Foamed Celluloid Delay Fuze for Consistent Burn Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand grenade fuze designs using energetic pyrotechnic mixtures are complex to manufacture, exhibit inconsistent burn times, and pose safety concerns, particularly under adverse conditions, necessitating a more robust and reliable delay composition.
Innovation Solution
A safety fuze for hand-emplaced grenades utilizing a non-energetic delay mixture composed of foam celluloid, which provides consistent burn rates and reduced manufacturing and production costs, is developed, allowing for easier assembly and safer handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional energetic pyrotechnic mixtures are used in grenade fuzes, then the delay function can be achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the delay mixture from energetic pyrotechnic composition to non-energetic foam celluloid material. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex manufacturing processes required for energetic materials while maintaining the delay function through controlled combustion characteristics of the foam structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam celluloid delay mixture is a simpler, less expensive alternative to conventional energetic pyrotechnic mixtures. It can be manufactured using standard foam fabrication processes rather than requiring specialized energetic material handling and processing facilities, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
2Reliability
If conventional energetic pyrotechnic mixtures are used in grenade fuzes, then the delay function can be achieved, but the burn time consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from energetic pyrotechnic mixtures to foam celluloid, the patent achieves more consistent burn times. The foam structure provides uniform cell distribution and controlled porosity that leads to predictable combustion rates, eliminating the variability inherent in conventional pyrotechnic mixture formulations and manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam celluloid is a composite material with controlled cellular structure that provides consistent physical and chemical properties throughout the delay mixture. This composite structure ensures uniform burn characteristics across different batches and manufacturing conditions, improving burn time consistency.
3Reliability
If conventional energetic pyrotechnic mixtures are used in grenade fuzes, then the delay function can be achieved, but the safety under adverse conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foam celluloid delay mixture is inherently safer than energetic pyrotechnic materials because it is non-energetic and does not require sensitive handling. It can be manufactured, stored, and assembled using standard procedures without special safety precautions required for energetic materials, thereby improving safety under adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam celluloid acts as an inert, non-energetic material that does not pose the same safety hazards as conventional pyrotechnic mixtures. It is not sensitive to impact, friction, or spontaneous ignition, creating a safer environment during manufacturing, storage, and field operations.
4Reliability
If foam celluloid is used as delay mixture, then the safety and consistency are improved, but the manufacturing process requires new material processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
Foam celluloid can be manufactured using standard foam fabrication processes that are already widely available in the industry. These processes do not require specialized equipment or expertise needed for energetic material processing, making the material easier to manufacture despite being a new delay mixture type.
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 foam celluloid delay mixture offers low variability in burn time, reduced production costs, enhanced safety, and improved robustness, making it more suitable for military and commercial applications by providing a reliable and consistent delay mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the delay mixture uses foam celluloid in lieu of the conventional delay mix composition... provides a more consistent burn rate
Data Source
AI summary
A safety fuze for use in military and commercial applications, includes a fuze body that is attached to a trigger mechanism, an energetic train contained within the fuze body, and a non-energetic fuze delay mixture that is formed in a rod form so that it can dropped inside the fuze body, without modification to the other components of the safety fuze. Preferably, the non-energetic fuze delay mixture is made of foamed celluloid.