Underwater Projectile Axial Screw and Spring Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater projectiles, such as torpedoes, face damage to their propulsion mechanisms during ejection due to violent impacts transferred to rotating shafts and rolling systems, which existing launch methods fail to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a propulsion system with axially sliding screws and elastic return elements, like compression springs, that absorb and distribute the ejection force, allowing the screws to transition between clearance and contact positions to minimize stress on the propulsion mechanism, and utilizing a dual rotating shaft configuration with opposite rotation directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If pneumatic rammers are used to eject the projectile, then ejection force is sufficient, but violent impacts are transferred to the rotating shafts and propulsion mechanism causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary elastic element (spring) between the ejection force and the propulsion mechanism. This spring absorbs the violent impact during ejection and gradually transfers the force, protecting the rotating shafts and screws from damage while still enabling effective projectile ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is pre-installed in the propulsion mechanism to provide beforehand cushioning. Before ejection occurs, the spring is positioned to absorb the upcoming impact, preventing direct transmission of violent forces to the rotating shafts and bearing systems.
2Force
If the screw is in contact with the counter-stop, then the ejection force is transmitted to the shell, but the impact stress damages the rotating shafts and rolling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element acts as a mediator between the screw and the counter-stop contact. When the screw contacts the counter-stop during ejection, the elastic element absorbs and distributes the impact stress, preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the rotating shafts and rolling systems while still enabling force transmission to the shell for projectile ejection.
3Reliability
If the projectile is launched with stopped propulsion system, then safety is ensured, but significant thrust is required for ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is pre-loaded during assembly to store potential energy. During ejection, this stored energy is released to assist the pneumatic rammer, reducing the external thrust requirement while maintaining safety by keeping the propulsion system stopped during launch.
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 design significantly reduces the impact on the propulsion mechanism during ejection, minimizing damage and enabling multiple launches without deterioration, while ensuring efficient propulsion post-ejection with lower rotational forces on the screws.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic return element, which is reversibly deformable along the axis between a first and a second state of stress
Implementation Method 2
the first elastic return element is a compression spring, preferably a lock washer
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile including: a shell; a rotating shaft; and a screw which can be rotated by the rotating shaft. The screw and the shell include, respectively, a stop and a counter-stop opposite each other. The screw is capable of sliding axially between a first position, in which a non-zero clearance is provided between the stop and counter-stop, and a second position, in which the stop and counter-stop are in contact. An elastic return element reversibly deformable between a first and a second state of stress which correspond to the first and second positions of the screw, respectively, the stress of the first state being lower than the stress of the second state.