Multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges

Abstract

FIELD: weapons.SUBSTANCE: multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges comprises a barrel, electric cartridges installed inside the barrel, and an external control unit. Each electric cartridge comprises a housing, an electric igniter, a contact unit and a control unit located in the housing of the electric cartridge and configured to initiate the electric igniter. The external control unit is configured to interact with the control units of the electric cartridges. The electric cartridges are installed inside the barrel in series and are electrically connected to each other and to the external control unit via the first and second communication and power buses, wherein the control unit of each electric cartridge has a unique identifier, and the external control unit is configured for addressable selective control of the firing order of the electric cartridges via said buses based on the identifiers of the electric cartridges.EFFECT: increase in the reliability and controllability of a multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges.7 cl, 4 dwg

Description

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The invention relates to weapons technology, namely to multi-charge firing systems with electrical initiation of propellant charges, and can be used in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, in air defense systems, in mobile unmanned ground platforms, including robotic ones, as well as in automated stationary complexes and in hand-held small arms.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] For the creation of controlled firing systems and intelligent ammunition, technical solutions are known in the prior art based on the use of wired communication for initiation and two-way data exchange with the electronic components of a single cartridge, as well as solutions using wireless communication for remote control of individual ammunition.

[0005] A gun for firing electrically ignitable cartridges containing electronic components is known, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. US 6,543,330 (Gun for firing electrically ignitable cartridges containing electronic components, publication date: April 25, 2002). The known technical solution comprises a barrel, a bolt, and an ignition and signal transmission unit in which two spring-loaded needle contact devices are installed. The first contact device is designed to close the ignition contact at the bottom of the cartridge. The second contact device is designed to connect to a signal contact associated with the cartridge's electronic components. The presence of these contact devices enables two-way signal exchange between the cartridge and an external electronic control unit.

[0006] The disadvantage of the existing solution lies in its design complexity and the need for a precise mechanical unit with spring-loaded contacts to ensure communication with each lampholder. This reduces the system's reliability under shock loads and also prevents the simple and reliable serial connection of lampholders into a common network using shared power and communication buses.

[0007] A cartridge case with a communication channel is known, disclosed in U.S. Patent No. US 7,878,120 (Ammunition data link, published February 1, 2011). This known technical solution comprises a cartridge case base with two concentric conductive rings in an annular recess, electrically insulated from the cartridge case and the primer. Two contact pins are electrically connected to the rings, extending into the cartridge case and forming an interface for two-way data exchange with an external device.

[0008] The drawback of the existing solution is that it is focused on communication with a single cartridge. The cartridge case design does not allow for their serial connection into a single network within the barrel, making it impossible to build a system with addressable cartridges connected by common power and communication buses.

[0009] "Smart" ammunition with an e-primer designed to enhance public safety by electronically preventing the discharge of a firearm is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. US 11656048 (Smart ammunition with e-primer technology to enhance public safety by electronically preventing the discharging of a firearm, published May 23, 2023). The known technical solution comprises a microcontroller located in the e-primer, powered by energy generated by a piezoelectric element upon mechanical impact of the firing pin. The microcontroller uses a wireless radio frequency or acoustic signal to decide whether to allow or prohibit the supply of energy to the igniter, which is a nichrome wire. The device is controlled by a remotely transmitted control signal via an antenna containing a code instructing the microcontroller to allow or prevent the supply of energy.

[0010] The drawback of the existing solution is that the ignition decision depends on an external control signal. This prevents continuous monitoring of the ammunition's condition, its preliminary check, or changes to its status before an attempted shot, limiting the functionality of weapon control systems that require advance control and firing sequence planning.

[0011] Smart ammunition is known, as disclosed in US Patent Application No. US 20220373285 (Smart Ammunition, publication date: November 24, 2022) - a prototype. The known cartridge comprises a cartridge case, a primer, and a propellant charge located inside the case. The primer contains a piezoelectric generator for generating an electric charge in response to mechanical action, a switch, and a wireless sensor connected to the switch for sending a command to activate / deactivate the electric charge and, accordingly, change the cartridge's state between active and inactive. The wireless sensor also contains a radio-frequency identification (RFID) receiver.

[0012] A drawback of the existing solution is that the control unit, located in the cartridge, is not designed for autonomous power supply or active network communication until mechanical activation. Control is performed wirelessly, individually for each cartridge, which does not provide reliable and interference-resistant communication in the electromagnetic interference environment typical of small arms systems and requires complex synchronization. The lack of integrated power lines and a wired network connecting the cartridges makes the system vulnerable to communication failures and precludes simple, reliable, and centralized control of the entire ammunition system in the barrel in real time.

