Bullet Trap Support Structures for Structural Integrity and Path Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bullet trap systems often suffer from structural instability, particularly at the mouth and throat areas, leading to potential collapse and increased risk of projectile deflection or escape, as well as lateral movement of projectiles due to cross-firing, causing damage to containment units and accumulation of melted metal fragments.
Innovation Solution
The bullet trap system incorporates strategically placed support structures, such as adjustable bolts and fin extension elements, to maintain an unblocked projectile path and prevent lateral movement, while also featuring sidewalls and accessibility hatches for easy maintenance and removal of fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vertically-disposed support elements are added to the mouth and throat areas, then structural integrity is improved, but projectile path blockage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures are segmented into multiple discrete vertically-disposed elements distributed throughout the mouth and throat areas, rather than using continuous blocking structures. This segmentation allows the path to remain open while providing localized structural reinforcement where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertically-disposed support elements are strategically positioned at specific locations within the mouth and throat areas where structural reinforcement is most needed, rather than uniformly throughout. This local placement provides targeted strength improvement without creating unnecessary obstructions to the projectile path.
2Reliability
If sidewalls are added to prevent lateral movement of projectiles, then containment effectiveness is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex three-dimensional sidewall structures, the patent uses fin extension elements that extend laterally from the deceleration chamber in a controlled manner. This dimensional approach provides lateral containment by directing projectiles downward into the collection chamber without requiring full sidewall enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential containment function from complex sidewall structures and implements it through simpler fin extension elements that only extend far enough to redirect lateral-moving projectiles into the collection chamber, removing unnecessary structural complexity.
3Ease of repair
If the deceleration chamber is made accessible for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The deceleration chamber is segmented with removable sections that can be accessed for maintenance. These sections are designed to be removable and reattachable, allowing maintenance personnel to access the interior for cleaning and inspection while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the chamber when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The deceleration chamber incorporates dynamic accessibility through removable sections that can be opened when maintenance is needed and closed when operational. This dynamic design allows the structure to transition between a fully enclosed state for structural integrity and an accessible state for maintenance.
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 solution enhances structural integrity, minimizes projectile escape and lateral movement, reduces damage to containment units, and allows for effective cleaning and maintenance of the deceleration chamber, ensuring safer and more efficient projectile containment.
Implementation Method 1
the fin extension element redirects a path of the projectile so that the projectile bounces off the fin extension element and toward the collection chamber
Implementation Method 2
until it loses its momentum and falls, by gravity, through an aperture into a collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Bullet trap systems receive projectiles fired thereinto and allow for the recovery of the projectiles. Specifically, the bullet trap systems include strategically-placed support structures for ensuring that the projectile entry path remains unblocked and further includes sidewalls in the projectile containment units to prevent traveling of projectiles within the projectile containment units to prevent or minimize damage within the projectile containment units. Moreover, one or more accessibility hatches may be provided to allow individuals to gain access to the interior of the bullet trap systems.