Weapon Nozzle with Circumferential Element for Recoil Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon nozzles with liquid countermasses face issues such as cloud formation, asymmetrical flow, shear forces, and increased recoil, which hinder clear targeting and stability.

Innovation Solution

The nozzle design incorporates a spoiler inside the nozzle to reduce gas temperature and pressure by introducing ambient air, and a circumferential element with a smaller opening area to minimize forward recoil, eliminating the need for a countermass and reducing recoil.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a liquid countermass is used to reduce recoil and pressure, then the pressure behind the launcher is reduced, but a liquid cloud is formed around the weapon which obscures the target and prevents rapid re-firing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure behind launcherVSAvoidliquid cloud formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the liquid countermass from the system, replacing it with a gaseous countermass (hot gases from the projectile) that expands through the nozzle to reduce pressure and recoil without forming an obscuring cloud, thus removing the harmful side effect while preserving the pressure-reducing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the countermass from liquid to gas. The hot gases generated by the projectile are directed through the nozzle where they expand and cool, transforming from a high-temperature confined state to a lower-temperature expanded state that reduces pressure without creating a liquid cloud

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If a liquid countermass is used to reduce recoil, then the recoil is reduced, but asymmetrical flow is created which produces great shear forces on the weapon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecoil forceVSAvoidshear forces on weapon
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a symmetrical nozzle geometry with circumferential elements that ensure uniform distribution of the gaseous countermass flow in all directions around the projectile, eliminating asymmetrical flow patterns and the resulting shear forces on the weapon structure while maintaining recoil reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stress or pressure

If a liquid countermass container is used to reduce pressure, then the pressure behind the launcher is reduced, but pieces from the container may come away and constitute a risk behind the weapon

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure behind launcherVSAvoidprojectile path safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the physical container structure entirely by using the projectile itself as the source of countermass. The hot gases are generated within the projectile and expelled through the nozzle without requiring any additional container, thereby eliminating the risk of container fragments entering the projectile path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle acts as an intermediary device that channels and controls the expansion of hot gases, directing them safely away from the weapon and ensuring that the pressure reduction process occurs in a controlled manner without generating hazardous fragments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Force

If a liquid countermass is used to reduce recoil, then the pressure is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for a countermass container and delivery system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecoil forceVSAvoidcountermass system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the projectile serve multiple functions: it acts as both the propellant carrier and the source of countermass. The hot gases generated by the projectile's propulsion system are reused as the countermass, eliminating the need for separate countermass storage containers and delivery mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the propellant function and countermass function into a single integrated system. The same combustion process that propels the projectile forward also generates the hot gases that are redirected through the nozzle to provide recoil reduction, combining two previously separate systems into one

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1936317B1Nozzle
Publication Date: 2009.11.11 SAAB AB
  • EP1936317B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1936317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nozzle (1) for a weapon (2) comprising a launcher (4) which constitutes a guide for a projectile or missile (6). The nozzle (1) comprises a wall (8), a first opening (10) connected to the launcher (4) and a second opening (12). The area of the first opening (10) is smaller than the area of the second opening (12). The nozzle (1) is provided with means (18; 18') for reducing the pressure of gases (16) from the projectile (6) inside and behind the nozzle (1) when firing the weapon (2). A circumferential element (26) is arranged at the first opening (10) of the nozzle (1). An opening area (28) of the circumferential element (26) is less than the area of the first opening (10) of the nozzle (1).