Launching device and method for assembling projectiles in the launching device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular launcher (1) for a projectile (100) launched with a propellant charge (10), the projectile (100) being arranged so that a detonator (20) is disposed in a projectile body (50) disposed in the launcher (1) and assembled with at least one propellant charge (10) in the launcher (1). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assembling a projectile in a launcher by using modules.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular launcher for launching propellant-charged projectiles. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of assembling the projectiles within the launcher using modules. [Background technology]

[0002] The main principles utilized in weapon systems involving projectile and propellant handling are, on the one hand, when the projectile and propellant are placed together in a sleeve, constituting a sleeved charge, and, on the other hand, a system in which the projectile and propellant are separated and placed together in the launcher. By convention, systems with sleeves are used when the projectile caliber exceeds about 100 mm, and for projectiles with a diameter of more than 100 mm, systems with separate projectile and propellant are often used. As an exception, sleeved charges are also used in systems up to 155 mm.

[0003] Patent document US2011 / 0083548A1 discloses a sleeveless weapon system, which has a projectile chamber and a propellant chamber, each of which is movably arranged relative to a barrel. The patent document does not disclose that the projectile is composed of parts or modules.

[0004] Patent document US8546736B2 discloses a modular projectile. The modules consist of a payload, a guidance module and a rear module, e.g. including a rocket motor. Furthermore, the payload module may include a detonator. The projectile is pre-assembled or assembled by the manufacturer and placed as a unit in the launcher. The patent document does not disclose that the projectile is composed of parts or modules in the launcher.

[0005] Solutions to the above-mentioned problems and further problems are presented below. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

[0007] Another object solved by the invention is that of an insensitive munition, where the detonator and the projectile body can be kept separate until, or more precisely before, the assembly. Furthermore, the problem of increased flexibility is solved, since there are many more configuration possibilities, when the subsystems are adjusted in conjunction with, or more precisely before, the assembly. Furthermore, the problem is solved with respect to conventional artillery, where the detonator is manually placed on the projectile or projectile body, since the detonator is automatically placed on the projectile body in conjunction with, or more precisely before, the assembly.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is a modular launcher for launching a propellant-filled projectile, in which a detonator is disposed in the projectile body within the launcher, and the projectile is arranged to be assembled with at least one propellant charge within the launcher.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the modular launch device according to the invention, The detonators are disposed in at least one detonator magazine disposed in the launcher, the projectile bodies are disposed in at least one projectile body magazine disposed in the launcher, and the detonators are automatically disposed in the projectile bodies in the launcher.

[0010] The propellant charges are disposed in at least one propellant charge magazine disposed in the launcher.

[0011] The detonator includes an initiation unit, a safety unit, and an explosion unit; The initiation unit is placed on the assembled safety unit and the explosion unit, The explosion unit is arranged in the assembled detonator unit and the safety unit, The starting unit is arranged simultaneously with the safety unit and the explosion unit.

[0012] The starting unit is arranged in at least one starting unit magazine arranged in the launcher, and / or the safety unit is arranged in at least one safety unit magazine arranged in the launcher, and / or the explosion unit is arranged in at least one explosion unit magazine arranged in the launcher.

[0013] The projectile body is composed of an enclosure unit and a payload unit. The payload unit is arranged in at least one payload unit magazine arranged in the launcher. The payload unit is arranged in the enclosure unit, and the enclosure unit is arranged in at least one enclosure unit magazine arranged in the launcher.

[0014] The enclosure unit may be composed of a shell made of plastic, composite material, metal, or a combination thereof.

[0015] The payload unit is composed of one or more explosives, smoke bombs, flares, and / or warheads.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the present invention, an improved method for assembling a projectile in a launcher using modules is created, including the following steps. The detonator is automatically arranged in the projectile body in the launcher, The detonator arranged together with the projectile body is arranged in the launcher, The propellant charge is arranged in the launcher.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the method for assembling a projectile in a launcher by using the module according to the present invention, The detonator is as follows: The starting unit arranged in the starting unit magazine, Safety units arranged in a safety unit magazine, an explosive unit disposed in the explosive unit magazine; The initiation unit, safety unit, and detonation unit are automatically assembled into a launcher, The projectile body is: Siege units placed in the siege unit magazine, a payload unit disposed in a payload unit magazine; The enclosure unit and the payload unit may be automatically assembled into the launcher. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of an initiator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of an initiator separated into subcomponents according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of a projectile body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of a projectile body separated into subcomponents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled projectile in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of a projectile separated into subcomponents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention is directed to a launcher.

