EP0160628B1 - Method and device for detecting and firing a pyrotechnic charge in a multiple-charge system - Google Patents
Method and device for detecting and firing a pyrotechnic charge in a multiple-charge system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0160628B1 EP0160628B1 EP85850117A EP85850117A EP0160628B1 EP 0160628 B1 EP0160628 B1 EP 0160628B1 EP 85850117 A EP85850117 A EP 85850117A EP 85850117 A EP85850117 A EP 85850117A EP 0160628 B1 EP0160628 B1 EP 0160628B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- firing
- charge
- current
- unit
- circuit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F41—WEAPONS
- F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
- F41A19/00—Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
- F41A19/58—Electric firing mechanisms
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42D—BLASTING
- F42D1/00—Blasting methods or apparatus, e.g. loading or tamping
- F42D1/04—Arrangements for ignition
- F42D1/045—Arrangements for electric ignition
- F42D1/05—Electric circuits for blasting
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for weapon training.
- GB-A-2 084 305 discloses a device for weapon firing for locating and subsequent firing of one pyrotechnic charge connected in a firing circuit in a firing unit comprising a plurality of firing circuits for connecting charges, said device comprising, on the one hand, a current switching unit which is adapted, upon receipt of a voltage pulse indicating that a charge is to be fired, to connect to one of the firing circuits of the firing unit a checking current insufficient for firing a charge, to check whether a charge is connected in the firing circuit concerned, and adapted, if this is not the case, to repeat such connection of checking current for the remaining firing circuits until a connected charge is found and, when this has happened, to connect a firing current sufficient for firing to the firing circuit in which the charge has been found and, on the other hand, a current detecting unit adapted to effect the said check by detecting if current is flowing through the firing circuit concerned.
- Said known system requires that firstly an interrogation sequence is initiated by an operator and reported by the system. Then the operator has to initiate a firing sequence and finally the operator has to operate a fire enable signal source.
- the British patent specification GB-A-2361/ 1913 discloses an apparatus comprising a current switching unit which consists of a manually activated switch which, upon activation, connects a resistor in series with the firing circuit, thereby reducing the current to such an extent that firing cannot take place.
- a bell is used as current detecting unit for detecting whether current is flowing through the connected firing circuit.
- the apparatus thus is essentially mechanical and is operated manually and in that a new firing impulse (a voltage pulse indicating that a charge is to be fired) must be provided for each firing circuit which is to be checked.
- a further object is to allow, upon supply of a firing impulse, firing of the charge first found independently of the position this charge has in the firing unit.
- the device thus automatically locates the positions in which a charge is connected. This is done by connecting a current to one firing circuit at a time. If a charge is connected to this firing circuit, a current will flow through the firing circuit, the charge will be fired, and the current will be detected by a current detecting unit. Scanning of the firing circuits normally starts always on the same firing circuit, but according to a variant of the invention the operator himself may define the starting point of the scanning by not connecting any charge in the firing circuit before the desired starting point. According to this variant, the device first searches out a firing circuit without charge, the current connected to the firing circuits being insufficient for firing a charge.
- the search for a connected charge is begun, and when such a charge is encountered, the firing current is connected to the corresponding firing circuit, and the charge is fired.
- the above-mentioned sequence is carried out automatically by a logic unit connected between the current detecting unit and the current switching unit, said units being activated only when a firing impulse is available on the input of the device.
- Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the method according to the present invention.
- Fig. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the logic and selector unit shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a current switching unit, a current detecting unit, and a firing circuit.
- the device comprises a current switching unit 10 which, via a current detecting unit 11, is connected to switches 16 1 -16 30' Between each switch 16,-16 30 and earth, a charge may be connected in any one of the firing circuits 17 1 -17 30 of a firing unit. Furthermore, the device comprises a logic and selector unit 15 having thirty-one outputs 15 0 -15 30' of which an output 15 0 is connected to the current switching unit 10 for transmitting a control signal thereto, the remaining thirty outputs 15 1 -15 30 being connected each to one switch 16 1 -16 30 for controlling the state thereof.
- the supply voltage to the logic unit 15 is derived from the firing impulse, i.e. the voltage pulse indicating that a charge is to be fired, and is stabilised by means of a voltage regulator 12.
- the device thus is carrying current only when the firing impulses has been supplied to the input of the device.
- the logic unit 15 When the device receives a firing impulse (20, Fig. 2), the logic unit 15 is supplied with current via the voltage regulator 12. The logic unit closes the first switch 16 i (21, Fig. 2) and supplies a LOW control signal to the current switching unit 10 which supplies a checking current, i.e. a current which is smaller than the firing current (22, Fig. 2) required for the firing of a charge. If a charge is connected in the firing circuit between the said switch and earth, a current will flow through the detecting unit 11, the switch 16 i and the firing circuit 17, to earth. This current is detected by the detecting unit 11 which supplies a signal to the logic unit 15 signalling that a charge is connected. If, on the other hand, there is no connected charge at this location, the circuit is interrupted, and no current will flow through the current detecting unit 11.
