ETBI (Electronic Thermal Battery Initiator) Firing Time Data Recorder with Acceleration Monitoring

Abstract

A data recorder is in operative communication with a sensor. The data recorder records both data that is internal to the data recorder and external to the data recorder. The data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor. The data that is external to the data recorder is merged into a data stream with the data that is internal to the recorder. The data recorder enables the determination of, amongst other things, whether an Electronic Thermal Battery Initiator (ETBI) initiated its firing pin after detecting a valid launch condition of a test projectile within a required time frame. The timing data from the data record assembly can be verified to ensure that the ETBI has properly initiated. The test projectile may be a modular projectile to allow easy modular installation of the data recorder as a modular component of the test projectile.

Description

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

[0001] This invention was made with government support under Prime Contract Number N00019-19-D-0026 awarded by U.S. Navy. The government has certain rights in the invention.”TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to data recorders.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The Electronic Thermal Battery Initiator (ETBI) is a component of projectiles, rockets or munitions, such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The ETBI includes an acceleration-based initiator that activates a thermal battery on the projectile. The ETBI detects linear acceleration. In the context of a projectile, the ETBI detects the acceleration of the projectile, which then initiates the thermal battery. This thermal battery, once activated, powers the guidance section or another component of the rocket or projectile.

[0004] In essence, the ETBI acts as a trigger mechanism that starts the power supply for the guidance system of the projectile upon launch or sufficient acceleration, enabling the weapon system to accurately track and engage its target. It is desirable to activate the thermal battery during a certain timeframe subsequent to launch of the projectile. Stated otherwise, it is undesirable for the thermal battery to activate prematurely or postmaturely.

[0005] However, the testing of projectiles has heretofore been unable to determine if the ETBI will properly initiate the thermal battery after a launch condition within the time defined by the requirement. Previously, only gross estimates were possible. Thus, what is needed is a device or protocol for determining if the ETBI successfully initiated the thermal battery after detecting the launch of the projectile.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a data recorder that is an acceleration monitor that can be mated or coupled to an ETBI. With one exemplary data recorder of the present disclosure, determinations can be made if a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI initiated the battery within the required time to at least an accuracy of 2.5 ms.

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the data recorder may be a self-contained unit such that no external wires are required to come from, or go into the data recorder, to initiate a recording or to detect the firing / launch of a projectile having the ETBI. When the data recorder and ETBI are launched together in a test scenario, the timing for when the thermal battery was initiated during the launch acceleration curve can be determined. In one exemplary embodiment, this is a low power design which is battery powered. The configuration may utilize an accelerometer, a piezo pressure sensor or other force sensitive resistor, and a microcontroller to yield the timing information. In some examples, the data recorder is reusable and utilizes a commercial off the shelf (COTS) battery, which allows the data recorder to be reused up to 30 times or more. The data recorder may include or combine the use of an accelerometer, a piezo pressure sensor, and a microcontroller to yield the timing information.

[0008] In this exemplary embodiment, or another exemplary embodiment, the onboard persistent storage can record and store the launch data. This could store up to 26 min of data when capturing one axis of direction. The software can alternatively capture up to 3-axes of direction with a subsequent reduction in recording time. The sampling rate may be adjusted for higher fidelity but may reduce recording storage. One exemplary embodiment operates at 400 Hz, which yields the data recorder having a 2.5 ms sampling rate.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the recording may be started by placing a magnet near a reed switch built into the data recorder. The closing of the reed switch will be detected by the microcontroller and the recording will start after the magnet holds the reed switch closed for a predetermined amount of time. The firing of the ETBI may be detected by the piezo sensor. The firing pin of the ETBI will strike the sensor thereby sending an interrupt to the microcontroller and the microcontroller will log the time of the interrupt.

[0010] In another aspect, another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a data recorder that is in operative communication with a sensor. The data recorder records both data that is internal to the data recorder and external to the data recorder. The data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor. The data that is external to the data recorder is merged into a data stream with the data that is internal to the recorder. The data recorder enables the determination of, amongst other things, whether the ETBI initiated its firing pin after detecting a valid launch condition of a test projectile within a required time frame. The timing data from the data record assembly can be verified to ensure that the ETBI has properly initiated. The test projectile may be a modular projectile to allow easy modular installation of the data recorder as a modular component of the test projectile.

[0011] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a data recorder for an ETBI on a test projectile, the data recorder comprising: a housing that has a connector that complements that of the ETBI; a sensor to sense whether the ETBI has initiated after launch of the test projectile; and circuitry that is connected to the sensor, wherein the circuitry includes an accelerometer, a memory, and a microcontroller, wherein the circuitry records timing information corresponding to the initiation of the ETBI during a launch event of the test projectile.

[0012] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a test projectile comprising: a body that is adapted to be launched from a launcher; a sensor carried by the body, wherein the sensor indicates or senses an event occurring on or internal to the test projectile; a data recorder in operative communication with the sensor, wherein the data recorder records both data that is collected internally by the data recorder and provided by an external sensor to the data recorder, wherein the data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a component on the body of the test projectile that moves after the body having been launched from the launcher; wherein the sensor senses movement of the component that moves after the body having launched from the launcher. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the component on the body of the test projectile is an ETBI having a firing pin that moves after exceeding an acceleration force threshold. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide an accelerometer in circuitry of the data recorder, wherein acceleration data from the accelerometer the data that is internal to the data recorder and the state status of the sensor corresponds to an indication of whether the firing pin has moved.

[0013] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a test projectile comprising: an ETBI; and a data recorder in operative communication with the ETBI to record timing information for when the ETBI has initiated a firing pin subsequent to launch of the test projectile. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the recorded timing information is retrievable after launch to determine if a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI initiated within a required time in response to launch of the test projectile. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide an interface between the ETBI and the data recorder, wherein the interface is defined by a connection that is the same as a connection between the ETBI and a thermal battery. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the projectile is free of a thermal battery. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a modular first portion of a body of the projectile; a modular second portion of the body of the projectile; wherein the modular first portion and the modular second portion selectively connect to each other; a modular puck that can selectively connect to either the first portion of the body or the second portion of the body via a common connection type as that which enables the selective connection of the modular first portion and the modular second portion to each other, wherein the data recorder is carried by the modular puck. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the data recorder includes an accelerometer, a pressure or force sensitive resistor, a reed switch, a microcontroller, or a buck-boost regulator.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

[0015] FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) is a diagrammatic view of a forward portion of an exemplary projectile having a thermal battery.

[0016] FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) is a diagrammatic operational view of the forward portion of the exemplary projectile when the thermal battery is being replace with a data recorder.

[0017] FIG. 3 (FIG. 3) is a diagrammatic view of a forward portion of an exemplary test projectile having the data recorder coupled to the ETBI.

[0018] FIG. 4 (FIG. 4 ) is a diagrammatic operational view of the exemplary test projectile being launched.

[0019] FIG. 5A (FIG. 5A) a top plan view of the of the data recorder with the printed board being separated from the puck housing.

[0020] FIG. 5B (FIG. 5B) a top plan view of the of the data recorder with the printed board being installed in the puck housing.

[0021] FIG. 6A (FIG. 6A) is a top surface plan view of the printed board having circuitry thereon.

[0022] FIG. 6B (FIG. 6B) is a bottom surface plan view of the printed board having circuitry thereon.

[0023] FIG. 7A (FIG. 7A) is a schematic circuit view of the controller and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0024] FIG. 7B (FIG. 7B) is a schematic circuit view of the storage medium or memory and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0025] FIG. 7C (FIG. 7C) is a schematic circuit view of the accelerometer and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0026] FIG. 7D (FIG. 7D) is a schematic circuit view of the switching regulator and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0027] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] A system or assembly for determining that a thermal battery will be properly activated by an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI) during the launch of a projectile, rocket, missile, or countermeasure expendable or any other device that is electrically powered by a thermal battery after launch is provided.

[0029] FIG. 1 depicts a forward portion or nose section of an exemplary projectile 10 having a nose end 12, an ETBI 14, and a thermal battery 16. It should be noted that although the term projectile is used, projectile 10 could be any device that is put into motion and then electrically powered by a thermal battery after movement thereof. For example, the term projectile may also encompass an object that is set into motion, via launching or otherwise, and then draws electrical power from a thermal battery that is activated after movement of the object begins.

[0030] When the projectile 10 is launched, one exemplary ETBI 14 activates or initiates a solenoid to fire a firing pin. The firing pin of the ETBI 14 contacts a portion of the thermal battery 16 to activate a fuse in the thermal battery 16. The activated fuse in the thermal battery 16 thereby causes a chemical reaction inside the thermal battery 16. The chemical reaction inside the thermal battery 16 generates power. Power from the thermal battery 16 can then power components on the projectile 10 during its flight. It has been recognized that projectiles, such as projectile 10, are not able to be monitored prior to launch to determine if the ETBI 14 is functioning properly or will function properly such that ETBI 14 will correctly initiate the thermal battery 16. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure provide a data recorder, which is introduced below, that couples with the ETBI 14 using the same interface connection as the thermal battery, to test the ETBI 14 to ensure it is functioning correctly.

[0031] FIG. 2 diagrammatically depicts the process of creating a test projectile 10T. As shown in FIG. 2, the ETBI 14 is connected to the nose end 12 of the test projectile. The thermal battery 16 is removed as indicated by arrow 18. Thereafter, a data recorder 20 is coupled to the ETBI 14 as indicated by arrow 22. The data recorder 20 has a physical construction that complements or mirrors a connection that the thermal battery 16 would have, such that the data recorder 20 interfaces with the ETBI 14 without needing to modify the ETBI 14.

[0032] FIG. 3 depicts a forward end of the exemplary test projectile 10T, wherein the suffix “T” subsequent to the reference numeral designates the test projectile. The interface 24 enables the data recorder 20 to connect with the ETBI 14. This results in the test projectile 10T that does not have or is otherwise free of a thermal battery. The test projectile 10T does not need a thermal battery because, when it is being tested, it does not need to power subsequent components on the projectile. Rather, the test projectile 10T is only being used to test the proper functionality of the ETBI 14 so the ETBI 14 can be subsequently used in an actual projectile 10 with sufficient confidence that the ETBI 14 will function properly.

[0033] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary test launch of the test projectile 10T which is launched from a launcher 26 towards a target 28, which is typically the ground or a berm at a test firing range.

[0034] As will be described in greater detail below, after the test projectile 10T has been constructed, fired from the launcher 26, landed at the target 28, then the test projectile 10T may be retrieved. Once retrieved, the test projectile 10T may be disassembled to remove the data recorder 20 and extract the timing information recorded thereon. The recorded timing information may be evaluated to confirm that the ETBI 14 properly initiated during the launch event of the test projectile 10T. The manner in which the data recorder 20 records the timing information pertaining to the ETBI 14 during the launch event of the test projectile 10T is described in greater detail herein.

[0035] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict one exemplary embodiment of the data recorder 20. According to one aspect of the present disclosure. The data recorder 20 includes a housing 30 and a printed board 32 that fits within the housing 30. The printed board 32 includes circuitry thereon that performs the data recording functionality detailed herein.

[0036] FIG. 5A depicts that the housing 30 is shaped generally as a hollow puck or plinth. Housing 30 includes a body 34 having a perimeter wall 36 that circumscribes a base or bottom wall 37. When the housing 30 is shaped as a hollow puck, the perimeter wall 36 is a circular cylindrical wall having a convex cylindrical exterior surface and a concave cylindrical interior surface. The inner surface 38 defines an interior volume 40 that is configured and shaped to receive the printed board 32. Within the interior volume 40 is a center post 42 that is manufactured or made from the same material that forms the body 34. There may be two lobes, namely and first lobe 44A and second lobe 44B, that are diametrically opposite each other and extend inwardly from the inner surface 38 towards the center post 42. The lobes 44A and 44B may be formed with threaded bores that are configured to receive a complementary connector, such as a screw, to attach the housing 30 to the ETBI 14 on the test projectile 10T.

[0037] The printed board 32 has a configuration that is complementary to the interior volume 40 of the housing 30. Namely, the printed board 32 has a generally circular perimeter 46 that is interrupted by two diametrically opposite cutouts 48A and 48B that correspond to the size and shape and location of the lobes 44A, 44B on the housing 30. The printed board 32 also has a center aperture 50. This configuration of the printed board 32 allows the printed board to fit within the inner volume 40 of the housing 30. Namely, as shown in FIG. 5B, the printed board 32 is located within the inner volume 40 of the housing 30 such that the center post 42 extends through the center opening 50 of the printed board. Additionally, the first lobe 44A nests with the first cutout 48A and the second lobe 44B nests with the second cutout 48B.

[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 5B, it can be seen that a force sensitive resistor 52 is in operative communication with the printed board 32. The force sensitive resistor 52 is placed upon the end of the central post 42 and connected to the printed board 32 via wires to one or more terminal test point (TP) at the locations identified as TP2 and TP 4 (see FIG. 6A). The force sensitive resistor 52 is configured to receive the impact of the firing pin on the ETBI 14 when the ETBI determines that the test projectile 10T has experience acceleration forces indicative of the projectile 10T having been launched from the launcher 26. As will be described in greater detail herein, when the firing pin of the ETBI 14 impacts the force sensitive resistor 52, a signal is generated to cause the printed board and circuitry contained thereon to begin recording timing information indicative of that time at which the firing pin fired. When the test projectile 10T is retrieved, the launch acceleration data along with the time at which the firing pin fired is retrieved from the memory on the circuitry of the printed board 32. Then, the timing information of when the firing pin on the ETBI 14 was initiated can be evaluated against the acceleration data. Evaluation of the data will enable the determination of whether the ETBI is functioning properly or functioning correctly (e.g., confirmation that the firing pin fired when experiencing the prescribed acceleration).

[0039] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B depict the printed board 32 of the data recorder 20 along with the circuitry of the printed board 32. A battery 54 is coupled to the printed board 32. In one particular embodiment, the battery 54 is coupled to the first surface 56 which is opposite the second surface 58. The various components of the circuitry of the printed board that receive power from the battery 54 may be oriented in any manner that meets the application specific needs for recording the timing information corresponding to the initiation of the ETBI 14 during the launch event of the test projectile 10T. Thus, it is to be understood that that shown orientation and configuration of the circuitry and the components relative to either the first surface 56 or the second surface 58 are merely exemplary and may take on other form factors or locations relative to the board 32. Additionally, some components of the printed board are described using reference elements detailed in this specification while other components of the circuitry of the printed board 32 use reference elements or reference designators shown throughout the figures wherein corresponding reference designators refer to similar components or components that are linked together. For example, all of the test ports are shown throughout the figures with the initials “TP” with a subsequent number, such as TP1, TP2, TP3, and so on. Furthermore, all of the capacitors are shown with the letter “C” and a subsequent number, such as C1, C2, C3, and so on. Similarly, resistors are shown with the letter “R” and a subsequent number, such as R1, R2, R3, and so on.

