Munition Fuze Shock Transfer via Transverse Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuze configurations in munitions occupy valuable longitudinal space, making it challenging to accommodate larger-diameter components like explosive charges and penetrators efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The fuze is mounted nonparallel to the munition's longitudinal axis, with a shock transfer device having a narrow neck to concentrate and direct shock waves efficiently to an initiation coupler, allowing for compact fuze placement and effective detonation of the warhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the fuze is mounted with its longitudinal axis parallel to the munition's longitudinal axis, then the fuze is easily installed and aligned, but it occupies excessive longitudinal space within the munition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal space occupied by fuzeVSAvoidease of fuze installation and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fuze is reoriented from a longitudinal mounting (parallel to munition axis) to a transverse mounting (perpendicular to munition axis), effectively changing the dimension in which the fuze occupies space. This dimensional transition reduces longitudinal space consumption while maintaining functional effectiveness through the shock transfer device

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

2Volume of moving object

If the fuze is mounted perpendicular to the munition's longitudinal axis to save space, then longitudinal space is reduced, but shock transfer to the initiation device becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal space occupied by fuzeVSAvoidreliability of shock transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shock transfer device acts as an intermediary element between the fuze and the initiation device. This mediator component ensures reliable shock wave transmission even when the fuze is mounted perpendicular to the munition axis, bridging the spatial orientation gap and maintaining functional reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock transfer device incorporates a narrow neck with reduced cross-sectional area, changing the geometric parameters of the shock path. This parameter modification concentrates and directs the shock wave effectively from the fuze through the device to the initiation coupler, ensuring reliable detonation despite the perpendicular mounting orientation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If larger-diameter components (explosive charge and penetrator) are arranged longitudinally, then these components can be optimally positioned, but less space remains for fuze accommodation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimal positioning of explosive charge and penetratorVSAvoidavailable space for fuze
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By mounting the fuze perpendicular to the munition's longitudinal axis, the fuze utilizes transverse space rather than longitudinal space. This dimensional reconfiguration allows larger-diameter components to be optimally positioned along the longitudinal axis while accommodating the fuze in the transverse dimension, effectively resolving the space conflict

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

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 configuration minimizes space usage within the munition while ensuring reliable shock transfer and detonation of the warhead, even with larger components oriented along the longitudinal axis.

Implementation Method 1

a shock transfer device to transport a shock from the fuze to an initiation device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentEP3218666B1Munition with fuze shock transfer system
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP3218666B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3218666B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3218666B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10

AI summary

A munition (10) has a fuze (14) that is mounted nonparallel to the axis (20) of the munition, for example having a largest extent that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the munition. Shocks from the fuze are transferred through a shock transfer device (60) that is in contact with the fuze, to an initiation device that is also in contact with the shock transfer device. Shocks passing through the shock transfer device to the initiation coupler pass through a relatively narrow neck (80) of the shock transfer device. In the shock transfer device the shock is concentrated and located precisely at the neck, before spreading out again and being transferred to the initiation device. In the initiation device the shock may detonate a high explosive material, which in turn is used to detonate a main explosive of the munition, such as a warhead.