Projectile Multi-Spectral Marking Plume Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current practice ammunition fails to effectively simulate the visual and thermal signatures of high-explosive detonations, particularly at low temperatures and in environments where direct visibility of the impact point is obstructed, and generates unexploded ordnance and range fires.
Innovation Solution
A multi-spectral plume device that uses low-density marking materials housed in a frangible ogive, heated by a novel heat engine during flight, producing a visible, near IR, and far IR signature upon impact, with a layered configuration for efficient ejection and lofting, including reflective and chemi-luminescent materials for visibility and thermal contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If pyrotechnic devices are used to mark targets, then target marking capability is improved, but unexploded ordnance and range fires are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the marking mechanism from pyrotechnic combustion to chemi-luminescent chemical reaction. The chemi-luminescent material undergoes a chemical reaction that emits light without combustion, eliminating the generation of unexploded ordnance and range fires while maintaining target marking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/pyrotechnic system with a chemical system. Instead of using explosive or combustion-based pyrotechnic devices, the invention uses chemi-luminescent materials that produce light through chemical reaction, substituting a harmful mechanical/pyrotechnic process with a safer chemical process
2Illumination intensity
If chemi-luminescent materials are used for marking, then target marking is achieved, but effectiveness at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the operating temperature parameter by incorporating a heating element that actively heats the chemi-luminescent material during projectile flight. This temperature control mechanism ensures the chemi-luminescent reaction remains effective across a wide temperature range, including low temperature conditions where conventional chemi-luminescent materials would fail
3Illumination intensity
If chemi-luminescent materials are used, then visible marking is achieved, but thermal signature for thermal sensors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the marking system multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously produce visible light for visual/night vision detection and thermal signature for thermal sensor detection. The heating element serves dual purposes: activating chemi-luminescence and creating thermal contrast for infrared detection, allowing one system to fulfill multiple detection requirements
4Illumination intensity
If direct target marking materials are used, then impact point marking is achieved, but visibility in obstructed environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface marking to three-dimensional plume generation. The marking material is ejected into the air to create a suspended plume that extends vertically above the impact point, adding the height dimension. This 3D plume structure remains visible from a distance and through obstructions, overcoming the limitation of surface-only marking
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 creates a realistic simulation of high-explosive detonations, providing clear visibility of the impact point to gunners and training participants, even at long ranges and in obstructed environments, while avoiding the hazards of unexploded ordnance and range fires.
Implementation Method 1
low density marking materials contained in a projectile are quickly heated by a novel heat engine during the short projectile flight
Implementation Method 2
visible and chemi-luminescent materials that, when mixed, emit light in the visual and near IR spectral range
Implementation Method 3
reflective material coated with a dye that reflects light in daytime conditions
Implementation Method 4
Phase change material absorbs excess heat that may be produced at higher ambient temperatures
Implementation Method 5
The plume materials, heated during flight to above ambient temperature, provide a thermal signature. The temperature difference produces a heat plume with contrast to the ambient background (sky or terrain) visible above the point of impact
Data Source
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AI summary
A training ammunition projectile has a projectile body comprising a head with a frangible ogive designed to burst when the projectile strikes a target. One or more marking agents, disposed in the head for marking the position of the target upon its release when the ogive has burst, include 1) chemiluminescent components, disposed in separate frangible compartments, which mix and react chemically with each other when the compartments break up on setback, causing the mixed components to luminesce, (2) a low density, fine, dry powder material disposed in the head and designed to create a plume for marking the target when the projectile strikes the target. A dry thermal material, disposed in a separate compartment in the head and designed to be exposed to oxygen or air upon setback, due to the initial acceleration and the centrifugal forces, produce an exothermic reaction and emit heat during flight of the projectile.