Grenade Warhead Ignition Timing via Launch Velocity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for igniting warheads in grenades used for active protection systems lack sufficient accuracy and are costly, as they rely on proximity fuses which are expensive and do not always ensure precise delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the detection of a moving target, calculation of a first fuse time, and substitution with a second fuse time based on measured launch velocity and time from activation to exit from the launch tube, using a time fuze that is activated only after the grenade is fired, to improve delivery accuracy and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proximity fuse is used to ignite the warhead, then the vehicle is protected from penetrating projectiles, but the delivery accuracy is insufficient and the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates a preliminary fuse time based on predicted target position and grenade velocity, sets the timer fuse in advance, then measures actual flight parameters (T4 time and launch velocity) to calculate a corrected fuse time. This preliminary action followed by correction resolves the accuracy issue while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures actual flight parameters (T4 time from activation to exit, launch velocity) and uses this feedback to calculate a corrected fuse time that compensates for deviations from predicted norms, thereby improving delivery accuracy while maintaining protection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a proximity fuse is used to ignite the warhead, then the vehicle is protected from penetrating projectiles, but the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive proximity fuses with a combination of a simple timer fuse and an inexpensive onboard measurement system that records T4 time and launch velocity. This substitution maintains protection effectiveness while significantly reducing cost by using cheaper, disposable timing components instead of complex proximity sensing.
3Measurement precision
If the timer fuse is activated at the moment of firing, then the system can compensate for combustion parameter deviations, but the fuse time calculation must account for T4 time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of fuse time based on predicted parameters, then applies a simple correction by subtracting the measured T4 time delay from the preliminary calculation. This two-step approach achieves high ignition accuracy while keeping the correction mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The method involves calculating an ignition time for igniting a warhead (10), and adjusting a time fuse (4) to the time. A grenade (9) is shot to a target, and the time fuse is activated. A time period between the activation of the time fuse and a time point in which the grenade leaves a shooting pipe (7) is measured, and a time value is measured for determining a starting speed of the grenade during leaving of the grenade from the pipe. Another ignition time is calculated under usage of the measured time period and the starting speed. An independent claim is also included for a vehicle comprising a detection device.