Double-Shell Explosive Charge for Enclosed Space Blast Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-explosive munitions cause significant collateral damage in urban environments, necessitating the development of more selective and efficient blast charges that can effectively target enclosed spaces while minimizing damage outside the immediate area of operation.
Innovation Solution
The production of compressible, double-shell explosive charges using granulated inorganic fuels, such as red phosphorus, combined with organic explosives and a binder system, which are processed into uniform granules for enhanced blast performance and reduced environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional high-explosive munitions are used, then blast performance is achieved, but collateral damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive charge is designed with spatially differentiated properties: a central HE core for reliable blast initiation surrounded by a fuel-rich explosive mixture that provides enhanced pressure pulse in enclosed spaces. This local differentiation allows the charge to deliver maximum effect where needed (enclosed targets) while minimizing collateral damage in urban environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite explosive structure combining conventional HE explosives (RDX, HMX, or CL-20) with inorganic fuels (aluminum powder, red phosphorus, or boron). This composite approach leverages the high fragment acceleration capacity of conventional HE while adding the pressure-enhancing effect of fuel-rich mixtures, achieving reliable blast performance with reduced collateral damage through optimized composition ratios.
2Reliability
If fuel-containing explosive mixtures are used, then blast performance is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive charge is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a central HE bursting core and an outer fuel-containing explosive mixture shell. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining enhanced blast performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the oxygen balance parameter by adjusting the ratio of HE explosive to inorganic fuel within specific ranges (fuel content: 1-40 wt%, oxygen balance: -10% to +10%). This parameter optimization ensures reliable blast performance across different configurations while simplifying manufacturing by providing clear compositional guidelines.
3Stress or pressure
If inorganic fuels are added to HE explosives, then pressure pulse is amplified, but mixture homogeneity becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The inorganic fuel is concentrated in the outer shell region rather than being uniformly distributed throughout the entire charge. This local concentration ensures high pressure pulse amplification in the fuel-rich zone while simplifying mixture preparation, as the HE core can be manufactured separately with standard homogeneity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where inorganic fuel particles are dispersed in the HE explosive matrix within the outer shell. This composite approach maintains mixture homogeneity through controlled dispersion while achieving pressure pulse amplification through the fuel-oxidizer reaction in the optimized composition zone.
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
These charges provide a cost-effective, efficient, and safer blast effect with reduced risk of collateral damage by amplifying pressure pulses in enclosed spaces, suitable for infantry applications like hand grenades and man-portable mortars, while avoiding the use of expensive or hard-to-source materials.
Implementation Method 1
The blast performance of explosive charges can usually be recorded in the form of the pressure pulse. An increase in the pressure impulse under given conditions (free field or enclosed space) can be achieved by increasing the peak pressure to be achieved
Implementation Method 2
A thermal, pressure-increasing effect for the RDX-Al system that can be derived from the explosion temperature of the reaction products can be found
Implementation Method 3
The blast performance of explosive charges can usually be recorded in the form of the pressure pulse
Implementation Method 4
mixtures of inorganic fuels - plus, if necessary, inorganic oxidizing agents - in conjunction with organic explosives
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a mechanical explosive substance mixture which is to be processed using pressing techniques and which consists of a granular fuel or a granular pyrotechnic mixture, a desensitised explosive agent and graphite. The method is safe, efficient, flexible and cost-effective and thus makes it possible to provide fuel-containing explosive substance mixtures in wide composition ranges for use in infantry ammunition such as hand grenades or ammunition for man-portable mortars. The granular fuel or granular pyrotechnic mixture is produced separately in a fluidised bed process or a multi-stage kneading, granulating and fabricating process, is fractionated to a grain size of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm and, adding graphite, is then mixed mechanically with available grades of desensitised explosive agents and processed using pressing techniques.