Submarine Signal Flare Fuzing System Hydrostatic Depth Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current signal flares for submarines face safety risks due to accidental ignition during handling and transportation, and challenges in selecting the appropriate depth for ignition, leading to unreliable distress signal emission.
Innovation Solution
A fuzing system with a rotatable tube sensor and additional safety mechanisms that prevent premature activation, allowing for safe handling and delayed ignition at a desired water depth, eliminating the need for multiple flare types and ensuring accurate signal emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a break screw system is used to activate the ignition, then the flare can be launched, but the risk of accidental ignition during handling and transportation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition system is designed with a break screw that must be deliberately broken to activate the ignition chain. This preliminary action (breaking the screw) creates a clear distinction between safe handling state and activated state, preventing accidental ignition while enabling controlled launch activation
Solution Approach 2:
The break screw system implements preliminary anti-action by creating a mechanical barrier (the intact screw) that prevents ignition activation. The barrier must be deliberately removed through breaking action, providing preliminary protection against accidental ignition during handling and transportation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple signal flares with different depth labels are provided, then the appropriate depth can be selected, but the risk of operator error increases in stressful situations
Solution Approach 1:
A single signal flare design incorporates a hydrostatic release mechanism that automatically adapts to different water depths. The flare functions universally across various depths without requiring operator selection, eliminating the need for multiple depth-specific variants and preventing operator error while maintaining depth adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The signal flare includes a hydrostatic release mechanism that automatically determines and responds to the appropriate release depth based on ambient water pressure. The system serves itself by sensing depth conditions and triggering ignition autonomously, eliminating the need for human judgment and selection in stressful emergency situations
3Measurement precision
If the ignition is delayed for the flare to reach desired water depth, then accurate signal emission is achieved, but the risk of premature ignition during handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrostatic release mechanism acts as an intermediary between the ignition system and the external water pressure environment. This intermediary component senses ambient pressure and mediates the ignition activation, ensuring ignition occurs only when the desired depth condition is met while protecting against premature activation during handling at surface level
Solution Approach 2:
The manual or mechanical timing systems are replaced with a hydrostatic pressure-sensitive release mechanism. This substitution uses water pressure as the triggering mechanism, providing automatic and accurate depth-based ignition timing while eliminating the need for mechanical timers or manual depth estimation that could lead to premature activation
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 system ensures safe and reliable activation of signal flares at any depth, preventing accidental ignition during handling and ensuring correct signal emission, even in stressful situations, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrostatic release mechanism arranged to detect a predetermined water pressure and thereby trigger the ignition system
Data Source
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Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuzing system for a signal flare for use on a submarine vessel, said system comprising an ignition system that is operationally connected to a signalling substance in such a way that said signalling substance can be ignited by activating said ignition system, wherein a hydrostatic device is arranged to activate said ignition system at a predetermined pressure