Dual Coil Inductive Energy Generator for Munitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current setback generators (SBGs) are unable to meet the increasing energy demands of advanced small- to medium-caliber munitions, as they typically produce limited energy, around 5 mJ, which is insufficient for modern sophisticated fuze and guidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual coil inductive energy generator is designed, where a pair of coils circumscribe a magnet assembly held in place by a retainer, such as a shear disc, which releases upon acceleration, allowing the magnet to move through the coils and generate inductive energy, with the option of coils being connected in series or parallel, and energy stored in external capacitors for fuze and guidance electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single coil configuration is used in traditional SBGs, then the device complexity is low, but the energy output is limited to around 5 mJ which is insufficient for advanced munitions
Solution Approach 1:
The single coil is divided into two separate coils that can be independently wound and connected. Each coil can be optimized for specific parameters (turns, gauge, winding direction) to maximize energy output. The segmentation allows the system to achieve over 8 mJ energy output by combining the output of two coils while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized coil assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
Two coils are combined in series or parallel configurations within the same magnetic field environment. The coils work together to capture energy from the magnet's movement, merging their individual outputs to achieve the required energy density. This combining approach multiplies the energy capture capability without proportionally increasing the device volume.
2Reliability
If the magnet assembly is released without a retainer, then the energy generation response time is faster, but the SBG activates during handling or dropping before mission deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-configured in a locked position that physically constrains the magnet assembly before deployment. This preliminary constraint ensures the magnet remains in its initial position during handling and storage. Upon deployment, the retainer is designed to release at a predetermined trigger point, ensuring reliable activation only when intended while maintaining safety during prior handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the magnet assembly and the external environment. It mediates the interaction by providing controlled restraint during handling while allowing controlled release during mission activation. The retainer translates handling forces into maintained constraint while translating deployment forces into controlled release, solving the contradiction between safety and responsiveness.
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 dual coil setup effectively produces energy exceeding the limitations of traditional SBGs, achieving energy outputs of over 8 mJ, meeting the demands of advanced munitions while minimizing volume, as validated by airgun experiments.
Implementation Method 1
a coil assembly of a pair of coils circumscribing a magnet assembly that is held in a first position until, upon an acceleration event, the magnet moves from the first position to a second position, which imparts inductive energy into the coils
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for generating energy and a method of operating the apparatus to generate energy, where the apparatus comprises a coil assembly of a pair of coils circumscribing a magnet assembly that is held in a first position until, upon an acceleration event, the magnet moves from the first position to a second position, which imparts inductive energy into the coils.