Passive Cavity Deflation for Underwater Projectiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The persistence of air cavities formed when objects enter water can lead to noise and efficiency issues, particularly in naval and commercial applications, as these cavities can cause propeller malfunctions and hinder discreet operations.
Innovation Solution
A device and system for deflating gas cavities around projectiles, featuring a hollow tube with radial vent holes oriented near the projectile, allowing air to escape and water to enter, facilitating rapid cavity deflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air cavities are allowed to form naturally during water entry, then cavity formation occurs which can persist for extended time, but this leads to noise and efficiency issues including propeller malfunctions and hindered discreet operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts air from the cavity through a vent hole in the enclosure wall, allowing the harmful air cavity to be removed from the system. The vent hole enables air to escape from the interior space to the exterior, directly addressing the noise and turbulence problems caused by persistent cavities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful persistent air cavity into a beneficial controlled deflation process. By allowing controlled air escape through the vent hole, the system transforms the harmful cavity persistence into a useful rapid deflation mechanism that reduces noise and improves operational reliability
2Loss of time
If cavity deflation is implemented using a vent hole in the enclosure wall, then rapid cavity deflation occurs within 30 milliseconds, but this requires additional device components including inlet and outlet orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the vent hole at a specific location in the enclosure wall where it can effectively vent air from the cavity. The vent hole is strategically placed to optimize air escape while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure wall itself serves the dual function of containing the interior space and providing the vent hole for air escape. The wall structure performs both containment and ventilation functions, reducing the need for separate complex venting mechanisms
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 effectively reduces cavity volume to near zero within 30 milliseconds, minimizing noise and turbulence, and can be applied to various projectiles and structures to enhance operational efficiency and stealth.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one inlet may be located within the gas cavity and the outlet may be located outside the gas cavity, such that gas flows from the exterior through the at least one inlet to the interior space, and from the interior space through the outlet to the exterior to deflate the gas cavity
Implementation Method 2
As the sphere 105 continues to descend, hydrostatic pressure causes the cavity walls to collapse inward until the walls touch one another at a single point 125
Data Source
AI summary
A device is disclosed for deflating a gas cavity about a projectile formed upon entry of the projectile into a liquid. The device can include a wall coupleable with a body operable as a projectile and defining an exterior and an interior space. The wall can be oriented toward a trailing end relative to a leading end defined by the body. The device can also include at least one inlet to facilitate gas flow from the exterior to the interior space. An outlet can facilitate gas flow from the interior space to the exterior and can be oriented toward the trailing end relative to the at least one inlet. Upon entry of the body and the wall into a liquid and formation of a gas cavity about a portion of the body and the wall, the at least one inlet can be located within the gas cavity and the outlet can be located outside the gas cavity, such that gas flows from the exterior through the at least one inlet to the interior space, and from the interior space through the outlet to the exterior to deflate the gas cavity.