Half-Pipe Disrupter Shaped Charge for Controlled Underwater IEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disrupters for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) underwater are ineffective in reliably neutralizing the fuzing system without risking shock initiation or overpressurization, and lack control over liquid jet parameters for precise disruption.
Innovation Solution
The HPD (Half-Pipe Disrupter) uses a mass focusing high explosive shaped charge with a hemicylindrical or parabolic explosives shell and SMART material to form a narrow, controlled fluid jet that can be scaled and tailored for underwater or land-based applications, ensuring precise disruption of IEDs by targeting the fuzing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional disrupters are used to flood an IED container underwater, then the container may be perforated, but the disrupter risks shock initiating the main charge or overpressurizing the container causing it to burst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the water jet by controlling the shaped charge geometry (hemi-cylindrical or parabolic explosives shell) to produce a narrow, high-velocity jet with specific pressure characteristics. This allows the jet to cut through the container wall without creating excessive internal pressure that would cause bursting or shock initiation of the main charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The disrupter applies localized action by creating a narrow, focused water jet that targets specific areas (fuzing system) rather than flooding the entire container. This localized approach neutralizes the fuzing system while minimizing overall pressure increase inside the container, avoiding shock initiation risks.
2Reliability
If the disrupter jet is made wider to ensure coverage of the fuzing system, then the probability of hitting the target increases, but the container may overpressurize and burst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the jet parameters (width, velocity, pressure distribution) by controlling the explosives shell geometry and water volume. The hemi-cylindrical or parabolic shape creates a jet with narrow width and controlled length, maintaining high penetration capability while limiting the volume of water injected into the container, thus preventing overpressurization.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the disrupter uses high explosive mass focusing to create a narrow jet, then the risk of shock initiation is reduced, but the jet must be precisely controlled to avoid missing the fuzing system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved geometries (hemi-cylindrical or parabolic explosives shell) to focus the explosive energy into a narrow, well-defined jet. The curvature of the explosives shell and the SMART material surface work together to converge the water flow into a precise, narrow jet that maintains its trajectory and accurately targets the fuzing system while minimizing shock dispersion.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the disrupter is designed for underwater use, then it can neutralize IEDs submerged in water, but conventional X-ray diagnostics cannot be performed and water currents limit analysis capability
Solution Approach 1:
The disrupter is designed to be self-sufficient for underwater operations without requiring external diagnostic support. The system includes integrated buoyancy control, positioning mechanisms, and the ability to operate independently in water currents, eliminating the need for X-ray diagnostics or controlled environmental conditions that cannot be achieved underwater.
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 HPD effectively disables the fuzing system of IEDs underwater by forming a stable, narrow jet that avoids overpressurization and shock initiation, providing reliable and efficient disruption across various environments.
Implementation Method 1
mass focusing high explosive shaped charge
Implementation Method 2
conformable layer of explosives configured for explosive initiation by a detonator, such that upon explosive initiation the inner volume of fluid is configured to implode and form a fluid jet
Implementation Method 3
distal body connected to the explosives shell distal opening to close the inner volume and contain the inner volume of fluid. Preferably, the distal body comprises a surface material attenuation of rarefaction shock waves material that is positioned between the inner volume of fluid and the target
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are mass focusing shaped charges and related methods useful for disrupting targets in either underwater or on land. The mass focusing shaped charges comprise an explosives shell having an explosives shell surface, wherein at least a portion is curved and defines an inner volume configured to contain an inner volume of fluid or a metal liner. A distal body is comprising a SMART material is positioned between the inner volume of fluid and a to-be-disrupted target. A conformable layer of explosives conforms to at least a portion of a surface of the explosives shell, the conformable layer of explosives configured for explosive initiation by a detonator. Upon explosive initiation the inner volume of fluid or metal liner is forcefully ejected to form a fluid or metal jet in a direction through the distal body and toward the target.