[0040] The circuitry on the printed board 32 of the data recorder 20 includes a controller 60, a storage medium or memory 62, an accelerometer 64 and a switch 66. The circuitry may also include a buck boost regulator 68. This circuitry is powered by the battery 54 to record timing information from when the firing pin contacts the force sensitive resistor 52 upon the launch and initiation sequence of the test projectile 10T.

[0041] This exemplary configuration of circuitry on the data recorder 20 enables a user of the data recorder 20 to verify the functional firing pin response time requirements with respect to a valid launch condition of the ETBI 14, which was not previously able to be tested. One embodiment of the data recorder 20 enables the determination of whether a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI 14 would properly initiate a thermal battery 16 within the required timeframe after launch to an accuracy of less than 2.5 milliseconds.

[0042] One advantage of the data recorder 20 is that it is a self-contained unit such that no external wires are required to come from or go into the data recorder 20 to initiate the recording or detect the firing of the fire pin in the ETBI 14. Initiating the recording of the data to be stored in the memory 62 may be accomplished by placing a magnet near the switch 66. The magnet closes the switch 66 and the closed switch will be detected by the microcontroller 60. Then, the recording will begin after the magnet holds the switch 66 closed for a predetermined amount of time. The firing of the ETBI 14 is detected by the force sensitive resistor 52, which may be embodied as a piezo sensor. The firing pin of the ETBI 14 will strike the resistive sensor 52 thereby sending an interrupt to the microcontroller 60 and the microcontroller 60 will log the time of the interrupt.

[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure provides a device that is now able to record data from the ETBI 14 corresponding to the timeframe or timing information for when the ETBI 14 was initiated. Then, that data may be reviewed to determine the proper functionality of the ETBI 14. This is accomplished by connecting the data recorder 20 to the ETBI 14 on the test projectile 10T. The data recorder 20 obtains acceleration data from the accelerometer 64 that monitors the acceleration force as experienced by the test projectile 10T during launch thereof.

[0044] When the firing pin on the ETBI 14 activates, it impacts the force sensitive resistor 52, which according to one embodiment may be a piezo sensor and sends an interrupt signal to the controller 60 to record the time at which the ETBI fired its firing pin. The recording also records the corresponding acceleration data from the accelerometer 64. Thereafter, the data can be evaluated to determine if the ETBI 14 initiated at the proper time or when the proper number of G-forces have been experienced. Typically, the firing pin of the ETBI 14 should activate or initiate when the ETBI 14 experiences a force of about 27 g. Thus, the data will show whether the accelerometer 64 on the circuitry of the data recorder 20 corresponds to the designated force level and timeframe at which the ETBI 14 should have initiated.

[0045] FIG. 6A through FIG. 7D detail the schematics of the circuitry of the data recorder 20. Reference is collectively made to these figures to detail the configuration and operation of the data recorder 20.

[0046] The controller 60 may be a 20-pin microcontroller that is a surface mount, which in one particular embodiment is mounted to the second surface 58 of the printed board 32. However, it is to be understood that the controller 60 could be surface mounted to the first surface 56 depending on the application specific needs of the data recorder 20.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, the controller 60 is a 16-bit microcontroller, such as the MSP430G2553IPW20, manufactured by Texas Instruments. This exemplary microcontroller 60, namely the MSP430G2553IPW20, employs a 16-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture. One exemplary microcontroller may operate at a maximum clock frequency of 16 MHz, and its instruction cycle time may be approximately 62.5 ns. The exemplary microcontroller may have 16 KB of Flash memory for storing program code, as well as 512 bytes of SRAM for data storage. The exemplary microcontroller may have a Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) that supports serial communication. It may also have SPI or I2C communication functionality. The microcontroller may have a comparator that allows analog signal comparison. The microcontroller may be designed for low-power applications. It should wake up from standby mode ultra-fast in less than about 1 μs.

[0048] The controller 60 has a number of pin ports that are connected to the various components of the circuitry of the data recorder 20. For example, there is at least one pin port that is electrically connected to the accelerometer 64. For example, pin 14 (MSP SPI MOSI) and pin 15 (MSP SPI MISO) may be connected with the accelerometer 64. In one particular embodiment, there are four SPI pin ports that are in electrical communication with the accelerometer 64. Pin 13 is another interrupt that can be used and connected with the accelerometer 64. Pin 12 is a chip select “CS” that is used to connect to one of two devices that the controller 60 desires to communicate with.

[0049] The accelerometer 64 may be a 3-axis accelerometer that provides high resolution measurement up to ±200 g. In one particular embodiment, the accelerometer may be the ADXL375 provided by Analog Devices, Inc. The ADXL375 is small and thin, supplied in a 3 mm×5 mm×1 mm, 14-lead LGA package. In some examples, the digital output data from the accelerometer is formatted as 16-bit, twos complement data. The data may be accessible through a serial peripheral interface (SPI, either 3-or 4-wire) or I2C (inter-integrated circuit) digital interface. The accelerometer may have features like power sequencing, current consumption and output data rate, power saving modes, FIFO buffer, self-test, interrupts, and more.

[0050] At least one pin on controller 60, namely pin 19, is in electrical communication with the piezo sensor of the force sensitive resistor 52. The pressure sensor or force sensitive resistor 52 may be an A101 FlexiForce Piezoresistive Force Sensor by Tekscan, which suitable for embedding into the data recorder 20. One exemplary pressure or force sensor may have a small form factor, measuring about 15.6 mm×7.6 mm×0.203 mm. The sensor may measure forces up to 10 lbs. The sensor may operate within a temperature range of −40° C. to +60° C.

[0051] Normally, pin 19 is at zero volts or “low,” and when the pin on the ETBI 14 contacts the force sensitive resistor 52, the force sensitive resistor 52 reacts to generate 3.3 volts indicative of the signal that the firing pin on the ETBI 14 has fired. This raises the voltage on pin 19 to send an interrupt signal. The programming in the controller recognizes this transition from low voltage to high voltage as a strike event of the firing pin of the ETBI 14.

[0052] The circuitry of data recorder 20 may also include one or more LEDs. The shown configuration has two LEDs. There is one LED that is internal to the puck housing 30 that cannot be seen from the outside and there is another LED that is on the board 32 that can be seen through an aperture formed through the housing 30 to indicate to a user the ready status of the data recorder 20. The aperture may be filled with a material or medium to function as a light pipe or light tube that seals the aperture to prevent external environmental factors from entering the interior of the housing 30, but otherwise permits the transmission of light therethrough. The first LED that is internal to the housing 30 is connected at pin 11 and the second LED that is to be viewed through the light tube is connected at pin 2.

[0053] After the firing pin strike event has occurred, the controller 60 will log into the memory 62 that the strike event has occurred. This event will be remembered, saved or logged by the memory 62 and it will know the time of when that firing pin strike event occurred. This is advantageous because remembering or saving the time when the firing pin strike event occurred can correspond to the acceleration experienced by the data recorder 20 during the testing of the ETBI 14.

[0054] One exemplary advantage of the data recorder 20 is that it can record external events, such as the strike of the firing pin from the ETBI 14 and merge that data corresponding to the external event into the acceleration data stream. Thus, the system of the present disclosure does not need to rely on the acceleration data alone to inform the user of the events that occurred. But rather, data recorder 20 can now provide additional input that informs the user that an external event has occurred at a given time along with the acceleration data being recorded from the accelerometer 64. Further, while the present disclosure is embodied as recording the external event in the form of a strike from the firing pin from the ETBI 14, the data recorder 20 can record other external events and merge it with the acceleration or other data streams.

[0055] The recording of the external event is accomplished by utilizing a block of information that has a few free digital bits available. Assume the bits of information is a 16-bit stream. In this example, if 12-bits are being utilized to record data for acceleration and the other 4-bits are unused, then those unused 4-bits would ordinarily be logged as zeros. The present disclosure uses these extra bits to record the external event. In the particular embodiment, these extra bits are utilized to record the external event of the firing pin on the ETBI 14 striking the force sensitive resistor 52. Thus, every record is then time stamped, and the acceleration registered or detected from the accelerometer 64 is recorded along with the state status of the external event (i.e., the state status of whether the firing pin has fired - wherein prior to initiation of the ETBI the state status of the sensor 52 is recorded as a first state identifier, such as “unfired” or logic 0, and wherein subsequent to initiation of the ETBI the state status of the sensor 52 is recorder as a second state identifier, such as “fired” or logic 1). Thus, once the state has changed, such as the firing pin on the ETBI 14 impacting the piezo sensor on the force sensitive resistor 52, that event occurrence will be registered for the remainder of the record. This will thus indicate that the firing pin has been fired. Once the data is eventually extracted when the test projectile 10T is retrieved, that data may be evaluated. Evaluation of the data may be accomplished by inputting data into an Excel table. The tabular data can be used to produce the acceleration curve of the test projectile 10T. Then, it can be clearly seen that the external event, such as the piezo sensor monitoring data, which was previously zeros prior to the firing of the firing pin, now becomes a logic 1. This transition of the state can be used to determine the acceleration at that point and any point thereafter throughout the remainder of the recording.

[0056] While this exemplary data recorder 20 is configured to record the external event of the firing pin, other external events could also be recorded. Thus, it is to be understood that the present disclosure encompasses any data recorder that is merging external data into that which is being recorded. For example, instead of recording the piezo sensor receiving the strike of the firing pin, it is possible to record the external event of if the test projectile is rotating by recording two other axes of movement. In this situation, there could be a centrifugal sensor that is generating data being logged in the additional bit streams. In another example, an external event could be recorded to determine that the canards or the wings on the test projectile 10T have properly deployed at a certain acceleration.

[0057] With continued reference to FIG. 7A, it is shown that pin 2 is connected to the orange LED. The orange LED is an annunciator for the operator outside of the test projectile 10T. This LED is visible through a light pipe that extends through the housing body 34. When the operator is setting up the data recorder 20, the LED will attempt to communicate status back to the operator.

[0058] Pin 3 and pin 4 of controller 60 correspond to the data lines for reception and transmission respectively. Particularly, pin 3 is connected with a UART receiver and pin 4 is connected to a UART transmitter. The lines connected to pin 3 and pin 4 enable an operator to retrieve the data from the device after the test projectile 10T is retrieved.

[0059] Pin 5 of controller 60 is connected with the reed switch 66. A reed switch is an electromechanical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. In its simplest and most common form, a reed switch has a pair of ferromagnetic flexible metal contacts in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. The contacts are usually normally open, closing when a magnetic field is present, or they may be normally closed and open when a magnetic field is applied. The switch may be actuated by an electromagnetic coil, making a reed relay, or by bringing a permanent magnet near it.

[0060] In one particular example, the reed switch 66 may be a MITI-7-6-10, which is an ultra-miniature reed switch manufactured by Littelfuse. It is a normally open switch housed in a 7 mm×1.8 mm (0.276″×0.071″) glass envelope. This switch is capable of switching 170Vdc at 10 W. It has a sensitivity range of 6-20 AT, a high insulation resistance of 10{circumflex over ( )}9 ohms minimum, and a low contact resistance of less than 150 milliohms. It may have hermetically sealed switch contacts that are not affected by and have no effect on their external environment. This means that the switch can operate reliably in a variety of conditions. It requires zero operating power for contact closure, making it an energy-efficient choice. Its ultra-miniature size and high performance make it a versatile choice.

[0061] Although the exemplary embodiment of the data recorder of the present disclosure pertains to the reed switch 66, other switches could be utilized. For example, the switch may be a hall effect switch, a MEMS switch, an anoisotropic MagnetoResistive (AMR) Switch, or a Giant MagnetoResistive (GMR) switch. While these switches operate in a similar manner to reed switches, they each have their own unique characteristics and advantages and the choice between these switches would depend on the specific requirements of the application.

[0062] One exemplary advantage of the reed switch 66 is that it can be activated without being physically touched. In the shown embodiment, the reed switch 66 is activated via a magnet that the operator brings close to the external body of the housing 30. As such, the reed switch 66 is mounted near the perimeter wall 46 of the of the printed board 32. This allows the magnet controlled by the operator external to the test projectile 10T to be brought close to the body of the test projectile 10T to close the switch 66. The data recorder 20 is programmed in a way that prevents stray magnetism from accidentally or incidentally closing the switch 66. Thus, when the operator wants to start the recording, the magnet must be placed on the exterior of the test projectile 10T and it must be held in place for a certain amount of time near the reed switch 66. Thus, if the magnet is left in place for too long, the data recorder 20 will make the assumption that it is stray magnetism and it will not waste memory by beginning to record. The orange LED connected to pin 2 provides the visual feedback to the operator to confirm that the magnet has properly closed the reed switch 66 to indicate that recording is occurring. For example, when the magnet is applied to the external body of the test projectile 10T, the orange LED will start blinking slowly. This is an indication that the magnet is in place. Then, after a short period of time, the LED will start to blink fast. Then, the user must remove the magnet within a few seconds from the orange LED starting to blink quickly. If this occurs, then the data recorder 20 knows that the magnet was placed there on purpose, and it was removed when it was supposed to be removed. This responds by beginning to record the acceleration data into the memory 62. The reed switch and the corresponding blinking of the LED is just one exemplary implementation of an indicator of the recording into the memory 62 having begun. However, there are other manners in which the operator may initiate the recording. For example, a series of light taps on the body of the test projectile 10T could be programmed to be interpreted by the accelerometer to initiate the recording.

[0063] Pin 6 and pin 7 of controller 60 are two of the other four pins that are required to talk to the SPI device, which in this example is the storage medium or memory 62. The other two SPI lines that connect with the flash memory 62 are shown at pin 14 and pin 15. These lines connect with the corresponding labeled lines in the memory 62 shown in FIG. 7B. The MOSI (Master Out Slave In) line corresponds to the MOSI pin on the memory 62 and the MISO (Master In Slave Out) corresponds to the MISO pin on the memory 62. In this instance, the master device is the controller 60 and the slave device is the memory 62. The chip select line represented by the annotation “CS” determines which device has been selected. In practice, two of these flash units could be connected to the microcontroller 60. The clock from the controller 60 also is connected to the flash memory 62 and is noted as “CLK”.

