Translating Adjacent-Blast Shield for Missile Launcher Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weapon systems face challenges in protecting external slots of closely-spaced rockets or missiles from high-temperature, high-pressure gas plumes and debris generated by adjacent launches, as conventional protective methods like frangible covers and elastomer films are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A translating adjacent-blast shield is circumferentially positioned around missiles to protect external slots, comprising a metal structure with spring fingers and a position stop, which translates along the missile during launch to expose the slots and remains attached post-launch, providing a full circumferential shield against gas plumes and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If frangible covers are used to protect external slots, then protection from gas plume is provided, but deployment mechanism complexity increases due to fracture energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible frangible cover made of frangible material that can be fractured during deployment. This flexible shell approach provides protection while allowing controlled fracture through spring fingers, resolving the contradiction between protection and deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static protective shield to a dynamic structure that fractures during deployment. The spring fingers provide controlled dynamic fracture, allowing the cover to transition from protecting the slot to being expelled after deployment, thus reducing deployment mechanism complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frangible covers are used to protect external slots, then protection from gas plume is provided, but debris generation causes concern for airborne applications
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible cover is designed to be taken out or expelled from the system after serving its protective function. The spring fingers fracture the cover and expel the debris away from the missile, allowing the cover to be removed from the operational system after deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible cover is designed as a disposable protective element that serves its purpose during launch and is then fractured and discarded. This short-living object approach provides protection when needed and eliminates debris concerns after the cover is expended.
3Device complexity
If elastomer film covers are used to protect external slots, then simple deployment is achieved, but protection against high-temperature gas plume is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction with frangible material providing thermal protection and spring fingers providing mechanical fracture capability. This composite approach combines the simplicity of film deployment with the high-temperature protection of frangible materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover material properties change during deployment - the frangible material maintains structural integrity against high-temperature gas plume during launch, then undergoes controlled fracture through spring fingers to enable deployment. This parameter change allows both protection and simple deployment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ablative shielded film covers are used to protect external slots, then protection from high-temperature gas plume is provided, but penetration energy requirements complicate deployment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible frangible cover that combines the protective qualities of ablatively shielded materials with the simplicity of thin film deployment. The flexible shell structure provides high-temperature protection while maintaining ease of deployment through fracture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static protective barrier to a dynamic structure that fractures during deployment. This dynamic transition reduces the penetration energy required compared to static ablatively shielded covers, as the spring fingers provide controlled fracture rather than requiring high-energy penetration.
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
Effectively protects external slots from high-temperature, high-pressure gas plumes and debris during launches, allowing for the deployment of canards or sensors while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the deployment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spring fingers configured to create friction with an inner surface of the launcher tube when inserted into the launcher tube
Implementation Method 2
configured to create friction with an inner surface of the launcher tube when inserted into the launcher tube
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a translating adjacent-blast shield and method of protecting external slots of a missile from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas plume of a missile that is launched from an adjacent or nearby launcher tube of a launcher are disclosed herein. The translating adjacent-blast shield may be provided circumferentially around each of the missiles in a launcher and may cover at least portions of external slots of the missiles. The translating adjacent-blast shield may translate along the missile during launch to expose the external slots and may remain on the missile after launch.