Unpowered Railgun Fuze EMF Validation Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Railgun munition fuzing faces challenges in verifying whether a munition has been fired from a gun, as power is not applied to the electronics before launch, making it difficult to prove the munition's firing status using traditional methods.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves energy harvesting and analog signal processing to capture and store the duration and magnitude of the magnetic field's induced electromotive force (EMF), which is then used to determine if the magnetic field profile matches the expected characteristics of a railgun munition, utilizing Faraday's Law and a series of circuits to measure both positive and negative components of the EMF.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power is not applied to the electronics before launch, then the munition can be launched without premature activation, but it becomes difficult to verify whether the munition has been fired from a gun

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe armingVSAvoidfiring status verification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing the magnetic field signature during the launch phase before power is applied to the electronics. The magnetic field is harvested and stored in capacitors during the brief window when the railgun generates the field, preserving evidence of firing status that can be verified after power is applied post-launch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the magnetic field as an intermediary carrier that bridges the gap between the launch phase (no power) and verification phase (power applied). The magnetic field captures firing status information during launch and transfers this information to the electronics after power is applied, enabling verification without premature activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If traditional measurement methods are used, then the electronics can be powered before launch for verification, but this risks premature activation and unsafe conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiring status verificationVSAvoidsafe arming

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement action is performed preliminarily during the launch phase when the magnetic field is naturally present, rather than after power is applied. The system captures the magnetic field signature at the moment of firing, eliminating the need to power electronics before launch for verification purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the railgun's own magnetic field during launch as the measurement source, rather than requiring external measurement equipment that would require power. The launch process itself provides the measurement opportunity, making the system self-sufficient for verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If power is applied post-launch to verify firing status, then verification can be performed, but the magnetic field may have already dissipated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field measurementVSAvoidmagnetic field duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the magnetic field measurement action preliminarily during the brief window when the field is present during launch, rather than waiting until power is applied post-launch. The system captures and stores the field information before it dissipates, enabling later verification without requiring the field to persist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces energy storage capacitors as intermediaries that capture the magnetic field energy during launch and hold it for later measurement. This mediator allows the system to measure the field characteristics after power is applied, even though the original magnetic field has dissipated, by measuring the stored energy in the capacitors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method allows for effective validation of the magnetic field environment, enabling the safe arming or aborting of the weapon based on the measured EMF characteristics, ensuring the munition has been properly fired.

Implementation Method 1

capture and store the duration and magnitude of the magnetic field's induced electromotive force (EMF)... utilizing Faraday's Law

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9915511B1Unpowered railgun field validation for safe-arm fuzing

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

Embodiments are directed to unpowered railgun field validation for safe-arm fuzing. Embodiments use a wire coil having an induced electromotive force voltage. At least one positive duration circuit measures the positive portion of the induced voltage. At least one positive peak duration circuit measures the peak value of the positive portion of the induced voltage. At least one negative duration circuit measures the duration value of the negative portion of the induced voltage. At least one negative peak detector circuit measures the peak value of the negative portion of the induced voltage.