Quick Arming Detonation Assembly with Reversible Barrier

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for arming detonation or excitation assemblies in active protection systems face challenges in quickly and selectively arming specific assemblies while minimizing the risk of involuntary activation, especially in systems with numerous assemblies where timely and accurate activation is crucial for effective defense against threats.

Innovation Solution

A system with multiple chronologic stages of serially executed actions, including reversible and irreversible steps, utilizing first and second barrier means that prevent full activation until confirmed by independent sensors, allowing for quick and selective arming of detonation or excitation assemblies, with the second barrier removal being irreversible to enable initiation chain execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple barrier means are used to prevent unintentional actuation, then safety against involuntary activation is improved, but the arming time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against involuntary activationVSAvoidarming time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first barrier means is removed in advance upon detection of a threat, placing the detonation assembly in a preliminarily armed state before final activation. This preliminary action allows the system to be ready for quick activation while maintaining safety through the second barrier means that prevents full activation until absolutely necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The arming process is divided into two distinct stages with two separate barrier means: a first barrier that can be reversibly removed for preliminary arming, and a second barrier that provides final safety before activation. This segmentation allows the system to balance safety and speed by separating the arming process into controlled phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple barrier means are used to prevent unintentional actuation, then safety against involuntary activation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against involuntary activationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the safety mechanism into two distinct barrier means with different functions: the first barrier means that can be removed for preliminary arming, and the second barrier means that provides final protection. This segmentation makes the complex safety system more manageable and understandable while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first barrier means is removed in advance upon detection of a threat, placing the detonation assembly in a preliminarily armed state before final activation. This preliminary action allows the system to be ready for quick activation while maintaining safety through the second barrier means that prevents full activation until absolutely necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If selective arming of specific detonation assemblies is implemented, then the precision of threat response is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of threat responseVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each detonation assembly is equipped with its own first and second barrier means, allowing independent control and selective arming of specific assemblies based on threat location and type. This local quality approach enables precise response to threats in specific sectors while keeping the control logic relatively simple at each individual assembly level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3571459B1A system for quick arming of detonation or excitation assembly
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYST LTD
  • EP3571459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3571459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3571459B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for quick arming of a detonation or excitation assembly, wherein the system comprises a first barrier means which, as long as it has not been removed, prevents full activation of an initiation chain of the assembly, and whose removal is dependent on receiving indication from at least one first sensor, and then its removal is reversible in a manner that it will return and once again prevent full activation of an initiation chain, and a second barrier means which also prevents full activation of the initiation chain as long as it has not been removed, and whose removal is dependent on receiving indication from at least one second sensor, and this - following after receiving indication from the first sensor, and removal of the second sensor is irreversible in a manner that leaves the initiation chain executable, and wherein the first and second sensors are independent of one another, and as long as no indication has been received from the second sensor, the first barrier means is returnable to its place in a manner that will return and once again prevent full activation of the initiation chain, and an active protection system utilizing a plurality of those quick arming system for activation of the protection system's interceptors while implementing a method for quick and selective arming of the active protection system's detonation or excitation assemblies.