Horizontal Chaff Dispenser for Radar Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-flight chaff dispensing systems are bulky, heavy, and have slow response times due to vertical orientation of chaff bundles, leading to spooling jams and reduced effectiveness in radar area suppression.

Innovation Solution

The system stores and deploys chaff bundles horizontally, using a dispensing canister and support structure that maintains the canister parallel to the ground, reducing jam frequency and enabling easier access for a cutting mechanism, which cuts the chaff into desired lengths using a motorized cutting unit with rotatable blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If chaff bundles are stored vertically in conventional dispensing systems, then the system structure is simplified, but spooling jams occur due to compression forces from the roving bundle's weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidspooling jam frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional vertical storage orientation of chaff bundles to a horizontal orientation. The support rod is positioned horizontally, allowing the roving bundle to unspool from left to right without bearing the full compressive force of gravity, thereby eliminating spooling jams while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a horizontal support rod that acts as a counterbalancing element to offset the gravitational force acting on the roving bundle. The support rod provides mechanical support at multiple points, distributing the weight load and preventing compression-induced spooling failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple chaff bundles are stacked vertically to increase material capacity, then the quantity of chaff is increased, but compression forces cause loss of structural support and spooling jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechaff material capacityVSAvoidstructural support

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical stacking of multiple chaff bundles to horizontal arrangement. By orienting the support rod horizontally and positioning bundles side-by-side rather than stacked, the system eliminates compression forces while maintaining or increasing total chaff capacity through extended horizontal configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the chaff storage system into discrete bundles, each supported independently on the horizontal rod. This segmentation allows each bundle to be individually supported without bearing the weight of others, preventing compression-induced jams while enabling modular capacity expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If conventional bulky and heavy dispensing systems are used, then structural support is adequate, but the system weight increases and response time slows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support capabilityVSAvoiddispensing system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a lightweight horizontal support rod structure that provides adequate structural support through optimized geometry and material selection. The thin, horizontally-oriented support elements distribute loads efficiently, maintaining structural integrity while minimizing system weight compared to conventional bulky vertical support structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the horizontal support rod system to be dynamically responsive, allowing rapid rotation and deployment. The reduced moment of inertia from the horizontal configuration and lighter weight enables faster response time when chaff dispensing is required, while structural adequacy is maintained through proper engineering of the support elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This configuration reduces unspooling jams, allows for longer and heavier chaff bundles, and enhances the efficiency of chaff dispensing, ensuring reliable protection against radar-guided missiles by minimizing weight-induced structural issues and facilitating easier reloading.

Implementation Method 1

The canister's position is stably fixed by the support structure, such that the support rod is maintained during material deployment in a horizontal position, parallel to ground and normal with respect to gravitational forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10330449B2Dispenser and dispensing system for radar jamming material

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 VERTEX AEROSPACE LLC

AI summary

A dispensing unit and system for area suppression and/or countermeasure materials includes at least one canister with two ends, a support rod including a portion extending between the ends along an axis rotatably engaged with the first end, a wall defining a cavity for housing at least one material bundle, an aperture in the first end for dispensing material from the bundle, and a support structure providing horizontal support for the at least one canister. Dispensing systems include a roving cutting mechanism.