Weapon Gas Turbine Generator for Self-Powered Remote Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon systems face challenges in efficiently harnessing and utilizing the excess energy generated from firing events, as significant energy is wasted as heat and gas pressure, leading to increased electricity demands and battery depletion issues.
Innovation Solution
A power generation assembly that captures waste energy from expanding propellant gases by directing them into a turbine array, which generates electric current through an epicyclical gear arrangement and magnet rotor, trickle-charging a battery to power the weapon system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery storage capacity is increased to meet growing electricity demand, then power availability improves, but system weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weapon system serves itself by capturing its own waste energy through the turbine-generator assembly. The propellant gases that would otherwise be wasted are redirected to drive the turbine, generating electricity that recharges the battery, creating a self-sustaining power system that reduces the need for additional battery capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers energy that would normally be discarded as waste heat and propellant gas. By capturing the kinetic energy in the expanding propellant gases and converting it to electrical energy through the turbine-generator, the system recovers what would otherwise be lost, thereby reducing the power burden on the battery system
2Duration of action of moving object
If more battery capacity is added to power remote weapon stations, then operational duration improves, but soldier load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote weapon station powers itself by utilizing the waste energy from weapon firing. The turbine-generator assembly converts propellant gas energy into electricity that trickle-charges the battery, enabling the system to extend its own operational duration without requiring the soldier to carry additional battery weight
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful waste energy (hot propellant gases) into a beneficial resource (electrical power). By directing these otherwise wasted gases through the turbine, the system generates electricity that extends operational duration, effectively turning a liability into an asset
3Loss of energy
If waste energy is captured from propellant gases, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine-generator assembly serves multiple functions: it captures waste propellant gases, converts them to rotational energy, generates electricity, and trickle-charges the battery. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the power generation function with the existing weapon system by integrating the turbine-generator assembly into the weapon's gas system. The epicyclical gear arrangement combines the output of multiple turbines onto a single driveshaft, consolidating multiple energy capture pathways into a unified power generation system
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 effectively harnesses waste energy, reducing the need for additional power sources and extending battery life without compromising the weapon's effectiveness, particularly suited for remote weapon systems.
Implementation Method 1
The turbine is operable via propellant gases received from the converging nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The driveshaft is coupled to a magnet rotor rotatably suspended within a generator stator. The electrical interface transmits an electric current produced by the magnet rotor rotating within the generator stator
Data Source
AI summary
A power generation assembly for a weapon system converts waste energy from a firing event to electric power. The power generation assembly directs expanding burning propellant gasses within the weapon system into a turbine array to generate electric current. The electric current is rectified to trickle charge a battery bank which then powers the weapon system.