Penetrator Chisel Ring Radial Azimuthal Cutting Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional penetrators face challenges in effectively penetrating ultra-high strength target materials like ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) due to their high compressive strength and impact resistance, which can lead to structural failure and ricochets, especially at supersonic speeds.

Innovation Solution

A penetrator design featuring a penetrator tip with a stepped or ogive shape combined with a chisel collar having radially and azimuthally oriented cutting edges, which creates a multi-stage penetration process to damage and cut through the target material, reducing ricochet risk and exploiting the material's sensitivity to shear loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the penetrator tip is positioned in front of the chisel elements to create a multi-stage penetration process, then the penetration capacity is improved by radially damaging the target material first, but the device complexity increases due to the combined structure of penetrator tip and chisel collar

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration capacityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The penetrator combines the penetrator tip and chisel collar into a single integrated structure where the penetrator tip is positioned in front of the chisel elements. This merging allows the two functional elements to work together in a multi-stage penetration process, improving penetration capacity while maintaining structural coherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The penetrator head is segmented into distinct functional zones: the penetrator tip for initial impact and radial damage, followed by the chisel elements for cutting and shearing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally in sequence, enhancing overall penetration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the chisel elements are positioned axially back relative to the penetrator tip to allow sequential engagement, then the penetration effectiveness is improved by shattering previously damaged material, but the length of the penetrator head increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration effectivenessVSAvoidpenetrator head length
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The penetrator tip performs preliminary action by creating radial damage and initial cracks in the target material before the chisel elements engage. This preliminary damage softens the material structure, allowing the chisel elements to more effectively shatter and cut through the target with reduced resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the azimuthal cutting edges are added to the chisel elements to reduce ricochet behavior, then the stability against oblique impact is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against oblique impactVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chisel elements are designed with differentiated cutting edges having different orientations and functions: radial cutting edges for cutting reinforcement structures and azimuthal cutting edges for stabilizing against oblique impacts. This local differentiation of quality allows each edge type to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If the radial cutting edge protrudes radially from the penetrator tip to cut through reinforcement structures, then the ability to sever steel elements is improved, but the stress on the chisel elements during impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to cut reinforcementVSAvoidimpact load on chisel elements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The penetrator tip performs preliminary damage to the target material, creating radial cracks and disrupting the reinforcement structure before the chisel elements with radial cutting edges engage. This preliminary action reduces the stress and force required by the radial cutting edges to sever the reinforcement structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design enhances penetration capacity and survivability at supersonic speeds by radially damaging and severing reinforcement structures, stabilizing the penetrator against oblique impacts and achieving deeper penetration through shear failure of the concrete.

Implementation Method 1

the penetrator first hits a target object with it. The penetrator tip produces radial damage to the target object in the impact area, with the first cracks being able to spread from the impact point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

The chisel elements of the chisel collar then hit the target, with the previously damaged impact point between the chisel elements and the penetrator tip being shattered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

Due to their orientation, the azimuthal cutting edges reduce the ricochet behavior of the penetrator, since they stabilize it against oblique impact angles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

The radial cutters in turn cut through reinforcement structures within the target object, such as steel elements and/or reinforcement fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear Stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 5

the shape of the chisel elements can promote cavitation effects within the armor material and thereby further improve the effectiveness of the penetrator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 6

Once a critical depth of penetration is reached, a backing of the armor material can be scabbing off due to massive shear failure of the concrete

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear Failure: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP3591331B1Penetrator
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 TDW GES FR VERTEIDIGUNGSTECHN WIRKSYST MBH
  • EP3591331B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3591331B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3591331B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A penetrator comprises a penetrator tip and a chisel ring, which has a plurality of chisel elements arranged radially offset around the penetrator tip, wherein the chisel elements are positioned axially recessed relative to the penetrator tip, and wherein the chisel elements each have a radially oriented radial cutting edge and an azimuthally oriented azimuthally oriented cutting edge.