Blast Inhibiting Blanket for Explosive Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mitigating explosive blasts, such as using sandbags or superabsorbent polymer bags, are inefficient in extinguishing flames and reducing shock waves, require a large number of heavy components, and are time-consuming to deploy, especially for small explosives like backpack or suitcase-sized devices.
Innovation Solution
A blast inhibiting blanket with water-permeable outer layers and a superabsorbent polymer core, arranged as a dome or box around the explosive, is wetted to convert the blast wave into a high-pressure water vapor mist, extinguishing the flame and reflecting the shock wave to cancel it out, using lightweight and compact components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sandbags are piled onto the explosive to mitigate the blast, then the shock wave effect is reduced by weight, but the flame is not extinguished and a large number of heavy sandbags are required which are time-consuming to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of water from liquid to high-pressure vapor through compression by the blast wave, creating a mist that rapidly extinguishes flames. This phase change enables the system to address both flame extinction and shock wave mitigation simultaneously without requiring heavy sandbags
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses water as a hydraulic medium that, when compressed by the blast wave, generates high-pressure water vapor mist. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism replaces the need for heavy sandbags while effectively mitigating both flame and shock wave effects
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a large number of sandbags are used to reduce shock wave pressure, then the blast effect is mitigated, but the system becomes heavy and requires remote storage and time-consuming arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses lightweight components (blanket and water) that undergo parameter changes under blast compression. The water transforms into high-pressure vapor mist, providing effective shock wave mitigation without the weight penalty of sandbags
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor under compression. This phase change occurs rapidly when the blast wave compresses the water-filled blanket, creating a mist that mitigates shock wave pressure without requiring heavy materials
3Object-affected harmful factors
If superabsorbent polymer bags are placed over the explosive and wetted to increase weight, then blast containment is improved, but a significant number of bags are required which may not be conveniently to hand
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple bags into a single blanket structure. The blanket design with distributed water retention capability provides equivalent or superior blast containment to multiple bags, reducing the quantity of components needed and improving availability
Solution Approach 2:
The blanket undergoes parameter changes when wetted, increasing its water content and mass. This enables a single blanket to provide sufficient blast containment that would otherwise require multiple bags, reducing the quantity of components needed
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the blanket is arranged spaced apart from the explosive at a distance of at least twice the width of the explosive, then the blast wave can compress the blanket to create high-pressure water vapor mist, but the structural damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful blast wave energy into a beneficial effect. The blast wave compresses the water in the blanket to create high-pressure vapor mist that extinguishes flames and mitigates the shock wave, transforming the harmful explosion energy into a protective mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The water-filled blanket acts as an intermediary between the explosive and the surrounding environment. It absorbs and transforms the blast wave energy through compression, creating water vapor mist that protects against both flame and shock wave effects
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 method effectively inhibits explosions by rapidly extinguishing flames and reducing shock wave impact, using readily available lightweight components, and achieves greater inhibition than traditional methods with heavier materials.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent core comprising an absorbent crystalline material which is a superabsorbent polymer
Implementation Method 2
the blast wave compresses the blast inhibiting blanket which converts the water retained within the blanket into a high pressure water vapour mist within the frame
Implementation Method 3
the blast wave compresses the blast inhibiting blanket which converts the water retained within the blanket
Implementation Method 4
said high pressure water vapour mist rapidly extinguishing the flame so preventing the explosion from developing
Implementation Method 5
the blast wave is reflected off the sides of the blast inhibiting blanket back towards the explosive so that when the blast wave meets itself it partially cancels itself out
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 3(c)~3(d)
AI summary
A method of inhibiting a blast from an explosive (7) comprising the steps of (a) providing a blast inhibiting blanket (1), the blast inhibiting blanket (1) comprising first and second water porous outer layers (2, 3) and an absorbent core /4) sandwiched therebetween, said absorbent core (4) comprising an absorbent crystalline material and an absorbent fibrous material; (b) arranging the blast inhibiting blanket ( 1) to cover the explosive (7) but spaced apart therefrom; and, (c) wetting the blast inhibiting blanket (1) either before or after arranging the blanket (1) to cover the explosive (7).