Projectile Brake Assembly with Radial Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake assemblies for projectiles require large braking surfaces to achieve effective braking, which occupy more space and weight inside the projectile, limiting the space for active components and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A brake assembly with U-shaped brake flaps that unfold radially, providing a braking surface longer than the projectile's diameter, with a cavity to reduce weight and a latch mechanism for efficient deployment, allowing for more space and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If large braking surfaces are used to achieve effective braking, then braking force is improved, but space required inside the projectile body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is divided into multiple brake flaps (typically four) that can be deployed independently. Each flap contains a braking surface that unfolds from the projectile body, allowing the total braking surface area to be large while the folded configuration occupies minimal space inside the projectile.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking surfaces transition from a compact three-dimensional folded state inside the projectile to a two-dimensional extended state perpendicular to the projectile axis during braking. This dimensional transformation allows large braking surfaces to be stored in small volumes.
2Force
If large braking surfaces are used to achieve effective braking, then braking force is improved, but weight of auxiliary motors and mechanical accessories increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake flaps are designed to deploy automatically using the projectile's own motion. The unfolding mechanism utilizes the projectile's forward velocity and aerodynamic forces to drive the brake flaps outward, eliminating the need for heavy auxiliary motors to power the deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assembly transitions from a static folded configuration to a dynamic deployed configuration through the unfolding mechanism. This dynamic deployment uses the projectile's kinetic energy and aerodynamic pressure to activate the braking surfaces without requiring powered actuators.
3Force
If large braking surfaces are used to achieve effective braking, then braking force is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is passive and self-activating, using the projectile's own motion and aerodynamic forces to deploy and operate the brake flaps. No additional energy sources or powered mechanisms are required, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining effective braking force.
4Area of stationary object
If circular configuration of braking surface is used, then braking surface area is maximized, but space requirement inside detonator increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large circular braking surface that would occupy significant space when folded, the braking surface is segmented into multiple smaller flaps. These segmented flaps can be stored in a compact configuration inside the detonator and deployed to form a large total braking surface area during operation.
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 enables a larger braking surface area with reduced space and weight, improving trajectory correction and reducing longitudinal dispersion while minimizing the need for heavy auxiliary motors, thus optimizing space and energy usage within the projectile.
Implementation Method 1
a brake assembly with U-shaped brake flaps that unfold radially, providing a braking surface longer than the projectile's diameter
Data Source
Figure 1a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a brake assembly (100) to enable the braking of a projectile on its trajectory, comprising at least two brake flaps (5, 6), wherein the two brake flaps are formed by an upper brake flap (5) and a lower brake flap (6), arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the projectile, such that the full span (L-L), where the full span is the distance (L-L) between the outer edge of the upper brake flap (5) and the outer edge of the lower brake flap (6) when the brake flaps (5, 6) are situated in the fully unfolded condition, is greater than twice the projectile diameter (D-D). Moreover, the invention relates to a detonator with the described brake assembly, a method of controlling the longitudinal dispersion, and a projectile with the described detonator.