Patent ID: 6131437
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A mechanical crush gauge for measuring energy flux density associated with a shock wave propagating in a wet free-field environment, comprising:a housing defining a fixed diameter hole having a first end at a surface of said housing and a second end within said housing;a sample of deformable material positioned in said fixed diameter hole and sized to loosely fit therein at said second end;a piston and ring assembly positioned in said fixed diameter hole with one face of said piston being flush with said surface of said housing, said ring sealing said piston in said fixed diameter hole and positioning said piston coaxially therein, said piston made from a material having a yield strength orders of magnitude greater than that of said sample; anda ball positioned in said hole between said sample and said piston, said ball being in tangential contact with said sample and said piston, said ball sized to slide in said fixed diameter hole, said ball being made from a material having a yield strength approximately equivalent to said yield strength of said piston, wherein energy absorbed by said piston at said one face thereof is converted into kinetic energy that forces said piston against said ball and said ball against said sample to form a spherical dent in said sample, and wherein said spherical dent is indicative of energy flux density.