Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR)

Wireless system collects blast radius data from multiple distributed sensors

*ERDC’s APPR allows blast wave data to be gathered remotely, thus enhancing safety and accuracy*

ERDC’s novel distributed Autonomous Pressure Profile Recorder (APPR) system changes the game for how properties of an explosion are collected. The wireless system safely gathers pressure profile data remotely, from multiple autonomous sensors, without entering the blast radius. As a result, ERDC’s technology offers a significant improvement both in the accuracy of the data and the reliability of the equipment.

Conventional multi-point transducer systems rely on cable network connections that wire into a central recording device. Unfortunately, this method increases the likelihood of not only crucial synchronization and impedance errors but also catastrophic system failures. By contrast, ERDC’s remote APPR obtains synchronized pressure data sets over time from multiple independently functioning sensors and correlates that data from each transducer with the initial GPS-synchronized detonation event. Consequently, the APPR’s state-of-the-art technology safely captures highly accurate data on effects of explosions, while overcoming the many failure modes of traditional blast data recording equipment.

Benefits:

Accurate: Allows for more accurate synchronization (< 1/1000 of a second) of sensors
Reliable: Simple wireless configuration does not require long cable runs, reducing potential failure modes
Fast: Incorporates a high-speed data acquisition (DAQ) solution
Safer: Enables remote blast monitoring outside of the blast perimeter
Low-cost: Wireless system eliminates labor costs associated with running long lengths of wire

Applications:

Military (e.g., blast testing, underwater explosions, munitions response)
Research (e.g., explosives, energetics)
Mining (e.g., carbon capture)
Demolition
Safety engineers (e.g., air blast measurements, structural loading)
NOAA
Oil & gas (e.g., accidental explosion)
Chemical manufacturing (e.g., explosive materials, by-products)

*ERDC’s recorder increases accuracy in collecting blast wave data, such as that used for testing armored vehicles*

Patents

US11079293B2

Resources

Coming soon

Technology Category

Protective Structures & Systems

Affiliated Lab

Geotechnical & Structures Lab