Adaptive Projectile Caliber Adjustment via Compensating Ring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectiles are not adaptable to different launcher systems with varying calibers, requiring separate projectiles for each caliber, limiting their universal use across different systems.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive projectile design featuring a housing with guide fins, a powder chamber, delay charge, and a compensating ring, allowing for adjustable caliber compatibility and secure mounting through various contact options, including bolts, bayonet locks, and retaining springs, ensuring accurate deployment across diverse launcher systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single projectile design is used for multiple launcher calibers, then adaptability is improved, but securing the projectile without movement during launch becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaliber compatibilityVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating ring is inserted into a recess in the projectile housing, creating a nested structure where the ring fits within the housing cavity. This allows the projectile to accommodate different caliber requirements while maintaining a stable mounting interface within the launcher.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide fins are designed to be adjustable in position around the housing circumference, allowing dynamic adaptation to different launcher calibers. The fins can be rotated or repositioned to achieve proper alignment and secure mounting for various launcher types while maintaining projectile stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If guide fins extend along the entire housing, then aerodynamic stability is improved, but space for compensating ring mounting is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerodynamic stabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide fins are segmented into multiple discrete fins rather than a continuous structure, with specific spacing between them. This segmentation creates the necessary space around the housing circumference for mounting the compensating ring while still providing adequate aerodynamic stability through the distributed fin configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide fins are positioned to extend only along specific portions of the housing rather than the entire length, creating local aerodynamic stabilization zones. This localized approach leaves sufficient space in other areas for the compensating ring mounting structure, balancing aerodynamic performance with mounting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables a single projectile to be compatible with multiple launcher systems by compensating for caliber differences and providing secure, adjustable mounting, enhancing deployment accuracy and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

The housing has a cavity to accommodate an inner shell; for this purpose, the housing is designed like a hollow cylinder, and the interior of the hollow cylinder serves as the cavity for the inner shell. The inner shell, in turn, is equipped with at least one pyrotechnic charge.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrotechnic combustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The projectile also has a powder chamber that provides a propellant charge. Upon ignition, this propellant charge generates the necessary pressure to launch the projectile from the launcher.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPropellant combustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The projectile also features a delay mechanism that can detonate the warhead(s). This delay mechanism can either directly ignite the warhead or incorporate an ignition channel that initiates the warhead through combustion.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentEP3601935B1Adaptive projectile
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP3601935B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3601935B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3601935B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a projectile comprising a housing. The housing has a cavity for receiving an inner shell, and the inner shell is provided with at least one pyrotechnic explosive charge. The projectile additionally has a powder chamber, which supplies a propellant charge for the projectile, and a delay charge which can ignite the explosive charge. This occurs via a contact which is likewise paired with the projectile. The housing has pin receiving areas and a possible receiving area for a compensating ring and shoulders which point in the longitudinal direction of the projectile. These measures allow the projectile according to the invention to be adapted to different launcher systems and provides a caliber adjustment.