[0064] In one embodiment, memory 62 is an 8-Mbit SPI serial flash device produced by Microchip, having the model number a SST25VF080B. This memory 62 is designed to operate with a supply voltage range of 2.7 V to 3.6 V. The device communicates using a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), which is a standard interface for communicating with flash memory. This makes it compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers and other digital systems. One exemplary feature of the SST25VF080B is its high-speed clock frequency, which corresponds to the CLK designator in FIG. 7B. Memory 62 can operate at up to 80 MHz for 1.8V-3.6V and 66 MHz for 2.7V-3.6V. This high speed allows for quick data transfer, which can be critical in applications that require fast read / write cycles. The SST25VF080B is available in several different packages, including 8-contact WSON (6 mm×5 mm), 8-lead SOIC (200 mils), 8-lead SOIJ (150 mils), and 8-contact USON (4 mm×4 mm). This variety of packages allows for flexibility in design and can accommodate different space constraints on a circuit board. In terms of performance, the SST25VF080B is known for its reliability and durability. It's designed to withstand harsh environments and can operate in a wide range of temperatures. This makes it suitable for use in a variety of applications, from consumer electronics to industrial control systems.

[0065] With continued reference to FIG. 7A, pin 13 of controller 60 corresponds to an input from the accelerometer's interrupt output. When the embodiment utilizes tapping to initiate the recording, pin 13 would be used to identify the movements in the X axis or Y axis originating from the taps on the body of the test projectile 10T to initiate the recording of data. When the taps are appropriately performed, the data at pin 13 will transition from a logic 0 to a logic 1 to start that recording. On the accelerometer 64, pin 8 that sends the interrupt to the pin 13 on the controller 60.

[0066] Pin 9 of controller 60 corresponds to the playback information for retrieving data from the memory 62 after the test and been completed and the test projectile 10T has been retrieved. Pin 10 on the controller 60 can be utilized to erase or clear the memory 62 if the user desire to erase the data.

[0067] Regarding the playback and the information that is extracted, the numbers that are recorded correspond to the binary data at a given time. In one embodiment, the data recorder records 400 entries per second. The binary data corresponds to the state of the external events at a given time. For example, for every entry in the flash memory 62 that was recorded at a given time (400 hz), the data corresponds to the acceleration observed by the accelerometer 64 in the Z axis, but it could also be the X axis and Y axis if desired. Additionally, what is also recorded is the state of the three inputs where one input is the piezo force resistive sensor 52. The other two inputs, in this particular embodiment, are unused however it is in the scope of the present disclosure that these other two channels could be utilized to record another external event, such as ensuring that the canards or wings properly deployed on the projectile.

[0068] Pin 16 and pin 17 of controller 60 are parts of the Texas Instruments defined programming protocol. The way the chip of the controller 60 is programmed is by way of a special serial connection which uses dedicated pins on the chip. These allow hex code to be programmed into the controller to manipulate the controller without having to disassemble the data recorder and remove the microcontroller for reprogramming purposes.

[0069] Pin 18 of controller 60 is another interrupt connection which the software could use as an interrupt that is connected to the accelerometer 64.

[0070] Pin 11 is connected to the red LED which is another annunciator on the board that the user can see when the printed board 32 is not within the puck housing 30.

[0071] FIG. 7D indicates that a switching regulator, such as the buck boost regulator 68 is in operative communication with the controller 60. The buck boost regulator 68 operates to regulate the voltage to 3.3 volts. Thus, the battery 54 is in communication with the buck boost regulator 68 to provide a constant 3.3 volts to the controller 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the regulator is a switching regulator. The buck-boost regulator is a type of DC-to-DC converter that has an output voltage magnitude that is either greater than, equal to, or less than the input voltage magnitude. In one specific example, the regulator is a synchronous buck-boost DC / DC converter. It combines the functionalities of a buck converter (which reduces a DC voltage to a lower DC voltage) and a boost converter (which provides an output voltage that is higher than the input). The buck-boost regulator may have multiple transistor switches that allow for transfer of energy between the inductor and output capacitor, depending upon the input voltage and desired output voltage. There are power transistors within regulator that operate (e.g., switch) in two different states: (i) an on-state and (ii) an off-state. In the on-state, the input voltage source may be directly connected to an inductor, resulting in accumulating energy in the inductor. In this stage (e.g., the on-state), a capacitor supplies energy to the output load. In the off-state, the inductor is connected to the output load and capacitor, so energy is transferred from the inductor to the capacitor and the load. In one exemplary embodiment, there are four transistors: two transistors for buck mode and two transistors for boost mode. This buck-boost regulator may simplify the power-supply configuration with integrated components that help shrink overall size, minimize power loss, and improve thermal efficiency (i.e., operate at a cooler temperature). Some exemplary buck-boost regulators that may be sufficient within the circuitry of the present disclosure may include the LTC3531.

[0072] The battery 54 may be a long term storage battery that is required to power the microcontroller, or maintain data in a microcontroller if persistent memory like the Microchip flash memory is not used. The battery also provides power for various sensors, such as accelerometer 64 and G-sensors switches / meters or other sensors. One exemplary secondary battery is an OmniCell EF651625 battery cell. However, other battery types are entirely possible. When selecting this battery or other types of batteries, some exemplary parameters that should be accounted for are that the secondary battery should have an operating temperature range from −60° C. to about 85° C., the battery should have low self-leakage (such as 1.55 μA 25° C., 2.86 μA at 80° C.), and the battery should have sufficient capacity projected after 10+ years of storage (which supports about 7000 hours of operation). One exemplary battery that meets these parameters is a Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LiSOCL2) primary chemistry coin cell battery. Other batter parameters could be utilized depending on the application specific needs of the countermeasure.

[0073] Having discussed one exemplary configuration of the data recorder 20, reference is now made to its operation.

[0074] In operation, a user will bring a magnet towards the side of the test

[0075] projectile 10T adjacent to the perimeter wall of the puck housing 30. The orange LED connected to pin 2 on controller 60 will begin to blink. The magnet will be removed, and the light will blink again to indicate that recording has begun. Then, every 2.5 milliseconds, the controller 60 reads the accelerometer 64 and obtains axes of acceleration, storing one or more into persistent memory. That data for every entry is then stored in the memory 62. While this is recording, the controller 60 determines the state inputs of the external event, which in this scenario is the state input of the force sensitive resistor 52. It is possible for the controller 60 to look at two more state inputs, however in this particular embodiment those additional two inputs are unused. The controller 60 then combines the accelerometer 64 data and the extra bits of information corresponding to the state inputs into one entry of the memory 62.

[0076] When the force sensitive resistor 52 is in its inactive state, or unused state, then the state identifier is recorded as a zero at that time entry. Then, the test projectile 10T is launched. After launch of the projectile, the data produced by the accelerometer 64 is stored in the memory 62. When the force sensitive resistor 52 has been struck by the firing pin on the ETBI 14, that data stream associated with force sensitive resistor 52 will switch from a logic 0 to a logic 1, which is indicative of the firing pin having struck the force sensitive resistor 52. Then, for the remainder of the time entries, this state of the firing pin of the ETBI 14 will be recorded as a logic 1 for the remainder of the recording. This indicates that the impact has occurred. This enables the strike of the firing pin to the force sensitive resistor 52 to act as an interrupt. The controller 60 then remembers this interrupt which corresponds to the force sensitive resistor 52 having been activated.

[0077] Once the test projectile 10T is retrieved, the timing and state data is extracted from the memory 62. The data is loaded into a table, such as an Excel table, and graphed or mathematically processed by other computer software. The point at which the external state of the firing pin on the ETBI 14 has switched from inactive to active can be known with an accuracy of less than 2.5 ms. The time at which the firing pin was fired can be evaluated along with the acceleration data from the accelerator 64 at that same time. Then, the evaluator of the data can determine whether the ETBI 14 has functioned properly by initiating its firing pin when experiencing the prescribed g-force.

[0078] If the data recorder reveals data that the ETBI 14 is functioning properly, then the ETBI 14 may be identified as a properly functioning device. This properly functioning ETBI 14 may then be disconnected from the data logger 20. This ETBI 14 can then be identified “FOR TEST PURPOSES ONLY”, or disposed of.

[0079] It is to be understood that this “live” or armed projectile 10 may be aimed towards a point of interest (POI) for suppression operations or elimination of the building, structure, equipment or enemy threat at or near the POI. In one embodiment, the launch vehicle for projectile 10 is a ground launch vehicle that is operably engaged with a ground surface and is configured to launch surface-to-surface projectiles or missiles (or “SSM”) or ground-to-ground projectiles or missiles (or “GGM”). In other words, the launch vehicle is capable of launching projectiles and other similar devices from land and striking targets on land or sea. It will be understood that the launch vehicle is exemplary only and any type of launch vehicle is contemplated to be represented by the illustrated device. In one exemplary embodiment, the launch vehicle may be represented as hand-held launcher, a launcher fixed to a ground transporting vehicle, a launcher fixed to a naval vehicle, or other suitable launchers for launching projectiles and other similar devices from land or sea and striking targets on land or sea. In another exemplary environment, the projectile 10 is a precision guided munition, which may also be referred to as a PGM. The PGM may be carried by a platform, such as a helicopter, airplane or drone. When the platform is embodied as an aerial vehicle, it may be either manned or unmanned.

[0080] Regardless of where the projectile 10 is launched, the projectile 10 could be equipped with a guidance kit that has command and control logic for guiding the projectile 10 to a specific target, such as the POI.

[0081] In addition to the thermal battery 16 and the ETBI 14, the projectile 10 may include a modular first portion located at a front end of a guided munition or projectile, a modular second portion located near or at the middle of projectile and rearward of the modular first portion, wherein the modular second portion may selectively connect, via a modular connector or screw-in connection, with the modular first portion. A modular third portion may be located rearward of the modular second portion. The guidance kit may be on any modular portion of the projectile 10 depending on the application specific needs, constraints, and physical requirements of a particular mission to disable or destroy the building, structure, equipment or enemy threat at or near the POI.

[0082] The projectile may also include a rocket motor or engine configured to provide suitable propulsion and thrust needed for a desired operation. The rocket motor includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The rocket motor also includes a circumferential wall that extends between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis of the rocket motor. The circumferential wall of the rocket motor also defines a chamber that extends between the first end and the second end. While not illustrated herein, suitable rocket propellants and elements are stored inside of the chamber that generate propulsion and thrust for the rocket motor. The rocket motor may include an aft fin member operably engaged with the circumferential wall proximate to the first end of the rocket motor. The aft fin member may provide flight assistance to the projectile at the first end of the rocket motor as the projectile 10 travels through the air between the initial launch at the launch vehicle and a targeted POI. The rocket motor of the projectile 10 could be a standard 2.75-inch rocket motor (e.g., liquid-fueled rocket motors, solid-fueled rocket motors, or other suitable rocket motors of the like). In other exemplary embodiments, any suitable rocket motor may be equipped for a projectile based on the mission and / or objective.

[0083] The modular second portion may also optionally include a set of retractable flaperons, canards, or wings operably engaged with the body of the modular second portion. Each retractable wing of the set of retractable wings may be moveable on the body. During operation, the set of retractable wings may pivot outwardly from the body when the projectile is launched and travels through the air. Switches or other sensors on these wing mechanisms may be connected to the data recorder to correlate the actuation of the wing's projectile acceleration. Additionally, each retractable wing of the set of retractable wings may also define a cavity.

[0084] At least one guidance kit processor or microprocessor may be powered by thermal battery 16 and be housed inside of the modular second portion. Alternatively, the processor may be located in either the first portion or the third portion. The processor is configured to logically perform protocols and / or methods that are provided on the processor during or prior to military operation.

[0085] The projectile may also include the guidance kit that is configured to guide the projectile 10 to a specific target at the POI. The guidance kit may be powered by the thermal battery after launch of the projectile, wherein the thermal battery 16 is initiated by a properly functioning ETBI 14. The guidance kit may include a seeker or seeker hardware that implement one or more methods configured to initiate and / or deploy on-board devices to guide and / or direct the projectile to a specific target at or near the POI. In one exemplary embodiment, the guidance kit provided with the projectile 10 could be a legacy laser guidance kit and / or apparatus. In one example, a legacy guidance kit described and illustrated herein may be an APKWS laser guidance kit manufactured by BAE Systems. In another example, a legacy guidance kit described and illustrated herein may be a preexisting or legacy laser guidance kit. It should be understood that any devices, components, and / or systems described herein that forms the guidance kit described herein are provided in the laser-guidance kit.

[0086] Considering that the guidance kit is necessary to guide the projectile to the POI, it is necessary to confirm that the thermal battery 16 has been properly initiated after launch. Thus, it is advantageous to test the proper function of the ETBI 14 prior to that ETBI being installed on a projectile 10. Thus, during Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) of the ETBI 14 at the ETBI 14 supplier the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure could be utilized to confirm that the ETBIs 14 from a specific build lot provides the system or assembly confirmation and / or determination that the ETBIs 14 from that specific build lot will properly initiate the thermal battery 16 after launch of the projectile 10.

[0087] Some other advantageous features of the present disclosure is that the data recorder 20 is reusable. Namely, data recorder 20 utilizes a COTS battery 54, which allows the data recorder 20 to be reused up to 30 times.

[0088] The circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may additionally include one or more other sensors to sense or gather data pertaining to the surrounding environment or operation of the test projectile 10T. Some exemplary other sensors capable of being electronically coupled with the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure (either directly connected to the test projectile 10T or remotely connected thereto) may include but are not limited to: accelerometers sensing accelerations experienced during rotation, translation, velocity / speed, location traveled, elevation gained; gyroscopes sensing movements during angular orientation and / or rotation, and rotation; altimeters sensing barometric pressure, altitude change, terrain climbed, local pressure changes, submersion in liquid; impellers measuring the amount of fluid passing thereby; global positioning sensors sensing location, elevation, distance traveled, velocity / speed; audio sensors sensing local environmental sound levels, or voice detection; photo / light sensors sensing ambient light intensity, ambient, day / night, UV exposure; TV / IR sensors sensing light wavelength; temperature sensors sensing machine or motor temperature, ambient air temperature, and environmental temperature; radar sensors; lidar sensors; ultrasonic sensors; magnetic sensors, image sensors; and moisture sensors sensing surrounding moisture levels.

[0089] If sensors are utilized to gather data relating to the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure, then sensed data may be evaluated and processed with artificial intelligence (AI). Analyzing data gathered from sensors using artificial intelligence involves the process of extracting meaningful insights and patterns from raw sensor data to produce refined and actionable results. Raw data is gathered from various sensors, for example those which have been identified herein or others, capturing relevant information based on the intended analysis. This data is then preprocessed to clean, organize, and structure it for effective analysis. Features that represent key characteristics or attributes of the data are extracted. These features serve as inputs for AI algorithms, encapsulating relevant information essential for the analysis. A suitable AI model, such as machine learning or deep learning (regardless of whether it is supervised or unsupervised), is chosen based on the nature of the data and the desired analysis outcome. The model is then trained using labeled or unlabeled data to learn the underlying patterns and relationships. The model is fine-tuned and optimized to enhance its performance and accuracy. This process involves adjusting parameters, architectures, and algorithms to achieve better results. The trained model is used to make predictions or inferences on new, unseen data. The model processes the extracted features and generates refined output based on the patterns it has learned during training. The results produced by the AI model are refined through post-processing techniques to ensure accuracy and relevance. These refined results are then interpreted to extract meaningful insights and derive actionable conclusions. Feedback from the refined results is used to improve the AI model iteratively. The process involves incorporating new data, adjusting the model, and enhancing the analysis based on real-world feedback and evolving requirements. Further, AI results can be used to alter the operation of the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure based on feedback. For example, AI feedback can be used to improve the efficiency of the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure by responding to predicted changes in the environment or predicted changes to the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure more quickly than if only sensed by one or more of the sensors.

