Lockheed Martin Corporation

William Kraft

Leszek Stanislaw Basak

Corey Adam Fleischer

Alexander Boon

Timothy R Fouts

Lawrence M Hetzel

Erosion sensors and systems, methods, and computer products thereof are operative to determine and provide real time erosion data. Such data may be used to determine in real time an amount of erosion or ablation on an ablative surface, for instance, of a rocket or missile launch pad, of an exhaust management system, of an extraterrestrial vehicle, or of a fire detection system.

Erosion sensor and system, method, and computer program product thereof

A closed-loop hydraulic control system that may arrest the motion of attached devices in the event of loss of electrical or hydraulic power or in the event of an emergency. Gangways from a ship to a platform and ladders on fire trucks may have hydraulic control systems that allow for free motion in several different directions in order to keep stability in rough waters or shifting ground. If the gangway or ladder begins to fall due to loss of hydraulic power or a failure in the securing of one end, the closed-loop control system may detect these situations and actuate the closing of valves to limit or stop the falling motion of the gangway or ladder. Various control or damping algorithms may be employed to yield a desired and controlled arresting of motion.

Closed-loop control system for controlling a device

Restraint release devices, systems and methods may enable actuation of a release function without using chemically energetic or thermally sensitive devices, and may employ an electromagnetic (EM) force to mechanically separate components of a fastener. A pulsed power system having a capacitive discharge circuit may be used to supply an electric current pulse to generate the EM force. The EM force can be applied to a retaining wire that surrounds and holds intact a segmented fastener. The EM force may cause the retaining wire to increase in length, thereby relaxing its hold on the segmented fastener and allowing the segments to separate and release the restraint mechanism. Restraint mechanisms using such EM restraint release devices, systems and methods may not need periodic recertification or replacement of energetics and may not have a risk of cook-off resulting from heat soak of thermally sensitive devices during operational and fault scenarios.

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Forest Hill, MD, United States of America

William Kraft