Rhenium Palladium Liners for Warheads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional explosively-formed penetrator (EFP) and shaped charge (SC) warheads face limitations in penetrating newer, harder armored targets, requiring enhanced kinetic energy and explosive output without increasing the caliber of the weapon system.
Innovation Solution
The use of rhenium or palladium, or their combination, for the liners, with a bimodal particle size distribution and a concave interior, coupled with a composite configuration of two plates and an explosive interposed between them, to achieve higher kinetic energy and penetration depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional liner materials (copper, aluminum, tungsten) are used, then the warhead can penetrate traditional armor, but the penetration capability is insufficient against newer, harder armored targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the liner by using rhenium or palladium instead of conventional materials like copper or tungsten. These materials have superior density and ductility properties that enable penetration of harder armored targets while maintaining the required kinetic energy and jet formation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite liner structures combining rhenium and palladium in specific ratios, creating a material with optimized properties that balance density, ductility, and kinetic energy transfer. This composite approach allows the liner to effectively penetrate advanced composite armors that resist conventional monolithic materials.
2Strength
If the caliber of the weapon system is increased to improve penetration, then the kinetic energy increases, but the weapon system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material density parameter of the liner to rhenium or palladium, which have densities significantly higher than conventional materials. This allows the same kinetic energy to be achieved with a smaller caliber weapon system, as the higher density material concentrates the explosive energy more effectively into a smaller penetrator jet.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the liner grain size is reduced to improve jet coherence, then the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a particular grain size parameter range (5-50 micrometers) for the rhenium or palladium liner material. This optimized grain size range achieves jet coherence and penetration performance while being manufacturable using conventional powder metallurgy and explosive forming techniques, balancing performance with ease of manufacture.
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 results in ultra-high kinetic energy liners capable of piercing advanced armor targets with enhanced explosive output, delivering high-velocity penetrating jets that effectively counter newer armored threats.
Implementation Method 1
When the EFP 12 main explosive charge 12 is detonated by the detonator ignition train 18, the liner 16 is projected forward as a molten-metal elongated slug, referred to as a penetrating jet
Implementation Method 2
the EFP 12 main explosive charge 12 is detonated by the detonator ignition train 18
Implementation Method 3
The high velocity, high density jet is able to pierce metal armors and other similar re-enforcements
Data Source
AI summary
Improved liners and explosive devices having improved liners are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a liner for an explosive device comprises a plate configured to be positioned against an explosive charge. The plate comprises rhenium, palladium, or a combination thereof, at least a bimodal particle size distribution having a powder grain size no greater than 25 microns, a substantially circular diameter, and a substantially concave interior relative to a surface of the explosive charge.