Blast Simulator Actuator Device with Mechanical Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blast simulators are complex and cost-intensive, with challenges in synchronously activating multiple actuators and accurately reproducing pressure wave curves, limiting the effectiveness of simulations for validating structural integrity against explosive events.
Innovation Solution
An actuator device comprising a first linear actuator with a piston connected to an impact mass, where a second actuator applies a biasing force to initiate acceleration mechanically, allowing for precise control and synchronization through a mechanical connecting element that can be released to decelerate the piston and detach the impact mass, optionally using an explosive charge for immediate acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actuators with valve control are used to accelerate impact masses, then the blast simulator can apply controlled loads to structures, but the device complexity increases and synchronous activation becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control function into two independent parts: a control actuator that manages timing and synchronization through mechanical connection, and multiple effect actuators that execute the acceleration. This segmentation allows the control actuator to synchronize all impact masses mechanically while the effect actuators independently perform their acceleration functions, resolving the contradiction between synchronous activation accuracy and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the control actuator and the effect actuators. This intermediary transmits the synchronization signal mechanically from the control actuator to all effect actuators simultaneously, ensuring accurate synchronous activation without requiring complex electronic valve control systems for each actuator.
2Reliability
If real explosions are used for validation instead of blast simulators, then the test results can be considered authentic, but the costs increase and repeatability becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a controlled copy of the explosion effect using impact masses accelerated by actuators to generate shock waves that replicate explosive loading conditions. This copying approach maintains test result authenticity by reproducing the essential characteristics of real explosions while enabling repeated testing under identical controlled conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between authenticity and repeatability.
3Ease of operation
If valve control is used to activate multiple actuators, then the activation can be controlled, but the synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electronic valve control with a mechanical coupling mechanism that directly transmits motion from a control actuator to multiple effect actuators. This mechanical substitution ensures that all effect actuators are activated simultaneously with high precision since they are physically connected through the coupling mechanism, eliminating the timing delays and synchronization errors inherent in valve control systems while maintaining ease of operation through the control actuator.
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 configuration simplifies the blast simulator setup, enables precise reproduction of pressure wave curves, and allows for well-controlled blast-like loads on structural specimens, improving the quality and synchronization of simulations.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing force can advantageously be applied to the piston via a biasing means in the direction of the structure
Implementation Method 2
It is further imaginable to provide an explosive charge at the connecting element
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention discloses an actuator device for a blast simulator comprising a first actuator which serves for accelerating an impact mass, and comprising a second actuator by which the first actuator is biased. The two actuators are mechanically connected to each other and are also mechanically separated from each other so as to trigger the first actuator and to accelerate the impact mass.