Projectile Ignition Apparatus Using Acceleration-Driven Fracture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ignition systems for projectiles rely on pre-loaded springs, which suffer from 'creep' deformation and premature activation risks due to safety mechanism failures or misalignment, necessitating an alternative energy release mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The ignition apparatus utilizes extreme axial acceleration of the projectile to fracture a fracturable constraint device, releasing a high-density firing pin to impact a percussion primer, initiating combustion without pre-loaded springs, ensuring safe storage and reliable ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-loaded springs are used to store ignition energy, then the ignition system can be activated reliably, but the spring incurs permanent deformation (creep) that reduces available energy over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component entirely from the ignition system. Instead of using a pre-loaded spring to store and release ignition energy, the invention uses a fracturable constraint device that remains inactive until fracture, at which point inertial forces directly drive the firing pin without energy loss from creep deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage mechanism from elastic potential energy (spring) to inertial kinetic energy. The fracturable constraint device transitions from a restrained state to an active state through fracture, allowing the firing pin to be driven by the acceleration of the projectile itself rather than by spring expansion.
2Reliability
If pre-loaded springs are used in the ignition system, then ignition energy is always present, but the safety mechanism may fail or become misaligned causing premature activation
Solution Approach 1:
The fracturable constraint device is designed to prevent activation until a specific condition (fracture) is met. The device actively counteracts premature activation by maintaining the firing pin in a restrained position, and only releases when the projectile acceleration causes the constraint to fracture at the intended time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fracturable constraint device is designed as a single-use component that fractures irreversibly to initiate the ignition sequence. This disposable nature eliminates the risk of premature activation from repeated use or degradation, as the constraint can only fracture once under the specific acceleration conditions.
3Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical ignition systems with safety mechanisms are used, then ignition can be controlled, but the system complexity increases due to additional safety components
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition system uses the projectile's own acceleration as the triggering mechanism. The fracturable constraint device automatically fractures when the projectile reaches the required acceleration level, eliminating the need for external safety mechanisms, sensors, or control systems to determine when ignition should occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical safety mechanisms with a simple inertial-based fracturable constraint. Instead of using sensors, switches, or multiple mechanical interlocks to control ignition timing, the system relies on the physical principle that the constraint will fracture at the specific acceleration level required for safe projectile launch.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution eliminates the drawbacks of pre-loaded springs by using projectile acceleration to initiate the ignition sequence, ensuring reliable and safe operation without premature activation, and maintaining energy until the precise acceleration is achieved.
Implementation Method 1
The fracturable constraint device fractures upon being subjected to a predetermined magnitude of force. In one example, the predetermined magnitude of force occurs when the projectile achieves a predetermined magnitude of acceleration as the projectile is accelerating through the barrel of the artillery cannon.
Implementation Method 2
The firing pin initially resists this axial acceleration. When the axial acceleration of the projectile attains a predetermined magnitude, the inertial mass of the firing pin exerts a tensile or shear force on the fracturable constraint device causing the fracturable constraint device to fracture.
Implementation Method 3
The percussion primer is positioned within the sleeve and located at the lengthwise end of the sleeve that is opposite the end of the sleeve where the fracturable constraint device is located. Since the sleeve is attached to the interior structure of the projectile and the percussion primer is secured within the sleeve, the percussion primer accelerates with the projectile and is moving toward the floating firing pin as the projectile accelerates out of the barrel.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of an ignition apparatus are disclosed herein. Each ignition apparatus is configured for use in a projectile, such as an artillery projectile, rocket, missile, drone, and other similar projectiles. In each exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, the ignition apparatus initiates an ignition sequence that is the reverse of the ignition sequences implemented by conventional ignition devices that utilize pre-loaded or pre-compressed spring-operated firing pins. Each exemplary embodiment of the ignition apparatus disclosed herein utilizes the extreme axial acceleration of the projectile to arm and initiate the ignition sequence.