Pyrotechnic Charge for Missile Aerodynamic Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional missiles used as decoys require a heavy metal nose weight for aerodynamic stability, which contributes significantly to their mass and causes damage upon impact, and existing pyrotechnic charges do not efficiently manage mass distribution or minimize post-burn residues.

Innovation Solution

A missile design featuring a pyrotechnic charge with a high-density mixture of metal or metal alloy as fuel and metal oxide as oxidizer, compressed to at least 85% of theoretical density, allowing for adjustable center of gravity and eliminating the need for a separate nose weight, with the charge designed to burn deflagratively for stable flight and minimal post-burn debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a heavy metal nose weight is used to achieve aerodynamic stability, then flight stability is improved, but missile mass increases and damage upon impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic stabilityVSAvoidmissile mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and composition of the nose weight from inert metal to a pyrotechnic mixture with specific fuel-to-oxidizer ratios. This mixture has adjustable combustion characteristics that allow optimization of both stability (through controlled burn rate) and reduced impact damage (through complete combustion). The parameter changes include composition ratios, particle size distribution, and binding agents to achieve desired flight characteristics without excessive mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pyrotechnic charge is designed as a consumable component that burns up completely during the missile's flight mission. Unlike permanent metal nose weights, this disposable pyrotechnic mass provides temporary stabilization during flight and then converts to harmless combustion products, eliminating the problem of heavy inert mass causing damage upon impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a heavy metal nose weight is used to achieve aerodynamic stability, then flight stability is improved, but damage upon impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic stabilityVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pyrotechnic charge is designed as a consumable component that burns up completely during the missile's flight mission. Unlike permanent metal nose weights, this disposable pyrotechnic mass provides temporary stabilization during flight and then converts to harmless combustion products, eliminating the problem of heavy inert mass causing damage upon impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts what would normally be a harmful factor (the nose weight causing impact damage) into a beneficial one by using a pyrotechnic composition that burns up completely. The combustion process transforms the solid mass into gaseous and particulate products that disperse harmlessly, while the controlled combustion itself can provide additional benefits such as infrared signature management or controlled deceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If a pyrotechnic charge is used instead of nose weight, then payload capacity is improved, but flight stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload capacityVSAvoidflight stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and composition of the nose weight from inert metal to a pyrotechnic mixture with specific fuel-to-oxidizer ratios. This mixture has adjustable combustion characteristics that allow optimization of both stability (through controlled burn rate) and reduced impact damage (through complete combustion). The parameter changes include composition ratios, particle size distribution, and binding agents to achieve desired flight characteristics without excessive mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 high-density pyrotechnic charge enhances flight characteristics, increases payload capacity, and ensures that minimal damage is caused upon impact or completion of the mission, as it burns completely in flight, reducing inert mass left behind.

Implementation Method 1

the pyrotechnic charge is caused to burn up in a deflagrating manner when the missile is used as intended... the pyrotechnic charge comprising a mixture which contains at least one metal or a metal alloy as fuel and contains at least one metal oxide as an oxidizing agent, the fuel and the oxidizing agent being selected such that they can react with one another by burning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

Due to the high density of the mixture, the center of gravity of the missile can be adjusted by positioning the mixture in such a way that good flight characteristics are achieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2295927B8Missile with a pyrotechnic charge

Publication Date: 2017.05.31 DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

Missile comprises pyrotechnic composition (2). The pyrotechnic composition contains metal or metal alloy as fuel and one metal oxide as an oxidizing agent.