Projectile Explosive Compression Tooling with Bead-Contact Guides

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for compressing explosive materials in projectile bodies with internal circular beads are limited, as traditional compression techniques cannot effectively load the explosive material without interference with the beads, necessitating casting processes that require heat treatments for homogeneity.

Innovation Solution

A method and tooling system that uses multiple stages of compression with specialized guides and punches, where the guide's length and diameter allow contact with internal beads, enabling the compression of explosive material without interference, and includes adjustable heads and grooves to ensure complete filling and uniform compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional compression methods are used with internal beads, then the compression punch interferes with the beads, but if casting processes are used instead, then heat treatments are required for cooling and homogeneity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading speedVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compression process is divided into multiple sequential stages, each with a guide of appropriate length to navigate around internal beads. The first guide has length L1 to reach the first bead, the second guide has length L2 to reach the second bead, and the third guide has length L3 to reach the third bead, allowing progressive compression without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Guides are introduced as intermediary components between the compression punch and the internal beads. These guides have internal diameters less than or equal to the bead diameters, allowing them to contact the beads and prevent punch interference while transmitting compression force to the explosive material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a guide with internal diameter less than or equal to bead diameter is used, then the guide contacts the beads to prevent interference, but the guide length must be precisely defined to reach each bead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide length precisionVSAvoidmultiple guide specifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamically selected guides based on the specific compression stage and bead position. Each guide's length is optimized for its specific function (L1 for first bead, L2 for second bead, L3 for third bead), allowing the system to adapt to different compression requirements while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each guide is designed with specific local characteristics (length and internal diameter) matched to the particular bead it needs to contact. The first guide has dimensions suited for the first bead, the second guide for the second bead, and the third guide for the third bead, optimizing the interaction at each location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the rapid and efficient loading of explosive material into projectile bodies with internal beads, avoiding the need for heat treatments and ensuring homogeneity of the explosive charge, while preventing interference with the beads during the compression process.

Implementation Method 1

the guide being interposed between the punch and the body, at the at least one first punch guide having a length defined such that this guide can come into contact with an internal bead of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical contact and constraint: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the explosive material in the powder state is compressed using a compression punch directly in the projectile body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

method for compressing an explosive material in a body of a projectile or warhead through a rear opening of this body, method implementing at least one compression punch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2426455B1Method for compressing an explosive material in the body of a projectile and tool for implementing such a method
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 NEXTER MUNITIONS SA
  • EP2426455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2426455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2426455B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The method involves implementing a compression punch (14.1) for compressing an explosive material (18.1) in a military head or projectile body through a rear opening of the body. A punch guide (13.1) is interposed between the compression punch and the body. Length of the punch guide is defined such that the punch guide is in contact on a circular internal bead (12a) of the body or in immediate proximity of the internal bead, where internal diameter of the punch guide is lower or equal to diameter of the internal bead. An independent claim is also included for a tool for compressing an explosive material in a military head or projectile body through a rear opening of the body.