Solid Nose Cone for Laser-Guided Munitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow conical nose cones in laser-guided munitions cause distortions in electromagnetic radiation, reducing guidance system accuracy and rendering it inoperable, while aerodynamic spherical surfaces compromise range and speed.
Innovation Solution
A solid nose cone made of optically transparent materials like polycarbonate, glass, or sapphire with a conical shape, combined with an optical relay adapter that relays electromagnetic radiation from the nose cone to a quadrant detector without lenses, maintaining aerodynamics and reducing distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hollow conical nose cone is used, then the aerodynamic shape is improved, but electromagnetic radiation distortions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic hollow cavity from the nose cone design and replaces it with a solid structure. The solid nose cone eliminates the internal cavity that causes electromagnetic radiation distortions, while maintaining the aerodynamic conical exterior shape. This extraction of the harmful element resolves the contradiction between aerodynamic performance and guidance accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the nose cone structure from hollow to solid. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with electromagnetic radiation, eliminating the distortions caused by the hollow cavity while preserving the aerodynamic advantages of the conical shape.
2Measurement precision
If a spherical surface is used for the nose cone window, then electromagnetic radiation distortions are reduced, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the nose cone solid throughout its entire structure rather than using a hollow shell with a spherical window. This uniform solid construction eliminates the need for separate spherical windows and provides both aerodynamic efficiency and optimal electromagnetic radiation transmission without distortions.
3Measurement precision
If optical systems are added to correct distortions, then guidance accuracy is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes preliminary action by designing the nose cone to be solid from the outset, preventing distortions before they occur. This eliminates the need for subsequent optical correction systems, as the solid structure inherently provides the optimal electromagnetic radiation transmission path without requiring additional lenses or corrective elements.
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 solution enhances guidance system accuracy by uniquely correlating electromagnetic radiation with angle of incidence, maintaining aerodynamic performance and increasing range and speed of the munition.
Implementation Method 1
The solid nose cone is optically transparent to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of a particular wavelength... configured to pass EMR incident on the exterior surface to the trailing end
Implementation Method 2
The ORA is configured to relay the EMR from the EMR-receiving front face to the EMR-emitting rear face
Data Source
AI summary
A solid nose cone and related components are disclosed. Embodiments include a front-end system for a laser-guided munition. The front-end system includes a solid nose cone that is optically transparent to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of a particular wavelength. The solid nose cone is configured to pass EMR incident on the exterior surface to the trailing end. An optical relay adapter (ORA) has an EMR-receiving front face and an EMR-emitting rear face. The EMR-receiving front face is optically coupled to the trailing end, and the ORA is configured to relay the EMR from the EMR-receiving front face to the EMR-emitting rear face.