Ignition device for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, and related method for igniting or for self-destructing ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition

Abstract

The invention relates to an ignition device for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, comprising at least one battery 1 and at least one electric or electronic ignition chain component 3, 4, in which the battery 1 has a battery housing 12, in which an electrolyte and at least two electrodes are arranged, in which an explosive charge 9 of the ammunition can be exploded by the electric or electronic ignition chain component 3, 4, and in which the energy required to activate the electric or electronic ignition chain component 3, 4 can be provided by the battery 1. The ignition device provides a sufficient amount of energy, and at the same time the volume within the ignition device is utilized particularly efficiently in that the battery housing 12 has a cup-shaped recess and at least a part of the at least one electric or electronic ignition chain component 3, 4 is arranged in the cup-shaped recess.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ignition device for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, having the features of the generic term of claim 1. The present invention also relates to a method for ignition or self-destruction of ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, comprising an ignition device according to the invention having the features of the generic term of claim 14. [Background technology]

[0002] Ignition devices, also known as detonators, are used to ignite the active charge of various explosive devices, such as explosives, bombs, rockets, mines, grenades or cartridges. In the particular case of ammunition, there are many different types of detonators used in different areas of application. One type of detonator is the proximity detonator, which ignites an explosive charge when the target approaches, and is known for example from EP 0 129 679 and US 3 839 963.

[0003] A modern proximity fuse comprises a number of components which must be powered, such as an antenna, radio equipment, radar transmitter and receiver, proximity sensor, and detonator and fuse.

[0004] The more numerous and powerful these components are, the greater the demands are placed on the energy storage system used. Typically, therefore, powerful batteries are used to meet the energy requirements. A particular problem, however, is the space required by these batteries, which can occupy a significant proportion of the volume of the proximity fuse, especially in the case of medium and small caliber munitions, thus limiting the space available for other functionally related components.

[0005] Previously known solutions make use of the principle of so-called set-back generators, known for example from US Pat. No. 3,981,245. These generators take up relatively little space but can only provide a limited amount of energy. This type of power supply is insufficient for complex electric / electronic ignition components.

[0006] No. 5,147,974 describes a detonator for medium caliber munitions in which the total energy requirements of the components are reduced by using mechanical detonator protection. The problem with this approach is that due to manufacturing tolerances, mechanical fuses are more prone to malfunction, for example in the sense of a dud or unintentional direct ignition when fired.

[0007] A proximity fuse for rockets is known from GB 1 584 305, in which the total energy requirements of the components are reduced by using a magnetic proximity sensor. However, due to the operating principle of the sensor, this type of application can only be used to detect the approach of ferromagnetic targets. In addition, it is assumed that magnetic interference can adversely affect the performance of the proximity sensor.

[0008] German Patent No. 10341713 describes a fuze for rotary motion stabilized gun projectiles in which part of the energy requirements are extracted from the rotary motion of the projectile by a generator, thus allowing for a smaller energy reserve. In addition to the increased complexity of the fuze design, the required velocity of 300-350 / sec also appears to be a problem with this approach, limiting the range of application to certain types of ammunition.

[0009] A further problem with the cited prior art is the sequential arrangement of components, which results in the length of the sensor and / or detonator being dependent on the length of the battery.

[0010] A known battery for fuzes is the UA6215 Army Artillery Fuze Battery manufactured by Thales Cryogenics, in which six to nine cells are arranged around a glass ampoule containing electrolyte. When firing a cartridge using this type of battery, the glass ampoule breaks and the electrolyte it contains activates the surrounding batteries. A disadvantage of this known battery shape is that it makes poor use of the volume of the housing, since a large area between the glass ampoule and the battery base is left open for the dispersion of electrolyte.

[0011] As a further development of this battery shape, it has been proposed to replace the ring-shaped cell stack with a single ring-shaped cell of higher capacity. The disadvantage of this further development is the inefficient use of the space available on the sides of the glass ampoule. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 0129679 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 3,839,963 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 3,981,245 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 5,147,974 [Patent Document 5] British Patent No. 1584305 [Patent Document 6] German patent no. 10341713 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The invention is therefore based on the task of providing an ignition device for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, whereby a sufficient amount of energy can be provided by the ignition device and at the same time the available volume in the ignition device can be utilized particularly efficiently. Furthermore, the method for ignition or self-destruction of ammunition with an ignition device, in particular medium-caliber ammunition, is to be improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The problem underlying the present invention is now primarily solved by a launcher for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, having the features of claim 1.

