Flare Ammunition Parachute Deployment via Segmented Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flare ammunition fired from portable recoilless weapons, the conventional placement of the igniter for the ejection charge in the front section of the projectile case often hinders the effective deployment of the parachute when moved to the rear section, disrupting the ejection and deployment process.
Innovation Solution
The parachute is positioned within an ogive-shaped front sleeve section that can separate from the rear section upon activation of the ejection charge, with an air brake attached to the luminous element that unfolds to increase air resistance, allowing the parachute to be pulled out from the rear and deployed effectively, while the igniter is relocated to the rear of the projectile casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the igniter for the ejection charge is placed in the front section of the projectile case, then the ejection charge can be activated reliably, but the parachute deployment is hindered when the igniter is moved to the rear section
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile case is divided into a front section and a rear section that can separate from each other. The front section contains the parachute and is designed to detach upon ejection charge activation, allowing the parachute to be pulled out by the luminous element after separation. This segmentation enables the igniter to be placed in the rear section while maintaining reliable parachute deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The parachute is pre-positioned in the front section and connected to the luminous element via cables. The front section is pre-configured with breaking points that will separate upon ejection charge activation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the igniter (now in the rear section) activates the ejection charge, the parachute deployment sequence automatically follows without interference from the igniter location.
2Volume of moving object
If the parachute is arranged in the rear section of the projectile casing, then space is available in the front section, but the parachute cannot be effectively deployed when the igniter is in the rear
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the parachute in the rear section as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the parachute in the front section. This inversion, combined with the separable front section design, allows the parachute to be effectively deployed even when the igniter is located in the rear section, solving both the space and deployment operation issues.
3Reliability
If the front case section is made separable to allow parachute ejection, then the parachute can be deployed effectively, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile case is segmented into a front section and a rear section connected by predetermined breaking points. This segmentation allows the front section to separate cleanly upon ejection charge activation, enabling effective parachute deployment. The breaking points are designed to fail in a controlled manner, minimizing structural complexity while achieving reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Cables connect the parachute to the luminous element and serve as an intermediary mechanism for parachute deployment. After the front section separates, the luminous element pulls the parachute out through these cables. This intermediary system simplifies the overall structure by using the existing luminous element as the pulling force source rather than requiring a separate deployment mechanism.
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
This configuration ensures the parachute is deployed without impairing the ejection process, providing a stable and efficient descent of the flare, even when the igniter is placed in the rear, enhancing the operational effectiveness of the flare ammunition.
Implementation Method 1
An air brake 10 is fastened to the periphery of the luminous body 3 and consists of a plurality of pretensioned lamellae 11 made of spring steel and distributed uniformly over the circumference of the luminous body 3. The rear end of each of the lamellae 11 is attached to the luminous body 3 and their front end is supported on the inner wall of the projectile casing 2.
Implementation Method 2
due to the high gas pressure, the front sleeve section 8 containing the parachute 5 is separated from the remaining projectile sleeve 2 (Figure 2a) and the filament 3 ejected (Figure 2b).
Implementation Method 3
The flare charge (not shown) located in the illuminant 3 is then ignited by the hot gases (plumes) of the ejection charge 7.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
The invention relates to a flare ammunition body (1) shootable from a portable, recoil-free weapon, said flare ammunition body having a projectile case (2) in which a flare body (3), a parachute (5) attached to the flare body (3) and a fuse (6) for activating an ejection charge (7) for ejecting the flare body (3) and the parachute (5) from the projectile case (2) above a target area are provided. In order to achieve an arrangement of the fuse (6) for activating the ejection charge (7) at the rear end of the projectile case (2) without impairing the ejection and deployment process of the parachute (5) after activation of the ejection charge (7), according to the invention the parachute (5), viewed in the shooting direction, is arranged inside a front case portion (8), which can be separated from the adjoining portion of the projectile case (2) when the ejection charge (7) is activated. On the peripheral side of the flare body (3), an air brake (10) is fixed, which deploys during ejection of the flare body (3) out of the projectile case (2) and decelerates the flare body relative to the front case portion (8) in such a manner that the parachute (5) is pulled out of the front case portion (8) from the rear by the flare body (3).