[0013] Thus, the above predetermines the technical problem, which consists in the need to develop a device that provides increased reliability, flexibility of control and monitoring of controlled electric cartridges, united in one network.

[0014] Disclosure of the essence of the invention

[0015] The technical result achieved by the present invention consists in increasing the reliability and controllability of a multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges.

[0016] The claimed invention discloses a multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges, which comprises a firing device with a barrel, electric cartridges installed inside the barrel, and an external control unit, wherein each electric cartridge comprises a housing, an electric igniter, a contact unit and a control unit located in the housing of the electric cartridge and configured to initiate the electric igniter, and the external control unit is configured to interact with the control units of the electric cartridges. According to the invention, the electric cartridges are installed inside the barrel in series and are electrically connected to each other and to the external control unit via first and second communication and power buses, wherein the control unit of each electric cartridge has a unique identifier, and the external control unit is configured to address selective control of the firing order of the electric cartridges through said buses based on the identifiers of the electric cartridges.

[0017] Additional advantages and essential features of the present invention can be presented in the following particular embodiments.

[0018] In particular, the barrel is made electrically conductive, wherein the first bus is formed between the sequentially contacting bodies of the electric cartridges and the external control unit, and the second bus is formed between the contact nodes of the electric cartridges that contact the barrel and the external control unit.

[0019] In particular, the barrel is made of a dielectric material, wherein the first and second buses are made in the form of separate conductive elements installed along the barrel bore, and each electric cartridge contains at least two insulated contact assemblies for electrical connection with said first and second buses.

[0020] In particular, the multi-charge system additionally contains a conductor for orienting the electric cartridges when they are loaded into the barrel and ensuring the closure of the contact nodes on the corresponding first and second buses.

[0021] In particular, the mating surfaces of the housings of the electrical cartridges are designed to ensure a tight fit when they are connected in series.

[0022] In particular, the external control unit is designed with the ability to detect the fact of the activation or non-activation of the electric igniter of the electric cartridge and automatically exclude the electric cartridge with a misfire from the firing line.

[0023] In particular, the external control unit contains non-volatile memory, which stores unique identifiers of electric cartridges and their physical order in the barrel.

[0024] Increasing the reliability of a multi-shot system with controlled electric cartridges within the present invention means ensuring electrical contact and / or tight mechanical retention of the cartridge bodies within the barrel, resistance to shock and vibration loads, and maintaining operability in the event of failure of individual components. Improving control means the ability to quickly obtain information on the status of each cartridge by receiving information from the power supply unit for each cartridge, which has a unique identifier, as well as centralized control of firing modes in real time.

[0025] The sequential placement of electric cartridges in the conductive barrel channel and their electrical connection to each other and to the external control unit via the first and second communication and power buses forms a single wired network within the firing device. Unlike known solutions that use individual contact nodes or wireless communication for each cartridge, this arrangement simplifies the mechanical design of the firing device by eliminating complex, spring-loaded contact groups for each cartridge, which are susceptible to wear and impact. This increases the system's reliability under operational loads. This arrangement of electric cartridges also allows for wired communication with the electric cartridges, which is immune to electromagnetic interference, which also impacts the system's reliability.

[0026] Using a centralized power supply for all lampholders ensures constant system readiness and eliminates the need for independent power sources for each lampholder. This also improves the reliability of lampholders and overall system reliability.

[0027] The presence of a unique identifier in the control unit for each electric cartridge, as well as the implementation of an external control unit with the ability to address selective control of the firing order via the specified buses, allows for increased control by determining the status of each specific electric cartridge in the barrel, while the firing order of the electric cartridges can be set arbitrarily, and the system can detect misfires in real time, namely the failure of an individual electric cartridge by its identifier.

[0028] Brief description of drawings

[0029] The invention is illustrated by four figures:

[0030] - FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of an electric cartridge according to the first embodiment;

[0031] - FIG. 2 illustrates a multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges according to the first embodiment;

[0032] - FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of an electric chuck according to the second embodiment.

[0033] - FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges according to a second embodiment.

[0034] The following symbols are used on the figures:

[0035] 1 - barrel;

[0036] 2 - barrel bore;

[0037] 3 - electric cartridge body;

[0038] 4 - electric igniter;

[0039] 5 - contact unit of the electric cartridge;

[0040] 6 - electric cartridge control unit;

[0041] 7 - chamber for propellant charge;

[0042] 8 - shell around the body of the electric cartridge;

[0043] 9 - central conductive contact of the barrel;

[0044] 10 - bushing made of dielectric material.

[0045] Implementation of the invention

[0046] In accordance with FIG. 1-4, a multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges comprises a firing device with a barrel 1, electric cartridges sequentially installed in a channel 2 of said barrel 1, and an external control unit (not shown in the FIG.) configured to interact with each electric cartridge.

[0047] Each electric cartridge comprises a housing 3, an electric igniter 4, at least one contact unit 5 and a control unit 6. In the present description, an electric cartridge is understood to mean a cartridge with electric ignition, namely, due to the initiation of the electric igniter 4.

[0048] The body 3 of the electric cartridge has an internal cavity forming a chamber 7 for accommodating the propellant charge. The control unit 6 and the electric igniter 4 are located within the body 3. A dielectric shell 8 may be formed around the body 3. This shell is designed to electrically insulate the body 3 of the electric cartridge from the barrel 1, seal the joints between the electric cartridges, dampen mechanical impacts, and protect the control unit 6 from impact and thermal loads arising from the firing of adjacent electric cartridges. For example, said shell 8 can be made of a heat-resistant polymer or composite material with an elasticity coefficient that ensures a tight fit in the channel 2 of the barrel 1 and compensation for gaps between the body 3 of the electric cartridge and the wall of the channel 2 of the barrel 1. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide, including nylon, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) can be used as a polymer material.

[0049] At least one contact node 5 is located on the housing 3 of the electric lamp holder and is electrically isolated from it. Contact node 5 is electrically connected to control unit 6 and is designed to provide electrical connection of the electric lamp holder to one of the communication and power buses of the system.

[0050] Electric igniter 4 is designed to convert an electrical signal into a thermal pulse to initiate the propellant charge by igniting it. For example, electric igniter 4 may be a conductive resistive-type electric igniter, in which the glow bridge is a layer of resistive material deposited on a dielectric plate. This resistive material is a conductive material with increased resistivity and is represented by a refractory metal alloy, providing the necessary resistance and heat dissipation during the passage of electric current.

[0051] The control unit 6 is electrically connected to the electric igniter 4 and at least one contact unit 5. The control unit 6 is configured to receive commands from an external control unit and to initiate the electric igniter 4. The control unit 6 contains a microcircuit that implements a digital interface, for example, a 1-Wire interface, and a communication protocol, as well as non-volatile memory, wherein the control unit 6 monitors the state of the electrical circuit and transmits the results to the external control unit via a communication protocol, for example, via the 1-Wire protocol.

[0052] The microcircuit is equipped with a permanent unique identifier, which allows the external control unit to specifically locate and access a specific cartridge within the shared network. To implement the initiation function, the microcircuit is configured to control at least one built-in or external power switch connected to the electric igniter 4 and designed to supply a current pulse to it. For example, a DS2406 microcircuit, which contains a unique 64-bit identifier and two independently controlled switches capable of performing the power switch function, can be used as the microcircuit.

[0053] Non-volatile memory is designed to store the specified unique identifier, as well as, if necessary, other data about the cartridge, such as the ammunition type or its ballistic characteristics. A memory chip with a 1-Wire interface, such as the DS2431, can be used as non-volatile memory.

[0054] The electric lampholders are electrically connected to each other and to the external control unit via the first and second communication and power buses, which form a two-wire line. This two-wire line supplies power to the control units of all electric lampholders in the network and enables digital data exchange between the external control unit and the control unit of each electric lampholder. Digital data exchange occurs via an address protocol, which can be 1-Wire. Using this protocol, the external control unit can specifically address any electric lampholder using its unique identifier to send commands to the control unit of each electric lampholder and receive data from the specified control unit. These same buses also supply power to the microcircuits of the control units of the six electric lampholders.

[0055] The protocol command set implemented in the system includes at least a command for querying the status of the electric igniter 4 of the electric cartridge and a command for initiating the propellant charge, and may also include commands for reading and writing the memory data of the electric cartridge, including information about the type of ammunition, its parameters or telemetry.

[0056] The external control unit is designed to detect and identify all electric cartridges in the barrel by their permanent unique identifiers, determine the status of each electric cartridge, program assignment and address control of their firing order, and detect the failure of electric igniter 4. The order of the electric cartridges in the barrel can be saved in the non-volatile memory of the external control unit or in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 6 of an individual electric cartridge. The external control unit is connected to the first and second communication and power buses via a permanent contact or detachable connection located in the breech of the firing device. The status of each electric cartridge is determined based on the results of digital exchange between the external control unit and the control unit of an individual electric cartridge. The following statuses are used as electric cartridge statuses: "ready", "malfunction", "misfire", "fired".

[0057] The “readiness” status in this description refers to a situation in which the electric cartridge is in the barrel, its electric igniter 4 is operational, that is, the electric circuit is closed, while the control unit 6 of the electric cartridge responds to requests via the communication bus, and this electric cartridge is included in the firing queue.

[0058] The “malfunction” status in this description means a situation in which the control unit 6 of this electric cartridge does not respond to digital requests via the communication bus, or its response does not comply with the protocol, or the response contains information about a malfunction of the electric igniter 4, for example, if the electric circuit was opened without a command being given or remained closed after receiving an initiation command.

[0059] The “misfire” status in this description refers to a situation in which an initiation command was sent directly by the external control unit, confirmation of the activation of the electric igniter 4 was received from the control unit 6 of this electric cartridge, namely, an opening of the electrical circuit was recorded, but this electric cartridge continues to be connected to the communication bus, that is, its unique identifier responds during the subsequent polling of the network of electric cartridges.

[0060] The “triggered” status in this description refers to a situation in which an initiation command was sent directly by the external control unit, confirmation of the activation of the electric igniter 4 was received from the control unit 6 of the electric cartridge, and this electric cartridge ceases to be detected on the communication bus, i.e. its unique identifier does not respond to subsequent polling of the electric cartridge network.

[0061] Detection of the firing or failure of electric igniter 4 is performed by control unit 6 of the electric cartridge, for example, by monitoring changes in the state of the electrical circuit, namely its closure and opening. Control unit 6 of the electric cartridge transmits the received status to the external control unit in response to the corresponding request. If a misfire is detected, the external control unit automatically skips the failed electric cartridge or cartridges and transmits the initiation command to the next electric cartridge in the specified sequence, ensuring continuous operation of the firing device. The programmable firing order of the electric cartridges allows for the ability to set an arbitrary firing sequence for the cartridges and to send the initiation command to a specific electric cartridge by its identifier.

[0062] Barrel 1 may be designed as a replaceable magazine-type unit, intended for pre-loading electric cartridges. In this design, barrel 1 may be equipped with non-volatile memory, which stores information about the composition and order of the electric cartridges stored in barrel 1. When said barrel 1 is connected to an external control unit, the data stored in the non-volatile memory of barrel 1 can be read and used to identify the electric cartridges and verify their compliance with the stored information. Said non-volatile memory in barrel 1 may also be used to store service information, such as the number of shots fired, telemetry data, or the service life of the firing device.

[0063] The design of the electric cartridges and their sequential placement within the barrel ensures mechanical fixation and sealing of the propellant charge by ensuring a tight fit within the barrel when connected in series. The front of each electric cartridge body fits into the rear of the next cartridge, namely, chamber 7 for the propellant charge, using a "cap" fit. The degree of tightness is selected based on the characteristics of the propellant charge and ensures the required initial pressure and stable combustion of the propellant.

[0064] The present invention is illustrated in two embodiments, differing in the design of the trunk and the method of forming the first and second communication and power buses.

[0065] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the barrel 1 is electrically conductive. Specifically, the material may be a metal alloy, such as steel, or any other conductive material. In this embodiment, the barrel 1 is one of the elements of the electrical circuit and therefore must be made of a conductive material. Furthermore, the barrel 1 is designed to withstand thermal and impact loads when the electric cartridges are fired.

[0066] A central conductive contact 9 is located in the breech portion of the barrel 1, which is insulated from the inner surface of the barrel 1 by a sleeve 10 located around said central conductive contact 9, or by a dielectric coating made, for example, based on epoxy polymers or polysiloxanes. The sleeve 10 is also made of a dielectric material. The dielectric material can be a heat-resistant polymer material, for example, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyamide, including nylon, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or a composite material. The end face of the central contact 9 forms a contact pad for interaction with the bodies 3 of the electric cartridges.

[0067] In this embodiment, the housing 3 of each lampholder is made of a conductive material, such as steel, duralumin, non-ferrous metal, or their alloys. Constructing the housing 3 of a lampholder from a conductive material ensures reliable electrical contact with the housing 3 of the next lampholder. The housing 3 of a lampholder can be either one-piece or composite. For example, the housing 3 of a lampholder can be made of several conductive elements, such as metal disks or sections, electrically connected to each other to form a single conductive housing.

[0068] The electric cartridges are placed in series with an interference fit, while the head part of the body 3 of each electric cartridge is placed in the chamber 7 for the propellant charge, which also ensures mechanical fixation and reliable electrical contact between the bodies 3 of the electric cartridges.

[0069] The first communication and power bus is formed between the sequentially contacting conductive housings of 3 electric chucks and the external control unit.

[0070] The second communication and power bus is formed through the conductive barrel 1 and the central contact 9, namely between the contact nodes 5 of the electric cartridges, which contact the barrel 1 and the external control unit. The contact node 5 of each electric cartridge is designed as a conductive pad, insulated from the body 3 of the electric cartridge. The contact node 5 is installed so as to enable elastic electrical contact with the inner surface of the barrel due to the interference fit of the electric cartridges when they are connected in series. The electric cartridge, located first on the breech side of the barrel, is installed so as to enable electrical connection with the central conductive contact 9.

[0071] The control unit 6 of the electric lamp holder has two electrical terminals. One of the electrical terminals is connected to the contact node 5, the other to the conductive body 3 of the electric lamp holder. This allows the control unit 6 of the electric lamp holder to be connected to both the first communication and power bus and the second communication and power bus.

[0072] The external control unit is connected to the system via electrical terminals connected to the elements of the electrical circuit formed by the barrel 1, the central contact 9 and the housings 3 of the electric cartridges, which ensures the connection of the external control unit to both the first and second communication and power buses.

[0073] The sequential contact of the conductive housings of 3 electric chucks forms a continuous section of the electrical circuit through which power is supplied and data is exchanged between the external control unit and the control units of 6 electric chucks.

[0074] In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the barrel 1 is made of a dielectric material. In particular, a polymer, composite, or cellulose-paper material that does not have electrically conductive properties can be used as the material.

[0075] The first and second communication and power buses are formed as two separate longitudinal conductive elements mounted along the inner surface of bore 2 of barrel 1. These conductive elements are insulated from each other and secured to the barrel, for example, by gluing, molding, casting with embedded parts, or by other means. These first and second buses are connected to an external control unit via an electrical connection located in the breech of the firing device.

[0076] In this embodiment, the electric cartridge does not participate in the formation of the electrical circuit. The electric cartridge is equipped with two independent contact nodes 5, each of which is designed for electrical connection to one of the communication and power buses. Contact nodes 5 are isolated from each other and from the housing 3 of the electric cartridge and are designed to ensure reliable electrical contact with the corresponding conductive elements in the barrel 1 when the electric cartridge is installed.

[0077] The control unit 6 of the electric cartridge is located inside the housing 3 of the electric cartridge and has two electrical terminals, each of which is connected to one of the contact nodes 5. This ensures the connection of the control unit of the electric cartridge to the first and second communication and power buses, regardless of the material of the housing 3 of the electric cartridge and the material of the barrel 1.

[0078] Inside the body 3 of the electric cartridge is a chamber 7 for housing the propellant charge, such as gunpowder. The electric cartridges are arranged sequentially with an interference fit, ensuring their compact placement and mechanical retention in the barrel.

[0079] The multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges works as follows.

[0080] Before inserting the electric cartridges into the firing device, the external control unit is connected to the power source and control system of the carrier platform. For example, the onboard network of an unmanned aerial vehicle, the control system of a mobile unmanned ground platform (including robotic platforms), the control system of an automated stationary complex, or the control unit of a hand-held weapon can serve as the power source and control system of the carrier platform. After connection, the external control unit checks the integrity of the communication lines within the system.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the electric cartridges are sequentially placed in the bore 2 of the barrel 1 on the breech side, wherein the contact unit 5 of each electric cartridge is in close contact with the inner surface of the bore 2 of the barrel 1. The end portion of the housing 3 of each electric cartridge is placed in the propellant chamber 7 of the previous electric cartridge such that the electric cartridges are installed with an interference fit. Moreover, the electric cartridge placed first on the breech side of the barrel is positioned such that the end portion of its housing 3 is aligned with the central contact 9 of the barrel 1. The placement of the electric cartridges inside the barrel 1 can be carried out either manually or using a specialized device. This placement of the electric cartridges ensures their mechanical fixation and electrical connection to the communication and power lines of the system.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the electric cartridges are also sequentially placed in the channel 2 of the barrel 1 from the breech side, but in this case, two insulated contact units 5 of each electric cartridge are combined with the corresponding separate conductive elements located along the inner surface of the channel 2 of the barrel 1. To ensure the correct orientation of the electric cartridges inside the barrel 1, one can use, for example, a conductor or a detachable connection of the “groove-and-protrusion” type, made on the electric cartridge and along the inner surface of the channel 2 of the barrel 1.

[0083] After inserting the cartridges into barrel 1, the external control unit initiates a detection procedure for all cartridges. Using a two-wire communication line, the external control unit sequentially polls the unique identifiers of each cartridge from control units 6. The detected identifiers, as well as the physical order of the cartridges in barrel 1, are stored in the non-volatile memory of the external control unit. After completing the detection and diagnostic procedure, the system is ready to fire.

[0084] For each detected electrical socket, the external control unit can perform a diagnostic cycle and determine its status.

[0085] The operator or automatic control system sets the firing order and rate. Thanks to address control, the firing order of the electric cartridges can be set to any desired pattern and is independent of the physical location of the cartridges in the barrel. For example, single-shot or fixed-burst modes with a variable rate can be set.

[0086] To fire a shot, the external control unit sends an initiation command to a specific electric cartridge corresponding to the first identifier in the specified sequence. Control unit 6 of this electric cartridge closes the power switch, sending a current pulse to electric igniter 4. This ignites the propellant charge and fires the shot.

[0087] The external control unit awaits confirmation of firing from the control unit of the 6th electric cartridge. If confirmation is not received, a misfire is detected. If a misfire is detected, the external control unit automatically removes this electric cartridge from the firing sequence and sends a command to initiate firing to the next electric cartridge in the sequence.

[0088] Upon receiving confirmation of firing, the external control unit changes the status of the given electric cartridge, updates the number of remaining electric cartridges, and transmits this data to the operator or the platform's control system. The firing cycle is repeated for subsequent electric cartridges in accordance with the specified sequence.

[0089] Thus, the multi-shot system with controlled electric cartridges improves reliability and controllability through targeted control of each cartridge using its unique identifier, the use of a two-wire communication and power line, and the ability to detect misfires and automatically exclude misfired cartridges from the firing sequence. Sequential placement of the cartridges in the barrel with mechanical locking and / or electrical connection improves the system's operational stability under various operating conditions and ensures its adaptation to various types of firing devices and launch platforms. The propellant charge type and projectile design used in the electric cartridge can be selected depending on the purpose of the firing device and the entire system and are not limited to the examples given.The electric cartridge can be made with various types of projectiles, including solid or composite projectiles, including those with shot located inside the electric cartridge.

Claims

1. A multi-charge system with controlled electric cartridges, comprising a firing device with a barrel, electric cartridges installed inside the barrel, and an external control unit, wherein each electric cartridge comprises a housing, an electric igniter, a contact unit, and a control unit located in the housing of the electric cartridge and configured to initiate the electric igniter, and the external control unit is configured to interact with the control units of the electric cartridges, characterized in that the electric cartridges are installed inside the barrel in series and are electrically connected to each other and to the external control unit via first and second communication and power buses, wherein the control unit of each electric cartridge has a unique identifier, and the external control unit is configured to provide addressable selective control of the firing order of the electric cartridges via said buses based on the identifiers of the electric cartridges.

2. The system according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the barrel is made electrically conductive, wherein the first bus is formed between the sequentially contacting bodies of the electric cartridges and the external control unit, and the second bus is formed between the contact units of the electric cartridges that contact the barrel and the external control unit.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrel is made of a dielectric material, wherein the first and second buses are made in the form of separate conductive elements installed along the barrel bore, and each electric cartridge contains at least two insulated contact assemblies for electrical connection with said first and second buses.

4. The system according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it additionally contains a conductor for orienting the electric cartridges when they are loaded into the barrel and ensuring the closure of the contact nodes on the corresponding first and second buses.

5. The system according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the mating surfaces of the housings of the electrical cartridges are made to ensure a tight fit when they are connected in series.

6. The system according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the external control unit is designed with the ability to detect the fact of the activation or non-activation of the electric igniter of the electric cartridge and automatically exclude the electric cartridge with a misfire from the firing sequence.

7. The system according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the external control unit contains non-volatile memory in which unique identifiers of the electric cartridges and their physical order in the barrel are stored.

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