Wedge Arena Test System for Fragment Velocity and Mass Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arena tests for evaluating the lethality of fragmenting munitions are unable to accurately measure the mass and velocity of individual fragments, particularly slower-moving and larger fragments, due to the destruction of witness panels by faster fragments and blast waves, and the limitations of soft catch methods.
Innovation Solution
The wedge arena test system combines wire mesh witness panels arranged in a 'V' configuration with a high-speed video camera to capture out-of-plane velocity and trajectory components, and a soft catch box with layered materials to recover and correlate fragments, allowing for the measurement of individual fragment mass and velocity, including slower-moving fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional witness panels are used to measure fragment velocity, then velocity data can be obtained, but the panels are destroyed by faster fragments and blast waves, preventing measurement of slower-moving fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The witness panel system is segmented into multiple panels arranged in a wedge configuration, where each panel captures velocity data for different fragment speed ranges. Faster fragments impact earlier panels while slower fragments reach later panels, allowing the system to measure a broader velocity spectrum without requiring a single panel to withstand all fragment speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The witness panels are arranged in a three-dimensional wedge configuration rather than a single flat panel. This spatial arrangement creates different impact zones at various distances and angles from the warhead, allowing simultaneous measurement of fragments across a wide velocity range by capturing impacts at multiple positions in space.
2Measurement precision
If soft catch methods are used to collect fragments, then fragment mass data can be obtained, but it is not possible to correlate individual fragment mass with velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses high-speed video cameras to capture the trajectory and impact position of each fragment on the witness panels before collection. This visual data provides feedback that allows individual fragments to be tracked and correlated with their corresponding mass measurements from the soft catch collection, establishing velocity-mass relationships for individual fragments rather than just aggregate data.
Solution Approach 2:
The witness panels create a spatial map or 'copy' of fragment trajectories and impact positions. By recording where each fragment strikes the panels before being collected by the soft catch system, the system preserves information about individual fragment velocity and direction, which can then be correlated with mass measurements after collection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple witness panels are used to cover different velocity ranges, then more comprehensive velocity data can be obtained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped witness panel system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures fragment velocity across a wide range, captures trajectory information, and provides spatial distribution data all through a single integrated configuration. The same wedge structure that enables multi-velocity measurement also inherently provides trajectory and positioning information, reducing the need for separate measurement systems.
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 system enables the characterization of individual fragment mass and velocity, including slower-moving fragments, by using a single camera to image fragments passing through the wedge-shaped panels and a soft catch box to recover and correlate physical location, velocity, and trajectory with mass, providing more comprehensive lethality data.
Implementation Method 1
A fragment striking a witness panel creates a flash of light created that is imaged using high-speed video cameras
Implementation Method 2
soft-catch materials that slow down and capture the fragments
Data Source
AI summary
An arena test system for characterizing fragments from a warhead. An entry panel and an exit panel are arranged in a wedge configuration with a wedge-shaped air space between them. Fragments are imaged as they pass through this wedge. A soft catch box is located behind the exit panel such that fragments that pass through the exit panel enter the soft catch box and are decelerated within the soft catch box.