Bi-component Artillery Shell with Integral Mixing Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artillery shells with explosive charges are hazardous when not initiated, as they can remain unexploded and be reused as improvised explosive devices, and existing two-component explosive solutions are complex, expensive, and unsuitable for ballistic stability.
Innovation Solution
A two-component artillery shell design featuring a casing with integral coaxial containers, where a liquid or gelled first material and a solid porous second material are separated by sealing means that break during firing, allowing mixing without premature rupture, and optionally includes a sterilization material for safe neutralization if not detonated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional explosive charges are used in artillery shells, then explosive power is sufficient, but safety during transport and logistics deteriorates due to hazard from unexploded shells
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive charge is divided into two separate non-explosive components: a liquid or gelled first material and a solid porous second material. These components are stored separately in the shell and only mixed upon impact or after a predetermined time period, eliminating the hazard of transporting conventional explosive charges while maintaining sufficient explosive power when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is pre-loaded with both components in a stable, non-explosive state. The mixing mechanism is pre-arranged to occur automatically upon impact or after a predetermined time period, ensuring that the explosive reaction only occurs when intended and eliminating the risk of unexploded shells remaining hazardous.
2Adaptability or versatility
If liquid explosive materials are used in two-component bombs, then mixing capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to fragile envelopes and complex architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile envelope containing the liquid material is completely removed from the design. Instead, the liquid first material is contained in simple, robust containers that are integrated into the shell structure, eliminating the need for complex glass or ceramic envelopes while maintaining the mixing capability through direct contact with the solid porous second material.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid explosive charge is used for cannon firing, then charge flexibility is achieved, but ballistic stability deteriorates due to vortex effects on the liquid charge
Solution Approach 1:
The solid second material is formulated with controlled porosity to optimize mixing with the liquid first material while maintaining ballistic stability. The porous structure allows for controlled reaction and mixing without creating vortex effects that would destabilize the projectile during ballistic flight, thus maintaining both charge flexibility and ballistic stability.
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
The design ensures safe transportation and logistics by keeping components non-explosive until mixing, maintains ballistic stability, and allows for automatic neutralization of unexploded shells, preventing their use as improvised devices.
Implementation Method 1
the closure means being able to open during firing to allow the diffusion by centrifugal effect of the first material in the second material through the porosity of the latter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a two-component explosive artillery shell (1) comprising a casing (2) containing at least two non-explosive materials (3, 4) which, after mixing, form an explosive composition. This shell is characterized in that it comprises at least one container (8) integral with the casing (2) and arranged coaxially therewith, the container delimiting an internal cavity containing a first material (3) in liquid or gel form, the wall of which is pierced by a plurality of orifices (15) which are closed by a sealing means (16), the container(s) (8) together with the casing delimiting an annular space which contains a second material (4) in solid and porous form, the sealing means (16) being capable of opening during firing to allow the diffusion by centrifugal effect of the first material (3) into the second material (4) through the porosity of the latter.