated, the deformable driver may create a stress in the adjacent material. The movement or deformation of the driver may be measured with a sensing device, for example a strain gage mounted on a surface thereof. The stress in the adjacent material may be measured with a second sensing device, for example a pressure sensor. The measured movement and stress over a predetermined period of time may he used to determine the relaxation modulus of the material.

Relaxation modulus sensor, structure incorporating same, and method for use of same

A gauge for measuring heat flux, especially heat flux encountered in a high temperature environment, is provided. The gauge includes at least one thermocouple and an anisotropic pyrolytic graphite body that covers at least part of, and optionally encases the thermocouple. Heat flux is incident on the anisotropic pyrolytic graphite body by arranging the gauge so that the gauge surface on which convective and radiative fluxes are incident is perpendicular to the basal planes of the pyrolytic graphite. The conductivity of the pyrolytic graphite permits energy, transferred into the pyrolytic graphite body in the form of heat flux on the incident (or facing) surface, to be quickly distributed through the entire pyrolytic graphite body, resulting in small substantially instantaneous temperature gradients. Temperature changes to the body can thereby be measured by the thermocouple, and reduced to quantify the heat flux incident to the body.

Pyrolytic graphite gauge for measuring heat flux

An apparatus for pulverizing hard surfaces, the apparatus having multiple sets of elongated, curvilinear shearing blades. The shearing blades are helically mounted about a rotational shaft, adjacent sets of shearing blades mounted at an inverse pitch angle. The mounting orientation allows layers of the substance to be pulverized to be sheared off a compacted surface, then rotated about the rotational shaft, while also being move back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the rotational shaft, leading to more complete pulverization. The shearing blades are mounted intermediate their edges to the rotational shaft by support members, and at a rake angle relative to the surface for ensuring efficient operation. The total arc length of the blades is at least 360.degree.and the trailing edges of the blades are turned outward to prevent bucking. The arrangement of the blades also causes the apparatus to pull itself into the surface to be pulverized to ease operation. The blades are removably mounted.

Apparatus for a roto-shearing tiller

Growing community of inventors

Tremonton, UT, United States of America

John L Shipley