Elliptical Shape Disrupter for Net Support Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current net support systems are not compatible with all systems, produce significant noise and thermal/radar signatures, buckle under normal conditions, are difficult to recover and repack, and are heavy, with existing shape disrupters being non-stackable and having a large, circular, flat shape that increases thermal and radar signatures.
Innovation Solution
A shape disrupter with an elliptical body that tapers outwardly, featuring a central portion for support pole reception, interlocking projections for stacking, and protrusions for net gripping, made of non-conductive, non-metallic materials to reduce thermal and radar signatures, allowing for lightweight, easy deployment and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circular, flat shape disrupters are used, then net support function is provided, but size, weight, and thermal signature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by transitioning from flat, circular shape disrupters to three-dimensional spherical shape disrupters. This curvature transformation reduces the overall volume and weight while maintaining the net support function, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by enabling shape disrupters to stack vertically within each other when not in use. This nested configuration reduces storage volume and facilitates compact packing, resolving the contradiction between maintaining support functionality and reducing size/weight for portability.
2Reliability
If circular, flat shape disrupters are used, then net support function is provided, but thermal signature and radar signature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry inherently reduces thermal and radar signatures compared to flat surfaces by minimizing heat retention and radar reflection areas. This curvature principle directly addresses the harmful thermal signature while maintaining the net support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters from flat two-dimensional circles to three-dimensional spheres, fundamentally altering the surface area-to-volume ratio and thermal mass. This parameter transformation reduces thermal signature and radar detectability while preserving structural support capability.
3Reliability
If non-stackable shape disrupters are used, then net support function is provided, but storage volume and recovery difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by designing shape disrupters with vertical stacking capability where multiple units can be nested within each other during storage and transport. This directly reduces storage volume and facilitates easier recovery and repacking while maintaining the net support function during deployment.
4Strength
If metallic materials are used, then structural strength is provided, but radar signature and noise signature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials that combine the structural strength of rigid materials with the radar-absorbing or radar-transparent properties of non-metallic components. This composite approach maintains necessary structural strength while eliminating the harmful radar and noise signatures associated with traditional metallic materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A shape disrupter for a net support system may have a conical body and an elliptical shape in plan view. The shape disrupter may have low thermal signature and low weight. The shape disrupter may be stackable. The shape disrupter may have a protrusion on the shape disrupter for fixing each of the shape disrupters in place during stacking. The shape disrupter may have cutouts or openings to reduce the weight and thermal signature of the shape disrupter. The shape disrupter of the present disclosure may cooperate with support poles or nets to provide a support system for large nets or screens.