Design of a Windblast Data Acquisition System
Abstract
Classifying helmets safe to fly is of major importance to the USAF and DoD in general. Helmets are put through numerous rigorous tests before the design is rated flight worthy. One such test is the windblast. This test is designed to simulate the wind's forces and speeds the pilot and helmet will be subject to upon ejecting from a crippled aircraft. Data is collected pertaining to the helmet shift on the head, lift and drag forces experienced by the helmet and it's reaction to them. The Data Acquisition System (DAS), designed and built by AL/CFB utilizing off-the-shelf hardware and software, was used to collect this data. It replaced an older system in which data collected was subject to as much as 30 percent offsets of peak values, was susceptible to noise corruption and was subject to a secondary review costing additional time and money. This report contains detailed information on the design and function of the hardware and software components of the DAS and also a detailed explanation of how the hardware and software processes were validated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA343061
Entities
People
- Brian J. Crothers
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory