Self-Separating Projectile Payloads for Drone Propulsion Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for countering drones and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are costly, require precise targeting, risk collateral damage, and are not suitable for close or long-range operations, and can accidentally disable friendly equipment.
Innovation Solution
A projectile that separates into components after launch, distributing a payload such as ferrofluid, magnetic powder, or opaque substances to interfere with drone systems, using electrostatic attraction or inductive activation, and includes a launcher with magnets to induce energy for separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional explosive projectiles are used to destroy drones, then the drone can be physically destroyed, but precise targeting is required which increases cost and risks collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive net projectiles as disposable countermeasures against drones. The nets are designed to be low-cost, single-use devices that can be deployed in large quantities without significant financial burden, directly addressing the need for economical anti-drone solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the payload delivery function from the projectile itself by using a net that deploys after launch. The net is launched in a compact state and then expands or deploys its full surface area after leaving the launcher, separating the delivery mechanism from the active countermeasure element.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If nets are deployed to neutralize drones by interfering with propellers, then collateral damage is reduced, but precise targeting is still required and atmospheric currents can move the net off target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic projectile designs that can adapt their configuration after launch. The projectiles include mechanisms for post-launch transformation, such as net expansion or component separation, allowing them to adjust to atmospheric conditions and maintain effectiveness despite environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile system is divided into multiple components that separate after launch. The net or payload is delivered as a distinct element from the projectile body, allowing independent optimization of each component's function and improving overall system performance while reducing collateral damage.
3Reliability
If EMPs or jammers are used to interfere with drone operating systems, then drone control can be disrupted, but friendly equipment may be accidentally disabled and the solution is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive physical net projectiles as disposable countermeasures, replacing expensive electronic countermeasure systems like EMPs and jammers. These low-cost nets can be deployed in large quantities without the risk of accidentally disabling friendly electronic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic/electromagnetic countermeasure systems with a mechanical approach using physical nets. This substitution eliminates the risk of electromagnetic interference with friendly equipment while maintaining effective drone neutralization through physical propeller interference.
4Reliability
If traditional projectiles require burst on target for effectiveness, then drone destruction can be achieved, but the system becomes expensive and requires specialized infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active countermeasure element (net or payload) from the projectile body, allowing the projectile to be a simple delivery mechanism that can be launched from basic infrastructure. The payload is deployed after launch, eliminating the need for complex burst mechanisms or specialized launch infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into a simple projectile delivery component and a separate payload component. This segmentation allows the launcher to be simple and inexpensive while the payload provides the actual countermeasure function, reducing overall system complexity and infrastructure requirements.
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 projectile provides controlled payload release, reduces targeting requirements, minimizes collateral damage, and effectively disables drones by interfering with navigation or propulsion systems, suitable for both close and long-range operations.
Implementation Method 1
the coil moving through the barrel or accessory receives an induced electrical charge
Implementation Method 2
causing an inductive energy to be produced
Implementation Method 3
electrostatic attraction occurs between the target and the payload which will cause the payload to move toward and coat the target with the payload
Implementation Method 4
The payload may comprise a ferrofluid and/or a magnetic or ferromagnetic powder that may be dispersed from a projectile to adhere to a metal component or components of a drone
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile construction includes a payload that is deliverable to a target after the projectile self-separates. The payload may be an opaque substance that may interfere with optics or infrared of a drone. The payload may also be a sticky substance or web that may interfere with or affect the control surfaces and or propulsion of a target. An abrasive powder payload may physically impede operation of a drone's propulsion system, causing the drone to divert from its intended path or crash to the ground. The projectile may also include at least one sensor that is capable of identifying a target based upon a sensed frequency, amplitude and/or electromagnetic signature of a target.