Shaped charge and lootering ammunition equipped with it

Abstract

The new shaped charge (10) is designed such that a unit consisting of the shaped charge (10) and the delivery system requires less installation space and has a reduced weight. Shaped charge (10) with the following characteristics: a) the shaped charge (10) comprises a casing (20), a liner (12) and an explosive (13), b) the casing (20) surrounds the explosive (13), c) the casing (20) is designed as a tube, d) the casing (20) has several pipe layers (211, 212, 213), e) the several tube layers (211, 212, 213) are each at least partially a winding layer of a strip of a battery cell (311 ... 333), which is called a tubular battery cell, f) Each band of a shell battery cell (311 ... 333) comprises an anode layer (41) and a cathode layer (42) and a separator layer (43a, 43b).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shaped charge and a loitering ammunition equipped therewith, which is colloquially called a “kamikaze drone”.

[0002] The CN111156865A shows a drone with a battery, an electric drive and a warhead.

[0003] DE 33 29 969 C1 describes a shaped charge with an explosive, an insert, and a casing that surrounds the explosive for containment. The shaped charge is a projectile-forming charge. To influence the projectile shape, the time of impact and / or the impact energy of the explosive's shock wave are controlled by inhomogeneities in the casing.

[0004] The older application DE 10 2023 002 210 B3 shows the idea of ​​giving battery cells in loitering ammunition a dual function and also using them to dam a shaped charge. For this purpose, the casing has a tubular holder. The tubular holder holds battery cells of a battery. Since the battery cells have a dual function, in other words the casing also has a dual function. In addition to the actual function of damging the explosive, the casing takes on the function of providing electrical energy because the battery cells are held in the tubular holder of the casing. A high packing density and the high weight of the battery cells ensure a high casing weight. Since the mass of the casing is the decisive factor for dam protection and the strength of the casing only to a limited extent, a high level of dam protection is achieved. Due to the dual function of the battery cells and the casing.The shell achieves a surprisingly high weight saving.

[0005] DE 199 16 043 A1 shows a winding of a battery cell strip. The battery cell strip comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a separator layer.

[0006] EP 3 916 829 A1 shows a lithium-ion cell comprising a winding of a band-shaped electrode-separator assembly with the sequence anode-separator-cathode.

[0007] DE 101 51 573 A1 shows a shaped charge. The shaped charge comprises a tubular casing, an insert, and an explosive. The casing surrounds the explosive. The shaped charge is incorporated into a missile. There is a reference to a movable fragmentation shield for the shaped charge. This fragmentation shield may already contain built-in units, such as batteries.

[0008] US Patent No. 10,883,808 B2 shows a missile. The missile contains an explosive surrounded by a fragmentation-forming, tubular casing. Arranged within the tube are propulsion batteries, which, in addition to their primary function as energy storage devices, also fulfill the additional function of fragmentation.

[0009] US 2015 / 0 171 462 A1 shows a tubular battery cell with multiple tubular layers. The multiple tubular layers are winding layers of a strip. The strip comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a separator layer.

[0010] US 2014 / 0 335 391 A1 shows a battery cell designed as a cable and comprising multiple tubular layers. The multiple tubular layers are an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a separator layer.

[0011] US 2013 / 0 288 150 A1 shows a cylindrical fuel cell with tube layers representing electrodes.

[0012] DE 22 56 077 A shows a battery cell configured as a cylinder and comprising multiple tubular layers. The multiple tubular layers are an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a separator layer.

[0013] The invention is based on the object of designing a shaped charge in such a way that a unit consisting of the shaped charge and the delivery system requires less installation space and has a reduced weight.

[0014] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, which is directed to a shaped charge. Furthermore, this object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 4, which is directed to a loitering ammunition equipped with the shaped charge.

[0015] The advantages of the invention result from the following features of the shaped charge: (a) the shaped charge comprises a casing, an liner and an explosive, b) the casing surrounds the explosive, c) the casing is designed as a tube, d) the casing has several layers of tubes, e) the plurality of tube layers are each at least partially a winding layer of a strip of a battery cell, which is called a tubular battery cell, (f) each band of a tubular battery cell comprises an anode layer, a cathode layer and a separator layer.

[0016] The advantages achieved with the invention result from the idea of ​​giving battery cells a dual function and also using them to form a casing. In addition to its actual function of encapsulating the explosive, the casing also serves to provide electrical energy storage. Since the multiple tube layers are each at least partially a winding layer of a tubular battery cell strip, the available volume of the casing is almost completely filled. By avoiding gaps and joints, a largely trouble-free formation of a shaped charge spike or explosively formed projectile is enabled.

[0017] According to a secondary claim, a loitering munition comprises the aforementioned shaped charge and an electric drive powered by the battery cells of the shaped charge casing. The loitering munition has a long range and a long flight time because its dual function as casing and battery allows the delivery system to be designed in the form of a drone, reducing weight and saving space.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the shaped charge is a projectile-forming charge, and the casing with the multiple tubular layers is designed to enclose the projectile-forming charge. The projectile of a projectile-forming charge can travel up to several hundred meters and still possess significant power.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in order to influence the shape of the projectile formed with the shaped charge, the time of impact and / or the impact energy of the shock wave of the explosive is controlled by the tubular casing having thickened portions formed by battery cells, called thickening battery cells, which are adapted to the shape of the thickened portions. In other words, the arrangement of the thickening batteries serves to impart fins to the projectile to stabilize its trajectory.

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The schematic diagrams show: 01 / 2024 Fig. 1 a hollow charge with a shell, in section with openings with three-dimensional additions; Fig. 2 a loitering ammunition with the Fig. 1 shown hollow charge, partly in perspective and partly in section; Fig. 3a to 3c Alternatives for the design of the tubular battery cells, each shown in section.

