Impact-Initiated Attachment Device for Marine Ordinance Disposal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for clearing marine ordnance are hazardous and inefficient, especially in adverse sea conditions, due to the difficulty in positioning and fixing shaped charges effectively, and the ineffectiveness of countermining charges in generating high-order detonations.

Innovation Solution

An impact-initiated attachment device with a housing, fasteners, and a trigger mechanism that allows for simple operation by pressing the device onto a target, using a drive mechanism with a striker to detonate a cartridge and drive fasteners into the target, and a releasable fastening device that can attach and detach from a surface using a trigger mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If divers manually attach explosive packs to ordnance, then the task can be completed, but the operation becomes hazardous and difficult particularly in adverse sea conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidoperation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical attachment operations with an impact-initiated automated fastening system. The device uses an impact trigger mechanism that automatically activates fasteners when the device contacts the target surface, eliminating the need for manual manipulation in hazardous marine environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device is designed to activate its fastening mechanism automatically upon impact with the target. The impact itself triggers the drive mechanism to deploy fasteners, making the system self-activating and removing the need for complex manual operation by divers in adverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If ROVs are used to place countermining charges, then positioning can be achieved, but the effectiveness is reduced due to inability to generate high order detonation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddetonation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the explosive delivery mechanism from conventional countermining charges to shaped charges with optimized stand-off distance. By precisely controlling the positioning and orientation of the shaped charge relative to the target, the system generates high-order detonations with improved effectiveness while maintaining accurate positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If shaped charges are used for effective detonation, then the explosive power is improved, but the positioning and fixing capability becomes a gap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetonation effectivenessVSAvoidpositioning and fixing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary positioning and securing actions before the shaped charge is activated. The fasteners are deployed and secured to the target surface in advance, establishing a stable platform for the shaped charge to maintain optimal stand-off distance and orientation during detonation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple functional components within a compact housing structure. The shaped charge, fastening mechanism, and trigger system are nested within a single device that can be deployed as one unit, simplifying the positioning and fixing operation while maintaining detonation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If a trigger mechanism extends from the front face for simple operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation simplicityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger mechanism serves multiple functions: it extends from the front face to enable simple impact activation, while also being integrated with the drive mechanism to control fastener deployment. This multi-functional design simplifies operation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables safe and efficient attachment of disruptive charges to ordnance, allowing for easy positioning and detachment, even in challenging underwater environments, and facilitates the use of shaped charges for effective detonation.

Implementation Method 1

The drive mechanism may be arranged to detonate a cartridge containing explosive material to cause the fastener to be driven to the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Data Source

PatentUS9677866B2Attachment/release device and assemblies and systems using same

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GMBH

AI summary

An impact initiated attachment device for attachment to a target, comprises a housing having a front face which abuts against the target in use, one or more fasteners, a drive mechanism for driving the fasteners(s) from a first position within the housing to a second position protruding from the front face of the housing, and a trigger mechanism for triggering activation of the drive mechanism comprising a trigger extending from the front face of the housing. The device is particularly useful in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and demolition for attaching one or more disrupters to a target for disposal.