Gun-Fired Projectile Propellant Support Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gun-fired guided projectiles with rocket motors fail due to stresses and high temperatures, causing propellant fractures and unpredictable burning, which affects range and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly that separates and protects propellant cells by distributing inertial forces to the rocket motor housing, preventing compressive loading and adiabatic compression, and maintaining a consistent ignition environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a unitary propellant cell is used, then the structure is simple, but the propellant fractures under inertial loading causing unpredictable burning and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the propellant into multiple separate propellant cells (first propellant cell and second propellant cell) instead of using a single unitary propellant cell. Each cell is independently supported by support structures that prevent fracture under inertial loading during gun firing, thereby eliminating the burning unpredictability caused by fracture while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
2Quantity of substance
If propellant cells are closely packed to maximize density, then the quantity of propellant increases, but inertial forces cause compression and fracture of the propellant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces support structures (support shelves, support plates, or a support cage) as intermediary elements between the propellant cells and the gun barrel. These support structures absorb and distribute the inertial forces during acceleration, preventing direct compression on the propellant cells while allowing close packing for maximum density. The support structures act as mediators that protect the propellant from fracture while enabling high propellant quantity
3Speed
If the propellant is subjected to high acceleration forces during gun firing, then the projectile achieves high velocity, but the propellant undergoes adiabatic compression and premature ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures serve as intermediaries that decouple the propellant cells from the direct transmission of inertial forces during high-acceleration gun firing. By supporting the propellant cells on support shelves or plates, the system allows the projectile to achieve high velocity while preventing adiabatic compression and premature ignition of the propellant, ensuring consistent ignition timing
4Reliability
If multiple propellant cells are used to ensure reliable burning, then the burning consistency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where multiple propellant cells are positioned within a single rocket motor assembly, supported by an integrated support structure. The propellant cells are arranged in a compact configuration (e.g., axial stacking or radial arrangement) that maximizes burning reliability while minimizing overall complexity through shared support infrastructure
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
Ensures consistent and reliable firing of projectiles by minimizing propellant cell fractures and premature ignition, improving range and accuracy by isolating each propellant cell from adjacent cells and maintaining a predictable burning environment.
Implementation Method 1
The enormous stresses including pressures and forces of the gun fire environment accelerate a projectile up to 12,000 g's
Implementation Method 2
where the rocket propellant is fractured from inertial based compression forces, the propellant undergoes adiabatic compression and prematurely initiates within the bore of a gun
Implementation Method 3
The fractured propellant burns in an unpredictable manner and negatively affects the range and accuracy of the projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A gun fired projectile includes a rocket motor housing including a pressure chamber and an exhaust nozzle. A plurality of propellant cells are positioned within the pressure chamber. The rocket motor propellant is mechanically supported during the severe gun fire event. This support may take several forms, each of which is discussed herein. The projectile further includes a support structure including one or more supports: wherein each of the one or more supports is engaged with the rocket motor housing. Each of the one or more supports is engaged with one propellant cell of the plurality of propellant cells, and each of the one or more supports suspends an individual propellant cell from the remainder of the plurality of propellant cells. All of these approaches provide the opportunity to tailor the performance of the rocket motor by combining a combination of propellant formulations and geometries to optimize the projectile performance.