Flexible Coupling System for Underwater Ordnance Charge Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current underwater ordnance disposal systems are inefficient and costly, as they often require human intervention, result in high attrition rates of charges, and may incorrectly target non-ordnance, leading to operational challenges and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A multiple charge deployment system with a coupling system that allows for secure attachment of disposal charges to underwater ordnance, featuring a trigger mechanism and flexible coupling configuration to ensure effective attachment and reduce movement transfer, enabling controlled release and reuse of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid coupling system is used to attach the charge to the deployment system, then the charge is securely retained, but movement from the deployment system is transferred to the charge causing premature detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible coupling system comprising a flexible element that connects the charge to the deployment system. This flexible element allows relative movement between the deployment system and the charge, absorbing movement shocks and preventing them from being transferred to the charge attachment mechanism, thereby maintaining reliable charge retention without harmful movement transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deployment system moves or vibrates during operation, then deployment flexibility is improved, but attachment reliability deteriorates due to movement transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling element serves as a movement-absorbing interface that decouples the deployment system's movements from the charge attachment. It permits the deployment system to move and vibrate freely for operational flexibility while the flexible element absorbs these movements, preventing them from compromising the attachment reliability between the charge and the target ordnance.
3Device complexity
If a single charge system is used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to multiple sorties required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multiple charge deployment system where the deployment system carries and can deploy multiple charges sequentially or simultaneously. Each charge is attached to the deployment system via the flexible coupling mechanism, allowing the system to neutralize multiple items of ordnance in a single sortie, thereby significantly improving productivity without requiring complex coordination between multiple independent systems.
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 enables efficient and secure deployment of multiple charges in a single sortie, reducing operational costs and attrition rates by ensuring accurate attachment and flexible retention, thereby improving the efficiency and safety of ordnance neutralization.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element disposed about the shaft, wherein a first end of the shaft is fixed to the first portion or the second portion of the coupling means, the shaft passing through a hole in the other of the second portion and the first portion, and the second end of the shaft comprises the retaining portion... A first end of the resilient element acts on the first portion, and a second end of the resilient element acts on the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion are biased apart.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for attaching a device to an object, comprising: means for attaching the device to an object; a trigger mechanism for triggering activation of the attaching means; and means for releasably coupling the device to a deployment system, comprising: a first configuration in which the device is rigidly coupled to the deployment system; a second configuration in which the device is flexibly coupled to the deployment system; and means for controllably changing the configuration of the coupling means from the first configuration to the second configuration, wherein, the trigger mechanism is activated upon changing the configuration of the coupling means from the first configuration to the second configuration. The invention further relates to a charge deployment system.