Directed Shock Wave Sea Mine Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sea mines are large and heavy, limiting their number that can be carried by mine laying vessels, and they do not efficiently utilize explosive energy to maximize damage effects.
Innovation Solution
The development of sea mines that focus detonation waves to form a directed shock wave or shock beam, using explosion lenses and controlled detonation structures to concentrate energy density on a target vessel, allowing for directional detonation based on sensor data and propulsion systems to adjust the mine's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sea mines use large explosive charges to maximize damage, then destructive power is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive charge is shaped to concentrate energy in a specific direction rather than radiating uniformly in all directions. The directional blast capability focuses the harmful effect on the target vessel while reducing the total explosive material needed, thereby decreasing weight while maintaining destructive power.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from omnidirectional spherical explosion to directional conical explosion by shaping the charge. This dimensional change in energy distribution allows the mine to achieve comparable destructive power with less explosive material, reducing overall weight and size.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sea mines use large explosive charges to maximize damage, then destructive power is improved, but volume and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating explosive energy in a directional cone rather than distributing it spherically, the mine achieves high destructive power with a smaller total charge. This reduces the volume required for the explosive compartment and overall mine structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped charge creates a conical explosion pattern instead of spherical, effectively directing energy in one dimension while reducing energy waste in other directions. This dimensional optimization reduces the volume of explosive material needed for equivalent destructive effect.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional sea mines radiate explosive energy spherically, then coverage area is maximized, but energy density at target decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped charge concentrates explosive energy into a focused directional beam rather than dispersing it uniformly. This creates high energy density at the target location while accepting reduced coverage in other directions, optimizing energy utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes from spherical (3D omnidirectional) energy radiation to conical (directional) energy concentration. This dimensional transformation focuses energy along a specific trajectory, achieving superior energy density at the target at the expense of omnidirectional coverage.
4Ease of operation
If sea mines are made lighter and smaller, then handling and storage capacity are improved, but destructive power may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped charge design concentrates explosive energy efficiently in a directional pattern, maximizing the destructive effect per unit of explosive material. This allows smaller, lighter mines to achieve comparable destructive power to conventional larger mines through superior energy concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning to directional conical explosion geometry, the mine achieves higher energy efficiency, allowing reduction in explosive charge size and overall mine weight while maintaining or enhancing destructive capability at the target.
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
This approach results in a cone-shaped shock wave with higher energy density at the target, enabling smaller and lighter sea mines with comparable destructive power, making them easier to handle and store in larger quantities.
Implementation Method 1
The initial shock wave is imparted to the water from the detonation and travels in the water with the speed of sound as a thin high pressure front
Implementation Method 2
The correct direction can be defined based on normal influence mine sensor data and the shock beam can be directed at the target by various different means described later on in this specification
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention provides a sea mine (100) that can detect the direction of a target and produce a directed explosion towards the target. The sea mine (100) comprises at least a detector arrangement (640) for detection of a vessel, a control unit (640) for determining the direction of a detected vessel, an arrangement (640) for producing a directed Shock wave, and an arrangement (630, 631) for directing a shock wave towards the direction of a detected vessel.