Multi-Point Pyrotechnic Ignition for Decoy Active Masses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dummy target active bodies face ignition challenges due to design and geometry, leading to delayed and reduced power development, which affects their effectiveness against threats during the ignition phase, and existing solutions lack a suitable cover set for all-sided ignitability.

Innovation Solution

An active body with multiple pyrotechnic ignition means connected via channels for simultaneous ignition on multiple sides, ensuring rapid and reliable ignition of active substances, including the use of smaller ignition means and inert separation to prevent unwanted ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ignition is performed from one side only, then the structure is simple, but ignition reliability and speed are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidignition structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The active mass is divided into multiple segments with ignition means positioned at different locations (front, rear, and side surfaces). This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-point ignition, improving ignition reliability without requiring a single complex ignition system. Each segment can be ignited independently through its own ignition means, ensuring complete combustion even if one ignition point fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple ignition means are combined to work simultaneously on the same active mass. The patent integrates front ignition means, rear ignition means, and side ignition means that all activate at the same time, creating a merged ignition effect that rapidly ignites the entire active mass from multiple directions, significantly improving ignition reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If fast-burning coating is applied, then all-sided ignition is achieved, but power development is delayed and reduced in initial phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition speedVSAvoidpower development
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Ignition means are pre-positioned at strategic locations on the active mass (front, rear, and side surfaces) before activation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when ignition is triggered, multiple points ignite simultaneously, creating immediate high-power combustion without the delay associated with coating-based ignition methods that require the coating to burn through first.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If active mass composition or geometry is changed, then ignitability is improved, but adaptability is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveignitabilityVSAvoidcomposition and geometry flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the active mass are assigned different ignition characteristics through strategically placed ignition means. The front, rear, and side surfaces each have ignition points optimized for their specific geometric and compositional properties. This local quality approach allows the system to maintain high ignitability across diverse active mass compositions and geometries without requiring a universal design change, thereby preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 quick, reliable, and all-round ignition of active bodies, improving their effectiveness against incoming missiles and reducing scattering behavior, while allowing for adjustment of the emitted spectrum and ensuring reliable ignition even at high speeds.

Implementation Method 1

each comprising a pyrotechnic composition for igniting the active mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The at least two ignition means are interconnected via channels such that the at least one active mass can be ignited simultaneously from multiple sides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4038340B9Active element and method for igniting an active element
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
  • EP4038340B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038340B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038340B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an active element (1), in particular an active decoy element, comprising at least one active mass 101...n, and at least two ignition means 201...n each comprising a pyrotechnic set for igniting the active masses 101...n. The at least two ignition means 201...n are arranged on the at least one active mass 101...n and the at least two ignition means 201...n are connected to one another via channels 301...n, 311...n in such a way that the at least one active mass 101...n can be simultaneously ignited from multiple sides.