[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates a shaped charge 10. The shaped charge 10 comprises a casing 20, an insert 12, and an explosive 13. The casing 20 surrounds the explosive 13 and is designed as a tube. The casing 20 has tube layers 211, 212, 213. The tube layers 211, 212, 213 each represent a winding layer of a strip of a battery cell 311, which is called a tubular battery cell. The strip of the tubular battery cell 311 comprises an anode layer 41, a cathode layer 42, and a first separator layer 43a and a second separator layer 43b. Each of the battery cells is a lithium foil battery according to the "pouch" principle.

[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates that the hollow charge 10 is a projectile-forming charge and the casing 20 with the tube layers 211, 212, 213 is designed to dam the projectile-forming charge.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates that, in order to influence the shape of the projectile formed with the hollow charge 10, the time of impact and / or the impact energy of the shock wave of the explosive is controlled by the tubular casing 11 having thickenings formed by battery cells, called thickening battery cells 361, 362, which are adapted to the shape of the thickenings. In the exemplary embodiment, there are three thickening battery cells, of which Fig. 1, due to the sectional view, two thickening battery cells 361 and 362 are visible. The three thickening battery cells are each radially offset by 120° and, after ignition of the shaped charge 10, cause the formation of three fins.

[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates a loitering ammunition 50 with a shaped charge 10 and an electric drive 51 which is powered by battery cells of the casing of the shaped charge 10.

[0025] The Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c illustrate different variants of the design in which the multiple tube layers 211, 212, 213 are each at least partially a winding layer of a strip of a tube battery cell 311 ... 333.

[0026] Fig. 3a shows three tube layers 211, 212, 213. Each tube layer is one of three winding layers of a single band of a single tube battery cell 311. The single band of the single tube battery cell 311 is arranged spirally.

[0027] Fig. 3b again shows three tube layers 211, 212, 213. The tube layer 211 is a first battery cell 321 and a second battery cell 322. The tube layer 212 is a third battery cell 323 and a fourth battery cell 324. The tube layer 213 is a fifth battery cell 325 and a sixth battery cell 326.

[0028] Fig. 3c again shows three tube layers 211, 212, 213. Each tube layer is a winding layer of a single strip of a single battery cell 331, 332 and 333.

[0029] The battery cell strip(s) comprise a mass fraction of at least 60% of the casing 20. The high packing density and the high weight of the battery cells result in a high weight of the casing 20. Since the mass of the casing 20 is crucial for insulation, and the strength of the casing only plays a limited role, a high level of insulation is achieved. Due to the dual function as a battery and casing, significant weight savings are achieved.

[0030] In deviation from the illustrated embodiment, the following alternatives or modifications are possible: • The battery cells can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. • The drone 50 depicted in the loitering munition is a multicopter. The shaped charge 10 is not limited to this and is suitable for all electrically powered drones. • In the exemplary embodiment, a tubular holder 21H has a cylindrical outer shell 21A and a cylindrical inner shell 21L. Deviations may be made 01 / 2024. The term "tubular holder" is to be interpreted broadly. The inner shell and / or outer shell can also be polygonal or wave-shaped. For illustrative purposes, the outer shell and inner shell of the casing are drawn thicker than necessary. Contrary to the illustration, the outer shell and inner shell should be as thin as possible. • The electrical connection contacts of the tubular battery cells and the electrical connection contacts of the thickened battery cells are not shown in the drawings. Examples for the design are provided by the state of the art. • Gaps may exist between the individual tubular battery cells. Further gaps may exist between the thickened battery cells themselves, and further gaps may exist between the thickened battery cells and the tubular battery cells. Gaps may also exist between the inner jacket or outer jacket and the thickened battery cells or tubular battery cells. The gaps can be filled with a curable compound. The curable compound can be silicone-based or epoxy-based. Metal powder can be mixed into the curable compound to prevent acoustic impedance jumps. Impedance jumps can lead to asymmetries in the spike formation or projectile formation of a shaped charge. List of reference symbols 10 shaped charge 12 insert 13 Explosives 20 cover 21 I inner jacket 21 A Outer jacket 21 H tubular bracket 211, 212, 213 pipe layer 311 ... 333 Tubular battery cell 361 thickening battery cell 362 thickening battery cell 41 Anode layer 42 Cathode layer 43a first separator layer 43b second separator layer 50 drones 51 electric drive

Claims

[1] Shaped charge (10) with the following features: a) the hollow charge (10) comprises a casing (20), an insert (12) and an explosive (13), b) the casing (20) surrounds the explosive (13), c) the casing (20) is designed as a tube, d) the casing (20) has several tube layers (211, 212, 213), e) the plurality of tube layers (211, 212, 213) are each at least partially a winding layer of a strip of a battery cell (311 ... 333), which is called a tube battery cell, f) each band of a tubular battery cell (311 ... 333) comprises an anode layer (41), a cathode layer (42) and a separator layer (43a, 43b). [2] Hollow charge (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hollow charge (10) is a projectile-forming charge and the casing (20) with the plurality of tube layers (211, 212, 213) is designed to dam the projectile-forming charge. [3] Hollow charge (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which, in order to influence the shape of the projectile formed by the hollow charge, the time of impact and / or the impact energy of the shock wave of the explosive is controlled by the casing (20) having thickenings formed by battery cells, called thickening battery cells (361, 362), which are adapted to the shape of the thickenings. [4] Loitering ammunition (50) with a shaped charge (10) according to the features of one of claims 1 to 3 and an electric drive (51) which is connected to the battery cells (311 ... 333, 361 ... 362) of the casing (20) of the shaped charge (10).

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