Embedded Energetic Rocket Motor for Internal Flight Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rocket motors for missiles often require insensitive munitions and range safety devices that are placed externally, increasing aerodynamic drag and limiting the size and range of the system.
Innovation Solution
A rocket motor design with an energetic material embedded between the solid propellant and casing, capable of burning to produce thrust and detonating to rupture the casing or break up the propellant, thereby terminating flight or preventing a high-order reaction, without affecting aerodynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external devices are used for flight termination and range safety, then safety function is achieved, but aerodynamic drag increases and system size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flight termination and range safety functions into the rocket motor itself by embedding energetic material between the solid propellant and casing. This integration eliminates the need for external devices, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag while maintaining safety capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The energetic material embedded in the rocket motor serves multiple functions: it contributes to thrust during normal operation by burning alongside the propellant, and can be detonated to rupture the casing or break up the propellant for flight termination. This multi-functionality replaces multiple separate devices with a single integrated component.
2Reliability
If external devices are used for flight termination, then safety function is achieved, but rocket motor size and range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The safety function is merged into the rocket motor structure by embedding the energetic material within the motor body. This integration eliminates the need for additional external volume for separate safety devices, thereby increasing the effective rocket motor size and potential range.
3Productivity
If energetic material is embedded between propellant and casing, then thrust efficiency is enhanced and external devices are eliminated, but risk of unintended detonation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energetic material is positioned in a specific location between the propellant and casing where it can contribute to thrust during normal operation. The local placement allows controlled burning for thrust while the surrounding structure provides protection against unintended detonation, addressing both productivity and safety concerns.
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 embedded energetic material enhances thrust efficiency while ensuring safe flight termination and range safety without external devices, reducing drag and expanding the system's capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the energetic material is configured to burn along with the propellent to produce thrust in the rocket motor
Implementation Method 2
an initiator that is operatively coupled to the energetic material to detonate the energetic material
Data Source
AI summary
A rocket motor has an energetic material between solid propellent and a casing that surrounds the solid propellent. The energetic material is configured to be burned along with the solid fuel during normal operation of the rocket motor to produce thrust. The energetic material can also be detonated to cause rupture of the casing and to break up the solid propellent without detonating the solid propellent.The energetic material may be formed as part of one or more Embedded Charge Assemblies (ECAs) to distribute energy in the form of one or more pressure waves to rupture the casing or break up the solid propellent. The ECAs may be configured as a Linear Shaped Charge (LSC), Chevron, spherical charge or explosive. The detonation may be initiated as part of a flight termination process. The detonation may also be initiated as a part of process to prevent as 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.