Ejectable Shell Base Segmentation for Environmental Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load-carrying shells pose a risk to the environment after payload separation due to their heavy metal composition, which is not easily mitigated by current designs.

Innovation Solution

A shell base configured to divide into smaller, harmless parts upon separation, featuring a cylindrical container with closely packed steel discs that rupture under shearing force, allowing adaptation for different charge sizes and minimizing environmental risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the shell base is made as a heavy lump of metal for structural integrity, then the shell can withstand launch forces, but it poses a risk to the environment after ejection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidenvironmental risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shell base is divided into multiple thin discs (at least two, preferably 30-60 discs) that are closely packed within a cylindrical container. This segmentation allows the shell base to maintain structural integrity during launch while enabling it to break apart into smaller, less harmful pieces after ejection, thereby reducing environmental risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the shell base is designed as a fixed heavy structure, then it provides stable mounting for the payload, but it cannot be easily adapted for different charge sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidadaptation for different charge sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shell base transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic configurable structure. The number of discs in the cylindrical container can be varied depending on the payload weight and charge size requirements, allowing the same basic design to adapt to different mission requirements while maintaining stability through the cylindrical container structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 shell base's divisibility into smaller parts significantly reduces environmental risk and facilitates easy adaptation for various charge sizes, ensuring safer operation and versatility in launcher configurations.

Implementation Method 1

the cylindrical container and the lower, closed end face part are dimensioned to rupture under a given shearing force in the rearward direction of the shell upon ejection of the payload from the shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShearing force: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP2959261B1Shell with ejectable shell base
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 BAE SYSTEM BOFORS AB
  • EP2959261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2959261B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a shell (1) comprising a shell casing (2), a detonator (3), a payload (4), a shell base (5) and a separation charge (6) intended for ejection of the payload (4) and the shell base (5) from the shell (1) over a target area. The invention is characterized in that the shell base (5), following separation from the shell (1), can be divided into smaller parts which are harmless for the environment.