[0015] The basic principle of the invention essentially consists in the fact that the battery housing has a cup-shaped recess and at least one electric or electronic ignition chain component is at least partially arranged in the cup-shaped recess.

[0016] In this way, the battery and the at least one electric or electronic ignition chain component require only a small amount of space within the ammunition, in particular the battery and the at least one electric or electronic ignition chain component can be arranged in a particularly short axial section of the ammunition.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the ignition device comprises an electric detonator, which is a first component of the detonation chain designed to initiate the detonation of the explosive charge of the munitions, and in particular, this electric detonator is at least partially disposed in the cup-shaped recess.

[0018] Electric detonators are also known as EEDs (Electro Explosive Devices). This generally refers to converters for single use that convert electrical energy into either heat and / or mechanical work. Depending on the amount of explosive contained in the detonator, the explosive can be detonated directly or via an intermediate amplifier stage. Such an amplifier stage is then also part of the so-called ignition chain, as a second ignition chain component. When there are several ignition chain components, they are arranged in sequence to form the ignition chain.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the ignition device, the ignition device comprises an electronic unit, which comprises a proximity sensor with sensor electronics and / or a height detector and / or an antenna.

[0020] Such components enable various controls and functions of the launcher and the upper munitions.

[0021] Advantageously, the electronic unit comprises a printed circuit board, also known as a printed circuit board, on which the proximity sensor with the sensor electronics and / or the height detector and / or the antenna are arranged.

[0022] For example, the printed circuit board has an area for conducting electrical current and the proximity sensor with sensor electronics and / or the height detector and / or the antenna are connected to the printed circuit board using solder joints and / or pressure contacts and / or plug contacts and / or adhesive connections and / or welded joints.

[0023] The electronic unit preferably comprises an ignition capacitor, which is mounted on a printed circuit board, the ignition capacitor being capable of being charged by a battery and the electric detonator being capable of being detonated by a current provided by the ignition capacitor.

[0024] The ignition capacitor can provide the energy required to detonate the electric detonator very quickly, which means that the timing of the ignition of the explosive charge can be very precisely controlled using the ignition device.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the ignition device, the battery housing has at least one cable guide for accommodating the electric cable. The cable guide is designed, for example, as a groove in the battery housing. Such a groove is advantageously aligned with the longitudinal direction of the ammunition. The cable guide minimizes the risk of damage to the electric cable, for example when installing the ignition device.

[0026] At least one contact element is advantageously connected to the battery housing and / or the battery, so that energy can be transferred via the at least one contact element, in particular between the electric detonator and the electronic unit. Energy can also be transferred via the at least one contact element between the battery housing and / or the battery and the electronic unit.

[0027] In addition to holding the electrolyte and at least two electrodes, the battery housing may also be used to carry electrical current. Thus, very little additional electrical cabling is required to establish the desired connections. Various types of contact elements may be devised.

[0028] The electronic unit is advantageously arranged on the side of the battery opposite the electric detonator, in particular on the front side of the battery.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the ignition device, an electric detonator is opposed to the detonator and / or explosive of the ammunition, the detonator and / or explosive being capable of being detonated by the electric detonator. Such a detonator is a special form of an amplifier stage.

[0030] The ignition device is preferably provided with a fuse housing, which is mounted at the nose of the ammunition, and the battery, electronic unit and electric detonator can be mounted together as a single unit in the fuse housing.

[0031] In the assembled state, the electronic unit, then the battery and then the electric detonator are arranged in that order from tip to end of the ignition device, which is particularly advantageous if the proximity sensor is part of the electronic unit, since it is thereby arranged close to the tip of the ignition device and therefore also close to the tip of the ammunition, allowing a particularly accurate distance measurement to the target by the proximity sensor.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the fuse housing is located at the base of the ammunition. The battery and the electric detonator can be mounted together as a single unit in the detonator housing. The electronic unit is then separately placed at the tip and / or side of the ammunition and connected by electrical conductors to the battery and the electric detonator at the base. This makes it possible to use the ignition device according to the invention, for example, in shaped charge munitions launched from the ground.

[0033] In the assembled state, first the battery, then the electric detonator, and then the electronic unit are placed in sequence from the floor to one end of the ignition device.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the ignition device, the battery comprises one or more cells.

[0035] The electrolyte is advantageously disposed in an ampoule, which is designed to burst when the ammunition is fired, thereby activating the battery. The battery is activated by the electrolyte flowing around the electrodes and resulting contact between the electrodes and the electrolyte. The ampoule preferably comprises a glass and / or metal material.

[0036] The problem underlying the present invention is also solved by a method for ignition or self-destruction of ammunition, in particular medium-caliber ammunition, comprising an ignition device having the features of claim 14.

[0037] In that case, the basic principle of the invention essentially consists in the fact that the battery housing has a cup-shaped recess and at least one electronic ignition chain component is at least partially arranged in the cup-shaped recess.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the method comprises the following successive steps: a) The step of firing the ammunition, in particular by electrical and / or mechanical ignition of the propellant; b) Battery activation step with injection load; c) Proximity sensor initial setup step; d) charging an ignition capacitor using a battery; e) isolating the battery from the ignition capacitor; f) activating the sensor electronics and the height detector; g) discharging an ignition capacitor into an electric detonator to initiate the detonation of the explosive charge if a target is detected; h) a self-destruct step, instead of step g), if no target is detected, by discharging the ignition capacitor into an electric detonator to initiate the detonation of the explosive charge. Includes.

[0039] Step b) also specifically includes the rupture of the ampoule. The separation of the battery from the ignition capacitor in step e) ensures that in the event of a misexplosion, the battery cannot be subsequently connected as a power source.

[0040] The ignition device is particularly advantageous for use in 35 mm caliber ammunition and in smaller caliber ammunition having a proximity fuse, however, use is not limited to these types of ammunition.

[0041] The application of the ignition device and related methods is also advantageous in other explosive devices, such as rockets, artillery shells, bombs, and anti-vehicle mines. Instead of a proximity detonator, other types of detonators, such as impact detonators or remotely activated detonators, may also be used.

[0042] Now, numerous possibilities exist for advantageously designing and further developing the ignition device according to the invention for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, and the associated method. Reference may first be made to the claims dependent on claims 1 and 14. In the following, preferred embodiments of the ignition device according to the invention for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, and the associated method are explained and described in more detail with reference to the drawings and the associated description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view diagrammatically illustrating an example of a launcher for a projectile of ammunition; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view, diagrammatically illustrating details of an embodiment of an ignition device; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional representation of a schematic representation of an electric detonator of an ignition device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an ignition device in a projectile of ammunition. FIG. 1 in particular shows the structure of an explosive grenade with a so-called head detonator. A battery 1, an electronic unit 2 and an amplifier stage 3 are arranged in the ignition device. The amplifier stage 3 can in particular be designed as a so-called "safe-and-arm unit". The battery 1 is installed between the electronics 2 and the amplifier stage 3 or the safe-and-arm unit. The battery 1 is embedded in a detonator housing 5. The fuse housing 5 is then connected to a projectile or grenade body 8, whereby the projectile or grenade body 8 contains an explosive charge 9. The explosive charge 9 is also known as a charge. The electronic unit 2 is attached directly to a battery housing 12 of the battery 1. This can be achieved using at least one corresponding connection element 10, such as a retaining clip, a soldering tab, a fastener, a bracket, a clip, a plug contact or similar. Additionally or alternatively, this connection element 10 may be soldered, welded or otherwise connected to the battery housing 12 and to the electronic unit 2. The battery housing 12 contains the first element of the ignition chain, namely the electric detonator 4. This electric detonator 4 is embedded in the battery housing 12 by means of an insulating bushing 11, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. As in conventional ammunition, the battery housing 12 has a cylindrical outer periphery. Furthermore, the battery housing 12 has a first end face, at which the connection element 10 is connected to the battery housing 12. The battery housing 12 has a second end face opposite the first end face, at which a cup-shaped recess is centrally located. The electric detonator 4 is at least partially, preferably widely, arranged in the cup-shaped recess. The electric detonator 4 is thus partially surrounded by the battery 1.