- a checking current i.e. a current which is smaller than the firing current (22, Fig. 2) required for the firing of a charge.
- the device starts by searching for a firing circuit without connected charge (23, Fig. 2), said circuit defining the starting point of the actual search for a connected charge.
- the first switch 16 is closed. If a charge is connected at this location, the switch 16, is disconnected, and the next switch 16 2 is closed (24, Fig. 2). This procedure is repeated until a firing circuit without connected charge is found. Then the search for a connected charge is begun. This search is effected in the same manner, i.e. the next switch is closed, and the detecting unit 11 detects if any current is flowing in the circuit (25, 26, Fig. 2). If not, scanning is continued on the next firing circuit.
- the logic unit 15 supplies a high HIGH control signal to the current switching unit 10 which supplies a firing current to the connected charge which then is fired (27, Fig. 2).
- the firing circuit may be short-circuited.
- a test is made after a predetermined time delay to check if current is still flowing in the firing circuit (28, 29, Fig. 2). If this is the case, the device goes on and tries to fire the next charge (30, Fig. 2). If, however, there is no current flowing in the firing circuit, firing has been completed, and the logic is locked so that nothing more can happen during this firing impulse (31, Fig. 2).
- a gating network 51 has four outputs, two of which are connected to a JK-flip-flop 52, while the other two are connected to another JK-flip-flop 53.
- the Q-output of the JK-flip-flop 52 is connected on the one hand to one input A 2 of a status decoder 54 and, on the other hand, back to the gating network 51, while its complementary Q-output only is fed back to the gating network 51.
- the Q-output of the other JK-flip-flop 53 is fed back to the gating network 51, to the second input A 1 of the status decoder 54 and to an enable input on an address counter 55, while its complementary Q-output is connected to a reset input R on a maximum time counter 56, the output of which is fed back to the input M of the gating network 51.
- the address counter 55 has seven outputs corresponding each to one bit in an address. The most significant bit is fed back to the counter, and when this bit is set to one, the counter is stopped. The five least significant bits are connected to a demultiplexor 57, the data input of which is always set to one.
- the demultiplexor 57 has thirty-two outputs of which the first one 57 0 is fed back to the gating network 51, the next thirty outputs 57 1 ⁇ 57 30 are connected to the corresponding switches 16,-16 30 (see Fig. 1) and the last output 57 3 , is not being used.
- the status decoder 54 which activates the demultiplexer 57 with a signal on its input E, has an output connected to the current switching unit 10 for transmission of a control signal thereto.
- the logic and selector unit also comprises a resetting circuit (not shown) which, at the beginning of each firing impulse, resets the JK-flip-flops 52, 53, the address counter 55 and the maximum time counter 56. There is also a clock circuit (not shown) supplying clock pulses to the last-mentioned circuits.
- the current through the corresponding firing circuit is sensed, and the result is indicated by means of a signal from the current sensing unit 11 to the gating network 51.
- the Q-output of the JK-flip-flop is set to "1" one, whereupon the device begins to search for a connected charge. Scanning is effected in the same manner as before, and incrementation of the address counter 55 continues.
- the Q-output of the JK-flip-flop 53 is set to "1", the address counter 55 being stopped and the status decoder 54 supplying a high control signal to the current switching means 10 which transmits a firing current through the connected firing circuit.
- the maximum time counter 56 begins to count.
- Fig. 4 illustrates the circuit diagram of the current switching unit 10, the current detecting unit 11 and a switch 16, for connection of a first firing circuit 17,.
- the current switching unit 10 has an input 61 which receives a control signal from the logic and selector unit 15, and an input 62 which receives the firing impulses.
- the input 61 is connected to a zener diode 63 which is connected to earth via a resistor 64 and to the base of a transistor 66 via a resistor 65.
- the input 62 is connected to the collector of the transistor 66 via two resistors 68 and 69 between which the base of a Darlington amplifier 67 is connected.
- a resistor 70 limiting the firing current may be connected between the emitter of the Darlington amplifier 67 and a switch 16,.
- the switch 16, is a Darlington amplifier which is biased from the corresponding output 15, of the logic unit 15, for connection of a firing circuit 17,.
- the other switches 16 2 ⁇ 16 30 and the firing circuits 17 2 -17 30 are
- the current detecting unit 11 comprises two transistor stages.
- the first stage comprises resistors 73, 74 connected in parallel with the Darlington amplifier 67 and the resistor 70, and a transistor 75 whose collector is connected to the second transistor stage.