[0021] The launcher, also called a cannon, howitzer or piece of artillery, is intended to launch a projectile by means of a propellant. Preferably, the propellant, such as gunpowder, is ignited in a part of the cannon, often in a chamber specially adapted for this purpose. Ignition occurs, for example, by igniting the propellant using an ignition cartridge or a lighter in the ammunition unit, which is ignited by impact. As an alternative method of igniting the propellant, the propellant may be ignited by laser or electrical energy. The propellant burns at high speed, producing a lot of gas, which creates a gas pressure in the chamber and pushes the projectile out of the barrel of the launcher. The propellant is adapted to generate as constant a pressure as possible on the projectile while it is moving in the barrel, which gives it a high speed when it leaves the mouth of the barrel.

[0022] Projectiles such as artillery shells of various types often include some form of warhead and some form of detonation device to activate the warhead. Detonators, also known as fuses, come in a variety of types, typically percussion-type, designed to explode on contact with an object, timer-type, designed to explode at a pre-determined time, and zone-type, designed to explode when an object comes within a certain distance of the projectile. Zone-type fuses are preferred for combating flying objects, while timer-type and percussion types may be used for combating a number of different objects. Advantageously, different types of detonation functions can be combined in the same detonator, such that if a zone-type fuse does not detect an object, the projectile will explode after a certain time. However, having all detonations in the same detonator can be costly and complicated, and is not always utilized in combating an object.

[0023] The warhead preferably includes some form of explosive charge and some form of fragmentation-producing casing surrounding the explosive charge. Additionally, various steering means such as fins can be located either on the detonator or on a dedicated subcomponent.

[0024] Typically, a projectile for an artillery gun includes a warhead, a shell, and a fuse that is placed on the shell before the projectile is placed or stuffed into the gun. For safety and logistical reasons, it is preferred that the fuse not be placed on the shell until before stuffing. In many cases, the fuse is placed with a screw and screwed onto the shell. The fuse can be programmed to be mechanically corrected, for example, by twisting a portion of the fuse into a desired position, or it can be programmed electrically, such as by contact or induction / capacity programming of the fuse.

[0025] A munition unit typically includes a propellant, often formed of gunpowder, a warhead containing an explosive, and a detonator containing a primary explosive to set off the explosive. The munition unit is designed to be suitable for long-term storage and to withstand significant mechanical stresses, such as during transportation. If a component, such as a battery, needs to be replaced within the munition unit, extensive measures are required to dismantle the munition unit and replace the battery. Similarly, dismantling a munition unit requires extensive dismantling of the various components that make up the munition unit.

[0026] For example, one common manufacturing method involves pouring the explosives into the warhead, which makes extraction of the explosives relatively complicated.

[0027] Detonators often incorporate electronic circuits, the technology of which is continually being developed, and improvements in functionality are also being continuously developed, and new technologies, including Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) systems, new sensor systems, and new algorithms using artificial intelligence, may be installed in detonators one after another.

[0028] The advantages of arranging the projectiles composed of subcomponents in a launcher are as follows: By combining different subcomponents before loading, the projectile's performance can be altered. By transporting precision parts separately and non-precision parts separately, the risk of damage and accidents can be reduced, logistics can be improved, The possibility of replacing or upgrading worn-out sub-components is improved without replacing the entire ammunition unit or projectile unit.

[0029] Functional description The modular launcher 1 is adapted to fire or shoot a projectile 100 having a propellant charge 10. The propellant charge 10, which can be, for example, gunpowder, burns after activation, generates high pressure, and thereby the projectile 100 is launched from the barrel. The projectile is placed in the barrel by a process known as ramming. A girdle surrounding the projectile often deforms into a groove placed in the barrel that holds the projectile in the barrel. The propellant charge 10 is often placed in a place often called a chamber, where the propellant charge burns and generates gas or gunpowder gas that moves the projectile within the barrel. Preferably, a continuous or constant pressure is generated within the chamber, and as the projectile moves towards the muzzle of the barrel, the barrel behind the projectile is also filled. By placing the detonator 20 on the projectile body 50 and generating the projectile 100 before and in close proximity to ramming, many technical problems can be solved. The detonator 20 is preferably placed on the projectile body 50 that is close to ramming, both temporally and spatially, before ramming.

[0030] The projectile body may be placed in the projectile body magazine 60, but the projectile body or a part of the projectile body can also be placed in a plurality of magazines, and they can be combined to form the projectile body within the launcher. Further, the detonator can be placed in the detonator magazine 30, but the detonator or a part of the detonator can also be placed in a plurality of magazines, and they can be combined to form the detonator within the launcher. Further, the detonator can be programmed before being placed in the launcher.

