Explosive Release Mechanism With Protrusions for Shock Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing release mechanisms in the launch vehicle industry for separating fairings from space launch vehicles using explosives often result in shock waves that can damage payloads, and while shock attenuation systems can reduce this impact, they do not entirely eliminate the shock wave's influence on adjacent structures.
Innovation Solution
A release mechanism featuring plate-shaped members with protrusions that are connected to each other at their midplanes, where an explosive is placed within or between coupling portions, causing the protrusions to bend and swing back, thereby opposing the shock wave and reducing its amplitude and prolonging its duration for effective damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If explosives are used for separating components, then separation force is sufficient, but shock wave amplitude increases causing damage to payloads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protrusions as intermediary elements between the explosive and the components. These protrusions absorb and redistribute the shock wave energy, acting as a mediator that reduces the direct transmission of harmful shock waves to the components while maintaining the separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are pre-positioned on the components before explosive detonation. When the shock wave passes through, these protrusions provide beforehand cushioning by deforming and absorbing energy, thereby protecting the components from direct shock wave damage before the harmful effects can fully manifest.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock attenuation systems are used, then shock wave influence is reduced, but the shock wave duration is too short for effective attenuation of the rear portion
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed to be dynamic elements that deform under shock wave loading and then swing back. This dynamic behavior extends the duration of the attenuation effect, as the protrusions continue to move and dissipate energy even after the initial shock wave passage, thereby prolonging the effective attenuation period.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions exhibit periodic motion - first deforming under the shock wave impact, then swinging back to their original position. This periodic action creates a prolonged attenuation effect that continues beyond the initial shock wave duration, allowing for more effective damping of the rear portion of the shock wave.
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 mechanism effectively reduces shock wave amplitude and prolongs its duration, resulting in enhanced shock attenuation by introducing a force opposite to the shock wave, ensuring the rear portion of the shock wave is significantly damped, thus protecting the components.
Implementation Method 1
the use of the explosives has a disadvantage of producing shock waves
Implementation Method 2
the protrusions provided on the surface of the members connected to the releasable components are bent when the shock wave is transiting through the structure
Implementation Method 3
the protrusions swing back in the opposite direction resulting in a force opposed to the shock wave
Implementation Method 4
the shock wave is damped twice in total: firstly by the mass of the protrusions, which must be set in motion
Data Source
AI summary
A release mechanism for separating two components including: (i) a first plate-shaped member (1) with a first midplane (21) that is connectable to a first component and having two opposite first surfaces (3; 3′) arranged parallel to the first midplane and a first coupling portion (5); (ii) a second plate-shaped member (2) with a second midplane (22) that is connectable to a second component and having two opposite second surfaces (4; 4′) arranged parallel to the second midplane and a second coupling portion (6); (iii) an explosive (9) arranged in the first coupling portion and/or the second coupling portion or between them; and (iv) a plurality of protrusions (10) provided on and firmly connected to at least one of the first surfaces and/or the second surfaces. The first member and the second member are coupled to each other in a mutual midplane comprising the first midplane and the second midplane.