Linear Laser Ignition for Uniform Artillery Propellant Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser ignition devices for large-caliber artillery propellants with a hollow center are inefficient as they transmit energy to only one point, prolonging the time required for complete ignition.

Innovation Solution

A laser ignition system that converts a circular laser shape into a linear shape using a Powell lens to maximize the area exposed to the laser, ensuring even combustion in both longitudinal and radial directions by employing a laser shape conversion part and transmission part to seal and transmit the laser efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a conventional laser ignition device uses a circular laser shape, then the device structure is simple, but the energy transmission time to the entire propellant is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition timeVSAvoidlaser shape conversion structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the shape parameter of the laser beam from circular to linear by passing it through a Powell lens. This parameter change allows the laser energy to be distributed along a linear path that matches the hollow center geometry of the cylindrical propellant, enabling simultaneous ignition along the entire length of the propellant core and dramatically reducing ignition time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the laser beam from a two-dimensional circular cross-section to a one-dimensional linear shape. This dimensional reduction concentrates the energy distribution along a specific geometric path (the linear hollow center of the propellant), ensuring complete and uniform energy transmission across the entire propellant surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a conventional laser ignition device transmits energy to one point, then the device structure is simple, but the combustion uniformity is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion uniformityVSAvoidlaser energy distribution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the spatial distribution parameter of laser energy by converting the circular beam shape into a linear shape. This change ensures that energy is distributed uniformly along the entire hollow center of the cylindrical propellant, creating consistent combustion conditions in both longitudinal and radial directions and eliminating the non-uniform combustion caused by single-point energy transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the laser beam shape is changed to linear using a Powell lens, then the ignition speed increases, but the energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition speedVSAvoidlaser energy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the laser beam shape parameter to match the geometric parameters of the propellant's hollow center. By transforming the circular laser beam into a linear shape that precisely fits the propellant core geometry, the system maximizes energy utilization efficiency. The linear shape ensures complete coverage of the propellant surface without energy waste, achieving both high ignition speed and low energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system reduces ignition time by ensuring uniform and rapid combustion of the entire propellant, minimizing energy consumption and maintaining high-pressure combustion conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a laser shape conversion part including a Powell lens is mounted at a front of the laser diffusion part to change a circular shape of the laser received from the laser transfer part into a linear shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a laser generator to generate a laser, a laser transfer part mounted in front of an inclined through hole of the breech block to transfer a laser of the laser generator to the artillery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 3

the laser passing through the laser diffusion part maintains the combustion for the large-caliber artillery propellant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

a laser transmission part is mounted at a rear of the laser diffusion part to seal propellant combustion gas generated in the gun barrel while transmitting the converted laser received from the laser shape conversion part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4664054A1Laser ignition system for large-caliber artillery
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEV
  • EP4664054A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664054A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4664054A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a laser ignition system for a large-caliber artillery, which provides a linear laser beam shape, and the ignition system of the present invention evenly combusts a cylindrical large-caliber artillery propellant with a hollow center in an energy-efficient manner using a laser in longitudinal and radial directions.