Flexible Missile Container Cover Composite Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing missile container covers face issues with debris generation, high manufacturing cost, and complex safety management, particularly in fragmentable composite materials and automatic opening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover made of composite materials with a main layer and auxiliary layers, featuring petal-shaped regions and weakening lines, allowing for precise cutting and easy opening while maintaining hermeticity and mechanical resistance, and incorporating an antifriction coating for reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fragmentable composite material covers are used, then hermeticity and mechanical resistance are improved, but debris is generated that presents danger for equipment and the missile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cover made of composite material consisting of at least one woven fabric and at least one elastomer. This flexible shell structure maintains hermeticity while avoiding rigid fragmentable materials, thus preventing debris generation during opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is constructed from composite materials combining woven fabric and elastomer, creating a material that is both hermetic and flexible. This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical resistance without the debris-generating properties of traditional fragmentable composite materials.
2Reliability
If automatic opening mechanisms are used, then opening reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover is designed to open automatically through its own flexibility and elastic properties when subjected to propellant gas pressure, without requiring complex external opening mechanisms. The cover self-regulates its opening based on pressure conditions, simplifying safety management.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover utilizes changes in pressure parameters during missile firing to trigger automatic opening. When propellant gas pressure exceeds a certain threshold, the flexible cover deforms and opens automatically, providing reliable opening without complex mechanical systems.
3Strength
If rigid composite material covers are used, then mechanical resistance is improved, but mass and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible thin-film cover made of composite material that provides adequate mechanical resistance for protecting the missile during storage and transport. The flexible nature of the elastomer-based composite allows for reduced material thickness and mass compared to rigid covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material structure combining woven fabric and elastomer provides high strength-to-weight ratio. The woven fabric provides tensile strength while the elastomer provides flexibility and hermeticity, achieving mechanical resistance with reduced mass.
4Reliability
If the cover is made hermetic with composite materials, then protection is improved, but opening force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomer-based cover can deform during opening, distributing opening forces more evenly and reducing peak forces on the radome. The flexibility allows gradual opening rather than sudden rupture, moderating the effort required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover design utilizes pressure parameter changes during the opening process, allowing progressive opening as propellant gas pressure increases. This gradual opening process reduces the instantaneous force requirements on the radome compared to forcing open a rigid hermetic cover.
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 flexible cover effectively prevents debris generation, requires moderate force on the radome, has a low mass, and reduces manufacturing costs, facilitating safe and efficient opening and re-closure during missile firing.
Implementation Method 1
the woven or wovens which are inserted into the elastomer to form the composite part ensure the mechanical resistance of the flexible cover
Implementation Method 2
the flexible cover, which is in addition, made hermetic thanks especially to the elastomer
Implementation Method 3
said at least one auxiliary layer (comprising petal-shaped regions defining weakening lines) makes it possible to direct a precise cut of the flexible cover, along said weakening lines, which facilitates the opening
Implementation Method 4
the part in composite material is very flexible, which allows the flexible cover to return, after an opening, to a position close to the position before the opening
Implementation Method 5
an antifriction coating on a face referred to as the inner face intended to be placed towards the inside of the container. This antifriction coating makes it possible especially to limit friction during the passing of the missile
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible cover includes a main layer made of a first composite material that includes a first woven material and a first elastomer. The flexible cover also includes an auxiliary layer made of a second composite material that includes a second woven material and a second elastomer. The auxiliary layer is secured to a face of the main layer and includes petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines.