Hypervelocity Cannon Projectile with Detachable Liquid Propellant Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cannons are limited in accelerating projectiles beyond a few times the speed of sound due to rapid pressure drop at the base of the projectile, which restricts the velocity of the projectile.
Innovation Solution
A modified projectile design featuring a detachable container with a liquid propellant and an ignitor, where the container fractures upon pressurization to enhance acceleration by increasing the burning surface area and maintaining close proximity to the projectile, allowing for additional propulsion beyond initial chamber charge acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a traditional cannon accelerates a projectile, then the projectile achieves high velocity, but the velocity is limited to a few times the speed of sound due to rapid pressure drop at the base
Solution Approach 1:
A traveling charge is ignited after both the charge and the projectile initially accelerate forward, preparing additional propellant to continue accelerating the projectile beyond the initial pressure drop
Solution Approach 2:
The traveling charge extends the duration of useful propulsion by igniting additional propellant after the initial charge is exhausted, maintaining continuous acceleration of the projectile through the barrel
2Speed
If a traveling charge is ignited to extend velocity limit, then the projectile can achieve higher speed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant system is divided into a main charge and a separate traveling charge contained in a detachable container, allowing the traveling charge to be ignited separately to extend propulsion
Solution Approach 2:
A detachable container serves as an intermediary carrier for the liquid propellant, enabling controlled delivery and ignition of the traveling charge while maintaining relative simplicity of the overall system
3Productivity
If a detachable container with liquid propellant is used, then the burning surface area increases and acceleration is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant is changed from traditional solid gunpowder to liquid propellant in a detachable container, enabling increased burning surface area and enhanced acceleration
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be detachable and reattachable, allowing flexibility in configuration and enabling the system to adapt between different operational modes while maintaining manageable complexity
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 effectively increases the operational range of projectiles by enhancing acceleration through the combustion of the liquid propellant, which combusts to increase pressure and shed the container, closely following and accelerating the projectile, thereby overcoming the velocity limitations of traditional cannons.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid propellant in the container... combusts to increase pressure and shed the container
Implementation Method 2
the container body includes one or more break-away joints at which the container fractures upon pressurization from ignition of the liquid propellant
Data Source
AI summary
A modified projectile includes a projectile, a container, and a liquid propellant in the container. The container is detachably attached to the projectile.