Patent · US Active

Projectile impact energy and location measurement system

US7278290B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
25References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 17, 2006
Grant dateOct 9, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 17, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01L5/14
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A projectile impact energy and location measurement system is taught employing a target apparatus having an impact plate of a solid durable substance such as steel or titanium. Disposed over the plate is a layer of elastoluminescent material composed of zinc sulfide and manganese embedded in an elastomeric composite. This luminescent material is designed to emit light or exhibit luminescence when elastically strained, for example when a projectile strikes the material. Optical photosensitive sensors are deployed at strategic locations to observe and record color images of the target before during and after impact by a projectile. These images capture the target luminescence and impact location of the projectile. The images are transmitted to a traditional image processing system that can isolate the impact location and correlate the light wave length with a known kinetic energy value that was obtained through initial calibration of the system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.