Activation unit for explosive masses or explosive bodies

Abstract

An activation unit for explosive masses or explosive bodies includes an ejector tube and high-performance heating elements mounted around the ejector tube, each made of at least one heating wire supplied with electrical power by a control unit. Each heating wire is enclosed in a casing and embedded in a material minimizing heat loss. When the explosive body is passed through the activation unit, the jacket surface of the explosive body contacts the individual elements of the activation unit in a direct or non-contact manner. Thermal energy is transferred to the explosive body by means of the heating wires, and the body ignites at the contact points. A further activation unit includes heating elements in the ejector tube, at least partially fed longitudinally through the ejector tube, made of heating wire clad with CrNi steel and contact plates soldered thereto.

Description

[0001]This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 291,281, which is a Continuation-in-Part application in the United States of International Patent Application No. PCT / EP2010 / 002332 filed Apr. 16, 2010, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2009 020 558.6, filed May 8, 2009, and on German Patent Application No. 10 2009 020 557.8, filed on May 8, 2009. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to an activation unit for, in particular, munition-free explosive masses or explosive bodies, for example, for forming decoys.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Decoys and / or smoke shells based, for example, on red phosphorus (RP) or nitrocellulose (NC), are used in military applications, for example, smoke shells, infrared (IR)-acting aircraft decoys, etc. The smoke or IR effect is deployed by the RP / NC after appropriate ignition by burning. RP unit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a heating system for an explosive body. The heating elements are designed to quickly reach high temperatures (>600° C) and allow for dynamic heating. The outer casing of the heating elements is made of a highly temperature-resistant steel, and ceramic inlays are used to minimize heat loss. The heating elements can be activated contactlessly, allowing for the use of decoys without explosives in civil environments. The extremely high content of chromium nickel in the heating elements results in high corrosion resistance, temperature resistance, and wear resistance. The heating elements are placed in a separate casing to ensure their leaktightness and can be adjusted for power and contact-making. The system allows for ignition over a large surface area with low mass and minimal thermal inertia.

Problems solved by technology

Decoys of this kind cannot be used in civil aviation because of the munition component since explosives are not acceptable in this context and international safety agreements, etc., have to be complied with.

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