Projectile Base Component Reactive Material Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high financial and technical effort involved in producing components from reactive materials, along with the need to redesign interfaces, makes it challenging to create components with similar properties, especially for strength reasons and to avoid extensive redesigns.

Innovation Solution

A method of post-processing existing base components by applying a reactive material with activatable properties to specific areas, using techniques like cold gas spraying or hot isostatic pressing, to enhance properties such as temperature resistance and chemical responsiveness, without requiring direct application during production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If components are manufactured from reactive material, then energy available during warhead detonation is increased, but manufacturing cost and technical effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy available during warhead detonationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and technical effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The component is divided into two distinct parts: a base component made from conventional inert material and a reactive material coating applied to its surface. This segmentation allows the bulk structural component to be manufactured using conventional, cost-effective methods while only the surface layer provides the reactive energy-enhancing properties, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining conventional inert material (base component) with reactive material (coating layer). This composite approach allows the component to benefit from the low cost and ease of manufacturing conventional materials for the bulk structure, while the reactive coating provides the desired energy enhancement during detonation, achieving a balance between manufacturing ease and energy performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If components are manufactured from reactive material, then energy available during warhead detonation is increased, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy available during warhead detonationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into two independent stages: first, manufacturing the base component using conventional methods with established interfaces and processes; second, applying the reactive material coating separately. This segmentation avoids the need to redesign entire manufacturing workflows and maintains compatibility with existing production infrastructure, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base component is manufactured completely first, with all its structural features, interfaces, and connections to other warhead components established in advance. Only after the base component is fully manufactured does the reactive material coating application take place. This preliminary action allows the complex base component to be perfected using conventional methods before adding the reactive coating, avoiding the need to integrate reactive material manufacturing into complex existing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If new components are manufactured from reactive material, then reactive material properties are achieved, but interface redesign with other warhead components is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereactive material propertiesVSAvoidinterface redesign effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component is segmented such that the base component (made from conventional material) maintains all original interfaces and connection points with other warhead components, while the reactive material is applied only as a surface coating. This segmentation preserves existing interface geometries and connection methods, eliminating the need for interface redesign while still providing reactive material properties where needed on the component surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base component serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, maintains all mechanical interfaces with other warhead components, and serves as a substrate for the reactive material coating. By making the base component universal and compatible with existing interfaces, the invention allows the reactive coating to be added without affecting the component's ability to interface with other parts of the warhead system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach simplifies the production of components with reactive material properties, reduces the need for extensive redesigns, and allows for application at any stage of the component's life, including on worn parts, thereby saving weight and installation space while maintaining or improving performance.

Implementation Method 1

using techniques like cold gas spraying or hot isostatic pressing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCold gas spraying: Plasma Spray

Implementation Method 2

using techniques like cold gas spraying or hot isostatic pressing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot isostatic pressing: Hot Isostatic Pressing

Data Source

PatentEP4163584B1Method for finishing a base component and component with such a post-processed base component
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 TDW GES FR VERTEIDIGUNGSTECHN WIRKSYST MBH
  • EP4163584B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4163584B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for post-processing a base component (1) of a projectile, in particular a guided missile, a warhead, or ammunition, comprising the steps of: providing (S1) a base component (1); and applying (S2) a reactive material (2) with a material property activatable by a predetermined stimulus to a predefined processing area (3) of the base component (1) such that the reactive material (2) is bonded to the base component (1). Furthermore, the present invention provides a component (10) comprising a base component (1) and a reactive material (2).