[0090] A sensor model may be employed, once trained, in the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure can be used to teach a sensor model to predict sensor data for a specific scenario. Alternatively, sensor models can be utilized to generate the data to train the AI. The sensor model can be trained for any type of sensor, such as those types of sensors described above, and / or other sensor types. The elements described herein may be implemented as discrete or distributed components in any suitable combination and location. The various functions described herein may be conducted by hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, a processor may perform various functions by executing instructions stored in memory.

[0091] The AI model and / or sensor model can include a deep neural network (DNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), another neural network (NN) or the like and can support generative learning. For example, the sensor model can include a generative adversarial network (GAN), a variational autoencoder (VAE), and / or another type of DNN, CNN, NN or machine learning model (e.g., natural language processing (NLP)). Generally, the sensor model can accept some encoded representation of a scene as input using any number of data structures and / or channels (e.g., concatenated vectors, matrices, tensors, images, etc.).

[0092] In a particular embodiment, the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure can use the sensors, such as sensor 52, to acquire a representation of the state-status of the ETBI 14 or other real-world environment (e.g., a physical environment) at a given point in time. Data from these sensors may be used to generate a representation of a scene or scenario, which may then be used to teach a sensor model. For example, a representation of a firing pin state (i.e., fired or unfired relative to a certain acceleration at a given time) can be derived from sensor data, properties of objects in the scene or surrounding environment such as positions, forces or dimensions, classification data identifying objects in the scene or surrounding environment, properties or classification data of components of the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure, or some combination thereof. Generally, the sensor model learns to predict sensor data from a representation of the scene, environment, or operation of the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure.

[0093] The sensor model architecture can be selected to fit the shape of the desired input and output data. Examples of architectures (e.g., DNNs) include, but are not limited to, perceptron, feed-forward, radial basis, deep feed-forward, recurrent, long / short term memory, gated recurrent unit, autoencoder, variational autoencoder, convolutional, deconvolutional, and generative adversarial. Some DNN architectures, such as a GAN, can include a convolutional neural network (CNN) that accepts and evaluates an input image and may include multiple input channels, which may be used to accept and evaluate multiple input images and / or input vectors.

[0094] In one embodiment, training data for the sensor model may be generated using real-world (e.g., physical environment) data. To collect real-world training data, the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may collect sensor data by fusing sensors as the test projectile 10T traverses a real-world environment. The sensors of the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may include, for example, one or more global navigation satellite systems sensors (e.g., Global Positioning System sensors (GPS)), RADAR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDAR sensors, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors (e.g., accelerometer(s), gyroscope(s), magnetic compass(es), magnetometer(s), etc.), ego-motion sensors, microphones, stereo cameras, wide-view cameras (e.g., fisheye cameras), infrared cameras, surround cameras (e.g., 360 degree cameras), long-range and / or mid-range cameras, speed sensors (e.g., for measuring the speed of the vehicle), vibration sensors, steering sensors, brake sensors (e.g., as part of the brake sensor system), and / or other sensor types.

[0095] In another embodiment, training data for the sensor model is generated based on simulated or virtual environments. The training data may then be used to train the sensor model for use in real-world autonomous or semi-autonomous applications, e.g., to control the operation of the test projectile 10T or the armed projectile 10. The training data may be derived to fit the shape of the input and output data for the sensor model, which may depend on the architecture of the sensor model. For example, sensor data may be used to encode an input scene, input parameters, and / or ground truth sensor data using different data structures and / or channels (e.g., concatenated vectors, matrices, tensors, images, etc.).

[0096] The circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may include hardware, software and / or firmware responsible for managing the sensor data generated by the sensors. The autonomous hardware, software, and / or firmware being executed may manage different environments using one or more maps (e.g., 3D maps), positioning component(s), and the like. The autonomous hardware, software, and / or firmware may also include components to plan, control, and generally manage the test projectile 10T. In one example, the autonomous hardware, software, and / or firmware can be installed in and used to control the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure through the environment based on the sensor data, one or more machine learning models (e.g., neural networks), and the like. A training system may use the training data to train the sensor model to predict virtual sensor data for a given scene, environment, or operation of a component.

[0097] The training system can include one or more servers (e.g., a graphics processing unit server) and data stores and may use a cloud-based deep learning infrastructure with artificial intelligence to analyze the sensor data received from the test projectile 10T and / or stored in the data store. The training system can also incorporate or train up-to-date, real-time neural networks (and / or other machine learning models) for one or more sensor models.

[0098] The circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may include wireless communication logic coupled to sensors on the test projectile 10T. The sensors gather data and provide the data to the wireless communication logic. Then, the wireless communication logic may transmit the data gathered from the sensors to a remote device. Thus, the wireless communication logic may be part of a broader communication system, in which one or several devices, assemblies, or systems of the present disclosure may be networked together to report alerts and, more generally, to be accessed and controlled remotely. Depending on the types of transceivers installed in the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure, the system may use a variety of protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi®, ZigBee®, MIWI, BLUETOOTH®) for communication. In one example, each of the devices, assemblies, or systems of the present disclosure may have its own IP address and may communicate directly with a router or gateway. This would typically be the case if the communication protocol is Wi-Fi®. (Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance of Austin, TX, USA; ZigBee® is a registered trademark of ZigBee Alliance of Davis, CA, USA; and BLUETOOTH® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. of Kirkland, WA, USA).

[0099] The system that receives and processes signals from the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may differ from embodiment to embodiment. In one embodiment, alerts and signals from the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure are sent through an e-mail or simple message service (SMS; text message) gateway so that they can be sent as e-mails or SMS text messages to a remote device, such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet computer, monitored by a responsible individual, group of individuals, or department, such as a validation or testing department. Thus, if a particular test projectile 10T creates an alert because of a data point gathered by one or more sensors, that alert can be sent, in e-mail or SMS form, directly to the individual responsible for fixing it. Of course, e-mail and SMS are only two examples of communication methods that may be used; in other embodiments, different forms of communication may be used.

[0100] As described herein, aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or other similar secondary components and / or systems therein. The present disclosure is therefore contemplated and will be understood to include any necessary operational components thereof. For example, electrical components will be understood to include any suitable and necessary wiring, fuses, or the like for normal operation thereof. Similarly, any pneumatic systems provided may include any secondary or peripheral components such as air hoses, compressors, valves, meters, or the like. It will be further understood that any connections between various components not explicitly described herein may be made through any suitable means including mechanical fasteners, or more permanent attachment means, such as welding or the like. Alternatively, where feasible and / or desirable, various components of the present disclosure may be integrally formed as a single unit.

[0101] Unless explicitly stated that a particular shape or configuration of a component is mandatory, any of the elements, components, or structures discussed herein may take the form of any shape. Thus, although the figures depict the various elements, components, or structures of the present disclosure according to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that any other geometric configuration of that element, component, or structure is entirely possible. For example, instead of a component being described with a particular configuration, that component could have a differing configuration such as a semi-circular, triangular, rectangular or square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, diamond shaped or another parallelogram, trapezoidal, star-shaped, oval, ovoid, lines or lined, teardrop-shaped, cross-shaped, donut-shaped, heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, crescent-shaped, any letter shape (i.e., A-shaped, B-shaped, C-shaped, D-shaped, E-shaped, F-shaped, G-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, J-shaped, K-shaped, L-shaped, M-shaped, N-shaped, O-shaped, P-shaped, Q-shaped, R-shaped, S-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, or Z-shaped), or any other type of regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration.

[0102] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0103] Any flowchart and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate some exemplary architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0104] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0105] The above-described embodiments can be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, embodiments of technology disclosed herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the software code or instructions can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers or in firmware. Furthermore, the instructions or software code can be stored in at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

[0106] The various methods or processes outlined herein may be coded as software / instructions that are executable on one or more processors that employ any one of a variety of operating systems or platforms. Additionally, such software may be written using any of a number of suitable programming languages and / or programming or scripting tools, and also may be compiled as executable machine language code or intermediate code that is executed on a framework or virtual machine.

[0107] In this respect, various inventive concepts may be embodied as a computer readable storage medium (or multiple computer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memory, one or more floppy discs, compact discs, optical discs, magnetic tapes, flash memories, USB flash drives, SD cards, circuit configurations in Field Programmable Gate Arrays or other semiconductor devices, or other non-transitory medium or tangible computer storage medium) encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more computers or other processors, perform methods that implement the various embodiments of the disclosure discussed above. The computer readable medium or media can be transportable, such that the program or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one or more different computers or other processors to implement various aspects of the present disclosure as discussed above.

[0108] The terms “program” or “software” or “instructions” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executable instructions that can be employed to program a computer or other processor to implement various aspects of embodiments as discussed above. Additionally, it should be appreciated that according to one aspect, one or more computer programs that when executed perform methods of the present disclosure need not reside on a single computer or processor but may be distributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computers or processors to implement various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0109] Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. As such, one aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure may be a computer program product including least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium in operative communication with a processor, the storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, implement a method or process described herein, wherein the instructions comprise the steps to perform the method(s) or process(es) detailed herein.

[0110] Also, data structures may be stored in computer-readable media in any suitable form. For simplicity of illustration, data structures may be shown to have fields that are related through location in the data structure. Such relationships may likewise be achieved by assigning storage for the fields with locations in a computer-readable medium that convey relationship between the fields. However, any suitable mechanism may be used to establish a relationship between information in fields of a data structure, including through the use of pointers, tags or other mechanisms that establish relationship between data elements.

[0111] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0112] “Logic”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and / or to cause a function or action from another logic, method, and / or system. For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic like a processor (e.g., microprocessor), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions, an electric device having a memory, or the like. Logic may include one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics into one physical logic. Similarly, where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute that single logic between multiple physical logics.

[0113] Furthermore, the logic(s) presented herein for accomplishing various methods of this system may be directed towards improvements in existing computer-centric or internet-centric technology that may not have previous analog versions. The logic(s) may provide specific functionality directly related to structure that addresses and resolves some problems identified herein. The logic(s) may also provide significantly more advantages to solve these problems by providing an exemplary inventive concept as specific logic structure and concordant functionality of the method and system. Furthermore, the logic(s) may also provide specific computer implemented rules that improve existing technological processes. The logic(s) provided herein extends beyond merely gathering data, analyzing the information, and displaying the results. Further, portions or all of the present disclosure may rely on underlying equations that are derived from the specific arrangement of the equipment or components as recited herein. Thus, portions of the present disclosure as it relates to the specific arrangement of the components are not directed to abstract ideas. Furthermore, the present disclosure and the appended claims present teachings that involve more than performance of well-understood, routine, and conventional activities previously known to the industry. In some of the methods or processes of the present disclosure, which may incorporate some aspects of natural phenomenon, the process or method steps are additional features that are new and useful.

[0114] The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or “exactly one of.”“Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0115] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0116] While components of the present disclosure are described herein in relation to each other, it is possible for one of the components disclosed herein to include inventive subject matter, if claimed alone or used alone. In keeping with the above example, if the disclosed embodiments teach the features of components A and B, then there may be inventive subject matter in the combination of A and B, A alone, or B alone, unless otherwise stated herein.

[0117] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting”or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.

[0118] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and / or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0119] Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0120] Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features / elements, these features / elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Thus, a first feature / element discussed herein could be termed a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element discussed herein could be termed a first feature / element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0121] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,”“some embodiments,”“one particular embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,”“some embodiments,”“one particular embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

[0122] If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0123] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and / or position to indicate that the value and / or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and / or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is + / −0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

[0124] Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

[0125] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having,”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,”“composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

[0126] To the extent that the present disclosure has utilized the term “invention”in various titles or sections of this specification, this term was included as required by the formatting requirements of word document submissions pursuant the guidelines / requirements of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and shall not, in any manner, be considered a disavowal of any subject matter.

[0127] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0128] Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0028]A system or assembly for determining that a thermal battery will be properly activated by an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI) during the launch of a projectile, rocket, missile, or countermeasure expendable or any other device that is electrically powered by a thermal battery after launch is provided.

[0029]FIG. 1 depicts a forward portion or nose section of an exemplary projectile 10 having a nose end 12, an ETBI 14, and a thermal battery 16. It should be noted that although the term projectile is used, projectile 10 could be any device that is put into motion and then electrically powered by a thermal battery after movement thereof. For example, the term projectile may also encompass an object that is set into motion, via launching or otherwise, and then draws electrical power from a thermal battery that is activated after movement of the object begins.

[0030]When the projectile 10 is launched, one exemplary ETBI 14 activates or initiates a solenoid to fire a firing...

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

[0001] This invention was made with government support under Prime Contract Number N00019-19-D-0026 awarded by U.S. Navy. The government has certain rights in the invention.”TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to data recorders.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The Electronic Thermal Battery Initiator (ETBI) is a component of projectiles, rockets or munitions, such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The ETBI includes an acceleration-based initiator that activates a thermal battery on the projectile. The ETBI detects linear acceleration. In the context of a projectile, the ETBI detects the acceleration of the projectile, which then initiates the thermal battery. This thermal battery, once activated, powers the guidance section or another component of the rocket or projectile.

[0004] In essence, the ETBI acts as a trigger mechanism that starts the power supply for the guidance system of the projectile upon launch or sufficient acceleration, enabling the weapon system to accurately track and engage its target. It is desirable to activate the thermal battery during a certain timeframe subsequent to launch of the projectile. Stated otherwise, it is undesirable for the thermal battery to activate prematurely or postmaturely.

[0005] However, the testing of projectiles has heretofore been unable to determine if the ETBI will properly initiate the thermal battery after a launch condition within the time defined by the requirement. Previously, only gross estimates were possible. Thus, what is needed is a device or protocol for determining if the ETBI successfully initiated the thermal battery after detecting the launch of the projectile.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a data recorder that is an acceleration monitor that can be mated or coupled to an ETBI. With one exemplary data recorder of the present disclosure, determinations can be made if a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI initiated the battery within the required time to at least an accuracy of 2.5 ms.