- the second transistor stage comprises two biasing resistors 76, 77, a collector resistor 78 which is connected to the voltage supply, and a transistor 79.
- the voltage between the collector and emitter of the resistor 79 constitutes the input signal to the logic unit 15.
- the Darlington amplifier which constitutes the switch 16 When the output 15, of the logic and selector unit 15 goes HIGH, the Darlington amplifier which constitutes the switch 16, is biased. If a charge is connected in the firing circuit 17, between the said switch 16, and earth, a closed circuit is formed from the input 62 via the Darlington amplifier 67, the resistor 70 limiting the firing current, the Darlington amplifier 16, and the firing circuit 17, to earth, as well as through the parallel branch comprising the resistors 73, 74. If the control signal on the input 61 of the current switching unit 10 in this instance is LOW, the Darlington amplifier 67 is throttled, and but a low current, the checking current, flows through the resistors 73, 74 to the firing circuit 17,.
- the said control signal is HIGH, current flows through both branches to the firing circuit 17,. Since the Darlington amplifier 67 is in a conductive state, the current in this branch is greatly amplified and thus constitutes the firing current. In both of these cases, current is thus flowing through the resistors 73, 74 of the current detecting unit, the transistor 75 as well as the transistor 79 becoming conductive, and the logic unit receiving a signal indicating that a charge is connected in the firing circuit. If, on the other hand, there is no charge in the firing circuit connected, the circuit from the input 62 to earth is interrupted, and no current will flow through the current detecting unit 11. In such a case, there is no biasing of the transistors 75 and 79, and the logic unit receives a signal indicating that there is no charge in the circuit.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
- Electronic Switches (AREA)
- Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE8401889A SE458721B (sv) | 1984-04-05 | 1984-04-05 | Anordning foer uppsoekning och avfyrning av en pyroteknisk laddning |
SE8401889 | 1984-04-05 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0160628A2 EP0160628A2 (en) | 1985-11-06 |
EP0160628A3 EP0160628A3 (en) | 1986-11-12 |
EP0160628B1 true EP0160628B1 (en) | 1989-12-13 |
Family
ID=20355461
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85850117A Expired EP0160628B1 (en) | 1984-04-05 | 1985-04-01 | Method and device for detecting and firing a pyrotechnic charge in a multiple-charge system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0160628B1 (sv) |
DE (1) | DE3574773D1 (sv) |
SE (1) | SE458721B (sv) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2641860B1 (fr) * | 1988-12-30 | 1991-03-22 | France Etat Armement | Controleur automatique pour circuit pyrotechnique |
DE434883T1 (de) * | 1989-12-29 | 1992-04-09 | Union Espanola De Explosivos S.A., Madrid | Elektronische einrichtung mit hoher zuverlaessigkeit fuer aufeinanderfolgende detonationen. |
DE19753058C2 (de) * | 1997-11-29 | 2000-02-17 | Telefunken Microelectron | Verfahren zur Entsorgung von Insassenschutzeinrichtungen mit pyrotechnischen Zündern sowie Entsorgungsgerät zur Durchführung des Verfahrens |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2084305A (en) * | 1980-09-26 | 1982-04-07 | Bendix Corp | Weapon firing system with provision for weapon interrogation |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2046098C3 (de) * | 1970-09-18 | 1975-11-13 | Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt | Schaltungsanordnung zum Zünden der Zündkapseln eines Raketenstartgerätes |
FR2447004A1 (fr) * | 1979-01-16 | 1980-08-14 | Serat | Perfectionnements apportes aux poignees generateur pour mise a feu des propulseurs de projectile |
NO167995C (no) * | 1982-07-02 | 1992-01-02 | Schlumberger Ltd | Fremgangsmaate og system for selektiv broenn-perforering ved hjelp av en enkelt ledning. |
FR2555305A1 (fr) * | 1983-11-21 | 1985-05-24 | Bourdalle Eric | Dispositif de test et tir d'explosifs a allumage electrique |
-
1984
- 1984-04-05 SE SE8401889A patent/SE458721B/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1985
- 1985-04-01 EP EP85850117A patent/EP0160628B1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-04-01 DE DE8585850117T patent/DE3574773D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2084305A (en) * | 1980-09-26 | 1982-04-07 | Bendix Corp | Weapon firing system with provision for weapon interrogation |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
SE458721B (sv) | 1989-04-24 |
SE8401889D0 (sv) | 1984-04-05 |
EP0160628A2 (en) | 1985-11-06 |
EP0160628A3 (en) | 1986-11-12 |
SE8401889L (sv) | 1985-10-06 |
DE3574773D1 (de) | 1990-01-18 |
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