Aircraft Countermeasure Sequencer for Multi-Source Expendable Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS) are limited by having only two fire sources operating at a 50% duty cycle, restricting the rate at which expendables can be fired and being unable to adapt to different expendables requiring varying voltages, while also being susceptible to misfires due to undesired electrical pulses.
Innovation Solution
A sequencer system with multiple fire sources, programmable logic, and digital-to-analog converters that generate customizable firing waveforms for various expendables, allowing for simultaneous or sequential firing of multiple expendables and reducing misfire risks by adapting to different voltage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only two fire sources are used operating at 50% duty cycle, then the system is simpler, but the firing rate of expendables is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the firing function into multiple independent fire sources (at least three), each capable of operating independently. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential firing of multiple expendables, increasing the overall firing rate without requiring a single complex high-power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a programmable sequencer that prepares and coordinates firing sequences in advance. The sequencer can pre-program multiple expendables to fire simultaneously or in rapid succession, enabling high firing rates without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex real-time control logic.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single current source is used, then the system is simpler, but it cannot adapt to different expendables requiring different voltages
Solution Approach 1:
Each fire source is designed with programmable voltage output capabilities, allowing a single fire source to serve multiple types of expendables with different voltage requirements. The sequencer can configure each fire source to output the appropriate voltage for the connected expendable, making the system universally compatible with various expendable types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses programmable logic to dynamically adjust the output voltage of each fire source based on the specific expendable being fired. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to switch between different voltage levels and firing sequences without physical reconfiguration, enhancing versatility while maintaining a fixed hardware architecture.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If simple fire sources are used, then the system is more reliable against misfire, but the duty cycle is limited to 50%
Solution Approach 1:
With at least three fire sources capable of operating independently, the system can maintain continuous firing capability without requiring 50% duty cycle limitations. While one fire source is cooling down or resetting, others can continue to fire expendables, ensuring continuous operational capability and eliminating the duty cycle bottleneck.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates multiple fire sources as a form of redundancy and fail-safe mechanism. If one fire source experiences a misfire or requires extended cooling time, other fire sources are available to compensate, cushioning against the reliability issues that would otherwise force duty cycle limitations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adaptable fire sources are implemented, then firing flexibility increases, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable sequencer acts as an intermediary between the control system and multiple fire sources. It manages the complexity of coordinating multiple adaptable fire sources by providing a unified control interface and internal logic that handles voltage matching, timing sequences, and fire source selection, shielding the user from the underlying system complexity.
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
Enables higher firing rates and adaptability to different expendables, reducing misfire occurrences and enhancing the effectiveness of countermeasure dispensing in aircraft defense systems.
Implementation Method 1
an output analog signal from the circuit card assembly that fires the expendable, wherein parameters of the output analog signal correspond to parameters of a digital waveform
Data Source
AI summary
A sequencer for use with a countermeasure defense system includes an input signal indicative of firing an expendable, a circuit card that receives the input signal indicative of firing the expendable and an output analog signal from the circuit card that fires the expendable. The parameters of the output analog signal correspond to parameters of a digital waveform.