System and Method for Detecting Hit Locations Using the Time Domain
Patent Number: US 10571223 Grant Date: 2020-02-25 Filing Date: 2018-03-02
Overview
Filed March 02, 2018 and granted February 25, 2020, this patent from Invocon, Inc. (inventors based in Conroe and Spring, Texas, and Crestview, Florida) defines a high-resolution time‑domain system for detecting and locating hypervelocity impacts on complex vehicle surfaces. The disclosure describes flexible, multilayer detector panels with tuned conductive paths that are driven with high‑speed pulses; reflections from open circuit ends are measured to sub‑nanosecond precision to compute the distance to an interruption and thus the exact strike location. The approach explicitly addresses coverage of nonplanar shapes, rapid encoding and transmission of status data prior to destruction, and progressive‑damage tracking as signal paths shorten with ongoing breach.
The claims robustly capture both hardware layering and signal processing methods, and they leverage commercial high‑speed I/O and FPGA logic adapted from telecommunications to achieve the necessary timing resolution and pulse shaping. This combination of materials engineering, RF/timing design, and systems‑level communications demonstrates careful claim drafting that protects both panel construction and the fast time‑domain measurement techniques required for lethality assessment and guidance verification.
Key Features
- Flexible, multilayer detector panels with tuned conductive circuit paths
- Time‑domain pulse injection and sub‑nanosecond reflection timing
- Fast encoding/transmission for pre‑failure data exfiltration
- Support for nonplanar surfaces and progressive damage localization
This invention advances impact diagnostics for defense and aerospace testing and offers a practical, high‑resolution alternative to traditional grid and acoustic systems.
Invention Details
Abstract: A time domain detection system to measure and report on hypervelocity impacts HVI between an interceptor vehicle and a target vehicle. Wherein, said time domain detection system comprises a target vehicle components installed on said target vehicle, a one or more panels arranged on a portion of said target vehicle at a potential HVI locations, and a hit detection system wired into said one or more panels. Said target vehicle components comprise at least said hit detection system, and a lines. Said one or more panels are wired into said hit detection system with said lines. Said hit detection system is configured to communicate with said one or more panels over said lines. Said one or more panels can each comprise a one or more detector panel layers, and a two or more insulator layers.
Summary of the Invention: A time domain detection system to measure and report on hypervelocity impacts HVI between an interceptor vehicle and a target vehicle. Wherein, said time domain detection system comprises a target vehicle components installed on said target vehicle, a one or more panels arranged on a portion of said target vehicle at a potential HVI locations, and a hit detection system wired into said one or more panels. Said target vehicle components comprise at least said hit detection system, and a lines. Said one or more panels are wired into said hit detection system with said lines. Said hit detection system is configured to communicate with said one or more panels over said lines. Said one or more panels can each comprise a one or more detector panel layers, and a two or more insulator layers. Said two or more insulator layers comprise at least a top insulator layer and a bottom insulator layer of said one or more panels. Said one or more detector panel layers comprise at least a first detector panel layer. Said two or more insulator layers comprise at least a first insulator layer and a second insulator layer. Said top insulator layer is arranged over said first detector panel layer. Layers of said one or more panels continue such that each said one or more detector panel layers comprises an insulator below and above itself. The last layer of said one or more panels comprises said bottom insulator layer. Each of said one or more detector panel layers comprise at least one of a circuit path. Each said circuit path comprise an injection point end and an open circuit end. Said injection point end are connected to said hit detection system with one of said lines. Said hit detection system is configured to send a pulse through said injection point end, said pulse is reflected from said open circuit end and back to said injection point end as a return signal.
Patent Document
Related: Computer Science & Software | Aerospace | Electrical Engineering | Security | Software And Electronics | Testing And Measurement | Conroe, Texas | Spring, Texas | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney