Abstract: An apparatus for providing information pertaining to the orientation of a vehicle to which the apparatus is coupled includes a chassis having a first interior surface and an inertial-sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface. A first sensor element is mounted on the first interior surface, and a second sensor element is mounted on the first exterior surface. At least one of the first and second sensor elements is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to an angle of displacement of the second sensor element with respect to the first sensor element.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information pertaining to the orientation of a vehicle to which the apparatus is coupled includes a chassis having a first interior surface and an inertial-sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface. A first sensor element is mounted on the first interior surface, and a second sensor element is mounted on the first exterior surface. At least one of the first and second sensor elements is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a distance of displacement of the second sensor element with respect to the first sensor element.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for determining precision vehicle orientation information. The system includes an inertial measurement unit having a chassis with a first interior surface, an inertial sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface, and integrated suspension elements mounted to the first interior surface and the first exterior surface. The integrated suspension elements include a first sensor that senses a displacement measurement of the inertial sensor assembly with respect to the chassis. The displacement measurement is used to determine an angular deflection.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a snubbing or damping system for reducing a shock impact on an isolated body within a shock sensitive device, which may take the form of an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The shock sensitive device includes a housing with an inertial body suspended in an isolated manner within the housing and engaged with the snubbing system. By way of example, the inertial body may take the form of an inertial sensor assembly. Further, the snubbing system may take the form of a plastically deformable snubbing mechanism positioned between the housing and the inertial body along a line of action of the inertial body during an acceleration (e.g. shock) event.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information pertaining to the orientation of a vehicle to which the apparatus is coupled includes a chassis having a first interior surface and an inertial-sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface. A first sensor element is mounted on the first interior surface, and a second sensor element is mounted on the first exterior surface. At least one of the first and second sensor elements is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to an angle of displacement of the second sensor element with respect to the first sensor element.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information pertaining to the orientation of a vehicle to which the apparatus is coupled includes a chassis having a first interior surface and an inertial-sensor assembly disposed within the chassis and having a first exterior surface. A first sensor element is mounted on the first interior surface, and a second sensor element is mounted on the first exterior surface. At least one of the first and second sensor elements is configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a distance of displacement of the second sensor element with respect to the first sensor element.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is provided that includes a container that defines a cavity. A sensor suit or ISA having a housing is provided in the container of the IMU. A dampening material is provided between the housing of the ISA and the container of the IMU. The dampening material may be applied by coating, spraying, or dipping, or may be separately molded and then inserted, if desired. A sway space may also be provided between the ISA and the IMU container.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating a dynamic high-g environment that includes a test specimen, an incompressible liquid situated adjacent to the test specimen, and a device for creating a dynamic force on the test specimen. In one embodiment, the device for creating a dynamic force includes a vibration actuator that creates a force by creating movement between the test specimen and the incompressible liquid.

Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is provided that includes a container that defines a cavity. A sensor suit or ISA having a housing is provided in the container of the IMU. A dampening material is provided between the housing of the ISA and the container of the IMU. The dampening material may be applied by coating, spraying, or dipping, or may be separately molded and then inserted, if desired. A sway space may also be provided between the ISA and the IMU container.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating a dynamic high-g environment that includes a test specimen, an incompressible liquid situated adjacent to the test specimen, and a device for creating a dynamic force on the test specimen. In one embodiment, the device for creating a dynamic force includes a vibration actuator that creates a force by creating movement between the test specimen and the incompressible liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods that can provide a high g-force to a test specimen. An exemplary system of the present invention includes a beam, rigidly fixed at one or both ends, on which a test specimen can be mounted. A loading device is preferably provided that can load the beam by using a ceramic column positioned between the beam and the loading device. A flywheel that has a cutter that can be deployed on command while the flywheel is rotating to fracture the ceramic column is also provided. The present invention also provides systems and methods for controllably damping the oscillation of a loaded beam at some point after the load on the beam is released to produce a high g-force event. For example, a damping device of the present invention may be engaged after the completion of the high g-force event. Such damping can prevent subsequent ringing or oscillation of the beam without affecting the magnitude of the high g-force event.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods that can provide a high g-force to a test specimen. An exemplary system of the present invention includes a beam, rigidly fixed at one or both ends, on which a test specimen can be mounted. A loading device is preferably provided that can load the beam by using a ceramic column positioned between the beam and the loading device. A flywheel that has a cutter that can be deployed on command while the flywheel is rotating to fracture the ceramic column is also provided. The present invention also provides systems and methods for controllably damping the oscillation of a loaded beam at some point after the load on the beam is released to produce a high g-force event. For example, a damping device of the present invention may be engaged after the completion of the high g-force event. Such damping can prevent subsequent ringing or oscillation of the beam without affecting the magnitude of the high g-force event.

Abstract: A high-g shock-producing device for testing a sample specimen is described which includes a beam and a shock column. The beam is of predetermined length and has at least one end substantially rigidly fixed with the specimen mounted thereon at a position remote from the one end. The shock column is positioned to apply a force causing said beam to bend in a direction transverse to the length. The column is configured to have a buckling failure when exposed to a pressure which is sufficient to bend the beam an amount to provide the desired high-g force to the specimen. The buckling failure causes the force to be suddenly removed from the beam so as to release the beam and produce the high-g shock on the specimen.