[0031] The propellant charge 10 can be placed in a propellant charge magazine 12, which can be constructed, for example, from a modular charge, Uniflex, or another standard propellant charge construction. Furthermore, the chamber can be adapted to the particular propellant charge construction used, for example, if a smaller amount or fewer units of propellant charges are used, the chamber volume is reduced, and if a larger amount or more units of propellant charges are used, the chamber volume is increased. Increasing or decreasing the chamber volume can be done by physically changing the volume, but since a certain number of propellant charge units are always loaded in the chamber, depending on the range, the propellant charge units may be constructed with several units containing high-energy materials and some units that only generate spacing, such as metal units that are reused after the launch of the projectile.

[0032] The step of assembling the projectile into the launcher using the modules may include: The detonator is automatically deployed on the projectile body within the launcher, The detonator is disposed in the projectile body and packed into the launcher; The propellant charge is placed into a launcher, which then fires the propellant charge, expelling a projectile from the barrel of the launcher.

[0033] The detonator is one of the following: Starting units arranged in a starting unit magazine; Safety units arranged in a safety unit magazine, an explosive unit disposed in an explosive unit magazine; The initiation unit, safety unit and detonation unit are automatically assembled into the launcher, The projectile body is: a siege unit arranged in a siege unit magazine; a payload unit disposed in a payload unit magazine; The envelopment unit and the payload unit are automatically assembled within the launcher.

[0034] 1 shows that the detonator 20 is composed of an initiation unit 22, a safety unit 24, and an explosion unit 26, also called the primary explosive. Furthermore, the detonator in the illustrated embodiment is arranged with a threaded connection 25 for placement on the projectile body. The threaded connection 25 is commonly used for large caliber guns such as artillery, for example projectiles with a diameter larger than 100 mm. Other methods of placement of the detonator on the projectile body can also be used, for example, press-fit, adhesive, soldering, welding, bayonet connectors, locks such as click locks, etc.

[0035] The initiation unit 22 includes appropriate sensors and / or calculation units for the initiation of the explosion, e.g. Impact, i.e. when the projectile hits the target, Delayed impact, where the onset occurs a specific time after the impact; After a certain period of time, also called a timing fuse, Proximity to the target, also known as zone fuse; Height, starting at a certain height, Other ways to get started.

[0036] The safety unit 24, also referred to as the SAT device, contains a layout to ensure safe initiation of the detonation unit 26. For example, the SAT device includes transport safeties, barrel travel safeties, and ballistic safeties so the detonation unit is not initiated at the wrong time. The safety unit can be fully mechanical, electromechanical, electronic, or a combination of these. For example, the safety unit can include a latch that requires a specific rotation or a specific acceleration before the detonation unit is enabled.

[0037] The explosive unit 26 is part of the detonator 20 and contains high energy materials or explosives for initiating a warhead or projectile body disposed in the detonator 20. The explosive unit 26 is part of a so-called ignition chain that is initiated by the explosive device. The detonator 20 includes an initiator unit 22, a safety unit 24, and an explosive unit 26, which are arranged in relation to one another, for example, as follows: The initiation unit 22 is disposed in the assembled safety unit 24 and explosive unit 26; The explosive device 26 is disposed in the assembled initiation unit 22 and safety unit 24; The initiation unit 22 is co-located with the safety unit 24 and the explosive unit 26 .

[0038] Each part of the initiation unit 22, the safety unit 24, and the detonation unit 26 can be arranged separately for arrangement together in the launcher 1. The initiation unit 22 can then be arranged in at least one initiation unit magazine 23 arranged in the launcher 1, the safety unit 24 can be arranged in at least one safety unit magazine 25 arranged in the launcher 1, and the detonation unit 26 can be arranged in at least one detonation unit magazine 27 arranged in the launcher 1. By separating the different components in separate magazines when launching a projectile, detonators of different performance and configuration can be arranged together in the launcher. It is important to separate the detonation unit 26 from the other components, since it may be sensitive to external influences. Furthermore, if the detonation unit 26 can be separated from the initiation unit 22 and the safety unit 24, the other detonation components can be handled safely. Since the initiation unit 22 often contains electronic devices that are undergoing rapid technological development, it is appropriate to update the initiation unit 22 in line with technological developments. If the initiation unit is integral with the detonator or the entire launch unit, then rebuilding the detonator / propellant unit would be required, which would be complex, time consuming, and costly. If the initiation unit 22 is a separate unit that is placed in the launch unit to launch the detonator / projectile, then replacement of the initiation unit 22 and recovery of the replacement initiation unit 22, such as dismantling and disposal, would be significantly easier.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the detonator 20 is divided into free-standing components: an initiation unit 22, a safety unit 24 and an explosion unit 25. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the explosion unit 26 is arranged in the safety unit 24. The initiation unit 22 is arranged in the safety unit 24, for example by a click-lock or screw coupling, not shown.

[0040] 3 shows a projectile body 50. The initiator 20 may be disposed in the projectile body 50 at the nose 51 of the projectile body. Preferably, the nose 51 is positioned such that the initiator 20 may initiate a warhead, pyrotechnic charge, flare or smoke device, or other payload disposed in the projectile body 50.

