Projectile Launching Device Buffer Member Shock Wave Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projectile launching devices using high explosives for achieving high velocities or hypervelocities often result in unstable projectile flight and inefficient energy transfer, leading to potential spalling or breakup of the flyer due to high tensile shockwaves.
Innovation Solution
A projectile launching device comprising a reactive driver, a buffer member, and a flyer, where the buffer member modifies the detonation shockwave to generate a modified shockwave that is transmitted directly to the flyer, ensuring stable propulsion and reducing the risk of spalling by maintaining a lower shock impedance than the detonation wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a reactive driver directly propels the flyer using detonation shock wave, then high velocity propulsion is achieved, but the flyer experiences high tensile shockwaves causing spalling or breakup
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the reactive driver and the flyer. The buffer member has a shock impedance lower than that of the flyer, which modifies the detonation shock wave to reduce tensile stresses and prevent flyer spalling while maintaining efficient momentum transfer for high-velocity propulsion
2Speed
If high explosives are used to achieve hypervelocity, then propulsion speed increases, but energy transfer efficiency decreases due to unstable flight
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member serves as a mediator that stabilizes the interaction between the explosive shock wave and the flyer, ensuring more consistent and efficient energy transfer. This results in stable flyer flight and reduced energy losses while achieving hypervelocity propulsion
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member's shock impedance is specifically selected to be lower than that of the flyer, creating optimal conditions for shock wave transmission and momentum transfer. This parameter optimization ensures efficient energy transfer from the reactive driver to the flyer
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 device achieves stable high-velocity or hypervelocity propulsion of the flyer, maintaining structural integrity and ensuring reliable impact on targets with pressures exceeding 20 GPa, capable of penetrating and perforating materials effectively.
Implementation Method 1
When detonated, the reactive driver will generate a detonation shock wave
Implementation Method 2
transmit the modified shock wave directly to the flyer to thereby propel the flyer away from the buffer member
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile launching device includes a reactive driver, a flyer housing, a flyer and a compressible buffer member. When detonated, the reactive driver will generate a detonation shock wave. The flyer housing defines a bore. The flyer is disposed in the bore and has a rear surface. The buffer member is interposed between the reactive driver and the flyer. The buffer member has a front surface in direct contact with the rear surface of the flyer. The buffer member is configured and arranged to: receive the detonation shock wave from the reactive driver; modify the detonation shock wave to generate a modified shock wave; and transmit the modified shock wave directly to the flyer to thereby propel the flyer away from the buffer member.