Wireless Hit Grid for Shrapnel Impact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lethality assessment methods for 'Hit to Kill' weapons fail to accurately record multiple random hits from shrapnel in a 'Shrapnel Kill' environment, as they rely on wire or optical grids that become useless once a path is broken, leading to incorrect tabulation of impact points and damage propagation.
Innovation Solution
A 'wireless hit grid' system utilizing multiple transducers to detect energy waves (acoustic or RF) created by shrapnel impacts, with data acquisition and processing performed remotely to determine the timing and location of multiple impact events, employing multilevel high-speed comparators and rectification/integrator circuits to form a multidimensional matrix of impact times and energies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wire or optical grids are used to detect impact points, then the system works well for single impact 'Hit to Kill' weapons, but the grids become useless when a path is broken, making it impossible to accurately record multiple random hits from shrapnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire/optical grid system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based detection system. Transducers embedded in the target surface detect impacts through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the physical conductive paths that break upon impact. This allows continuous detection of multiple shrapnel hits without the limitation of broken paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transducers as intermediary devices between the impact event and the detection system. These transducers convert mechanical impact energy into electrical signals that can be transmitted wirelessly, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the physical impact and the digital recording system without requiring direct conductive paths.
2Measurement precision
If wire or optical grids are used, then impact timing and sequence can be determined through broken conduction paths, but multiple random hits from shrapnel cannot be accurately tabulated because broken paths are rendered useless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical conduction path system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless transmission system. Each transducer independently detects and transmits impact signals without relying on physical conductive paths, preventing information loss from broken paths and enabling accurate tabulation of multiple hits with precise timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrical conduction continuity to electromagnetic signal presence. By measuring the presence and characteristics of electromagnetic signals from transducers rather than the continuity of electrical paths, the system can detect multiple impacts without the limitation of broken conduction paths.
3Device complexity
If conventional grid systems are used for lethality assessment, then the system is simple and straightforward for single impacts, but it cannot accurately assess damage propagation from multiple shrapnel hits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple but limited wire grid system with a wireless transducer-based system that maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision. The wireless architecture allows each transducer to independently report impact data without complex wiring, enabling accurate damage propagation assessment from multiple shrapnel hits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a detection system that serves multiple functions: detecting single impacts, detecting multiple random shrapnel hits, determining impact timing sequences, and assessing damage propagation. The wireless transducer architecture provides universal capability across all these detection needs without requiring separate systems.
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 accurate detection and location of multiple shrapnel hits, providing precise lethality assessment by transmitting data to a remote location for processing, where iterative algorithms derive final lethality information, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional grid-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
Multiple transducers are placed on the detection surface and tuned to detect energy waves (acoustic or RF) created by the impact of shrapnel on the surface
Implementation Method 2
The detection surface has a conductive layer capable of propagating radio frequency (RF) signals. At least one signal transmit/receive port on the detection surface injects a radio frequency (RF) interrogation signal into the detection surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determination of multiple shrapnel hits on a gridless target surface utilizes multiple radio frequency or acoustic emission transducers on the target surface to detect energy waves created by the impact of shrapnel on the surface that occur at the point of initial contact and after the initial impact. Data regarding the detection, timing, and location of multiple impact events is acquired and transmitted to a remote processing location where the data is processed to determine the timing and location of all the shrapnel hits and derive final lethality information.