Combustive Dome Cover for Guided Munition Seeker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guided munition dome cover deployment systems produce sizable debris upon deployment, which can cause foreign object damage and are limited by the need for timing electronics or control devices, and do not allow for prelaunch target verification.

Innovation Solution

A combustive dome cover system that includes an inner combustive liner and an outer inert layer, designed to combust upon deployment, minimizing debris production and capable of self-deployment during flight without electronic aids, and allowing for prelaunch deployment upon ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional dome cover deployment systems are used, then the dome cover can be removed to expose the seeker dome, but sizable debris is produced causing foreign object damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedome cover removalVSAvoiddebris production

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dome cover material composition is changed from conventional frangible materials to a combustive material formulation that undergoes controlled combustion upon deployment, transforming the physical state and energy release characteristics to minimize debris while maintaining deployment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of debris production is converted into a beneficial controlled combustion process that completely consumes the dome cover material, transforming what would be harmful debris into harmless combustion byproducts and eliminating the foreign object damage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of time

If timing electronics or control devices are used for dome cover deployment, then deployment timing can be controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment timing controlVSAvoidtiming electronics and control devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dome cover is designed with self-service deployment capability through its combustive material properties, allowing it to automatically deploy at the appropriate time based on environmental conditions or ignition signals without requiring external timing electronics or complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical and electronic control system is replaced with a chemical-based combustion mechanism that inherently provides timing control through its reaction characteristics, eliminating the need for complex electronic timing devices while maintaining precise deployment control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dome cover is deployed immediately prior to launch, then prelaunch target verification is enabled, but deployment timing must be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprelaunch target verification capabilityVSAvoiddeployment timing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dome cover deployment is integrated into the prelaunch preparation sequence, allowing target verification to occur before launch while the combustive material's inherent reaction time provides natural timing precision without requiring additional control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 combustive dome cover system effectively reduces debris, enables self-deployment during flight, and allows for prelaunch target verification by combusting into low-risk, low-FOD reaction byproducts, minimizing damage to nearby objects and enabling lock-on before launch capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The combustive dome cover is configured to uncover the seeker dome at a predetermined time of deployment and to combust when so deployed to minimize the production of debris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

coupling a heating feature to the combustive dome cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8445823B2Guided munition systems including combustive dome covers and methods for equipping guided munitions with the same

Publication Date: 2013.05.21 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Embodiments of a guided munition system are provided, as are embodiments of a combustive dome cover and methods for equipping a guided munition with a combustive dome cover. In one embodiment, the guided munition system includes a guided munition, which has a munition body and a seeker dome coupled thereto, and a combustive dome cover disposed over the seeker dome. The combustive dome cover is configured to uncover the seeker dome at a predetermined time of deployment and to combust when so deployed to minimize the production of debris.