Wearable Blast Sensor Using Rolling Memory Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable blast sensors are limited in measuring and recording both in-air and underwater blast pressure exposure, with existing devices being bulky, non-wearable, and lacking sufficient sampling rates and directional sensitivity for accurate data capture.
Innovation Solution
A wearable universal blast sensor (UBS) that measures both underwater and in-air blast pressures using multiple sensitivity settings, accelerometers, and AI/ML triggers, with a rolling memory buffer and real-time data processing, providing accurate and simultaneous data capture with minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior-art devices are used for in-air blast measurement, then directional sensitivity is achieved, but sampling rate is insufficient to capture blast pressure accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sampling rate parameter from 24 kHz (prior art) to 100 kHz or higher, enabling accurate capture of blast pressure waveforms including peak pressure and impulse while maintaining measurement precision
2Use of energy by moving object
If power conservation mode is used for long field deployments, then battery life is extended, but blast wave data capture fidelity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring acceleration data at low power and pre-triggering the high-power pressure sensor before the actual blast occurs, based on detected precursor acceleration events
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from acceleration sensors to dynamically control pressure sensor activation, creating a closed-loop system that balances power consumption with data fidelity by activating high-power components only when blast events are detected
3Measurement precision
If laboratory sensors are used for underwater blast measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but device portability and wearability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges underwater pressure sensing, in-air pressure sensing, acceleration sensing, and processing capabilities into a single integrated wearable device, eliminating the need for separate laboratory sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves universality by being capable of measuring both underwater and in-air blast pressures with the same sensor system, allowing a single wearable device to perform multiple measurement functions across different environments
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing sensors are used for both in-air and underwater blasts, then versatility is achieved, but measurement fidelity is lost due to medium differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for medium differences by adjusting measurement parameters including sampling rate (100 kHz), pressure range (±1000 psi), and calibration constants based on whether the medium is air or water, maintaining fidelity across both environments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables medical professionals to generate accurate medical databases on blast exposure effects by providing detailed statistics and histograms of blast events, reducing false triggers and maintaining data fidelity across different mediums.
Implementation Method 1
The wearable UBS includes both at least one underwater pressure sensor (14) and an in-air pressure sensor (16) to capture blast pressure from both in-air blasts and underwater blasts
Implementation Method 2
Other methods of triggering blast event recording can include artificial intelligence/machine learning based on a parameter of a blast wave
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable universal blast sensor includes an underwater pressure sensing transducer and at least one blast parameter sensing transducer to measure a blast parameter from the blast other than pressure, an analog-to-digital converter having an analog input and a digital output, the analog input coupled to the pressure sensing transducer and a digital output, a rolling memory buffer coupled to the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, at least one controller coupled to the rolling memory buffer and configured to store a time sequence of digital pressure signals from the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, write into a blast event memory data from the rolling memory buffer including data corresponding to the blast event if one of the digital pressure signals exceeds a set first threshold, generate a first blast magnitude indicator signal if any of the digital pressure signals exceeds a second set threshold.