Charged-Particle Intercalated Graphite EMP Generator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-nuclear techniques for generating electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) are not suitable for compact delivery and are prone to attenuation losses due to the need for distant deployment, making them expensive and massive, while nuclear techniques are unsuitable for situations requiring limited blast energy or thermal radiation.

Innovation Solution

A device using charged-particle intercalated graphite and non-nuclear explosive materials to liberate and accelerate charged particles, producing electromagnetic energy, which can be tuned using a resonant cavity to amplify specific frequencies, allowing for a compact, low-cost EMP munition that can be delivered close to targets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If non-nuclear techniques (large capacitor bank, microwave generator) are used to generate EMPs, then EMP generation is achieved without nuclear radiation, but the devices become massive, expensive, and require substantial distance from targets causing attenuation losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenuclear radiationVSAvoiddevice mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and parameters of charged particles by intercalating them into graphite structure, then using explosive shock to liberate and accelerate them. This transforms the generation mechanism from requiring massive capacitor banks to using compact explosive-driven particle acceleration, resolving the contradiction between avoiding nuclear radiation and reducing device mass

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic/mechanical capacitor bank discharge system with a chemically-driven explosive system that directly accelerates charged particles. This substitution eliminates the need for massive electrical equipment while maintaining EMP generation capability, addressing both the radiation avoidance and mass reduction requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If non-nuclear techniques are deployed from substantial distance from targets, then safety and operational flexibility are improved, but attenuation losses increase requiring highly directive technologies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidattenuation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic, compact EMP generation system that can be delivered close to targets rather than being stationary. The explosive-driven charged particle acceleration mechanism enables portable deployment while maintaining high energy output, allowing flexible positioning near targets to minimize attenuation losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates charged particles into the graphite structure in advance, preparing the system for immediate EMP generation upon explosive initiation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for large external power supplies and complex directive antennas, enabling compact portable deployment close to targets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If nuclear bombs are used to generate EMPs, then high energy output is achieved, but substantial blast energy, thermal energy, and nuclear radiation are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy outputVSAvoidblast energy and thermal energy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the electromagnetic pulse generation function from the nuclear bomb system by using separate charged particle sources accelerated by explosives. This separation eliminates the harmful blast and thermal effects of nuclear explosions while retaining the desired EMP output, resolving the contradiction between power and harmful factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables efficient generation of EMPs with reduced attenuation, allowing for effective targeting with a compact, low-cost device that can be integrated into munitions, effectively damaging electronic components by amplifying specific frequencies like microwaves.

Implementation Method 1

releasing charged particles from charged-particle intercalated graphite responsive to detonation of one or more explosive materials proximate to the charged-particle intercalated graphite

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 2

emitting, by the released charged particles, electromagnetic energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation from accelerated charged particles: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10088278B1Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generation

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An apparatus includes charged-particle intercalated graphite. The apparatus additionally includes one or more explosive materials disposed within a region defined by the charged-particle intercalated graphite.