Modular Charge Container with Rigid Combustible Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular charge systems for propelling munitions face challenges in robustness, flexibility, and usability due to loose coupling of charges, human error in adding or removing energetic materials, and handling issues with combustible bags prone to snagging and tears.
Innovation Solution
A modular charge container device comprising combustible modular cartridges with a rigid and combustible material, featuring a cavity with a combustible canister and a releasable attachment system, allowing for easy addition or removal of cartridges and flexible energetic material management, with spacers for uniform burn and a central igniter for even ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual charges are loosely coupled together using recess/extrusions, then modular assembly is enabled, but rapid movement or formation of desired charge becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The charge system is divided into discrete modular cartridges that can be independently handled and assembled. Each cartridge is a self-contained unit with standardized coupling features, enabling rapid assembly without complex manipulation of loose components.
Solution Approach 2:
Combustible bags containing energetic material are nested within a larger master combustible bag structure. This nested configuration allows pre-assembled units to be quickly deployed as complete charges, eliminating time-consuming field assembly while maintaining modular adaptability through selective combination of nested units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If combustible bags are used to contain energetic material, then flexibility in energetic material quantity is achieved, but handling becomes difficult due to snagging and tears
Solution Approach 1:
Combustible bags made from flexible material are used to contain energetic material, providing the necessary flexibility for varying charge quantities. The flexible construction allows the bags to be easily manipulated and configured while maintaining sufficient durability for handling through careful material selection and design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual combustible bags are combined within a single master combustible bag structure. This merging approach consolidates multiple flexible components into one unified assembly, reducing handling complexity and minimizing the risk of snagging or tears during deployment while preserving the flexibility to adjust total energetic material quantity.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual charges are manually assembled to achieve desired total charge, then precise energetic material quantity control is possible, but human error increases during high stress periods
Solution Approach 1:
Combustible bags with specific energetic material quantities are pre-configured and prepared in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures precise energetic material quantity control is achieved under controlled conditions, eliminating the need for stressful field assembly and preventing human error during high-stress operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cartridge system is designed to be self-identifying and self-assembling through standardized coupling mechanisms. Each cartridge inherently indicates its energetic material quantity and automatically interfaces with adjacent cartridges, reducing reliance on human judgment and manual assembly operations that are prone to error under stress.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single master combustible bag contains multiple smaller charges, then cost savings and flexibility are achieved, but adding single bags to the larger container is subject to human error
Solution Approach 1:
Smaller combustible bags are nested within the master combustible bag in predetermined configurations. This nested arrangement maintains the cost efficiency of using a single master container while ensuring accurate charge arrangement through pre-planned positioning, eliminating the need for manual assembly operations that could introduce human error.
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 enhances robustness and flexibility by allowing precise adjustment of energetic material quantity and reducing human error, while improving handling and ensuring a uniform explosive output with minimal residue post-firing.
Implementation Method 1
Each charge contains an energetic material and is made from a rigid, combustible case... the ignition means on the case (e.g. an igniter pad) is struck and causes an explosive train sequence to begin
Implementation Method 2
causes an explosive train sequence to begin, which continues through the charges until the force expels the shell from the barrel of the weapon
Implementation Method 3
a desired gap may be provided between the combustible canister and the at least one wall of the combustible modular cartridge using a number of spacers
Implementation Method 4
The combustible canister may be reversibly attached to the combustible modular cartridge at least one wall by a reversible means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular charge container device formed of one or more combustible modular cartridges, wherein said combustible modular cartridge comprises two ends, a first end comprising a base portion and a second end comprising a top portion, wherein the combustible modular cartridge is formed using a substantially rigid and combustible material, said combustible modular cartridge comprises at least one wall to define a cavity, wherein the cavity further comprises at least one combustible canister, wherein said combustible canister comprises an energetic material.