[0041] 4 shows a projectile body 50 consisting of an enveloping unit 52 and a payload unit 54, which may consist of, for example, one or more explosives, smoke bombs, flares, and / or warheads. The enveloping unit 52 may consist of a shell or other cover made of plastic, composite, metal, and / or combinations thereof. If the assembled projectile is a fragmentation projectile, the shell is designed with suitable fragments, such as hard metal balls embedded in a metal shell.

[0042] The payload units 54 can be placed in at least one payload unit magazine 55, which is arranged in the launcher 1, such that the payload units 54 can be placed in the enveloping units 52 in the launcher 1. The enveloping units 52 can also be placed in at least one enveloping unit magazine 53, which is arranged in the launcher 1.

[0043] 5 shows a projectile 100 with a detonator 20 disposed in a projectile body 50. The projectile 100 is ready to be launched from the launcher 1.

[0044] 6 shows a projectile 100 with its components separated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown is composed of an initiation unit 22, a safety unit 24 and an explosive unit 26, an enclosure unit 52, and a payload unit 53. In other embodiments, all or some of the components shown may be used. Other components not shown or described in the present invention may also be used, such as a module for steering with fins located on both the detonator and the projectile body.

[0045] Exemplary embodiments Examples of modular launch systems include 40-155mm caliber projectiles with a variety of detonators designed for impact, time, or zone fuse functions, as well as projectiles designed for fragmentation or explosive effects.

[0046] Alternative Embodiments The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, but can be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

[0047] For example, it will be apparent that the number, size, material and shape of the parts and elements making up the modular launch system can be adapted according to the projectile or collection of projectiles and other design characteristics of a particular case.

[0048] For example, projectiles can be designed for explosive effects, fragmentation effects, combustion effects, thermobaric effects, firefighting, training projectiles, flames, smoke bombs, electromagnetic effects, electromagnetic interference, or other payloads and functions.

Claims

1. A launcher having a propellant charge for launching a projectile (100), the projectile (100) being assembled by disposing a detonator (20) on a projectile body (50) in the launcher, i.e., the projectile (100) is disposed in a barrel of the launcher together with at least one propellant charge in the launcher; The detonator (20) includes an initiation unit (22), a safety unit (24), and an explosion unit (26); The launching device, characterized in that the initiation unit (22) is arranged in at least one initiation unit magazine (23) arranged in the launching device, and / or the safety unit (24) is arranged in at least one safety unit magazine (25) arranged in the launching device, and / or the explosive unit (26) is arranged in at least one explosive unit magazine (27) arranged in the launching device.

2. 2. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the detonators (20) are disposed in at least one detonator magazine (30) disposed in the launcher, the projectile bodies (50) are disposed in at least one projectile body magazine (60) disposed in the launcher, and the detonators (20) are automatically disposed in the projectile bodies (50) in the launcher.

3. 2. The launcher according to claim 1, wherein the propellant charges are arranged in at least one propellant charge magazine (12) arranged on the launcher.

4. The initiation unit (22) is disposed in an assembled safety unit (24) and explosive unit (26); The explosive unit (26) is disposed in an assembled initiation unit (22) and safety unit (24); 4. A launching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the initiation unit (22) is arranged simultaneously with a safety unit (24) and an explosive unit (26).

5. 5. The launcher according to claim 1, wherein the projectile body (50) comprises an enveloping unit (52) and a payload unit (54), the payload unit (54) being arranged in at least one payload unit magazine (55) arranged in the launcher, and the payload unit (54) being arranged in the enveloping unit (52) being arranged in at least one enveloping unit magazine (53) arranged in the launcher.

6. 6. The launcher of claim 5, wherein the enveloping unit (52) comprises a shell made of plastic, composite, metal, or a combination thereof.

7. 6. The launcher of claim 5, wherein the payload unit (54) comprises one or more explosives, smoke bombs, flares, and / or warheads.

8. the detonator is automatically positioned on the projectile within the launcher; a detonator disposed in the projectile is loaded into a launcher; placing the propellant charge in a launcher; The detonator comprises: a starter unit disposed in a starter unit magazine disposed in the launcher; a safety unit disposed in a safety unit magazine disposed in the launcher; an explosive unit disposed in an explosive unit magazine disposed in the launcher; the initiation unit, the safety unit, and the detonation unit are automatically assembled to the projectile within the launcher; 13. A method for assembling a projectile in a launcher comprising:

9. The projectile comprises: a siege unit arranged in a siege unit magazine; a payload unit disposed in a payload unit magazine; The enclosure unit and the payload unit are automatically assembled to the projectile within the launcher.

9. A method for assembling a projectile in a launcher as claimed in claim 8.

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