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  • System and method to enable the application of optical tracking techniques for generating dynamic quantities of interest with alias protection
    Patent number: 9852330
    Abstract: Systems and methods for realizing practical applications of high speed digital image correlation (DIC) for dynamic quantities of interest are provided. In particular, a series of images are captured for a component of interest in which a non-filtered sensor and an analog low-pass filtered sensor are included within the region of interest for the series of images. Displacement signals are obtained for the component of interest, the non-filtered sensor, and the analog low-pass filtered sensor by applying digital image correlation processing to the series of images, which may also be wavelet filtered. Dynamic quantities of interest may be generated and derived from the displacement signals after having been wavelet filtered. Such dynamic quantities of interest based on the wavelet filtered DIC-derived displacement signal may be compared to sensor-derived dynamic quantities of interest to determine if aliasing is or is likely to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ryan Lee Shannon
  • System and method for rocket engine health monitoring using digital image correlation (DIC)
    Patent number: 11276159
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be applied to monitoring and evaluating rocket engine and other reusable components' health by tracking full-field stochastic patterns using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to detect deformation. In particular, rocket engine cylindricity enables pre-flight and post-flight non-destructive inspection utilizing a turntable to detect local fatigue. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rocket engine may undergo a DIC process, where the rocket engine is rotated via a turntable. Accordingly, the use of a turntable allows a single camera DIC setup to acquire data indicative surface measurements about the entire rocket engine. The rocket engine may then be flown and subsequently recovered. After recovery, the rocket engine again may undergo DIC processing, where the rocket engine is rotated via the turntable. The pre- and post-flight data may be compared to provide evidence of the existence of a deformation or lack thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ryan Shannon
  • Integrated vehicle fluids
    Patent number: 9850008
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for combining systems of an upper stage space launch vehicle for enhancing the operation of the space vehicle. Hydrogen and oxygen already on board as propellant for the upper stage rockets is also used for other upper stage functions to include propellant tank pressurization, attitude control, vehicle settling, and electrical requirements. Specifically, gases from the propellant tanks, instead of being dumped overboard, are used as fuel and oxidizer to power an internal combustion engine that produces mechanical power for driving other elements including a starter/generator for generation of electrical current, mechanical power for fluid pumps, and other uses. The exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is also used directly in one or more vehicle settling thrusters. Accumulators which store the waste ullage gases are pressurized and provide pressurization control for the propellant tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Frank C. Zegler
  • Mechanical signal processing accumulator attenuation device and method
    Patent number: 8438930
    Abstract: A liquid/gas interface pressure accumulator and mechanical filter device is especially adapted for use within a propellant utilization monitoring system of a space launch vehicle. The device provides a retrofit solution for overcoming problems associated with liquid entering a pressure sensing lines and pressure noises that collectively harm the ability to accurately measure fuel and oxidizer levels. One device is attached to each fuel and oxidizer tank of the launch vehicle. Each device includes a housing and an internal sensing chamber that is used to accumulate liquid before it can enter a pressure sensing communication line connected to a pressure sensing transducer. The construction of the device also allows filtering of undesirable pressure noises due to vibration, pressure pulsations, and other vibratory events that occur during operation of the space vehicle. The device is also selectively tunable to filter out certain frequencies and frequency ranges/bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Rogers, Paul R. Brennan
  • Integrated vehicle fluids
    Patent number: 8884202
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for combining systems of an upper stage space launch vehicle for enhancing the operation of the space vehicle. Hydrogen and oxygen already on board as propellant for the upper stage rockets is also used for other upper stage functions to include propellant tank pressurization, attitude control, vehicle settling, and electrical requirements. Specifically, gases from the propellant tanks, instead of being dumped overboard, are used as fuel and oxidizer to power an internal combustion engine that produces mechanical power for driving other elements including a starter/generator for generation of electrical current, mechanical power for fluid pumps, and other uses. The exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is also used directly in one or more vehicle settling thrusters. Accumulators which store the waste ullage gases are pressurized and provide pressurization control for the propellant tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Frank C. Zeglar
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