Pyrotechnic Charge Segmentation for Gas Generator Packing Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pyrotechnic charges for gas generators have low packing ratios, leading to inefficient combustion, premature extinction, and mechanical damage due to high friction, and require overdimensioned ignition systems, while disk-shaped charges are difficult and costly to fabricate.
Innovation Solution
A pyrotechnic charge comprising stacked blocks forming angular sectors of rings or disks with truncated corners and grooves, allowing for improved packing density, heat transfer, and reduced compression forces, facilitating easier fabrication and efficient combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional bulk charge with cylindrical or egg-shaped blocks is used, then the charge is easy to manufacture, but the packing ratio of the combustion chamber is low (50% at most)
Solution Approach 1:
The charge is divided into multiple angular sector blocks that form rings or disks stacked in layers. Each block is a segment of a circle, and multiple blocks are assembled to form complete rings. This segmentation allows better space utilization in the combustion chamber while maintaining ease of manufacturing through standardized block production.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from simple cylindrical blocks to angular sectors that form two-dimensional rings when assembled. This dimensional change from individual blocks to ring structures enables more efficient packing arrangements in the combustion chamber, improving the packing ratio from 50% to potentially higher values through optimized geometric arrangements.
2Device complexity
If bulk charge with low density is used, then the charge structure is simple, but the combustion may be incomplete or suffer premature extinction
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the charge into multiple angular blocks that form rings, the invention creates a structured arrangement that ensures proper contact between blocks for reliable heat transfer. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while ensuring complete combustion through controlled block interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring structure created by assembling angular blocks ensures continuous contact paths for heat transfer throughout the charge. This continuous structural arrangement prevents gaps or discontinuities that could cause premature extinction, ensuring reliable and complete combustion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Quantity of substance
If bulk charge with many blocks is used, then the charge can achieve required weight, but friction due to point contacts causes damage during vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The charge is segmented into angular blocks that form rings, creating line contacts rather than point contacts between blocks. This segmentation approach achieves the required charge weight through multiple blocks while significantly reducing friction damage by distributing contact forces along the circumferential interfaces of the ring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular sector blocks are designed with curved surfaces that form circular arcs when assembled into rings. This curvature creates extended line contacts between adjacent blocks rather than point contacts, reducing stress concentration and friction damage during system vibration while maintaining the ability to achieve required charge weights.
4Volume of moving object
If low packing ratio combustion chamber is used, then the charge volume is small, but the ignition charge must be overdimensioned to pressurize the empty volume
Solution Approach 1:
By transforming the charge structure from individual blocks to stacked rings formed by angular sectors, the invention achieves higher packing ratios in the combustion chamber. This dimensional reorganization reduces empty space, allowing the use of smaller, more appropriately sized ignition charges while maintaining compact charge volumes.
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 optimizes the packing ratio of the combustion chamber, ensures complete and efficient ignition, and simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the need for large compression tools, while maintaining a compact design suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the shape of the charge makes large contact areas available between blocks and that leads to good transfer of heat by conduction
Implementation Method 2
for compositions that decompose by pyrolysis (by transfer of a decomposition front controlled by contacts between blocks)
Data Source
AI summary
A pyrotechnic charge for a pyrotechnic gas generator includes a plurality of blocks made of pyrotechnic material stacked in layers, each block being defined by two main faces that are substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction. In this pyrotechnic charge, each layer of the stack includes at least two distinct blocks of pyrotechnic material, each forming an angular sector of a ring or of a disk, the blocks being assembled together to form a ring and/or a disk.