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the data recorder may be a self-contained unit such that no external wires are required to come from, or go into the data recorder, to initiate a recording or to detect the firing / launch of a projectile having the ETBI. When the data recorder and ETBI are launched together in a test scenario, the timing for when the thermal battery was initiated during the launch acceleration curve can be determined. In one exemplary embodiment, this is a low power design which is battery powered. The configuration may utilize an accelerometer, a piezo pressure sensor or other force sensitive resistor, and a microcontroller to yield the timing information. In some examples, the data recorder is reusable and utilizes a commercial off the shelf (COTS) battery, which allows the data recorder to be reused up to 30 times or more. The data recorder may include or combine the use of an accelerometer, a piezo pressure sensor, and a microcontroller to yield the timing information.

[0008] In this exemplary embodiment, or another exemplary embodiment, the onboard persistent storage can record and store the launch data. This could store up to 26 min of data when capturing one axis of direction. The software can alternatively capture up to 3-axes of direction with a subsequent reduction in recording time. The sampling rate may be adjusted for higher fidelity but may reduce recording storage. One exemplary embodiment operates at 400 Hz, which yields the data recorder having a 2.5 ms sampling rate.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the recording may be started by placing a magnet near a reed switch built into the data recorder. The closing of the reed switch will be detected by the microcontroller and the recording will start after the magnet holds the reed switch closed for a predetermined amount of time. The firing of the ETBI may be detected by the piezo sensor. The firing pin of the ETBI will strike the sensor thereby sending an interrupt to the microcontroller and the microcontroller will log the time of the interrupt.

[0010] In another aspect, another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a data recorder that is in operative communication with a sensor. The data recorder records both data that is internal to the data recorder and external to the data recorder. The data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor. The data that is external to the data recorder is merged into a data stream with the data that is internal to the recorder. The data recorder enables the determination of, amongst other things, whether the ETBI initiated its firing pin after detecting a valid launch condition of a test projectile within a required time frame. The timing data from the data record assembly can be verified to ensure that the ETBI has properly initiated. The test projectile may be a modular projectile to allow easy modular installation of the data recorder as a modular component of the test projectile.

[0011] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a data recorder for an ETBI on a test projectile, the data recorder comprising: a housing that has a connector that complements that of the ETBI; a sensor to sense whether the ETBI has initiated after launch of the test projectile; and circuitry that is connected to the sensor, wherein the circuitry includes an accelerometer, a memory, and a microcontroller, wherein the circuitry records timing information corresponding to the initiation of the ETBI during a launch event of the test projectile.

[0012] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a test projectile comprising: a body that is adapted to be launched from a launcher; a sensor carried by the body, wherein the sensor indicates or senses an event occurring on or internal to the test projectile; a data recorder in operative communication with the sensor, wherein the data recorder records both data that is collected internally by the data recorder and provided by an external sensor to the data recorder, wherein the data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a component on the body of the test projectile that moves after the body having been launched from the launcher; wherein the sensor senses movement of the component that moves after the body having launched from the launcher. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the component on the body of the test projectile is an ETBI having a firing pin that moves after exceeding an acceleration force threshold. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide an accelerometer in circuitry of the data recorder, wherein acceleration data from the accelerometer the data that is internal to the data recorder and the state status of the sensor corresponds to an indication of whether the firing pin has moved.

[0013] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a test projectile comprising: an ETBI; and a data recorder in operative communication with the ETBI to record timing information for when the ETBI has initiated a firing pin subsequent to launch of the test projectile. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the recorded timing information is retrievable after launch to determine if a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI initiated within a required time in response to launch of the test projectile. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide an interface between the ETBI and the data recorder, wherein the interface is defined by a connection that is the same as a connection between the ETBI and a thermal battery. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the projectile is free of a thermal battery. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a modular first portion of a body of the projectile; a modular second portion of the body of the projectile; wherein the modular first portion and the modular second portion selectively connect to each other; a modular puck that can selectively connect to either the first portion of the body or the second portion of the body via a common connection type as that which enables the selective connection of the modular first portion and the modular second portion to each other, wherein the data recorder is carried by the modular puck. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide that the data recorder includes an accelerometer, a pressure or force sensitive resistor, a reed switch, a microcontroller, or a buck-boost regulator.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

[0015] FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) is a diagrammatic view of a forward portion of an exemplary projectile having a thermal battery.

[0016] FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) is a diagrammatic operational view of the forward portion of the exemplary projectile when the thermal battery is being replace with a data recorder.

[0017] FIG. 3 (FIG. 3) is a diagrammatic view of a forward portion of an exemplary test projectile having the data recorder coupled to the ETBI.

[0018] FIG. 4 (FIG. 4 ) is a diagrammatic operational view of the exemplary test projectile being launched.

[0019] FIG. 5A (FIG. 5A) a top plan view of the of the data recorder with the printed board being separated from the puck housing.

[0020] FIG. 5B (FIG. 5B) a top plan view of the of the data recorder with the printed board being installed in the puck housing.

[0021] FIG. 6A (FIG. 6A) is a top surface plan view of the printed board having circuitry thereon.

[0022] FIG. 6B (FIG. 6B) is a bottom surface plan view of the printed board having circuitry thereon.

[0023] FIG. 7A (FIG. 7A) is a schematic circuit view of the controller and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0024] FIG. 7B (FIG. 7B) is a schematic circuit view of the storage medium or memory and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0025] FIG. 7C (FIG. 7C) is a schematic circuit view of the accelerometer and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0026] FIG. 7D (FIG. 7D) is a schematic circuit view of the switching regulator and some exemplary components connected thereto that form a portion of the circuitry for the data recorder.

[0027] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] A system or assembly for determining that a thermal battery will be properly activated by an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI) during the launch of a projectile, rocket, missile, or countermeasure expendable or any other device that is electrically powered by a thermal battery after launch is provided.

[0029] FIG. 1 depicts a forward portion or nose section of an exemplary projectile 10 having a nose end 12, an ETBI 14, and a thermal battery 16. It should be noted that although the term projectile is used, projectile 10 could be any device that is put into motion and then electrically powered by a thermal battery after movement thereof. For example, the term projectile may also encompass an object that is set into motion, via launching or otherwise, and then draws electrical power from a thermal battery that is activated after movement of the object begins.

[0030] When the projectile 10 is launched, one exemplary ETBI 14 activates or initiates a solenoid to fire a firing pin. The firing pin of the ETBI 14 contacts a portion of the thermal battery 16 to activate a fuse in the thermal battery 16. The activated fuse in the thermal battery 16 thereby causes a chemical reaction inside the thermal battery 16. The chemical reaction inside the thermal battery 16 generates power. Power from the thermal battery 16 can then power components on the projectile 10 during its flight. It has been recognized that projectiles, such as projectile 10, are not able to be monitored prior to launch to determine if the ETBI 14 is functioning properly or will function properly such that ETBI 14 will correctly initiate the thermal battery 16. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure provide a data recorder, which is introduced below, that couples with the ETBI 14 using the same interface connection as the thermal battery, to test the ETBI 14 to ensure it is functioning correctly.

[0031] FIG. 2 diagrammatically depicts the process of creating a test projectile 10T. As shown in FIG. 2, the ETBI 14 is connected to the nose end 12 of the test projectile. The thermal battery 16 is removed as indicated by arrow 18. Thereafter, a data recorder 20 is coupled to the ETBI 14 as indicated by arrow 22. The data recorder 20 has a physical construction that complements or mirrors a connection that the thermal battery 16 would have, such that the data recorder 20 interfaces with the ETBI 14 without needing to modify the ETBI 14.

[0032] FIG. 3 depicts a forward end of the exemplary test projectile 10T, wherein the suffix “T” subsequent to the reference numeral designates the test projectile. The interface 24 enables the data recorder 20 to connect with the ETBI 14. This results in the test projectile 10T that does not have or is otherwise free of a thermal battery. The test projectile 10T does not need a thermal battery because, when it is being tested, it does not need to power subsequent components on the projectile. Rather, the test projectile 10T is only being used to test the proper functionality of the ETBI 14 so the ETBI 14 can be subsequently used in an actual projectile 10 with sufficient confidence that the ETBI 14 will function properly.

[0033] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary test launch of the test projectile 10T which is launched from a launcher 26 towards a target 28, which is typically the ground or a berm at a test firing range.

[0034] As will be described in greater detail below, after the test projectile 10T has been constructed, fired from the launcher 26, landed at the target 28, then the test projectile 10T may be retrieved. Once retrieved, the test projectile 10T may be disassembled to remove the data recorder 20 and extract the timing information recorded thereon. The recorded timing information may be evaluated to confirm that the ETBI 14 properly initiated during the launch event of the test projectile 10T. The manner in which the data recorder 20 records the timing information pertaining to the ETBI 14 during the launch event of the test projectile 10T is described in greater detail herein.

[0035] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict one exemplary embodiment of the data recorder 20. According to one aspect of the present disclosure. The data recorder 20 includes a housing 30 and a printed board 32 that fits within the housing 30. The printed board 32 includes circuitry thereon that performs the data recording functionality detailed herein.

[0036] FIG. 5A depicts that the housing 30 is shaped generally as a hollow puck or plinth. Housing 30 includes a body 34 having a perimeter wall 36 that circumscribes a base or bottom wall 37. When the housing 30 is shaped as a hollow puck, the perimeter wall 36 is a circular cylindrical wall having a convex cylindrical exterior surface and a concave cylindrical interior surface. The inner surface 38 defines an interior volume 40 that is configured and shaped to receive the printed board 32. Within the interior volume 40 is a center post 42 that is manufactured or made from the same material that forms the body 34. There may be two lobes, namely and first lobe 44A and second lobe 44B, that are diametrically opposite each other and extend inwardly from the inner surface 38 towards the center post 42. The lobes 44A and 44B may be formed with threaded bores that are configured to receive a complementary connector, such as a screw, to attach the housing 30 to the ETBI 14 on the test projectile 10T.

[0037] The printed board 32 has a configuration that is complementary to the interior volume 40 of the housing 30. Namely, the printed board 32 has a generally circular perimeter 46 that is interrupted by two diametrically opposite cutouts 48A and 48B that correspond to the size and shape and location of the lobes 44A, 44B on the housing 30. The printed board 32 also has a center aperture 50. This configuration of the printed board 32 allows the printed board to fit within the inner volume 40 of the housing 30. Namely, as shown in FIG. 5B, the printed board 32 is located within the inner volume 40 of the housing 30 such that the center post 42 extends through the center opening 50 of the printed board. Additionally, the first lobe 44A nests with the first cutout 48A and the second lobe 44B nests with the second cutout 48B.

[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 5B, it can be seen that a force sensitive resistor 52 is in operative communication with the printed board 32. The force sensitive resistor 52 is placed upon the end of the central post 42 and connected to the printed board 32 via wires to one or more terminal test point (TP) at the locations identified as TP2 and TP 4 (see FIG. 6A). The force sensitive resistor 52 is configured to receive the impact of the firing pin on the ETBI 14 when the ETBI determines that the test projectile 10T has experience acceleration forces indicative of the projectile 10T having been launched from the launcher 26. As will be described in greater detail herein, when the firing pin of the ETBI 14 impacts the force sensitive resistor 52, a signal is generated to cause the printed board and circuitry contained thereon to begin recording timing information indicative of that time at which the firing pin fired. When the test projectile 10T is retrieved, the launch acceleration data along with the time at which the firing pin fired is retrieved from the memory on the circuitry of the printed board 32. Then, the timing information of when the firing pin on the ETBI 14 was initiated can be evaluated against the acceleration data. Evaluation of the data will enable the determination of whether the ETBI is functioning properly or functioning correctly (e.g., confirmation that the firing pin fired when experiencing the prescribed acceleration).

[0039] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B depict the printed board 32 of the data recorder 20 along with the circuitry of the printed board 32. A battery 54 is coupled to the printed board 32. In one particular embodiment, the battery 54 is coupled to the first surface 56 which is opposite the second surface 58. The various components of the circuitry of the printed board that receive power from the battery 54 may be oriented in any manner that meets the application specific needs for recording the timing information corresponding to the initiation of the ETBI 14 during the launch event of the test projectile 10T. Thus, it is to be understood that that shown orientation and configuration of the circuitry and the components relative to either the first surface 56 or the second surface 58 are merely exemplary and may take on other form factors or locations relative to the board 32. Additionally, some components of the printed board are described using reference elements detailed in this specification while other components of the circuitry of the printed board 32 use reference elements or reference designators shown throughout the figures wherein corresponding reference designators refer to similar components or components that are linked together. For example, all of the test ports are shown throughout the figures with the initials “TP” with a subsequent number, such as TP1, TP2, TP3, and so on. Furthermore, all of the capacitors are shown with the letter “C” and a subsequent number, such as C1, C2, C3, and so on. Similarly, resistors are shown with the letter “R” and a subsequent number, such as R1, R2, R3, and so on.

[0040] The circuitry on the printed board 32 of the data recorder 20 includes a controller 60, a storage medium or memory 62, an accelerometer 64 and a switch 66. The circuitry may also include a buck boost regulator 68. This circuitry is powered by the battery 54 to record timing information from when the firing pin contacts the force sensitive resistor 52 upon the launch and initiation sequence of the test projectile 10T.

[0041] This exemplary configuration of circuitry on the data recorder 20 enables a user of the data recorder 20 to verify the functional firing pin response time requirements with respect to a valid launch condition of the ETBI 14, which was not previously able to be tested. One embodiment of the data recorder 20 enables the determination of whether a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI 14 would properly initiate a thermal battery 16 within the required timeframe after launch to an accuracy of less than 2.5 milliseconds.

[0042] One advantage of the data recorder 20 is that it is a self-contained unit such that no external wires are required to come from or go into the data recorder 20 to initiate the recording or detect the firing of the fire pin in the ETBI 14. Initiating the recording of the data to be stored in the memory 62 may be accomplished by placing a magnet near the switch 66. The magnet closes the switch 66 and the closed switch will be detected by the microcontroller 60. Then, the recording will begin after the magnet holds the switch 66 closed for a predetermined amount of time. The firing of the ETBI 14 is detected by the force sensitive resistor 52, which may be embodied as a piezo sensor. The firing pin of the ETBI 14 will strike the resistive sensor 52 thereby sending an interrupt to the microcontroller 60 and the microcontroller 60 will log the time of the interrupt.

[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure provides a device that is now able to record data from the ETBI 14 corresponding to the timeframe or timing information for when the ETBI 14 was initiated. Then, that data may be reviewed to determine the proper functionality of the ETBI 14. This is accomplished by connecting the data recorder 20 to the ETBI 14 on the test projectile 10T. The data recorder 20 obtains acceleration data from the accelerometer 64 that monitors the acceleration force as experienced by the test projectile 10T during launch thereof.

