Foam Explosive Containers for Blast Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blasting cap containment devices are too heavy and bulky, limiting their use in field operations and unable to accommodate initiation systems, which hampers tactical teams and results in collateral damage during explosive disposal operations.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, compact explosive containment device using foam materials with air pockets and clapper plates to absorb and diffuse blast energy, allowing for the safe transportation and disposal of blasting caps with attached initiation systems, and enabling modular storage and directional disruption tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy walled alloys and carbon composites are used to contain blast overpressure, then containment strength is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials including carbon composites, polymers, and foam structures in combination with metal walls to create a containment device that achieves required blast containment strength while reducing overall weight compared to solid heavy alloy constructions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates foam materials with air pockets as an internal structure within the containment device. This porous structure reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity and providing energy absorption capabilities during explosive events
2Quantity of substance
If current blasting cap containment devices are designed to hold multiple caps, then storage capacity is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The containment device is designed with modular compartments and sections that can accommodate multiple blasting caps in an organized manner. This segmented approach allows efficient space utilization, enabling the device to hold multiple caps without requiring excessive overall size or weight
3Reliability
If current containment devices are designed for transportation, then safety during transport is improved, but adaptability for field operations and initiation system attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The containment device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, incorporating features that enable both safe transportation of blasting caps and field operations including initiation system attachment. The device includes standardized interfaces and mounting provisions that allow it to serve multiple operational roles without compromising transport safety
4Use of energy by moving object
If foam materials with air pockets are used to absorb blast energy, then energy absorption is improved, but structural density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes foam materials with air pockets as an internal structure within the containment device. This porous structure reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity and providing energy absorption capabilities during explosive events
Solution Approach 2:
The foam materials are combined with other structural materials to create a composite construction that compensates for the lower density of the foam portion, maintaining overall structural adequacy while benefiting from the energy absorption properties of the foam
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 solution provides enhanced safety and versatility for tactical operations by reducing the weight and size of containment devices, minimizing collateral damage, and enabling efficient transportation and disposal of blasting caps, while allowing for the collection of intelligence from explosive materials.
Implementation Method 1
A lightweight, compact explosive containment device using foam materials with air pockets and clapper plates to absorb and diffuse blast energy
Implementation Method 2
A lightweight, compact explosive containment device using foam materials with air pockets and clapper plates to absorb and diffuse blast energy
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight explosive containment device that is used to transport blasting caps, explosive precursors, or homemade explosives. Open cellular foam material within the container diffuses explosive gases and absorbs kinetic energy. An internal clapper tube distributes forces to the ligaments of the cellular foam material and an external support tube contains the explosive fragmentation and blast overpressure. A system of containers with storage capabilities that enable the transportation of a number of lightweight explosive containment devices is presented. An alternate configuration of the present invention utilizes the open cellular foam material to create a directional disruption device. Such a tool prevents explosive gases and fragmentation from causing unnecessary collateral damage to the surroundings or supporting robot.