Simulated Explosive Device Dual Exhaust Spark Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing simulated explosive devices fail to effectively contain high-temperature sparks while realistically simulating the sound of an improvised explosive device, posing a risk of fire or burn damage in training environments.

Innovation Solution

A simulated explosive device design featuring a dual exhaust passage system within a casing, where high-temperature sparks are directed to travel the full length of both passages in opposing directions, ensuring containment within the casing, while allowing significant sound to escape externally, using a pyrotechnic charge and a flow restrictor to manage the exhaust.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If pyrotechnic material is detonated to produce realistic sound and visual effects, then the sound of explosion is realistically simulated, but high temperature sparks are discharged which can start fires or cause burn damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound intensityVSAvoidhigh temperature sparks

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful high temperature sparks are extracted and separated from the useful sound waves. The exhaust passage is designed to allow sound to escape while containing sparks through a long tortuous path, effectively separating the beneficial acoustic output from the harmful thermal output of the pyrotechnic detonation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust passage acts as an intermediary structure between the pyrotechnic charge and the external environment. It mediates the output by allowing sound waves to pass through while trapping sparks through its length and geometry, preventing direct discharge of harmful sparks while maintaining realistic sound simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If high-pressure gas is used for activation to simulate explosion visually, then the device structure is simpler, but the ability to simulate the sound of a detonating improvised explosive device is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation mechanismVSAvoidsound intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure gas activation system with a pyrotechnic charge system. This substitution provides superior sound simulation capabilities through controlled detonation, while the exhaust passage design manages the resulting sparks and gases, achieving better acoustic realism at the cost of increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If sparks are allowed to escape for visual realism, then the visual representation of explosion is improved, but the risk of fire or burn damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual effectVSAvoidfire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust passage converts the potentially harmful escaping sparks into a beneficial contained flow. By designing a long tortuous path with sufficient length, the sparks are trapped and cooled within the passage, transforming what would be a fire hazard into a controlled visual effect that maintains safety while preserving realistic explosion simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device safely produces the sound of an explosion in a training environment without risking fires or burn damage, ensuring a realistic and safe simulation of an improvised explosive device.

Implementation Method 1

a pyrotechnic charge contained within a charge holder at a first end of the inner passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 2

high-temperature sparks generated by detonation of the pyrotechnic charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic Reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

a flow path defined from the charge through the passages to an exterior of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10895442B1Simulated explosive device for combat training

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 QUAIL JEFFREY JAMES

AI summary

A simulated improvised explosive device has a cylindrical outer casing and a cylindrical inner casing received within the outer casing to define an annular first passage between the inner and outer casings and a second passage within the inner casing. A charge holder supports a charge at a first end of the second passage. The second ends of the inner and outer passages communicate with one another opposite from the charge holder. Exhaust ports are located at the first end of the first passage so that the expelled gases from detonating the charge are directed substantially along a full length of both passages. A flow restriction is provided within the first passage to assist in containing sparks within the outer casing rather than be expelled from the exhaust ports.