[0044] When the firing pin on the ETBI 14 activates, it impacts the force sensitive resistor 52, which according to one embodiment may be a piezo sensor and sends an interrupt signal to the controller 60 to record the time at which the ETBI fired its firing pin. The recording also records the corresponding acceleration data from the accelerometer 64. Thereafter, the data can be evaluated to determine if the ETBI 14 initiated at the proper time or when the proper number of G-forces have been experienced. Typically, the firing pin of the ETBI 14 should activate or initiate when the ETBI 14 experiences a force of about 27 g. Thus, the data will show whether the accelerometer 64 on the circuitry of the data recorder 20 corresponds to the designated force level and timeframe at which the ETBI 14 should have initiated.

[0045] FIG. 6A through FIG. 7D detail the schematics of the circuitry of the data recorder 20. Reference is collectively made to these figures to detail the configuration and operation of the data recorder 20.

[0046] The controller 60 may be a 20-pin microcontroller that is a surface mount, which in one particular embodiment is mounted to the second surface 58 of the printed board 32. However, it is to be understood that the controller 60 could be surface mounted to the first surface 56 depending on the application specific needs of the data recorder 20.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, the controller 60 is a 16-bit microcontroller, such as the MSP430G2553IPW20, manufactured by Texas Instruments. This exemplary microcontroller 60, namely the MSP430G2553IPW20, employs a 16-bit Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture. One exemplary microcontroller may operate at a maximum clock frequency of 16 MHz, and its instruction cycle time may be approximately 62.5 ns. The exemplary microcontroller may have 16 KB of Flash memory for storing program code, as well as 512 bytes of SRAM for data storage. The exemplary microcontroller may have a Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) that supports serial communication. It may also have SPI or I2C communication functionality. The microcontroller may have a comparator that allows analog signal comparison. The microcontroller may be designed for low-power applications. It should wake up from standby mode ultra-fast in less than about 1 μs.

[0048] The controller 60 has a number of pin ports that are connected to the various components of the circuitry of the data recorder 20. For example, there is at least one pin port that is electrically connected to the accelerometer 64. For example, pin 14 (MSP SPI MOSI) and pin 15 (MSP SPI MISO) may be connected with the accelerometer 64. In one particular embodiment, there are four SPI pin ports that are in electrical communication with the accelerometer 64. Pin 13 is another interrupt that can be used and connected with the accelerometer 64. Pin 12 is a chip select “CS” that is used to connect to one of two devices that the controller 60 desires to communicate with.

[0049] The accelerometer 64 may be a 3-axis accelerometer that provides high resolution measurement up to ±200 g. In one particular embodiment, the accelerometer may be the ADXL375 provided by Analog Devices, Inc. The ADXL375 is small and thin, supplied in a 3 mm×5 mm×1 mm, 14-lead LGA package. In some examples, the digital output data from the accelerometer is formatted as 16-bit, twos complement data. The data may be accessible through a serial peripheral interface (SPI, either 3-or 4-wire) or I2C (inter-integrated circuit) digital interface. The accelerometer may have features like power sequencing, current consumption and output data rate, power saving modes, FIFO buffer, self-test, interrupts, and more.

[0050] At least one pin on controller 60, namely pin 19, is in electrical communication with the piezo sensor of the force sensitive resistor 52. The pressure sensor or force sensitive resistor 52 may be an A101 FlexiForce Piezoresistive Force Sensor by Tekscan, which suitable for embedding into the data recorder 20. One exemplary pressure or force sensor may have a small form factor, measuring about 15.6 mm×7.6 mm×0.203 mm. The sensor may measure forces up to 10 lbs. The sensor may operate within a temperature range of −40° C. to +60° C.

[0051] Normally, pin 19 is at zero volts or “low,” and when the pin on the ETBI 14 contacts the force sensitive resistor 52, the force sensitive resistor 52 reacts to generate 3.3 volts indicative of the signal that the firing pin on the ETBI 14 has fired. This raises the voltage on pin 19 to send an interrupt signal. The programming in the controller recognizes this transition from low voltage to high voltage as a strike event of the firing pin of the ETBI 14.

[0052] The circuitry of data recorder 20 may also include one or more LEDs. The shown configuration has two LEDs. There is one LED that is internal to the puck housing 30 that cannot be seen from the outside and there is another LED that is on the board 32 that can be seen through an aperture formed through the housing 30 to indicate to a user the ready status of the data recorder 20. The aperture may be filled with a material or medium to function as a light pipe or light tube that seals the aperture to prevent external environmental factors from entering the interior of the housing 30, but otherwise permits the transmission of light therethrough. The first LED that is internal to the housing 30 is connected at pin 11 and the second LED that is to be viewed through the light tube is connected at pin 2.

[0053] After the firing pin strike event has occurred, the controller 60 will log into the memory 62 that the strike event has occurred. This event will be remembered, saved or logged by the memory 62 and it will know the time of when that firing pin strike event occurred. This is advantageous because remembering or saving the time when the firing pin strike event occurred can correspond to the acceleration experienced by the data recorder 20 during the testing of the ETBI 14.

[0054] One exemplary advantage of the data recorder 20 is that it can record external events, such as the strike of the firing pin from the ETBI 14 and merge that data corresponding to the external event into the acceleration data stream. Thus, the system of the present disclosure does not need to rely on the acceleration data alone to inform the user of the events that occurred. But rather, data recorder 20 can now provide additional input that informs the user that an external event has occurred at a given time along with the acceleration data being recorded from the accelerometer 64. Further, while the present disclosure is embodied as recording the external event in the form of a strike from the firing pin from the ETBI 14, the data recorder 20 can record other external events and merge it with the acceleration or other data streams.

[0055] The recording of the external event is accomplished by utilizing a block of information that has a few free digital bits available. Assume the bits of information is a 16-bit stream. In this example, if 12-bits are being utilized to record data for acceleration and the other 4-bits are unused, then those unused 4-bits would ordinarily be logged as zeros. The present disclosure uses these extra bits to record the external event. In the particular embodiment, these extra bits are utilized to record the external event of the firing pin on the ETBI 14 striking the force sensitive resistor 52. Thus, every record is then time stamped, and the acceleration registered or detected from the accelerometer 64 is recorded along with the state status of the external event (i.e., the state status of whether the firing pin has fired - wherein prior to initiation of the ETBI the state status of the sensor 52 is recorded as a first state identifier, such as “unfired” or logic 0, and wherein subsequent to initiation of the ETBI the state status of the sensor 52 is recorder as a second state identifier, such as “fired” or logic 1). Thus, once the state has changed, such as the firing pin on the ETBI 14 impacting the piezo sensor on the force sensitive resistor 52, that event occurrence will be registered for the remainder of the record. This will thus indicate that the firing pin has been fired. Once the data is eventually extracted when the test projectile 10T is retrieved, that data may be evaluated. Evaluation of the data may be accomplished by inputting data into an Excel table. The tabular data can be used to produce the acceleration curve of the test projectile 10T. Then, it can be clearly seen that the external event, such as the piezo sensor monitoring data, which was previously zeros prior to the firing of the firing pin, now becomes a logic 1. This transition of the state can be used to determine the acceleration at that point and any point thereafter throughout the remainder of the recording.

[0056] While this exemplary data recorder 20 is configured to record the external event of the firing pin, other external events could also be recorded. Thus, it is to be understood that the present disclosure encompasses any data recorder that is merging external data into that which is being recorded. For example, instead of recording the piezo sensor receiving the strike of the firing pin, it is possible to record the external event of if the test projectile is rotating by recording two other axes of movement. In this situation, there could be a centrifugal sensor that is generating data being logged in the additional bit streams. In another example, an external event could be recorded to determine that the canards or the wings on the test projectile 10T have properly deployed at a certain acceleration.

[0057] With continued reference to FIG. 7A, it is shown that pin 2 is connected to the orange LED. The orange LED is an annunciator for the operator outside of the test projectile 10T. This LED is visible through a light pipe that extends through the housing body 34. When the operator is setting up the data recorder 20, the LED will attempt to communicate status back to the operator.

[0058] Pin 3 and pin 4 of controller 60 correspond to the data lines for reception and transmission respectively. Particularly, pin 3 is connected with a UART receiver and pin 4 is connected to a UART transmitter. The lines connected to pin 3 and pin 4 enable an operator to retrieve the data from the device after the test projectile 10T is retrieved.

[0059] Pin 5 of controller 60 is connected with the reed switch 66. A reed switch is an electromechanical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. In its simplest and most common form, a reed switch has a pair of ferromagnetic flexible metal contacts in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. The contacts are usually normally open, closing when a magnetic field is present, or they may be normally closed and open when a magnetic field is applied. The switch may be actuated by an electromagnetic coil, making a reed relay, or by bringing a permanent magnet near it.

[0060] In one particular example, the reed switch 66 may be a MITI-7-6-10, which is an ultra-miniature reed switch manufactured by Littelfuse. It is a normally open switch housed in a 7 mm×1.8 mm (0.276″×0.071″) glass envelope. This switch is capable of switching 170Vdc at 10 W. It has a sensitivity range of 6-20 AT, a high insulation resistance of 10{circumflex over ( )}9 ohms minimum, and a low contact resistance of less than 150 milliohms. It may have hermetically sealed switch contacts that are not affected by and have no effect on their external environment. This means that the switch can operate reliably in a variety of conditions. It requires zero operating power for contact closure, making it an energy-efficient choice. Its ultra-miniature size and high performance make it a versatile choice.

[0061] Although the exemplary embodiment of the data recorder of the present disclosure pertains to the reed switch 66, other switches could be utilized. For example, the switch may be a hall effect switch, a MEMS switch, an anoisotropic MagnetoResistive (AMR) Switch, or a Giant MagnetoResistive (GMR) switch. While these switches operate in a similar manner to reed switches, they each have their own unique characteristics and advantages and the choice between these switches would depend on the specific requirements of the application.

[0062] One exemplary advantage of the reed switch 66 is that it can be activated without being physically touched. In the shown embodiment, the reed switch 66 is activated via a magnet that the operator brings close to the external body of the housing 30. As such, the reed switch 66 is mounted near the perimeter wall 46 of the of the printed board 32. This allows the magnet controlled by the operator external to the test projectile 10T to be brought close to the body of the test projectile 10T to close the switch 66. The data recorder 20 is programmed in a way that prevents stray magnetism from accidentally or incidentally closing the switch 66. Thus, when the operator wants to start the recording, the magnet must be placed on the exterior of the test projectile 10T and it must be held in place for a certain amount of time near the reed switch 66. Thus, if the magnet is left in place for too long, the data recorder 20 will make the assumption that it is stray magnetism and it will not waste memory by beginning to record. The orange LED connected to pin 2 provides the visual feedback to the operator to confirm that the magnet has properly closed the reed switch 66 to indicate that recording is occurring. For example, when the magnet is applied to the external body of the test projectile 10T, the orange LED will start blinking slowly. This is an indication that the magnet is in place. Then, after a short period of time, the LED will start to blink fast. Then, the user must remove the magnet within a few seconds from the orange LED starting to blink quickly. If this occurs, then the data recorder 20 knows that the magnet was placed there on purpose, and it was removed when it was supposed to be removed. This responds by beginning to record the acceleration data into the memory 62. The reed switch and the corresponding blinking of the LED is just one exemplary implementation of an indicator of the recording into the memory 62 having begun. However, there are other manners in which the operator may initiate the recording. For example, a series of light taps on the body of the test projectile 10T could be programmed to be interpreted by the accelerometer to initiate the recording.

[0063] Pin 6 and pin 7 of controller 60 are two of the other four pins that are required to talk to the SPI device, which in this example is the storage medium or memory 62. The other two SPI lines that connect with the flash memory 62 are shown at pin 14 and pin 15. These lines connect with the corresponding labeled lines in the memory 62 shown in FIG. 7B. The MOSI (Master Out Slave In) line corresponds to the MOSI pin on the memory 62 and the MISO (Master In Slave Out) corresponds to the MISO pin on the memory 62. In this instance, the master device is the controller 60 and the slave device is the memory 62. The chip select line represented by the annotation “CS” determines which device has been selected. In practice, two of these flash units could be connected to the microcontroller 60. The clock from the controller 60 also is connected to the flash memory 62 and is noted as “CLK”.

[0064] In one embodiment, memory 62 is an 8-Mbit SPI serial flash device produced by Microchip, having the model number a SST25VF080B. This memory 62 is designed to operate with a supply voltage range of 2.7 V to 3.6 V. The device communicates using a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), which is a standard interface for communicating with flash memory. This makes it compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers and other digital systems. One exemplary feature of the SST25VF080B is its high-speed clock frequency, which corresponds to the CLK designator in FIG. 7B. Memory 62 can operate at up to 80 MHz for 1.8V-3.6V and 66 MHz for 2.7V-3.6V. This high speed allows for quick data transfer, which can be critical in applications that require fast read / write cycles. The SST25VF080B is available in several different packages, including 8-contact WSON (6 mm×5 mm), 8-lead SOIC (200 mils), 8-lead SOIJ (150 mils), and 8-contact USON (4 mm×4 mm). This variety of packages allows for flexibility in design and can accommodate different space constraints on a circuit board. In terms of performance, the SST25VF080B is known for its reliability and durability. It's designed to withstand harsh environments and can operate in a wide range of temperatures. This makes it suitable for use in a variety of applications, from consumer electronics to industrial control systems.

[0065] With continued reference to FIG. 7A, pin 13 of controller 60 corresponds to an input from the accelerometer's interrupt output. When the embodiment utilizes tapping to initiate the recording, pin 13 would be used to identify the movements in the X axis or Y axis originating from the taps on the body of the test projectile 10T to initiate the recording of data. When the taps are appropriately performed, the data at pin 13 will transition from a logic 0 to a logic 1 to start that recording. On the accelerometer 64, pin 8 that sends the interrupt to the pin 13 on the controller 60.

[0066] Pin 9 of controller 60 corresponds to the playback information for retrieving data from the memory 62 after the test and been completed and the test projectile 10T has been retrieved. Pin 10 on the controller 60 can be utilized to erase or clear the memory 62 if the user desire to erase the data.

[0067] Regarding the playback and the information that is extracted, the numbers that are recorded correspond to the binary data at a given time. In one embodiment, the data recorder records 400 entries per second. The binary data corresponds to the state of the external events at a given time. For example, for every entry in the flash memory 62 that was recorded at a given time (400 hz), the data corresponds to the acceleration observed by the accelerometer 64 in the Z axis, but it could also be the X axis and Y axis if desired. Additionally, what is also recorded is the state of the three inputs where one input is the piezo force resistive sensor 52. The other two inputs, in this particular embodiment, are unused however it is in the scope of the present disclosure that these other two channels could be utilized to record another external event, such as ensuring that the canards or wings properly deployed on the projectile.

[0068] Pin 16 and pin 17 of controller 60 are parts of the Texas Instruments defined programming protocol. The way the chip of the controller 60 is programmed is by way of a special serial connection which uses dedicated pins on the chip. These allow hex code to be programmed into the controller to manipulate the controller without having to disassemble the data recorder and remove the microcontroller for reprogramming purposes.

