Radial Underwater Explosive Cutting Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for underwater cutting, such as straight or axis-symmetric conical shaped charges, fail to produce radial cuts between structural components and lack a practical means to attach and initiate flexible linear charges, requiring logistical challenges for pre-packed explosives.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printed plastic container with a clamshell design and air cavity for packing explosives, featuring a support stand and a liner to create a standoff distance for the explosive cutting jet, allowing for radial cuts and easy initiation of the charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-packed explosive charges are used for underwater cutting, then cutting capability is achieved, but logistical complexity increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive charge system is segmented into separate components: the container housing, the explosive material, and the initiation mechanism. This allows the explosive to be packed separately into the container rather than requiring pre-assembled charges, improving flexibility while reducing logistical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be self-packable in the field by the operator. The housing includes an openable access point that allows the user to directly pack explosives into the container without requiring pre-filled charges or complex assembly procedures, enabling self-service operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid conical shaped charges are used, then cutting precision is achieved, but adaptability to between-structure cutting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The container housing is designed with flexible positioning capabilities, allowing it to be mounted at various angles and positions on different structures. The support stand and mounting mechanisms enable dynamic adjustment of the charge orientation to achieve precise radial cuts between structural components while maintaining adaptability to various geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The container and charge configuration is designed with asymmetric features that allow positioning in between structures rather than requiring symmetric alignment. The housing and support structures are configured to accommodate irregular spacing and angles between structural components, enabling cuts in constrained environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible linear charges are used, then adaptability increases, but means to attach and initiate the charge decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism and initiation system are merged into an integrated assembly within the container. The initiation mechanism is positioned to directly engage with the explosive charge, and the housing structure provides both mechanical attachment and electrical connection pathways, eliminating the need for separate attachment and initiation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The container housing serves as an intermediary structure that provides both mechanical support for attachment and a pathway for initiating the charge. The housing includes integrated features such as mounting points, electrical conduits, and initiation port arrangements that mediate between the external initiation signal and the explosive charge, simplifying the operation for flexible charges.
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
Enables efficient and flexible radial cutting of metal elements underwater by allowing field-packing of explosives and easy initiation, reducing logistical complexities and enhancing cutting precision.
Implementation Method 1
An airtight cavity is attached to the housing. The airtight cavity defines a standoff distance for the shaped explosive charge and has a concave surface adapted to form an explosive cutting jet
Implementation Method 2
The first portion is shaped with a cross-section to focus the explosive charge through the air cavity and to provide standoff distance for the explosive charge
Implementation Method 3
A container can be provided that is made from a 3D printed plastic (porous) plastic material, which is not watertight for underwater use
Data Source
AI summary
A radial cutting cavity container includes a housing that defines a chamber for a shaped explosive charge. The housing is configured to allow a user to pack explosives therein. An airtight cavity is attached to the housing. The airtight cavity defines a standoff distance for the shaped explosive charge and has a concave surface adapted to form an explosive cutting jet. A liner is located between the housing and the airtight cavity. A support stand is attached to the container to allow the container to be mounted on a surface for creating a radial cut normal to the surface.