[0045] The insulating sleeve 11 has contacts 13, where the contacts 13 are conductive and contact the housing of the electric detonator 4. The contacts 13 also provide a corresponding attachment point for the first electric cable 6.1. The first electric cable 6.1 is soldered, welded, crimped or plug-connected to the attachment point. The first electric cable 6.1 and the second electric cable 6.2 are generally also referred to as a cable wiring as a whole. To insulate the housing of the electric detonator 4 from the battery housing 12, an insulating bush 11 is required, which is made of an electrically non-conductive material. The connection between the contacts 13 and the insulating socket 11 as well as the battery housing 12 can be plugged, crimped, screwed, crimped or glued. The electric detonator 4 or the pin 15 of the electric detonator 4 contacts the battery housing 12 via the plug contacts 14, which are designed as contact disks in FIG. 2. During assembly, the pins 15 of the electric detonator 4 are inserted into the plug contacts 14, which are designed as contact disks. The battery pins 7 are contacted via a second electric cable 6.2 which can be routed directly to a cable guide 16 at the periphery of the battery housing 12. The overall design of the ignition device serves to reduce the overall length and to minimize the space required to contact the electric detonator 4.

[0046] 3 shows in more detail the structure of the plug contact 14. It can also be seen how the contact of the pin 15 of the electric detonator 4 is achieved.

[0047] The battery housing 12 has a transverse cable guide 16, which is designed as a groove in the battery housing 12. The groove is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the ammunition.

[0048] A first electric cable 6.1 for connecting the contacts 13 to the electronic unit 2 and a second electric cable 6.2 for connecting the battery pins 7 to the electronic unit 2 are arranged in a lateral cable guide 16, thereby ensuring an electrical connection of the battery 1 from one end to the other.

[0049] The advantage of this design is that the assembly can be preassembled outside the detonator housing 5, with all the elements it contains positioned and aligned. The assembly can then be inserted into the fuse housing 5 as a whole.

[0050] The ignition system consists of the following successive steps: a) The step of firing the ammunition, in particular by electrical and / or mechanical ignition of the propellant; b) Activation step of battery 1 with injection load; c) Proximity sensor initial setup step; d) charging an ignition capacitor using battery 1; e) isolating the battery from the ignition capacitor; f) Activation of the sensor electronics and height detector; g) discharging the ignition capacitor into the electric detonator 4 to initiate the detonation of the explosive charge 9 if a target is detected; h) a self-destruct step, instead of step g), if no target is detected, by discharging the ignition capacitor into the electric detonator 4 to initiate the detonation of the explosive 9. The method can be used to carry out a process including:

[0051] The charging of the ignition capacitor by the battery 1 in step d) is made possible by the fact that the ignition capacitor and the electrolyte of the battery 1 and at least two electrodes of the battery 1 are part of a first circuit or that the first circuit can be formed by a circuit of corresponding switches / components with the ignition capacitor and the electrolyte of the battery 1 and at least two electrodes of the battery 1. The first circuit comprises in particular in the following order: the electrolyte of the battery 1 and at least two electrodes of the battery 1, the battery pins 7, the second electric cable 6.2, parts of the electronic unit 2, the ignition capacitor and other parts of the electronic unit 2, the ignition capacitor being one of these parts of the electronic unit 2.

[0052] The discharge of the ignition capacitor to the electric detonator 4 in step g) or h) is made possible by a second circuit, which is interrupted for this discharge, in particular by a corresponding switch / component. The second circuit comprises, in particular in the following order: the ignition capacitor, parts of the electronic unit 2, the first electric cable 6.1, the contacts 13, the electric detonator 4, the pins 15, the plug contacts 14, the battery housing 12 and other parts of the electronic unit 2.

