Explosive Charge Selective Detonation Deflagration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing warheads face challenges in selectively targeting specific areas while minimizing collateral damage, especially in urban environments where civilian facilities are nearby, due to the inability to adjust their explosive performance effectively.

Innovation Solution

An active body with a scalable explosive effect is designed, featuring an active explosive mass, a surrounding shell, a first ignition chain for detonative conversion, a second ignition chain for deflagrative conversion, and a cutting charge that severs the shell to introduce a pressure wave, allowing for precise control between detonative and deflagrative implementations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a warhead uses a single high-power ignition chain for maximum destructive effect, then the explosive effect is maximized, but the ability to minimize collateral damage in urban environments is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosive effectVSAvoidadjustability of destructive effect
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single explosive charge is divided into multiple segments or zones with different ignition chains (first ignition chain for high-power detonation, second ignition chain for lower-power deflagration). This segmentation allows selective activation of different portions of the explosive material, enabling the warhead to adjust its destructive effect from maximum to reduced levels depending on the target and surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The warhead employs dynamic control of the ignition system, where the choice between detonative and deflagrative ignition modes can be changed based on real-time conditions. The ignition chains are designed to be selectively activated, allowing the explosive effect to be dynamically adjusted between high-power and reduced-power modes, providing versatility in urban combat scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If a warhead is designed for detonative conversion only, then the explosive effect is maximized at 100%, but the ability to perform deflagrative conversion for reduced effect is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosive effectVSAvoidcontrol over conversion mode
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The explosive charge is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both detonative and deflagrative conversion modes within the same charge. The first ignition chain enables detonative conversion for maximum effect, while the second ignition chain enables deflagrative conversion for reduced effect. This universal design allows a single warhead to fulfill multiple mission requirements without needing separate weapon systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The warhead utilizes parameter changes in the ignition process to control the conversion mode. By changing parameters such as ignition timing, ignition location, and ignition energy level between the two ignition chains, the explosive material can be converted between detonative and deflagrative modes. This parameter control provides ease of operation, allowing operators to select the appropriate conversion mode based on mission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the entire explosive mass is converted detonatively, then the explosive effect is maximized, but collateral damage to nearby civilian facilities increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosive effectVSAvoidcollateral damage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The warhead employs partial action by activating only a portion of the explosive mass through the second ignition chain for deflagrative conversion, rather than converting the entire explosive mass detonatively. This partial conversion to deflagration reduces the explosive effect and associated harmful factors such as shock wave intensity and fragmentation, thereby minimizing collateral damage to nearby civilian facilities while still achieving the primary mission objective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If a barrier layer is used to attenuate the pressure wave, then the sensitivity of the explosive can be controlled, but the complexity of the ignition system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over detonation sensitivityVSAvoidignition system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a barrier layer between the explosive charge and the ignition source. This barrier layer acts as a mediator that controls the transmission of the pressure wave from the ignition chain to the explosive material, thereby controlling the sensitivity and reliability of detonation. The barrier layer can be designed with specific thickness and material properties to achieve the desired level of sensitivity control without requiring complex electronic or mechanical ignition systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables reliable deflagrative conversion without detonation, allowing for quick destruction of the warhead before detonation and precise scaling of the explosive effect to minimize collateral damage, ensuring only the desired destructive effect occurs.

Implementation Method 1

a cutting charge (22) which is designed to sever the active body shell (12) and thereby couple a pressure wave into the explosive active mass (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure wave: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 2

allowing for reliable deflagrative conversion without detonation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeflagration: Deflagration

Implementation Method 3

a first ignition chain (18) with a first booster charge (16) for triggering the detonative conversion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentEP2789964B1Explosive charge for performing either the detonation, deflagration or detonation and deflagration of an explosive material
Publication Date: 2015.07.15 DIEHL BGT DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2789964B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an action body for the selectively detonative, deflagrative or detonative and deflagrative decomposition of an explosive active material (10), wherein the action body comprises the explosive active material (10), an action body shell (12) surrounding and in contact with the explosive active material (10), a first ignition chain (18) with a first booster charge (16) for triggering the detonative decomposition, an action charge (24) for triggering the deflagrative decomposition and at least a second ignition chain with a second booster charge for igniting the action charge (24), wherein the action charge (24) is a component of a cutting charge (22) arranged on an outer surface of the action body shell (12) for cutting through the action body shell (12) and thereby coupling a pressure wave into the explosive active material (10).