Collapsible Linear Shaped Charge Frame for Compact Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
User-fillable linear shaped charges are bulky and awkward to transport and store due to their rigid assembly.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible frame design that allows the charge to be configured between an un-collapsed state for assembly and a collapsed state for compact storage and transport, featuring a void for explosive material with a stand-off distance and structural support elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid assembly is used for user-fillable linear shaped charges, then the charge can be assembled and detonated, but it becomes bulky and awkward to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed to be collapsible between an un-collapsed state for assembly and a collapsed state for storage and transport. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to provide adequate volume for explosive material during assembly while minimizing volume during transport, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and transport volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into multiple plates (first plate, second plate, and base assembly) that can be articulated relative to each other. This segmentation enables the frame to collapse into a compact configuration for transport while maintaining structural integrity for assembly, addressing both the ease of assembly and reduced transport volume requirements.
2Volume of moving object
If the frame is collapsed to reduce storage and transport volume, then compactness is improved, but the void for explosive material must be free of explosive material to allow collapsing
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into collapsible plates that can be folded without explosive material present. This segmentation allows the structure to be transported in a compact collapsed state and then easily expanded at the assembly location, reducing storage volume while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is pre-configured in a collapsed state for transport, and the explosive material is added later at the assembly location. This preliminary preparation of the frame structure in its most compact form eliminates the need to transport explosive material, reducing storage volume while simplifying the overall assembly process.
3Manufacturing precision
If the first surface is angled at greater than 180° in the un-collapsed state, then the void geometry is optimized for charge assembly, but the frame becomes more difficult to collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The frame utilizes dynamic articulation between plates that allows the void geometry to be precisely configured at greater than 180° angles during assembly, while the same dynamic mechanism enables easy collapsing by simply changing the articulation angles. This resolves the contradiction by making the geometry both precise and collapsible through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The angles between plates are changed as a parameter during the collapsing process. By systematically adjusting the articulation angles between the first plate, second plate, and base assembly, the frame transitions from the precise greater than 180° configuration needed for assembly to a compact collapsed state, maintaining both geometric precision and collapsing ease.
Data Source
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AI summary
A frame for a linear shaped charge. In examples, the frame comprises: a first plate having a first surface; and a second plate having a second surface. The frame is configurable between an un-collapsed state and a collapsed state. In the un-collapsed state, there is a void for receipt of explosive material, with the first surface as a first side of the void, the second surface as a second side of the void, and the first surface angled relative to the second surface by an angle within the void of greater than 180º. In the collapsed state the void is at least partly collapsed.