Self-Centering Explosive Device with Sympathetic Liner Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of explosive devices with precision initiation couplers (PIC) mechanisms in cylindrical housings is complex and space-consuming, limiting the number of liners and resulting in reduced target lethality due to the need for simultaneous initiation of multiple liners, which is challenging to achieve effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a self-centering sympathetic initiation system where additional liners are positioned between primary liners and initiated by pressure waves generated from the primary energetic material, allowing for increased surface area utilization and simultaneous initiation without the need for additional PIC mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precision initiation couplers (PIC) mechanisms are used to initiate multiple liners simultaneously, then simultaneous initiation of multiple liners is achieved, but device complexity and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex PIC mechanism from the center of the cylindrical housing and replaces it with a distributed initiation system. Each liner has its own initiator positioned at the liner's center, eliminating the need for a central PIC mechanism and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining simultaneous initiation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiation system is segmented into independent units, with each liner having its own initiator positioned at its center. This segmentation allows each liner to be initiated independently through its local initiator while achieving simultaneous detonation, avoiding the complexity of a centralized control mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If PIC mechanisms are located in the center of cylindrical housing along the centerline, then initiation control is simplified, but the number of forming liners is limited due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a centralized initiation approach (one-dimensional control from center) to a distributed initiation approach where initiators are positioned at the center of each liner (two-dimensional distribution across the housing surface). This dimensional change allows multiple liners to be initiated simultaneously without space constraints in the central region.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liner is equipped with its own initiator positioned at its center, creating local initiation capability. This local quality approach allows each liner to be initiated independently through its local initiator, maximizing the number of formers that can be included in the warhead without central space limitations.
3Reliability
If multiple forming liners are included to increase target lethality, then warhead lethality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The warhead is segmented into multiple independent liner units, each with its own initiator positioned at the liner's center. This segmentation allows each liner to be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while enabling the inclusion of multiple formers to increase target lethality.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liner serves as an independent initiation unit with its own initiator positioned at its center. This self-service capability allows each liner to be initiated independently through its local initiator, reducing the need for complex centralized control mechanisms and simplifying manufacturing while maximizing lethality.
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
This configuration enhances penetration performance by increasing the number of active subassemblies, achieving greater lethality and efficient perforation of targets, including well casings, with the additional liners being initiated only by pressure waves from the primary energetic material, ensuring centered and synchronized detonation.
Implementation Method 1
additional energetic material is positioned in proximity to the primary energetic material such that the additional energetic material is sympathetically initiated by initiation of the primary energetic material
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
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Figure 8~9
AI summary
An explosive device includes a housing having an outer surface and defining an inner space; a plurality of primary liners arranged on the outer surface in a spaced pattern and having primary energetic material inwardly positioned in the housing relative to the primary liners; an initiation mechanism in the inner space for initiating the primary energetic material to drive the primary liners; and a plurality of additional liners positioned in the spaced pattern between the primary liners and having additional energetic material positioned in proximity to the primary energetic material such that the additional energetic material is sympathetically initiated by initiation of the primary energetic material. The device can find useful application in a military setting and also in the perforation of well casings in subterranean wells.