Fiber light relay system with quick-connect fiber anchor
Inventors
Hernandez, David • Lappo, Karmen Noel • Bayley, Steven Wayne • Nissen, Mark R. • Sandin, Cole • Gorby, Allen Dean
Assignees
US Department of Homeland Security
Publication Number
US-11768117-B1
Publication Date
2023-09-26
Expiration Date
2043-02-02
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Abstract
An apparatus for forming an anchor to connect a fiber to an explosive charge wall includes an anchor insert tab disposed on the interior side of the wall, a top plate disposed on the exterior side of the wall, an ST connector disposed on the exterior side and attached to the top plate to position the ST connector at the fiber insert wall opening for receiving the fiber, a plurality of zip ties extending through the anchor insert tab, the wall, and the top plate, and a plurality of locking members one for each of the zip ties. The zip ties each have a locking head disposed on the interior side of the wall to press the anchor insert tab against the interior wall surface. The locking members are engaged with the zip ties to press the top plate against the exterior wall surface to form the anchor.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a Fiber Light Relay System (FLRS) and methods to monitor detonation shock fronts in large explosive charge geometries, particularly for non-ideal granular or heterogeneous blended explosive formulations. The system employs optical fibers embedded in the explosive charge to relay shock front light through a patch panel to a high-speed video camera, enabling simultaneous observation of tens to hundreds of fiber outputs without the need for extensive data acquisition hardware. This approach allows calculation of shock velocity and wave front shape based on fiber location and light arrival timing.
Traditional methods for measuring shock position in explosives, such as flash x-ray, embedded electromagnetic or pressure gauges, and timing pins, become logistically challenging, cost prohibitive, or technically inappropriate as experimental size increases to 100 lbs or greater. The invention addresses these limitations by providing tools and methods that maintain spatial and temporal resolution while reducing costs, equipment, and labor, thereby enabling efficient characterization of large-scale explosive charges.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering apparatuses and methods for forming an anchor to connect fibers to explosive charge walls, and systems and methods for explosive testing using these anchors. The inventive features focus on the structure and method of the quick-connect fiber anchor, including the use of anchor insert tabs, top plates, ST connectors, zip ties, locking members, and alignment components.
Anchor apparatus for fiber connection to explosive charge wall
An apparatus comprising an anchor insert tab on the interior side of the wall, a top plate on the exterior side, and an ST connector attached to the top plate to position it at a fiber insert wall opening for receiving the fiber. A plurality of zip ties extends through the anchor insert tab, the wall, and the top plate, each with a locking head on the interior side pressing the anchor insert tab against the interior wall surface. Locking members on the exterior side engage the zip ties to press the top plate against the exterior wall surface, thereby forming the anchor.
Anchor apparatus with alignment components
An apparatus further comprising a top alignment plate disposed on the exterior side between the exterior wall surface and the ST connector. The top alignment plate includes a bushing extending through the fiber insert wall opening to receive the ST connector, aligning it with the fiber insert wall opening for receiving and aligning the fiber. Zip ties extend through the anchor insert tab, wall, top alignment plate, and top plate to press the anchor insert tab against the interior wall surface, with locking members engaging the zip ties to press both the top plate and top alignment plate against the exterior wall surface.
Method of forming the anchor
A method comprising placing an anchor insert tab on the interior side of the wall over the fiber insert wall opening; attaching an ST connector to a top plate; placing the top plate on the exterior side of the wall to position the ST connector at the fiber insert wall opening for receiving the fiber; extending multiple zip ties through the anchor insert tab, the wall, and the top plate, each having a locking head on the interior side pressing the anchor insert tab against the interior wall surface; and sliding locking members on the exterior side to engage with the zip ties, pressing the top plate against the exterior wall surface to form the anchor.
Formation of multiple anchors and fiber connection system
Forming a plurality of anchors at multiple locations on the wall, each including an anchor insert tab, ST connector attached to a top plate, zip ties, and locking members as described. The method includes presetting and labeling fiber input and output end locations for connection between the wall anchors and a fiber panel aligned toward a camera, enabling connection of multiple fibers between the explosive charge wall and the fiber panel for optical monitoring.
The independent claims cover various apparatus configurations and methods for forming fiber anchors to explosive charge walls using quick-connect systems involving anchor insert tabs, top plates, ST connectors, zip ties, and locking members. The claims also cover systems connecting multiple fibers between the explosive charge wall and fiber panels for shock monitoring, emphasizing alignment and field-installable, efficient assembly.
Stated Advantages
Cost-effective way to collect shock front time-of-arrival over multiple spatial planes during a single explosive test, reducing the need for numerous expensive sensors and data acquisition channels.
Reduces equipment, labor, and synchronization complexity compared to traditional systems, enabling faster setup and lower personnel costs.
Allows the high-speed camera to observe tens to hundreds of fibers simultaneously without additional data acquisition hardware, simplifying data collection.
Use of industry standard ST connectors and quick-connect zip-tie anchor design facilitates field assembly and protects fibers during transport, reducing assembly time from days to minutes.
Provides accurate spatial and temporal shock front measurements comparable to trusted techniques such as piezoelectric timing pins and continuous velocity probes.
Enables setup at safe distances with reduced infrastructure and risk to equipment compared to traditional systems requiring closer proximity to the explosive charge.
Documented Applications
Monitoring detonation shock front time-of-arrival and shape in large-scale non-ideal granular explosive charges for explosives testing and characterization.
Using embedded optical fibers connected via quick-connect anchors in explosive charge walls to relay optical signals to a high-speed camera for shock velocity and wave front shape calculations.
Comparative testing of shock arrival and velocity measurements against established methods such as piezoelectric timing pins and continuous velocity probes in explosive experiments.
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