Craig Michael Lopatin

US Patent:

7926356, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Apr 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/801772

Inventors:

Craig M. Lopatin - Washington DC, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01B 7/16

US Classification:

73768, 73767

Abstract:

An invented apparatus for nondestructively remotely measuring the health of an energetic material, includes a piezoelectric capacitance sensor having an exterior surface that is substantially inert to the energetic material. The piezoelectric capacitance sensor provides an analog signal that is commensurately responsive to the modulus of material in intimate contact with the sensor. The apparatus also includes an interrogator for interrogating the sensor as to a capacitance of the piezoelectric capacitance sensor. The interrogator converts the analog signal of the capacitance into a digital representation. The apparatus further includes a means of communicating the digital representation to a remote communication device.

US Patent:

8525705, Sep 3, 2013

Filed:

May 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/802449

Inventors:

Craig Michael Lopatin - Washington DC, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04B 14/00

US Classification:

340999, 324639, 324637, 2503581

Abstract:

A solid rocket motor having a liner surrounding a propellant includes an array of transmitter elements and receiver elements disposed within the liner. Transmitter electronics provide the transmitter elements with a transmit signal and receiver electronics receive the outputs of the receiver elements. The outputs are analyzed to determine any defects in the propellant.

US Patent:

7652488, Jan 26, 2010

Filed:

Apr 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/801765

Inventors:

Craig M. Lopatin - Washington DC, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01R 27/04

US Classification:

324681, 324637, 73768

Abstract:

The invented method for measuring the health of a solid rocket propellant includes embedding at least one piezoelectric capacitance sensor in the propellant, where the capacitance of the sensor is a function of a modulus of the propellant, and where the position is selected to measure manifestations of stress failure as a consequence of changes in the shear modulus. The capacitance of the sensor is measured at a predetermined frequency. The capacitance of the piezoelectric capacitance sensor is converted into a digital representation which is then converted into the digital representation of a modulus (or gradient modulus). In subsequent analysis, the modulus (or gradient of the modulus) is correlated to the health of the solid rocket propellant.