Electronically Triggered Diversionary Device for Low-Smoke Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional noise-flash diversionary devices (NFDDs or flash bangs) are inefficient, unreliable, unsafe, and cumbersome due to their chemical instability, reliance on antiquated fuses, and inability to operate in adverse conditions, leading to misfires, excessive smoke, and damage to surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A novel design featuring a mechanical architecture with an integrated electronic fuse, frangible cartridges, and a bi-directional blast ramp, along with a simplified analog circuit, which ensures precise timing, efficient chemical reaction, reduced weight, and improved safety, allowing remote triggering and operation in wet conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chemical delay fuse (M201A1) is used to initiate the reaction, then the device can be mechanically actuated, but the device suffers from misfires, dangerous hang fires, and cannot be remotely triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical M201A1 fuse system with an electronic firing system comprising an electronic delay circuit, electronic switch, and electric primer. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of mechanical fuses while enabling remote electronic triggering capability, directly resolving both the reliability and adaptability contradictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the triggering parameter from mechanical actuation to electrical signaling. By using an electronic delay circuit with adjustable timing and an electric primer activated by electrical current, the system achieves both reliable operation and versatility in triggering methods, including remote wireless triggering.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional NFDD design is used, then the device can generate flash and sound, but it generates vast amounts of smoke that completely obscures the vision of the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the flash powder, using a optimized mixture of aluminum powder, potassium perchlorate, and iron powder in specific ratios. This formulation achieves complete combustion with minimal smoke while maintaining high flash brightness, resolving the contradiction between harmful smoke generation and required illumination intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs potassium perchlorate as a strong oxidizer that enables complete and rapid oxidation of the aluminum and iron powders. This accelerated oxidation ensures thorough combustion with minimal unburned residues and smoke, while producing the required intense flash brightness.
3Power
If conventional NFDD design is used, then the device can provide decibel output and over pressure, but it is heavier and larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials including lightweight aluminum alloy for the housing, optimized propellant formulations with higher energy density, and efficient structural design. These composite materials and formulations deliver the required decibel output and overpressure while significantly reducing the overall device weight compared to conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the energy density parameters of the explosive composition by using fine-powder aluminum and potassium perchlorate in controlled ratios. This increases the energy output per unit mass, enabling high decibel levels with reduced material quantity and device weight.
4Reliability
If conventional NFDD design is used, then the device can detonate, but it will not detonate in wet or rainy conditions due to moisture damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a moisture-proof environment by sealing the electronic components and propellant chambers with waterproof coatings and gaskets. This inert protection against moisture enables reliable detonation in wet or rainy conditions while maintaining the required timing accuracy and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the environmental resistance parameters by applying hydrophobic coatings to the cardboard sleeve and using corrosion-resistant materials for metal components. These modifications maintain the structural integrity and chemical stability of the device in humid conditions, ensuring reliable operation.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If NFDD releases burning flash powder parallel to the floor, then the device can be simple in design, but it causes secondary fragmentation and ignition of flammable objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redirects the exhaust path from a horizontal orientation parallel to the floor to a vertical orientation pointing upward. This dimensional change in the exhaust direction eliminates secondary fragmentation and prevents ignition of flammable objects on the ground, while the controlled vertical discharge manages complexity through optimized nozzle design.
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 solution provides a reliable, lightweight, and efficient NFDD with minimal smoke and unburned particles, capable of generating high sound and light output while protecting against secondary fragmentation and fire, enhancing user safety and operational versatility.
Implementation Method 1
An electronic timing circuit protected by the cap and configured to generate a pre-defined timing delay, activate an electric primer
Implementation Method 2
activate an electric primer which subsequently ejects energetic powder materials from the device creating an explosion in free space
Implementation Method 3
The pivotable gate has a first position that provides an open channel to a first exhaust port and a second position that provides an open channel to a second exhaust port
Implementation Method 4
Disposed within the cap is a trigger switch and spring wherein the spring is part of the electrical timing circuit
Implementation Method 5
The cartridge assemblies include multiple cartridges containing a mixture of energetic material and a breakaway hermetic seal. The multiple cartridges are encased in an elastomeric coating configured to uniformly distribute internal pressures occurring during detonation
Data Source
AI summary
A single use diversionary device having a semi-hollow barrel with a closed first end forming a pressure-resistant bulkhead and a second open end that receives one or more powder filled cartridge assemblies. A pivotable gate is mounted at the second open end of the barrel and configured to direct an explosion in more than one direction. A cap containing electronic delay circuitry is attached to the first closed end.