Self-Sealing Ignition Channel for Munition Warheads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ammunition designs suffer from inadequate fragmentation effects in the direction of the fuse, leading to inefficient energy transfer and loss of pressure due to premature escape of explosive plumes, which limits the effectiveness of warheads, especially in 40 mm grenades.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-sealing ignition channel within the warhead, positioned away from the detonator, which automatically seals upon ignition, preventing the escape of explosive gases and ensuring optimal energy transfer for fragment acceleration in all directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ignition point is positioned at the surface of the explosive assembly near the detonator, then the ignition process is simple and direct, but the explosive plumes escape prematurely causing loss of pressure and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition point is moved from the surface (2D boundary) to the interior (3D volume) of the explosive assembly. This spatial repositioning allows the formation of a sealed combustion chamber that contains the explosive plumes, preventing premature escape and maintaining pressure for more effective energy transfer to the fragments.
Solution Approach 2:
A channel structure acts as an intermediary between the detonator and the explosive plumes. This channel guides the ignition while the surrounding explosive material seals it, creating a controlled combustion pathway that prevents energy loss while maintaining a relatively simple ignition process.
2Productivity
If the ignition point is positioned deep inside the explosive assembly, then the fragmentation effect in the direction of the fuse is improved, but the ignition channel becomes complex and requires self-sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive assembly itself provides the sealing function for the ignition channel. The channel is surrounded by explosive material that automatically seals the channel during detonation, eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms. The system uses its own components to solve the sealing problem, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel is pre-positioned and surrounded by explosive material before detonation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when detonation occurs, the channel is immediately sealed by the surrounding explosive, creating the necessary pressure containment without requiring complex active sealing mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If conventional ammunition designs are used with immediate ignition, then the structure is simple, but the energy transfer is inefficient and fragmentation effect in the fuse direction is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition point is repositioned from the surface to the interior of the explosive assembly, creating a three-dimensional combustion chamber. This spatial change allows for more complete and efficient energy transfer to the fragments in all directions, including the fuse direction, while maintaining a relatively simple overall warhead structure.
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 design enhances the fragmentation effect in the direction of the fuse without the need for external ignition and safety devices, maintaining pressure and energy for fragment acceleration, resulting in a 360-degree effect and improved tactical deployment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an ignition channel which surrounds the detonator and runs from the detonator to a point within the envelope of the explosive assembly, away from the detonator, and which seals itself when the explosive is converted
Implementation Method 2
Plumes are formed when explosives are converted from solids to gas. The energy is used to accelerate the active charge.
Implementation Method 3
The explosive arrangement or the explosive can be ignited by the detonator. The detonator is arranged or aligned relative to the explosive arrangement in such a way that it detonates it at an ignition point
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a munition module (6) in which an ignition point (18) of an explosive assembly is positioned at a distance from a detonator (8) within a casing (20) of the explosive assembly (10). An ignition channel (22) runs from the detonator (8) to the ignition point (18) in a starting state (A), wherein the ignition channel (22) is open in a starting state (A) and is designed to be self-closing in an ignition state (S) after an ignition has occurred. A warhead (4) comprising the munition module (6) contains an active coating (12) which at least partly surrounds the explosive assembly (10) and which can be accelerated by the reacted explosive. In a munition (2) comprising the warhead (4), the detonator is an impact detonator. A munition (2) in the form of an air-burst munition contains the warhead (4).