[0069] Pin 18 of controller 60 is another interrupt connection which the software could use as an interrupt that is connected to the accelerometer 64.

[0070] Pin 11 is connected to the red LED which is another annunciator on the board that the user can see when the printed board 32 is not within the puck housing 30.

[0071] FIG. 7D indicates that a switching regulator, such as the buck boost regulator 68 is in operative communication with the controller 60. The buck boost regulator 68 operates to regulate the voltage to 3.3 volts. Thus, the battery 54 is in communication with the buck boost regulator 68 to provide a constant 3.3 volts to the controller 60. In an exemplary embodiment, the regulator is a switching regulator. The buck-boost regulator is a type of DC-to-DC converter that has an output voltage magnitude that is either greater than, equal to, or less than the input voltage magnitude. In one specific example, the regulator is a synchronous buck-boost DC / DC converter. It combines the functionalities of a buck converter (which reduces a DC voltage to a lower DC voltage) and a boost converter (which provides an output voltage that is higher than the input). The buck-boost regulator may have multiple transistor switches that allow for transfer of energy between the inductor and output capacitor, depending upon the input voltage and desired output voltage. There are power transistors within regulator that operate (e.g., switch) in two different states: (i) an on-state and (ii) an off-state. In the on-state, the input voltage source may be directly connected to an inductor, resulting in accumulating energy in the inductor. In this stage (e.g., the on-state), a capacitor supplies energy to the output load. In the off-state, the inductor is connected to the output load and capacitor, so energy is transferred from the inductor to the capacitor and the load. In one exemplary embodiment, there are four transistors: two transistors for buck mode and two transistors for boost mode. This buck-boost regulator may simplify the power-supply configuration with integrated components that help shrink overall size, minimize power loss, and improve thermal efficiency (i.e., operate at a cooler temperature). Some exemplary buck-boost regulators that may be sufficient within the circuitry of the present disclosure may include the LTC3531.

[0072] The battery 54 may be a long term storage battery that is required to power the microcontroller, or maintain data in a microcontroller if persistent memory like the Microchip flash memory is not used. The battery also provides power for various sensors, such as accelerometer 64 and G-sensors switches / meters or other sensors. One exemplary secondary battery is an OmniCell EF651625 battery cell. However, other battery types are entirely possible. When selecting this battery or other types of batteries, some exemplary parameters that should be accounted for are that the secondary battery should have an operating temperature range from −60° C. to about 85° C., the battery should have low self-leakage (such as 1.55 μA 25° C., 2.86 μA at 80° C.), and the battery should have sufficient capacity projected after 10+ years of storage (which supports about 7000 hours of operation). One exemplary battery that meets these parameters is a Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LiSOCL2) primary chemistry coin cell battery. Other batter parameters could be utilized depending on the application specific needs of the countermeasure.

[0073] Having discussed one exemplary configuration of the data recorder 20, reference is now made to its operation.

[0074] In operation, a user will bring a magnet towards the side of the test

[0075] projectile 10T adjacent to the perimeter wall of the puck housing 30. The orange LED connected to pin 2 on controller 60 will begin to blink. The magnet will be removed, and the light will blink again to indicate that recording has begun. Then, every 2.5 milliseconds, the controller 60 reads the accelerometer 64 and obtains axes of acceleration, storing one or more into persistent memory. That data for every entry is then stored in the memory 62. While this is recording, the controller 60 determines the state inputs of the external event, which in this scenario is the state input of the force sensitive resistor 52. It is possible for the controller 60 to look at two more state inputs, however in this particular embodiment those additional two inputs are unused. The controller 60 then combines the accelerometer 64 data and the extra bits of information corresponding to the state inputs into one entry of the memory 62.

[0076] When the force sensitive resistor 52 is in its inactive state, or unused state, then the state identifier is recorded as a zero at that time entry. Then, the test projectile 10T is launched. After launch of the projectile, the data produced by the accelerometer 64 is stored in the memory 62. When the force sensitive resistor 52 has been struck by the firing pin on the ETBI 14, that data stream associated with force sensitive resistor 52 will switch from a logic 0 to a logic 1, which is indicative of the firing pin having struck the force sensitive resistor 52. Then, for the remainder of the time entries, this state of the firing pin of the ETBI 14 will be recorded as a logic 1 for the remainder of the recording. This indicates that the impact has occurred. This enables the strike of the firing pin to the force sensitive resistor 52 to act as an interrupt. The controller 60 then remembers this interrupt which corresponds to the force sensitive resistor 52 having been activated.

[0077] Once the test projectile 10T is retrieved, the timing and state data is extracted from the memory 62. The data is loaded into a table, such as an Excel table, and graphed or mathematically processed by other computer software. The point at which the external state of the firing pin on the ETBI 14 has switched from inactive to active can be known with an accuracy of less than 2.5 ms. The time at which the firing pin was fired can be evaluated along with the acceleration data from the accelerator 64 at that same time. Then, the evaluator of the data can determine whether the ETBI 14 has functioned properly by initiating its firing pin when experiencing the prescribed g-force.

[0078] If the data recorder reveals data that the ETBI 14 is functioning properly, then the ETBI 14 may be identified as a properly functioning device. This properly functioning ETBI 14 may then be disconnected from the data logger 20. This ETBI 14 can then be identified “FOR TEST PURPOSES ONLY”, or disposed of.

[0079] It is to be understood that this “live” or armed projectile 10 may be aimed towards a point of interest (POI) for suppression operations or elimination of the building, structure, equipment or enemy threat at or near the POI. In one embodiment, the launch vehicle for projectile 10 is a ground launch vehicle that is operably engaged with a ground surface and is configured to launch surface-to-surface projectiles or missiles (or “SSM”) or ground-to-ground projectiles or missiles (or “GGM”). In other words, the launch vehicle is capable of launching projectiles and other similar devices from land and striking targets on land or sea. It will be understood that the launch vehicle is exemplary only and any type of launch vehicle is contemplated to be represented by the illustrated device. In one exemplary embodiment, the launch vehicle may be represented as hand-held launcher, a launcher fixed to a ground transporting vehicle, a launcher fixed to a naval vehicle, or other suitable launchers for launching projectiles and other similar devices from land or sea and striking targets on land or sea. In another exemplary environment, the projectile 10 is a precision guided munition, which may also be referred to as a PGM. The PGM may be carried by a platform, such as a helicopter, airplane or drone. When the platform is embodied as an aerial vehicle, it may be either manned or unmanned.

[0080] Regardless of where the projectile 10 is launched, the projectile 10 could be equipped with a guidance kit that has command and control logic for guiding the projectile 10 to a specific target, such as the POI.

[0081] In addition to the thermal battery 16 and the ETBI 14, the projectile 10 may include a modular first portion located at a front end of a guided munition or projectile, a modular second portion located near or at the middle of projectile and rearward of the modular first portion, wherein the modular second portion may selectively connect, via a modular connector or screw-in connection, with the modular first portion. A modular third portion may be located rearward of the modular second portion. The guidance kit may be on any modular portion of the projectile 10 depending on the application specific needs, constraints, and physical requirements of a particular mission to disable or destroy the building, structure, equipment or enemy threat at or near the POI.

[0082] The projectile may also include a rocket motor or engine configured to provide suitable propulsion and thrust needed for a desired operation. The rocket motor includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The rocket motor also includes a circumferential wall that extends between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis of the rocket motor. The circumferential wall of the rocket motor also defines a chamber that extends between the first end and the second end. While not illustrated herein, suitable rocket propellants and elements are stored inside of the chamber that generate propulsion and thrust for the rocket motor. The rocket motor may include an aft fin member operably engaged with the circumferential wall proximate to the first end of the rocket motor. The aft fin member may provide flight assistance to the projectile at the first end of the rocket motor as the projectile 10 travels through the air between the initial launch at the launch vehicle and a targeted POI. The rocket motor of the projectile 10 could be a standard 2.75-inch rocket motor (e.g., liquid-fueled rocket motors, solid-fueled rocket motors, or other suitable rocket motors of the like). In other exemplary embodiments, any suitable rocket motor may be equipped for a projectile based on the mission and / or objective.

[0083] The modular second portion may also optionally include a set of retractable flaperons, canards, or wings operably engaged with the body of the modular second portion. Each retractable wing of the set of retractable wings may be moveable on the body. During operation, the set of retractable wings may pivot outwardly from the body when the projectile is launched and travels through the air. Switches or other sensors on these wing mechanisms may be connected to the data recorder to correlate the actuation of the wing's projectile acceleration. Additionally, each retractable wing of the set of retractable wings may also define a cavity.

[0084] At least one guidance kit processor or microprocessor may be powered by thermal battery 16 and be housed inside of the modular second portion. Alternatively, the processor may be located in either the first portion or the third portion. The processor is configured to logically perform protocols and / or methods that are provided on the processor during or prior to military operation.

[0085] The projectile may also include the guidance kit that is configured to guide the projectile 10 to a specific target at the POI. The guidance kit may be powered by the thermal battery after launch of the projectile, wherein the thermal battery 16 is initiated by a properly functioning ETBI 14. The guidance kit may include a seeker or seeker hardware that implement one or more methods configured to initiate and / or deploy on-board devices to guide and / or direct the projectile to a specific target at or near the POI. In one exemplary embodiment, the guidance kit provided with the projectile 10 could be a legacy laser guidance kit and / or apparatus. In one example, a legacy guidance kit described and illustrated herein may be an APKWS laser guidance kit manufactured by BAE Systems. In another example, a legacy guidance kit described and illustrated herein may be a preexisting or legacy laser guidance kit. It should be understood that any devices, components, and / or systems described herein that forms the guidance kit described herein are provided in the laser-guidance kit.

[0086] Considering that the guidance kit is necessary to guide the projectile to the POI, it is necessary to confirm that the thermal battery 16 has been properly initiated after launch. Thus, it is advantageous to test the proper function of the ETBI 14 prior to that ETBI being installed on a projectile 10. Thus, during Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) of the ETBI 14 at the ETBI 14 supplier the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure could be utilized to confirm that the ETBIs 14 from a specific build lot provides the system or assembly confirmation and / or determination that the ETBIs 14 from that specific build lot will properly initiate the thermal battery 16 after launch of the projectile 10.

[0087] Some other advantageous features of the present disclosure is that the data recorder 20 is reusable. Namely, data recorder 20 utilizes a COTS battery 54, which allows the data recorder 20 to be reused up to 30 times.

[0088] The circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may additionally include one or more other sensors to sense or gather data pertaining to the surrounding environment or operation of the test projectile 10T. Some exemplary other sensors capable of being electronically coupled with the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure (either directly connected to the test projectile 10T or remotely connected thereto) may include but are not limited to: accelerometers sensing accelerations experienced during rotation, translation, velocity / speed, location traveled, elevation gained; gyroscopes sensing movements during angular orientation and / or rotation, and rotation; altimeters sensing barometric pressure, altitude change, terrain climbed, local pressure changes, submersion in liquid; impellers measuring the amount of fluid passing thereby; global positioning sensors sensing location, elevation, distance traveled, velocity / speed; audio sensors sensing local environmental sound levels, or voice detection; photo / light sensors sensing ambient light intensity, ambient, day / night, UV exposure; TV / IR sensors sensing light wavelength; temperature sensors sensing machine or motor temperature, ambient air temperature, and environmental temperature; radar sensors; lidar sensors; ultrasonic sensors; magnetic sensors, image sensors; and moisture sensors sensing surrounding moisture levels.

[0089] If sensors are utilized to gather data relating to the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure, then sensed data may be evaluated and processed with artificial intelligence (AI). Analyzing data gathered from sensors using artificial intelligence involves the process of extracting meaningful insights and patterns from raw sensor data to produce refined and actionable results. Raw data is gathered from various sensors, for example those which have been identified herein or others, capturing relevant information based on the intended analysis. This data is then preprocessed to clean, organize, and structure it for effective analysis. Features that represent key characteristics or attributes of the data are extracted. These features serve as inputs for AI algorithms, encapsulating relevant information essential for the analysis. A suitable AI model, such as machine learning or deep learning (regardless of whether it is supervised or unsupervised), is chosen based on the nature of the data and the desired analysis outcome. The model is then trained using labeled or unlabeled data to learn the underlying patterns and relationships. The model is fine-tuned and optimized to enhance its performance and accuracy. This process involves adjusting parameters, architectures, and algorithms to achieve better results. The trained model is used to make predictions or inferences on new, unseen data. The model processes the extracted features and generates refined output based on the patterns it has learned during training. The results produced by the AI model are refined through post-processing techniques to ensure accuracy and relevance. These refined results are then interpreted to extract meaningful insights and derive actionable conclusions. Feedback from the refined results is used to improve the AI model iteratively. The process involves incorporating new data, adjusting the model, and enhancing the analysis based on real-world feedback and evolving requirements. Further, AI results can be used to alter the operation of the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure based on feedback. For example, AI feedback can be used to improve the efficiency of the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure by responding to predicted changes in the environment or predicted changes to the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure more quickly than if only sensed by one or more of the sensors.

[0090] A sensor model may be employed, once trained, in the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure can be used to teach a sensor model to predict sensor data for a specific scenario. Alternatively, sensor models can be utilized to generate the data to train the AI. The sensor model can be trained for any type of sensor, such as those types of sensors described above, and / or other sensor types. The elements described herein may be implemented as discrete or distributed components in any suitable combination and location. The various functions described herein may be conducted by hardware, firmware, and / or software. For example, a processor may perform various functions by executing instructions stored in memory.

[0091] The AI model and / or sensor model can include a deep neural network (DNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), another neural network (NN) or the like and can support generative learning. For example, the sensor model can include a generative adversarial network (GAN), a variational autoencoder (VAE), and / or another type of DNN, CNN, NN or machine learning model (e.g., natural language processing (NLP)). Generally, the sensor model can accept some encoded representation of a scene as input using any number of data structures and / or channels (e.g., concatenated vectors, matrices, tensors, images, etc.).

[0092] In a particular embodiment, the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure can use the sensors, such as sensor 52, to acquire a representation of the state-status of the ETBI 14 or other real-world environment (e.g., a physical environment) at a given point in time. Data from these sensors may be used to generate a representation of a scene or scenario, which may then be used to teach a sensor model. For example, a representation of a firing pin state (i.e., fired or unfired relative to a certain acceleration at a given time) can be derived from sensor data, properties of objects in the scene or surrounding environment such as positions, forces or dimensions, classification data identifying objects in the scene or surrounding environment, properties or classification data of components of the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure, or some combination thereof. Generally, the sensor model learns to predict sensor data from a representation of the scene, environment, or operation of the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure.

