Skeletal Frame Mounting Device for Munition Cavity Insertion

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for suspending articles inside the explosive cavities of munitions require multi-pour operations and bulky brackets, making them inefficient and labor-intensive, as they necessitate multiple steps for filling and curing the explosive material.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device with a pedestal and skeletal frame that allows for the insertion and secure positioning of articles within the munition cavity, enabling a single pour operation and curing of the explosive material around the article, while being lightweight and flexible to navigate obstructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional bracketing methods are used to hold firesets in position, then the firesets can be supported during multi-pour operations, but the brackets become bulky and rigid, requiring multiple pouring and curing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of embedded firesetVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is divided into a pedestal portion and a frame portion that can be separately inserted and assembled within the munition cavity. This segmentation allows the device to be installed in a single operation without requiring bulky external brackets, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining stability during the pouring process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting device is inserted and positioned within the cavity before the explosive material is poured. This preliminary positioning allows the fireset to be securely held in the correct location during the single pour operation, eliminating the need for subsequent bracket installation and multiple curing cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If bulky rigid brackets are used to support firesets, then the firesets remain stable during curing, but multiple pour operations are required and the process becomes labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during curingVSAvoidefficiency of embedding operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is inserted and positioned within the cavity before the explosive material is poured. This preliminary positioning allows the fireset to be securely held in the correct location during the single pour operation, eliminating the need for subsequent bracket installation and multiple curing cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frame portion of the mounting device is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to the cavity shape and provide stable support during curing without requiring bulky structures. This dynamic design enables single-pour operations while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a skeletal frame with varying outer dimensions is used, then the frame can navigate obstructions and provide stable support, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to navigate obstructionsVSAvoidcomplexity of frame structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame portion of the mounting device is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to the cavity shape and provide stable support during curing without requiring bulky structures. This dynamic design enables single-pour operations while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11808554B1Embedded mounting devices and methods

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AI summary

A mounting device that is used to suspend items in a specific location inside the cavity of a tubular structure, such as a munition, is disclosed. The mounting device includes: a pedestal for leading the insertion of the mounting device into a cavity of a munition and a skeletal frame. The skeletal frame defines an opening therein for holding an article inside the outermost portion of the skeletal frame. In some cases, the skeletal frame may have a fixed configuration. In other cases, the skeletal frame may be collapsible and expandable so that it may be inserted into a cavity of a munition having an obstruction therein. Methods of inserting and mounting an article inside an internal explosive cavity of a munition are also disclosed.