Rocket Motor Embedded Charge Assemblies for BRE Wire Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rocket motors with burn rate enhancement (BRE) wires face challenges in integrating insensitive munition (IM) safety features that do not increase aerodynamic drag and allow for efficient flight termination or prevention of high-order reactions.
Innovation Solution
Embedded charge assemblies (ECAs) within the rocket motor casing support BRE wires, containing energetic materials that produce thrust and upon detonation break up the propellant without detonating it, using layers to dampen shock waves and redirect energy for efficient flight termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flight termination devices are placed on the outside of the missile body, then flight termination capability is provided, but aerodynamic drag increases and rocket motor size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flight termination device is nested inside the rocket motor casing, with the energetic material positioned between the solid fuel and the casing. This internal placement eliminates external drag while maintaining flight termination capability through controlled detonation of the energetic material.
2Weight of moving object
If energetic material is placed inside the rocket motor casing, then aerodynamic efficiency is maintained, but risk of accidental detonation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energetic material is positioned in a specific location between the solid fuel and casing, creating a localized safety mechanism. The material's properties and positioning provide controlled response to thermal conditions while maintaining overall system safety through spatial differentiation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite construction with the energetic material integrated into the rocket motor structure, combining propellant, structural, and safety functions in a multi-material assembly that achieves both aerodynamic efficiency and safety.
3Productivity
If BRE wires are used to increase burn rate, then thrust production is improved, but wire brittleness requires additional support structure
Solution Approach 1:
The BRE wires are merged with the flight termination system by positioning them in proximity to the energetic material. The wires serve dual purposes: enhancing burn rate during normal operation and potentially initiating flight termination if they contact the energetic material during anomalous conditions.
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 ensures aerodynamic efficiency while providing effective flight termination and high-order reaction prevention, maintaining thrust production and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
The energetic material is configured to burn along with the solid propellent to produce thrust
Implementation Method 2
One or more initiators that are operatively coupled to the respective ECAs to detonate the energetic material. The energetic material is configured to burn along with the solid propellent to produce thrust in the rocket motor to be capable upon detonation to break up the solid propellent to terminate thrust
Implementation Method 3
each ECA includes one or more layers around the energetic material configured to dampen a shock wave produced by the detonation of the energetic material to avoid detonating the solid propellent
Data Source
AI summary
In a rocket motor in which burn rate enhancement (BRE) wires are used to accelerate the burn rate of the solid propellent, embedded charge assemblies (ECAs) are configured as support structures for the BRE wires. Each ECA includes an energetic material that is configured to burn along with the solid propellent to produce thrust and, upon detonation, to break up the solid propellent to terminate thrust. The detonation may also be initiated as a part of process to prevent a higher-order reaction, such as in reaction to heating from a fire or other cause. By being located inside the casing, the energetic material and ECAs do not adversely affect aerodynamics of the flight vehicle of which the rocket motor is a part, such as a missile.