Countermeasure Starting Ring Mechanical Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current countermeasure systems require costly and heavy modifications to carriers for automatic deployment, and not all carriers have specific launch systems, limiting the use of advanced countermeasures that are designed to prevent manual start-ups to ensure safety.

Innovation Solution

An automatic starting system using a starting strap with an inhibition device that activates the countermeasure's starting ring mechanically, allowing manual deployment from a distance without electrical or pneumatic energy, and without modifying the carrier, by simulating the launch sequence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automatic starting systems with electrical or pneumatic energy input are used, then countermeasure deployment is reliable and safe, but carrier modification becomes heavy and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecountermeasure deployment reliabilityVSAvoidcarrier modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical or pneumatic starting systems with a purely mechanical starting mechanism. The starting ring with inhibition device and strap assembly eliminates the need for complex electrical wiring, pneumatic lines, and associated control systems on the carrier, while maintaining reliable mechanical activation of the countermeasure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the energy input requirement from the carrier system and relocates it to a simple manual operation on the countermeasure itself. The operator directly manipulates the inhibition device and strap on the countermeasure, removing the need for integrated carrier-based electrical or pneumatic power systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If manual throwing of countermeasures is used, then no carrier modification is needed, but operator safety is compromised due to risk of untimely triggering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier system complexityVSAvoidoperator safety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inhibition device is designed to prevent premature activation of the starting ring during handling and deployment. The mechanical inhibition mechanism ensures that the countermeasure cannot accidentally trigger before the operator intentionally removes the inhibition, eliminating the safety risks associated with manual throwing while keeping the system simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If advanced countermeasures with prevented manual start-up are used, then operator safety is improved, but adaptability to various carriers is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidcarrier compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical starting system with inhibition device is designed to be universally compatible with various carrier types without requiring carrier-specific modifications. The self-contained nature of the starting mechanism allows the same countermeasure to be deployed from different platforms (surface vessels, submarines, aircraft) while maintaining safety features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the use of advanced countermeasures on any carrier, ensuring operator safety during manual release and allowing deployment from various platforms like aircraft and ships without energy input other than mechanical, thus optimizing safety and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

produce physical conditions chosen from a list including pressure, temperature, and mechanical contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The starter ring 3 can also be provided with a pressurized gas container, the release of the contents of which over an area predefined by the arrangement of the starting ring 3 around the countermeasure 1 is controlled by the withdrawal of the inhibition device 6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3997413B1System for automatically starting a countermeasure and countermeasure comprising such a system
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 NAVAL GRP
  • EP3997413B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3997413B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3997413B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for automatically starting a countermeasure (1) launched from a carrier (2), characterized in that the countermeasure is equipped with a starting ring (3) arranged to produce physical conditions selected from a list comprising pressure, temperature and a mechanical contact, according to a sequence capable of activating the countermeasure.