Impulse and momentum transfer devise
This invention concerns a device for the transmission of impulse and momentum, e.g. from a shock wave from an explosion or momentum from objects impacting the device, from one location to another, and is primarily used to protect vehicles, ships, aircrafts and buildings against impulse and/or momentum, for instance in regards to attacks on those with grenades, bombs, mines and the like. The governing physical principles are those of conservation of momentum and energy, and Newton's 3rd Law, claiming that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. When the receiver 1 is accelerated by the incoming shock wave 9 it collides with the transmitter 2 , connected to an emitter 3 , momentum is transferred to the emitter 3 . If the transfer is in itself not sufficient to bring the receiver's 1 velocity to an acceptable level, additional energy and momentum is added through the transmitter 2.
1. A method of protecting a vehicle from damage due to an incoming shock wave, the vehicle comprising a receiver, a transmitter, and an emitter, the method comprising:
a. positioning the vehicle in a location at which the receiver is subject to being contacted by the incoming shock wave, the receiver communicating with the transmitter so as to transfer energy and momentum thereto;
b. causing combustion of a pyrotechnic material in the transmitter in response to the vehicle being contacted by the incoming shock wave so as to add momentum in opposite directions to the receiver and the emitter; and
c. causing ejection by the emitter of solid matter from the vehicle so as to counteract energy and momentum received from the incoming shock wave by the receiver.
2. A method according to claim 1 in which the transmitter comprises two pistons caused to be pushed away from each other by the combustion of the pyrotechnic material.