[0093] The sensor model architecture can be selected to fit the shape of the desired input and output data. Examples of architectures (e.g., DNNs) include, but are not limited to, perceptron, feed-forward, radial basis, deep feed-forward, recurrent, long / short term memory, gated recurrent unit, autoencoder, variational autoencoder, convolutional, deconvolutional, and generative adversarial. Some DNN architectures, such as a GAN, can include a convolutional neural network (CNN) that accepts and evaluates an input image and may include multiple input channels, which may be used to accept and evaluate multiple input images and / or input vectors.

[0094] In one embodiment, training data for the sensor model may be generated using real-world (e.g., physical environment) data. To collect real-world training data, the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may collect sensor data by fusing sensors as the test projectile 10T traverses a real-world environment. The sensors of the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may include, for example, one or more global navigation satellite systems sensors (e.g., Global Positioning System sensors (GPS)), RADAR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDAR sensors, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors (e.g., accelerometer(s), gyroscope(s), magnetic compass(es), magnetometer(s), etc.), ego-motion sensors, microphones, stereo cameras, wide-view cameras (e.g., fisheye cameras), infrared cameras, surround cameras (e.g., 360 degree cameras), long-range and / or mid-range cameras, speed sensors (e.g., for measuring the speed of the vehicle), vibration sensors, steering sensors, brake sensors (e.g., as part of the brake sensor system), and / or other sensor types.

[0095] In another embodiment, training data for the sensor model is generated based on simulated or virtual environments. The training data may then be used to train the sensor model for use in real-world autonomous or semi-autonomous applications, e.g., to control the operation of the test projectile 10T or the armed projectile 10. The training data may be derived to fit the shape of the input and output data for the sensor model, which may depend on the architecture of the sensor model. For example, sensor data may be used to encode an input scene, input parameters, and / or ground truth sensor data using different data structures and / or channels (e.g., concatenated vectors, matrices, tensors, images, etc.).

[0096] The circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may include hardware, software and / or firmware responsible for managing the sensor data generated by the sensors. The autonomous hardware, software, and / or firmware being executed may manage different environments using one or more maps (e.g., 3D maps), positioning component(s), and the like. The autonomous hardware, software, and / or firmware may also include components to plan, control, and generally manage the test projectile 10T. In one example, the autonomous hardware, software, and / or firmware can be installed in and used to control the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure through the environment based on the sensor data, one or more machine learning models (e.g., neural networks), and the like. A training system may use the training data to train the sensor model to predict virtual sensor data for a given scene, environment, or operation of a component.

[0097] The training system can include one or more servers (e.g., a graphics processing unit server) and data stores and may use a cloud-based deep learning infrastructure with artificial intelligence to analyze the sensor data received from the test projectile 10T and / or stored in the data store. The training system can also incorporate or train up-to-date, real-time neural networks (and / or other machine learning models) for one or more sensor models.

[0098] The circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may include wireless communication logic coupled to sensors on the test projectile 10T. The sensors gather data and provide the data to the wireless communication logic. Then, the wireless communication logic may transmit the data gathered from the sensors to a remote device. Thus, the wireless communication logic may be part of a broader communication system, in which one or several devices, assemblies, or systems of the present disclosure may be networked together to report alerts and, more generally, to be accessed and controlled remotely. Depending on the types of transceivers installed in the device, assembly, or system of the present disclosure, the system may use a variety of protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi®, ZigBee®, MIWI, BLUETOOTH®) for communication. In one example, each of the devices, assemblies, or systems of the present disclosure may have its own IP address and may communicate directly with a router or gateway. This would typically be the case if the communication protocol is Wi-Fi®. (Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance of Austin, TX, USA; ZigBee® is a registered trademark of ZigBee Alliance of Davis, CA, USA; and BLUETOOTH® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. of Kirkland, WA, USA).

[0099] The system that receives and processes signals from the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure may differ from embodiment to embodiment. In one embodiment, alerts and signals from the circuitry of the data recorder 20 of the present disclosure are sent through an e-mail or simple message service (SMS; text message) gateway so that they can be sent as e-mails or SMS text messages to a remote device, such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet computer, monitored by a responsible individual, group of individuals, or department, such as a validation or testing department. Thus, if a particular test projectile 10T creates an alert because of a data point gathered by one or more sensors, that alert can be sent, in e-mail or SMS form, directly to the individual responsible for fixing it. Of course, e-mail and SMS are only two examples of communication methods that may be used; in other embodiments, different forms of communication may be used.

[0100] As described herein, aspects of the present disclosure may include one or more electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or other similar secondary components and / or systems therein. The present disclosure is therefore contemplated and will be understood to include any necessary operational components thereof. For example, electrical components will be understood to include any suitable and necessary wiring, fuses, or the like for normal operation thereof. Similarly, any pneumatic systems provided may include any secondary or peripheral components such as air hoses, compressors, valves, meters, or the like. It will be further understood that any connections between various components not explicitly described herein may be made through any suitable means including mechanical fasteners, or more permanent attachment means, such as welding or the like. Alternatively, where feasible and / or desirable, various components of the present disclosure may be integrally formed as a single unit.

[0101] Unless explicitly stated that a particular shape or configuration of a component is mandatory, any of the elements, components, or structures discussed herein may take the form of any shape. Thus, although the figures depict the various elements, components, or structures of the present disclosure according to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that any other geometric configuration of that element, component, or structure is entirely possible. For example, instead of a component being described with a particular configuration, that component could have a differing configuration such as a semi-circular, triangular, rectangular or square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, diamond shaped or another parallelogram, trapezoidal, star-shaped, oval, ovoid, lines or lined, teardrop-shaped, cross-shaped, donut-shaped, heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, crescent-shaped, any letter shape (i.e., A-shaped, B-shaped, C-shaped, D-shaped, E-shaped, F-shaped, G-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, J-shaped, K-shaped, L-shaped, M-shaped, N-shaped, O-shaped, P-shaped, Q-shaped, R-shaped, S-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, or Z-shaped), or any other type of regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration.

[0102] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0103] Any flowchart and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate some exemplary architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0104] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0105] The above-described embodiments can be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, embodiments of technology disclosed herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the software code or instructions can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers or in firmware. Furthermore, the instructions or software code can be stored in at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

[0106] The various methods or processes outlined herein may be coded as software / instructions that are executable on one or more processors that employ any one of a variety of operating systems or platforms. Additionally, such software may be written using any of a number of suitable programming languages and / or programming or scripting tools, and also may be compiled as executable machine language code or intermediate code that is executed on a framework or virtual machine.

[0107] In this respect, various inventive concepts may be embodied as a computer readable storage medium (or multiple computer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memory, one or more floppy discs, compact discs, optical discs, magnetic tapes, flash memories, USB flash drives, SD cards, circuit configurations in Field Programmable Gate Arrays or other semiconductor devices, or other non-transitory medium or tangible computer storage medium) encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more computers or other processors, perform methods that implement the various embodiments of the disclosure discussed above. The computer readable medium or media can be transportable, such that the program or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one or more different computers or other processors to implement various aspects of the present disclosure as discussed above.

[0108] The terms “program” or “software” or “instructions” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executable instructions that can be employed to program a computer or other processor to implement various aspects of embodiments as discussed above. Additionally, it should be appreciated that according to one aspect, one or more computer programs that when executed perform methods of the present disclosure need not reside on a single computer or processor but may be distributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computers or processors to implement various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0109] Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. As such, one aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure may be a computer program product including least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium in operative communication with a processor, the storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, implement a method or process described herein, wherein the instructions comprise the steps to perform the method(s) or process(es) detailed herein.

[0110] Also, data structures may be stored in computer-readable media in any suitable form. For simplicity of illustration, data structures may be shown to have fields that are related through location in the data structure. Such relationships may likewise be achieved by assigning storage for the fields with locations in a computer-readable medium that convey relationship between the fields. However, any suitable mechanism may be used to establish a relationship between information in fields of a data structure, including through the use of pointers, tags or other mechanisms that establish relationship between data elements.

[0111] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0112] “Logic”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and / or to cause a function or action from another logic, method, and / or system. For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic like a processor (e.g., microprocessor), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions, an electric device having a memory, or the like. Logic may include one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics into one physical logic. Similarly, where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute that single logic between multiple physical logics.

[0113] Furthermore, the logic(s) presented herein for accomplishing various methods of this system may be directed towards improvements in existing computer-centric or internet-centric technology that may not have previous analog versions. The logic(s) may provide specific functionality directly related to structure that addresses and resolves some problems identified herein. The logic(s) may also provide significantly more advantages to solve these problems by providing an exemplary inventive concept as specific logic structure and concordant functionality of the method and system. Furthermore, the logic(s) may also provide specific computer implemented rules that improve existing technological processes. The logic(s) provided herein extends beyond merely gathering data, analyzing the information, and displaying the results. Further, portions or all of the present disclosure may rely on underlying equations that are derived from the specific arrangement of the equipment or components as recited herein. Thus, portions of the present disclosure as it relates to the specific arrangement of the components are not directed to abstract ideas. Furthermore, the present disclosure and the appended claims present teachings that involve more than performance of well-understood, routine, and conventional activities previously known to the industry. In some of the methods or processes of the present disclosure, which may incorporate some aspects of natural phenomenon, the process or method steps are additional features that are new and useful.

[0114] The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or “exactly one of.”“Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0115] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0116] While components of the present disclosure are described herein in relation to each other, it is possible for one of the components disclosed herein to include inventive subject matter, if claimed alone or used alone. In keeping with the above example, if the disclosed embodiments teach the features of components A and B, then there may be inventive subject matter in the combination of A and B, A alone, or B alone, unless otherwise stated herein.

[0117] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term “effecting”or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term “effecting” should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of “effecting an event to occur” would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.

[0118] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and / or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0119] Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0120] Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features / elements, these features / elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Thus, a first feature / element discussed herein could be termed a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element discussed herein could be termed a first feature / element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0121] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,”“some embodiments,”“one particular embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,”“some embodiments,”“one particular embodiment,”“an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

[0122] If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0123] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and / or position to indicate that the value and / or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and / or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is + / −0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / −10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

[0124] Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

[0125] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,”“carrying,”“having,”“containing,”“involving,”“holding,”“composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

[0126] To the extent that the present disclosure has utilized the term “invention”in various titles or sections of this specification, this term was included as required by the formatting requirements of word document submissions pursuant the guidelines / requirements of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and shall not, in any manner, be considered a disavowal of any subject matter.

[0127] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0128] Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0028]A system or assembly for determining that a thermal battery will be properly activated by an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI) during the launch of a projectile, rocket, missile, or countermeasure expendable or any other device that is electrically powered by a thermal battery after launch is provided.

[0029]FIG. 1 depicts a forward portion or nose section of an exemplary projectile 10 having a nose end 12, an ETBI 14, and a thermal battery 16. It should be noted that although the term projectile is used, projectile 10 could be any device that is put into motion and then electrically powered by a thermal battery after movement thereof. For example, the term projectile may also encompass an object that is set into motion, via launching or otherwise, and then draws electrical power from a thermal battery that is activated after movement of the object begins.

[0030]When the projectile 10 is launched, one exemplary ETBI 14 activates or initiates a solenoid to fire a firing...

Claims

1. A test projectile comprising:a body that is adapted to be put into motion;a sensor carried by the body, wherein the sensor indicates or senses an event occurring on the test projectile;an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI); anda data recorder in operative communication with the sensor, wherein the data recorder records both data that is internal to the data recorder and external to the data recorder, wherein the data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor, and wherein the data recorder is in operative communication with the ETBI to record timing information for when the ETBI initiated a firing pin after the body has been put into motion.

2. The test projectile of claim 1, further comprising:a component on the ETBI that moves after the body has been put into motion;wherein the sensor senses movement of the component that moves after the body has been put into motion.

3. The test projectile of claim 2, wherein the firing pin on the ETBI is the component that moves after exceeding an acceleration force threshold.

4. The test projectile of claim 3, further comprising:an accelerometer in circuitry of the data recorder, wherein acceleration data from the accelerometer is data that is internal to the data recorder and the state status of the sensor corresponds to an indication of whether the firing pin has moved.

5. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer and the recorded timing information is associated with acceleration data generated by the accelerometer and the recorded timing information is retrievable after having been put in motion.

6. The test projectile of claim 5, wherein the recorded timing information is used to determine if a valid launch condition occurred and if the ETBI initiated within a required time in response to movement of the test projectile.

7. The test projectile of claim 1, further comprising:an interface between the ETBI and the data recorder, wherein the interface is defined by a connection that is the same as a connection between the ETBI and a thermal battery.

8. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the test projectile is free of a thermal battery.

9. The test projectile of claim 1, further comprising:a modular first portion of a body of the test projectile;a modular second portion of the body of the test projectile;wherein the modular first portion and the modular second portion selectively connect to each other;a modular puck that can selectively connect to either the first portion of the body or the second portion of the body via a common connection type as that which enables selective connection of the modular first portion and the modular second portion to each other, wherein the data recorder is carried by the modular puck.

10. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the data recorder includes an accelerometer.

11. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the data recorder includes a pressure or force sensitive resistor.

12. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the data recorder includes a reed switch.

13. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the data recorder includes a microcontroller.

14. The test projectile of claim 1, wherein the data recorder includes a buck-boost regulator.

15. A data recorder in operative communication with a sensor, wherein the data recorder records both data that is internal to the data recorder and external to the data recorder, wherein the data that is external to the data recorder includes a state status of the sensor, wherein the data that is external to the data recorder is merged into a data stream with the data that is internal to the recorder.

16. The data recorder of claim 15, wherein the data recorder is connected to an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI) on a test projectile, the data recorder comprising:a housing that has a connector interface that complements that of the ETBI;wherein the sensor senses whether the ETBI has initiated after launch of the test projectile, and wherein prior to initiation of the ETBI the state status of the sensor is recorded as a first state identifier and wherein subsequent to initiation of the ETBI the state status of the sensor is recorder as a second state identifier;circuitry that is connected to the sensor, wherein the circuitry includes an accelerometer, a memory, and a microcontroller, wherein the circuitry records timing information corresponding to the initiation of the ETBI during a launch event of the test projectile.

17. A method comprising:coupling a data recorder to an electronic thermal battery initiator (ETBI);coupling the ETBI to a test projectile;firing the test projectile with the ETBI and data recorder coupled thereto;recording, with the data recorder, a state status of the ETBI;retrieving the test projectile; anddetermining, based on the recording, when a firing pin on the ETBI initiated after launch of the test projectile.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:confirming that the firing pin on the ETBI properly initiated;removing the ETBI from the test projectile; andidentifying the ETBI for future tests or disposing of the ETBI.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:initiating the data recorder to record the state status of the ETBI, wherein initiating the data recorder is accomplished by one of (1) tapping on a body that houses the data recorder, (2) placing a magnet near the body that houses the data recorder, or (3) moving the body that houses the data recorder.

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