Event detection system having multiple sensor systems in cooperation with an impact detection system

An impact detection system comprising:

• a first sensing device including a first layer for sensing impacts, the first layer including a plurality of measuring portions, each of the measuring portions adapted to conduct an electrical signal from an input coupling point to an output coupling point;
• a first measurement system in electrical communication with the first sensing device, the first measurement system including a multiplexer configured to provide electrical signal inputs to the input coupling points of the first sensing device, and configured to measure electrical signal outputs at the output coupling points of the first sensing device;
• a second sensing device positioned in spaced relation to the first sensing device, the second sensing device including a second layer operably coupled to the vehicle for sensing impacts, the second layer including a plurality of measuring portions, each of the measuring portions adapted to conduct an electrical signal from an input coupling point to an output coupling point;
• a second measurement system in electrical communication with the second sensing device, the second measurement system including a multiplexer configured to provide electrical signal inputs to the input coupling points of the second sensing device, and configured to measure electrical signal outputs at the output coupling points of the second sensing device;
• an acoustic detection system including a plurality of microphones configured to detect soundwaves generated by an event, the acoustic detection system configured to process time offsets from the soundwaves at the plurality of microphones for determining the direction of the source of the event;
• an imaging system including at least one camera configured to detect weapon fire flash events;
• a processor operably coupled to the measurement system, the acoustic detection system, and the imaging system for determining a damage event origination axis directed to the point of origin of the event;
• wherein the damage event origination axis is determined by the processor based on changes between the electrical signal input at the input coupling point and the electrical signal output at the output coupling point of the impact sensing device, and correlated with time offsets from the soundwaves at the plurality of microphones of the acoustic detection system, and the flash events from the imaging system;
• and
• wherein the processor includes a look-up table of signature data associated with a plurality of impact event origination devices to correlate data from the impact sensing device, the acoustic detection system, and the imaging system to correlate an impact event with the impact sensing device.

A method of detecting a damage event associated with a structure of interest, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a sensing device including a plurality of measuring portions;
• providing input electrical signals to input coupling points of each of the measuring portions;
• measuring output electrical signals from output coupling points of each of the measuring portions;
• determining data on a damage event based on changes between the electrical signal inputs at each of the input coupling points and the electrical signal outputs at each of the output coupling points;
• detecting soundwaves generated by the source of the damage event;
• detecting flash events from the source of the damage event;
• determining a damage event origination axis based on changes between the electrical signal input at the input coupling point and the electrical signal output at the output coupling point of the impact sensing device;
• correlating the damage event origination axis with time offsets from the soundwaves at the plurality of microphones of the acoustic detection system, and the flash events from the imaging system;
• and
• accessing a look-up table of signature data associated with a plurality of impact event origination devices to correlate data with a specific impact event origination device.

A method of detecting a damage event associated with a structure of interest, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a sensing device including a plurality of measuring portions;
• providing input electrical signals to input coupling points of each of the measuring portions;
• measuring output electrical signals from output coupling points of each of the measuring portions;
• determining data on a damage event based on changes between the electrical signal inputs at each of the input coupling points and the electrical signal outputs at each of the output coupling points;
• detecting soundwaves generated by the source of the damage event;
• detecting flash events from the source of the damage event;
• determining a damage event origination axis based on changes between the electrical signal input at the input coupling point and the electrical signal output at the output coupling point of the impact sensing device;
• correlating the damage event origination axis with time offsets from the soundwaves at the plurality of microphones of the acoustic detection system, and the flash events from the imaging system;
• and
• determining baseline measurement data based on a predetermined data value associated with a first state of the sensing device by taking an electrical signal measurement portion of the sensing device before the damage event.