Radiation-Curable Energetic Composition for Burn Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional propellant charges in pyrotechnics and ballistics face limitations in controlling the burn rate and pressure profile, leading to inefficient acceleration of projectiles due to limited geometric and compositional variables in manufacturing, and heat-curing energetic compositions pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A radiation-curable energetic composition comprising polymerisable components, photoinitiators, and energetic components, allowing for additive manufacturing of propellant charges with controlled burn rate gradients and enhanced manufacturing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If heat-curing energetic compositions are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing method from thermal to photopolymerization, using UV light instead of heat to cure the energetic composition. This parameter change in the curing mechanism eliminates the safety risks associated with heat-curing while maintaining manufacturing flexibility, as the photopolymerization process can be precisely controlled through light exposure parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal curing system with a photopolymerization system. Instead of using heat (thermal energy) to cure the composition, the invention uses UV light (electromagnetic radiation) to initiate polymerization. This substitution of the curing mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating thermal safety risks while preserving manufacturing flexibility.
2Device complexity
If conventional propellant charges are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but burn rate control precision is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating photoinitiators at specific locations within the propellant charge structure. By strategically positioning photoinitiators, the burn rate can be controlled in different regions of the charge, enabling precise control of burn rate gradients while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining traditional propellant components with photopolymerizable components and photoinitiators. This composite approach allows the propellant to be cured through UV exposure, enabling precise burn rate control through photopolymerization while maintaining the simplicity of conventional propellant manufacturing processes.
3Duration of action of moving object
If maximum pressure is prolonged, then projectile acceleration is enhanced, but chamber volume expansion rate must be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using photopolymerization to control the timing and rate of propellant burning. The photopolymerization process can be dynamically controlled through light exposure, allowing the burn rate to be adjusted to prolong maximum pressure duration while controlling the chamber volume expansion rate to optimize projectile acceleration.
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 enables precise regulation of burn rates, prolonging maximum pressure for enhanced projectile acceleration and safety through controlled manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation curable energetic composition comprising (a) one or more polymerisable components, (b) one or more polymerisation photoinitiators, and (c) one or more energetic components
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a radiation curable energetic composition, to a method of forming a three-dimensional energetic object, to a three-dimensional energetic object, and to uses of the radiation curable energetic composition.The radiation curable energetic composition of the invention comprises(a) one or more polymerisable components,(b) one or more polymerisation initiators, and(c) one or more energetic components.