Munitions Packaging System Using Expanded Polystyrene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional munitions packaging systems are heavy, costly, and easily detectable using infrared devices, posing challenges in storage, transportation, and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A munitions packaging system made entirely of a lightweight single polymer material, such as expanded polystyrene, with interlocking components and nesting indents for efficient stacking and storage, and optionally equipped with RFID devices for tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional munitions packaging systems are made of wood or metal, then they are sturdy and durable, but they are heavy and have high manufacturing and transportation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using expanded polystyrene foam instead of traditional wood or metal materials. This material substitution maintains adequate structural strength while dramatically reducing weight, directly resolving the contradiction between durability and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining expanded polystyrene foam with polyethylene liners and various fastening components. This composite approach creates a packaging system that achieves the durability of traditional materials while maintaining the weight advantages of lightweight materials.
2Strength
If conventional munitions packaging systems are made of wood or metal, then they are sturdy, but they provide a detectable and substantial heat signature to infrared viewing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the packaging material by using expanded polystyrene foam, which has different thermal emission characteristics compared to wood or metal. This reduces the infrared heat signature and makes the packaging less detectable by infrared viewing devices while maintaining structural adequacy.
3Weight of moving object
If plastic munitions packaging systems are used, then they are light weight and manufactured at relatively low cost, but they are relatively nondurable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining expanded polystyrene foam with polyethylene liners, grommets, and fastening components. This composite approach enhances the durability of the lightweight plastic-based system, resolving the contradiction between weight and durability.
4Reliability
If conventional munitions packaging systems use secondary inner materials to secure munitions, then they provide safe containment, but they result in further increased manufacturing costs and disposal concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (packaging structure, securing mechanisms, and protective elements) into an integrated system where the expanded polystyrene foam structure itself provides both containment and securing functions, eliminating the need for separate secondary inner materials and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded polystyrene foam packaging structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural containment, secures munitions through integrated features, and offers protective cushioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate secondary materials, reducing both manufacturing cost and disposal complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for packaging and storing munitions includes a packaging device having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions include a mating indents complementary to fit together in interlocking manner. The upper and lower portions further include one or more first indents to form one or more cavities for storage and protection of one or more munitions within the munitions packaging system when the upper and lower portions are mated. The upper portion and the lower portion are made of a first single polymer material. The system further comprises one or more interposing stacking layers. The method involves placing one or more munitions in a munitions packaging system, assembling an upper portion, lower portion, and optional interposing stacking layers.