[0053] The battery pins 7, the contacts 13, the plug contacts 14 and the pins 15 are also commonly referred to as contact elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Battery 2 Electronic Unit 3 Amplification stage 4 Electric detonator 5 Fuze housing 6.1 First Electric Cable 6.2 Second Electrical Cable 7 Battery Pins 8 Projectile or cartridge body 9 Explosives 10 Connection elements 11 Insulating Socket 12 Battery housing 13 Contact points 14 Plug Contacts 15-pin 16 Cabling

Claims

1. An ignition device for ammunition, in particular for medium-caliber ammunition, having at least one battery (1) and at least one electronic or electrical ignition chain component (3, 4), wherein the battery (1) has a battery housing (12), an electrolyte and at least two electrodes are arranged in the battery housing (12), the explosive (9) of the ammunition can be detonated by the electronic ignition chain component (3, 4), the energy required to activate the electronic or electrical ignition chain component (3, 4) can be supplied by the battery (1), the battery housing (12) has a cup-shaped recess, and the at least one electronic or electrical ignition chain component (3, 4) is at least partially arranged in the cup-shaped recess.

2. The ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ignition device has an electric detonator (4), and the electric detonator (4) is designed as a first ignition chain component for initiating the detonation of the explosive (9) of the ammunition, in particular, the electric detonator (4) is at least partially arranged in the cup-shaped recess.

3. The ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ignition device has an electronic unit (2), and the electronic unit (2) has a proximity sensor having a sensor electronic circuit, and / or a height detector, and / or an antenna.

4. The ignition device according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic unit (2) has a printed circuit board, and the proximity sensor having the sensor electronic circuit, and / or the height detector, and / or the antenna is arranged on the printed circuit board.

5. The ignition device according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic unit (2) has an ignition capacitor, the ignition capacitor is arranged on the printed circuit board, the ignition capacitor can be charged by the battery (1), and the electric detonator (4) can be detonated by the current supplied by the ignition capacitor.

6. The ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery housing (12) has at least one cable guide (16) for accommodating electric cables (6.1, 6.2).

7. At least one contact element (7) is connected to the battery housing (12), as a result of which energy transmission is made possible, in particular between the electric detonator (4) and the electronic unit (2), via the at least one contact element (7) and the battery housing (12). The ignition device according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

8. The ignition device according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic unit (2) is arranged on the side of the battery (1) opposite to the electric detonator (4).

9. The ignition device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric detonator (4) faces the detonator of the ammunition and / or the explosive (9), and the detonator and / or the explosive (9) can be detonated by the electric detonator (4).

10. The ignition device according to claim 3, characterized in that the ignition device has a fuse housing (5), the fuse housing (5) is arranged at the tip of the ammunition, and the battery (1), the electronic unit (2) and the electric detonator (4) can be integrally mounted in the fuse housing (5) as one unit.

11. The ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery (1) comprises one or more batteries.

12. The ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrolyte is arranged in an ampoule, the ampoule is designed to rupture when the ammunition is fired, and the battery is thereby activated.

13. The ignition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ampoule comprises glass and / or a metallic material.

14. A method for the ignition or self - detonation of ammunition, in particular medium - caliber ammunition, comprising an ignition device according to claim 1, having at least one battery (1) and at least one electrical or electronic ignition chain component (3, 4), wherein the battery (1) has a battery housing (12), an electrolyte and at least two electrodes are arranged in the battery housing (12), the explosive (9) of the ammunition can be detonated by the electrical or electronic ignition chain component (3, 4), the energy required to activate the electrical or electronic ignition chain component (3, 4) is supplied by the battery (1), the battery housing (12) has a cup - shaped recess, and the at least one electrical or electronic ignition chain component (3, 4) is at least partially arranged in the cup - shaped recess.

15. The following sequential steps: a) A firing step of military ammunition, in particular by electrical and / or mechanical ignition of the propellant; b) An operating step of the battery (1) by the firing load; c) An initial setting step of the proximity sensor; d) A step of charging the ignition capacitor using the battery (1); e) A step of separating the battery from the ignition capacitor; f) A step of activating the sensor electronic circuit and the height detector; g) A step of discharging the ignition capacitor to the electric detonator (4) to initiate the explosion of the explosive (9) when a target is detected; h) A self - detonation step, in the case where a target is not detected, instead of step g), by discharging the ignition capacitor to the electric detonator (4) to initiate the explosion of the explosive (9). The method according to claim 14, characterized by comprising the above steps.

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