Modular Shaped Charge Jet Length via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shaped charges face limitations in increasing jet length without corresponding increases in charge weight, as the length of the jet is typically limited by the length and diameter of the charge, requiring significant weight increases to achieve longer jets, and the combination of common explosives and metal liners often results in detonation speeds exceeding the sound speed of the liner material, making stable jet formation difficult.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiphase blast explosive (MBX) with a cylindrical liner geometry reduces the detonation speed below the sound speed of common metals, allowing for a stable, constant velocity jet that can be extended in length without increasing charge weight, and enables the use of different liner materials sequentially, facilitating modular assembly for adjustable length and material composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length and diameter of the charge are increased to achieve longer jet length, then the jet length is improved, but the charge weight increases by a factor of 8
Solution Approach 1:
The charge is divided into multiple modular segments that can be assembled in series. Each module contains a liner and explosive configuration that contributes a specific length to the jet. By segmenting the charge into standardized modules, the jet length can be extended by adding more segments rather than increasing the diameter, thus avoiding the exponential weight increase associated with traditional single-piece designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional single-dimension approach (increasing diameter to increase jet length) to a multi-dimensional modular assembly approach. Instead of scaling up the diameter of a single charge, the system uses multiple smaller modules arranged in a linear sequence, effectively using the longitudinal dimension for jet length extension while keeping individual module diameters small, thereby controlling overall weight.
2Ease of manufacture
If common solid explosives are used with metal liners, then the explosive is easy to manufacture, but the detonation speed exceeds the sound speed of the liner material, making stable jet formation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the detonation velocity parameter of the explosive by using multiphase blast explosive (MBX) formulations with controlled particle sizes and distributions. This parameter adjustment reduces the detonation speed to be below the sound speed of the liner material, enabling stable jet formation while maintaining manufacturability of the explosive composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite explosive formulations (multiphase blast explosive) that combine explosive particles with binder and initiator materials in specific ratios. This composite approach allows tuning of detonation properties to achieve subsonic detonation speeds relative to the liner, while maintaining the ease of manufacturing associated with conventional explosive fabrication processes.
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 approach allows for a significant increase in jet length with only a doubling of charge weight, maintaining a constant jet velocity and enabling the use of various liner materials, which is essential for applications requiring long standoff distances and deep penetration, such as anti-armor and well perforation.
Implementation Method 1
The use of multiphase blast explosive (MBX) with a cylindrical liner geometry reduces the detonation speed below the sound speed of common metals, allowing for a stable, constant velocity jet
Implementation Method 2
reduces the detonation speed below the sound speed of common metals, allowing for a stable, constant velocity jet
Implementation Method 3
When the explosive is initiated at one end, the progressing detonation will collapse the liner along the axis of the charge
Data Source
AI summary
A shaped charge produces a constant velocity jet. The shaped charge is comprised of individual modules which can be assembled to produce a constant velocity jet of arbitrary length. The resulting jet speed is approximately twice the detonation velocity and independent of the liner material. The modular design also allows different liner materials to be used sequentially in the same jet.