Inductive Power Coupler for Weapon Station Wireless Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current weapon systems lack efficient methods for loading, testing, targeting, and launching weapons, particularly in ensuring reliable power transfer and communication between the weapon and the platform, and do not adequately address safety and operational status reporting.

Innovation Solution

The system employs inductive power coupling and optical coupling to detect and communicate with the weapon, using inductive power couplers and infrared light emitting diodes, along with wireless communication via RF or magnetic power coupling, to facilitate loading, testing, targeting, and launching, while incorporating a laser safety initiation system for propulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If inductive power coupling is used to transfer power between platform and weapon, then electrical connections are reduced during firing, but reliability of power transfer must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connections during firingVSAvoidpower transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical electrical connections with inductive power coupling using electromagnetic fields. The platform rail and weapon rail contain inductive power couplers that transfer power wirelessly through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for physical electrical contacts during weapon firing, thereby reducing harmful electrical connection issues while maintaining reliable power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If optical coupling is used for communication between platform and weapon, then communication efficiency is improved, but detection and communication reliability must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddetection and communication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electrical communication systems with optical coupling using infrared light emitting diodes. The platform rail and weapon rail contain optical couplers that transmit data and communication signals through infrared light, improving communication efficiency while the system ensures reliability through proper optical alignment and signal detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If laser safety initiation system is used for propulsion ignition, then safety is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the safety function into a dedicated laser safety initiation system that is separate from the main propulsion system. The system includes a safety switch that controls laser activation, ensuring that the propulsion charge is only ignited when proper safety conditions are met. This separation of safety functions enhances overall system safety while keeping the complexity manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser safety initiation system performs preliminary safety checks and preparations before actual propulsion ignition. The safety switch and laser mechanism ensure that all safety conditions are verified and the system is ready for safe operation before the propulsion charge is activated, preventing premature or unsafe ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Extent of automation

If inductive power couplers and optical couplers are integrated in rails, then loading and operation automation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and operation automationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the inductive power couplers and optical couplers into the platform rail and weapon rail structures themselves. By integrating these coupling mechanisms directly into the rails, the system achieves automated power transfer and communication during weapon loading and operation without requiring separate external coupling devices, thereby improving automation while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables reliable power transfer, efficient communication, and safe operation of the weapon, ensuring accurate targeting and launching, with enhanced safety features and reduced electrical connections during firing.

Implementation Method 1

A first inductive power coupler is associated with a platform rail on a platform of a weapon station such that when a weapon is loaded onto the weapon station, power is transferred from the platform to the weapon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

An optical coupler is associated with the weapon rail such that when the weapon is loaded onto the weapon station, the optical coupler detects that the weapon is on the platform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

An infrared light emitting diode is associated with the weapon rail such that data can be transmitted from the weapon to the platform when the weapon is loaded onto the weapon station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode