Improvements in or relating to firing systems

Abstract

A safe arming firing system, comprising an arming sub-system (A), a firing sub-system (C) and a safe arming sub-system (B), the arming sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system and the firing sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system, the safe arming sub-system comprises a logic controller, the logic controller controls an arming sequence and is configured such that the arming sequence is only initiatable if the condition input from the arming sub-system and the condition input from the firing sub-system are both safe.

Description

[0001] IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FIRING SYSTEMS

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a firing system and particularly, although not exclusively, to arming systems requiring safety systems.

[0003] This application claims priority from UK patent application number2410821.9, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to firing systems.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention provides a safe arming firing system, comprising an arming sub-system (A), a firing sub-system (C) and a safe arming sub-system (B), the arming sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system and the firing sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system, the safe arming sub-system comprises a logic controller, the logic controller controls an arming sequence and is configured such that the arming sequence is only initiatable if the condition input from the arming sub-system and the condition input from the firing sub-system are both safe.

[0006] The present invention also provides a safe arming unit for a firing system. The safe arming unit may be agnostic to an arming system and firing system that is associated therewith. This means that accreditation / approval could be provided for the unit so that it could be used with any firing and arming system (so that approval does not need to be sought for each different firing system). The safe arming unit provides core safety and may “firewall” the final firing decision.

[0007] The logic controller may be a micro controller that checks the condition of A and C to check their initial state is safe before allowing the arming sequence to begin.

[0008] The system may comprise a power source.

[0009] The power source may comprise a battery.

[0010] The power source may comprise a capacitor.

[0011] The power source may be provided as part of B.

[0012] In some embodiments B comprises an arming switch.

[0013] In some embodiments B comprises a timer.

[0014] C may provide a firing signal. The signal may, for example, be a switch and / or a sensor.

[0015] The system may be configured such that it will not arm if one or both inputs are in the incorrect state, effectively failing safe. Systems may be configured such that if the binary output from A and / or C is unsafe the system fails safe.

[0016] Sub-system A may provide additional arming logic.

[0017] The arming logic may be based on input from a drone, for example the flight controller and / or sensors from a drone.

[0018] The additional arming logic in A may be secondary to the arming logic in B, whereby the arming logic provided by A cannot influence the primary arming logic of B.

[0019] Systems may be configured for a human-in-the-loop interaction.

[0020] In some embodiments B comprises an independent radio frequency receiver.

[0021] The independent radio frequency receiver may provide for a human-in-the-loop interaction.

[0022] The system may comprise a detonator.

[0023] The detonator may form part of B.

[0024] Systems may comprise electronic components. Selection of electronic components, such as switches, may be of a type which has a physical break rather than a software / logical switch.

[0025] Where multiple functions of the same type are present then (e.g. electronic) components present to fulfil those same functions may selected to be of at least two different types.

[0026] For example, where two switches are used, different types may be selected to avoid the risk of systemic failures.

[0027] The present invention also provides a firing system for a drone comprising a system as described herein.

[0028] The present invention may, for example, be applicable to platforms such as uncrewed (ground, marine, submarine or aerial, for example) vehicles, such as drones, which are adapted to carry explosives.

[0029] Radio controlled firing systems are known. With the typical integrated firing system it is armed and then when it is ready it is fired. There is no safety system in the middle. The present invention divides the firing system into three subsystems.

[0030] The safe arming unit inherently cannot switch on, arm and fire. Some embodiments, for example, provide or relate to a smart way of connecting to a drone and using drone data.

[0031] A safe arming system may be based on sensor data to arm and sensor data to fire.

[0032] Drones have two basic functions: flight mode and navigation.

[0033] To fly, drones must have a power source, such as battery or fuel.

[0034] There are two main types of drone platforms: rotor, for example single-rotor and multi-rotor, such as tricopters, quadcopters, hexacopters and octocoptors; and fixed-wing, for example hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones that do not require runways.

[0035] Autonomous and non-autonomous drones are possible.

[0036] Example drone features and components:

[0037] • electronic speed controllers, which control a motor's speed and direction;

[0038] • flight controller;

[0039] • GPS module;

[0040] • battery;

[0041] • antenna;

[0042] • receiver;

[0043] • cameras; • sensors, including ultrasonic sensors and collision avoidance sensors;

[0044] • accelerometer, which measures speed; and

[0045] • altimeter, which measures altitude.

[0046] • various types of cameras with high-performance, zoom and gimbal steadycam and tilt capabilities;

[0047] • artificial intelligence (Al) that enables the drone to follow objects;

[0048] • augmented reality features that superimpose virtual objects on the drone's camera feed;

[0049] • media storage format;

[0050] • maximum flight time, which determines how long the drone can remain in the air;

[0051] • maximum speeds, including ascent and descent;

[0052] • hover accuracy;

[0053] • obstacle sensory range;

[0054] • altitude hold, which keeps the drone at a fixed altitude;

[0055] • live video feed; and

[0056] • flight logs.

[0057] When using drones to carry explosives material, currently people are attaching a firing system onto the drones rather than using what is already built into the drone.

[0058] The present invention may be based on a principle of what is already built into the drone; for example using of the main controller and the incorporated accelerometer, gyroscopes and other sensors and electronics to make them "explosive ready" by allowing safeties such as safe to arm times or particular sequences of events to arm the system. Firing can then be achieved using the accelerometer to fire on impact or to fire using the on-board object detectors. Another advantage is that the main battery could be used as the power source to fire electric dets.

[0059] Some embodiments provide or relate to improvements in or relating to drones.

[0060] A drone controller system may be provided, for example an explosives-ready system with safe arming timings.

[0061] Inertia-based firing sub-systems may be used.

[0062] A complete software-based firing system may be provided.

[0063] Existing systems may be used e.g. location, altitude, inertia.

[0064] Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

[0065] The present invention is also described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] All orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention or its connection to a closure. Example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0067] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed and as well as individual embodiments the invention is intended to cover combinations of those embodiments as well. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0068] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are singular in that they have a single referent; however, the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0069] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0070] Figure 1 shows the different parts of a system formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0071] A safe arming firing system is shown and comprises an arming sub-system (A), a firing sub-system (C) and a safe arming sub-system (B). The arming subsystem provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system and the firing sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system. The safe arming subsystem comprises a logic controller. The logic controller controls an arming sequence and is configured such that the arming sequence is only initiatable if the condition input from the arming sub-system and the condition input from the firing sub-system are both safe.

[0072] Figure 2 shows a system formed in accordance with a further embodiment. Figure 2

[0073] 1 Logic Controller: A micro-controller that checks the condition of A and C to check that their initial state is safe before allowing the arming sequence to begin. 2 Firing Signal: This comes from the Firing Unit which might be a simple switch or any sort of sensor.

[0074] The input into the SAU is binary - Open / Closed

[0075] The fact that it is binary AND the Logic controller does a check means that a faulty unit C will fail safe. 3 Independent RF Receiver: Introduces option for a Man-in-the Loop to remotely arm and disarm.

[0076] 4 Optional Additional Arming Logic: Any switches and logic are IN ADDITION to the arming switches in the SAU. As they cannot influence the primary arming of the SAU, they are outside the SAU. The input into the SAU is binary - Open / Closed

[0077] In this embodiment the firing switch (C) is outside the SAU (B) as it simply gives a binary signal and the logic controller in (B) does a safety check to ensure that on arming, it is in the safe (open) state. Similarly, any additional arming signals which are consolidated into a binary signal output from (A).

[0078] In order to be safe agnostically of what is outside the boundary of the safe arming cell, logic is needed to provide a final safety check.

[0079] This logic looks at a circuit and monitors it and these are the conditions that the logic gates are provided by which B will either conclude it will accept a signal (like accepting the order to turn on), and then accepting the fire firing signal, or not accept an order to turn on because it concludes it's not safe.

[0080] Figure 3 shows a drone 10 carrying an explosive charge 20 and under the control of a system formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0081] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A safe arming firing system, comprising an arming sub-system (A), a firing sub-system (C) and a safe arming sub-system (B), the arming sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system and the firing sub-system provides a binary input indicative of a safe / not safe condition to the safe arming sub-system, the safe arming subsystem comprises a logic controller, the logic controller controls an arming sequence and is configured such that the arming sequence is only initiatable if the condition input from the arming sub-system and the condition input from the firing sub-system are both safe.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , in which the logic controller is a micro controller that checks the condition of A and C to check their initial state is safe before allowing the arming sequence to begin.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the system comprises a power source.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, in which the power source comprises a battery.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which the power source comprises a capacitor.

6. A system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which the power source is provided as part of B.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which B comprises an arming switch.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which B comprises a timer.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which C provides a firing signal.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, in which the signal is a switch and / or a sensor.

11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which if the binary output from A and / or C is unsafe the system fails safe.

12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which A provides additional arming logic.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, in which the additional arming logic in A is secondary to the arming logic in B, whereby the arming logic provided by A cannot influence the primary arming logic of B.

14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, configured for a human-in- the-loop interaction.

15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which B comprises an independent radio frequency receiver.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 when dependant on claim 14, in which the independent radio frequency receiver provides the human-in-the-loop interaction.

17. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a detonator.

18. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the detonator forms part of B.

19. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising electronic components, in which electronic components are of a type having a physical break.

20. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which where multiple functions of the same type are present then components present to fulfil those same functions are selected to be of at least two different types.

21. A firing system for a drone comprising a system as claimed in any preceding claim.

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