Aft Obturating Device for Extended Projectile Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ballistic projectiles face limitations in increasing range without compromising their compact size, low cost, and accuracy, as traditional methods for enhancing range often result in increased size and weight, making them burdensome to carry and detect.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a projectile design featuring a forward obturator and an aft obturating device with asymmetric flow resistance, which allows pressurized gases to flow rearward while trapping them behind the obturating device, providing additional propulsion after the forward obturator clears the launcher, effectively increasing the effective length of the launcher without adding weight or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional methods (such as attaching rocket boosters) are used to increase range, then the range of the projectile is improved, but the size and weight of the projectile increase
Solution Approach 1:
The obturating device is divided into multiple segments including a forward obturator and an aft obturating device. The aft obturating device is further segmented into a body, a tail boom, and fins. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall weight minimal compared to traditional rocket booster solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the temporal dimension by extending the propulsion phase beyond the traditional muzzle exit point. The aft obturating device continues to contain and utilize propellant gases after the forward obturator has cleared the launcher, effectively adding time to the propulsion process without adding weight or size.
2Productivity
If traditional methods (such as attaching rocket boosters) are used to increase range, then the range of the projectile is improved, but the detectability of the projectile increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the propulsion system into the launcher-based forward obturator and the projectile-mounted aft obturating device, the invention avoids the need for large, detectable rocket boosters. The aft obturating device is compact and integrated into the projectile body, maintaining the low profile necessary for stealth.
Solution Approach 2:
The aft obturating device serves itself by utilizing the existing propellant gases already present in the launcher. It does not require external fuel tanks or complex propulsion systems, thereby maintaining a compact, low-detectability design while achieving extended range.
3Productivity
If an aft obturating device with asymmetric flow resistance is used, then pressurized gases are trapped behind the obturating device for further propulsion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aft obturating device employs asymmetric flow resistance through its structural design, providing greater resistance to forward flow than to rearward flow. This asymmetry allows the device to trap pressurized gases behind it for continued propulsion while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration consisting of a body, tail boom, and fins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of propellant gases escaping after muzzle exit into a beneficial force for extended propulsion. The aft obturating device captures these escaping gases and redirects them to provide continued thrust, turning what would be wasted energy into useful propulsion.
4Speed
If the forward obturator clears the launcher early, then the projectile exits the launcher faster, but pressurized gases escape reducing propulsion efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The aft obturating device is preliminarily positioned on the projectile before launch, ready to activate once the forward obturator clears the launcher. This preliminary positioning ensures that as soon as the forward obturator exits, the aft obturating device is already in place to capture and contain the propellant gases, preventing escape and maintaining propulsion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention ensures continuity of useful action by transitioning the gas containment function from the forward obturator to the aft obturating device. When the forward obturator clears the launcher, the aft obturating device immediately takes over to contain the propellant gases, ensuring uninterrupted propulsion and eliminating the gap that would otherwise cause gas escape and loss of efficiency.
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 design enhances the range of the projectile by utilizing trapped pressurized gases for further propulsion, maintaining accuracy and compactness, unlike traditional methods that increase size and weight, such as attaching rocket boosters.
Implementation Method 1
an obturating device with asymmetric flow resistance, providing more resistance to flow across the obturating device in a forward than to flow across the obturating device in a rearward direction
Implementation Method 2
an obturating device which allows flow in a rearward direction, but not in a forward direction
Implementation Method 3
The aft obturating device contains pressurized gas that is behind the projectile in the launcher, after the forward obturator has cleared the launcher
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile, such as a guided mortar projectile, has both a front obturator and an aft obturating device. The aft obturating device is located aft of the front obturator, and serves to trap pressurized gases behind the aft obturating device, so as to provide further propulsion to the projectile with the trapped pressurized gases, even after the front obturator has cleared the muzzle of a launcher. The aft obturating device provides less resistance to movement of pressurized gases across the aft obturating device in the aft direction, than to movement of pressurized gases across the aft obturating device in the forward direction, and may act as a check valve with regard to such gas flows. The aft obturating device may be part of a cap that is coupled to a tail boom of the projectile, and that drops away from the projectile after launch.