Exothermic Delay Column Grenade Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-lethal grenades lack the ability to provide varying signatures and effects in a single device in a controllable manner, require a firing mechanism for each effect, making them expensive and unreliable, and face challenges in scalability and safe storage due to firing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multiple output and effect grenade utilizing an exothermic delay column to initiate primers via heat, eliminating the need for individual firing mechanisms, allowing for scalable and controllable deployment of effects through varying primer types, quantities, and placements, and using combustible compositions or fuze cords as the delay column.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a firing mechanism is used for each effect in conventional grenades, then the effects can be initiated, but the device becomes expensive and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual firing mechanisms into a single exothermic delay column that initiates multiple primers simultaneously. Instead of having separate firing mechanisms for each effect, the delay column serves as a unified ignition source that propagates heat through multiple primers in sequence, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable multi-effect initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The exothermic delay column serves multiple functions: it acts as the ignition source for all effects, provides controlled timing between effects through its burn rate, and eliminates the need for multiple separate firing mechanisms. This multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require several dedicated firing systems.
2Ease of operation
If individual firing mechanisms are used for each effect, then effects can be controlled, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple firing control functions into a single exothermic delay column assembly. The delay column's controlled burn rate provides timing control for multiple effects without requiring separate firing mechanisms for each, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining controllable effect deployment.
3Reliability
If firing mechanisms are included for each effect, then effects can be initiated, but shipping and storage become hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hazardous firing mechanisms from individual effect assemblies and consolidates them into a single exothermic delay column. This centralization reduces the number of separate ignition sources that could accidentally detonate, thereby improving storage safety while maintaining reliable effect initiation through the controlled burn of the delay column.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional grenades use fixed effects, then the device is simple, but scalability of effects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the effect assembly into modular primer cavities that can be independently configured with different types of primers and effects. The exothermic delay column is positioned to initiate these segmented primers in sequence, allowing scalability of effects while maintaining a relatively simple overall configuration that leverages the modular nature of the primer cavities.
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, cost-effective, and safe grenade that can deploy multiple effects in a controlled manner, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing safety during storage and use by eliminating the need for separate firing mechanisms and allowing for customizable effects through the placement and type of primers and delay column characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
an exothermic delay column operable to initiate a series of primers via the application of heat to the strike faces thereof
Implementation Method 2
using combustible compositions or fuze cords as the delay column
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple output and effect grenade is provided, in which an exothermic delay column is utilized to initiate a series of primers via the application of heat to the strike faces thereof, thereby providing a reliable and relatively safe grenade to ship and store. In particular, a multiple output and effect grenade comprised of an exothermic delay column disposed within a central cavity, operable to initiate a series of primers disposed in primer cavities located within the main body of the grenade. The primer cavities may be arranged in a symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration, so as to produce a firing signature resembling an automatic weapon or random gunfire, respectively. In addition, effect charges, such as illuminants, sound agents, chemical irritants, etc., may be disposed within the primer cavities, as desired by the user.