EP0447757B1 - Device for the inductive ignition of ammunition propellant charges - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for inductively igniting the propellant charge of missiles and projectiles, in particular in a throwing system for fog candles, explosives and. Like. With an electrically ignitable squib arranged in the vicinity of the propellant charge, the connecting elements of which are connected to the ends of an ignition coil in which an ignition pulse is generated by means of induction from an ignition device.

Such devices are e.g. known from DE-OS-38 22 255.

Known devices for igniting propellant charges work either via contacts or by electro-inductive energy transfer.

Devices with contacts, as described for example in throwing systems in DE-OS 37 06 213 and DE-PS 24 20 862, have the disadvantage that the contact surfaces are exposed to environmental influences and can therefore corrode, if not expensive, non-corrosive Contact materials are used. Furthermore, because of the relatively high ignition currents, contact erosion can occur, which can impair the electrical conductivity of the contact point and ultimately lead to misfires.

Devices in which the ignition energy is transmitted in an electroinductive manner, as is described, for example, in DE-OS 38 22 255, generally require complex electronics to generate the high or low frequency AC voltage. If this AC voltage is generated, for example, from the on-board DC voltage of a combat vehicle, the very high flowing currents (up to 40 A) lead to considerable inductive faults in the on-board network and thus in the other devices arranged in the combat vehicle. Furthermore, the cable cross sections for the transmission of the high power have to be increased considerably.

The problems listed above occur not only with the ignition device, but also with devices for the detection of ammunition and firing that operate according to the same principles.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of the type described in the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that vulnerable and complex assemblies are avoided and inductive interference is avoided when generating the ignition pulses become. The device should be simple in construction and be able to be combined in a simple manner with devices for detecting the type of ammunition and for sensing the launch.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features from the characterizing part of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The basic idea of the invention is based on the fact that when using the electrodynamic principle, ignition pulses can be generated without the use of a complex frequency generator. Only a small, simple electric motor, for example a standard DC electric motor, is used. A specially designed permanent magnet is attached to the output shaft of the electric motor, which protrudes into the interior of the ignition coil. When the electric motor is switched on, the permanent magnet rotates and induces an alternating voltage in the ignition coil, which is fed to the squib. It has been found that, with appropriate control of the electric motor, the rotational speed is reached after about 35 ms at which the voltage induced in the ignition coil or the current caused by it is sufficient to ignite a connected squib. The ignition process is complete after 40 to 60 ms (varies depending on the squib - sample distribution). The DC voltage required to start the electric motor can vary over the range of 12 - 24V nominal voltage without significant ignition delays.

A particularly advantageous application of the device according to the invention relates to a throwing system for fog candles, explosive devices and. Like., consisting of a launching device with at least one launching cup with which a launching tube can be connected, in which projectiles can be inserted. In such a system, the device expediently has the features of claim 2.

However, it is pointed out that the basic idea of the invention is also suitable for other devices, in particular also for firing other types of ammunition.

When used in the above throw system, the electric motor can be an integral part of the launch cup and can be easily wired. The permanent magnet attached to the electric motor protrudes from the bottom of the launch cup. To protect the permanent magnet and the motor against the weather and damage caused by foreign bodies, it is advisable to provide the permanent magnet with a protective cover (claim 3) under which it can rotate freely. In the bottom part of the launch tube, a cast coil with an iron core is embedded (claim 4), into which the protective hood with the permanent magnet located below it projects. After triggering the ignition process, for example by a control computer, the electric motor is connected to a DC voltage, for example the on-board DC voltage of a combat vehicle, via a simple controllable switching element, for example a relay, and sets the permanent magnet in rotation.

Below, using an exemplary embodiment, it is shown that the device according to the invention, in particular when it is used in the above-mentioned throwing system, can be combined in a particularly simple manner with a device for detecting the type of throwing body (claim 6) and with an additional device for detecting shooting (claim 7) which can also work inductively. The electrodynamic ignition device and the inductive ammunition type and firing detection can be made particularly simple, since both the electric motor with permanent magnet and the ignition coil with iron core and the proximity switches can be easily protected against the weather. Furthermore, the electrical part of the system can largely consist of standard parts that have already proven their reliability and are inexpensive and always available due to their mass production. A particular advantage of the device according to the invention can be seen in the very good electromagnetic compatibility of the direct current electric motor.

An exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention in combination with a device for detecting the type of throwing body and for detecting firing will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 im axialen Längsschnitt eine Abschußeinrichtung in einem Wurfsystem für Nebelkerzen, Sprengkörper u. dgl.,
• Fig. 2 einen Schnitt nach der Linie II-II in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 in einem Blockschaltbild den Anschluß der Abschußeinrichtung an ein Bedienungsgerät;
• Fig. 4 in einem Blockschaltbild analog Fig. 3 den Anschluß mehrerer Abschußeinrichtungen an ein Bedienungsgerät.

The drawings show:

• Fig. 1 in axial longitudinal section a launcher in a throwing system for fog candles, explosive devices and. the like,
• Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II in Fig. 1.
• 3 shows a block diagram of the connection of the launcher to an operating device;
• Fig. 4 in a block diagram analogous to Fig. 3, the connection of several launchers to an operating device.

Fig. 1 shows a generally designated 18 launcher in a throwing system for fog candles, explosive devices and. Like., With a launching cup 1, is connected to a launch tube 6 via a bayonet holder 11, wherein a launcher 7 is inserted into the launch tube 6.

In the launch cup 1, a direct current motor 2 is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis L of the launch device, the connecting lines 2.2 of which are led through the cup base 1.2 to the outside. The launcher can be arranged, for example, on a combat vehicle (not shown), the connecting lines 2.2 being connected to the on-board network (not shown) of the combat vehicle via a relay 15 (FIG. 3). Also shown in FIG. 3 is an operating device arranged in the combat vehicle with an ignition device and a control computer for controlling the relay 15.

On the output shaft 2.1 of the electric motor 2, a permanent magnet 5 is fixed so that it protrudes from the bottom 1.1 of the launch cup 1. When the launch tube 6 is inserted into the launch cup 1, the permanent magnet 5 projects into a recess 6.3 in the bottom part 6.1 of the launch tube 6. In order to protect the permanent magnet 5 from the weather, it is arranged within a protective hood 9 which is connected to the bottom 1.1 of the firing cup, in such a way that it can rotate freely within this protective hood. As can be seen from the drawing, the permanent magnet 5 is surrounded by an ignition coil 10 with an iron core (not shown), which is arranged in the side walls of the recess 6.3. The ignition coil 10 is arranged within a potting compound so that it also protects against the weather is well protected. With the winding ends of the ignition coil 10, a squib 8 is connected, which is arranged in an upwardly open approach 6.2 of the base piece 6.1 and is thus directly below the lower part of the throwing body 7.

When the electric motor 2 is started by the ignition device 17, the rotating permanent magnet 5 generates an alternating voltage in the ignition coil 10, which supplies the ignition current for the squib 8.

The embodiment of the launcher 18 shown in FIG. 1 is further equipped with a device for inductive detection of the type of missile. For this purpose, coding pins 12 made of steel are arranged in the base piece 6.1 of the launch tube 6 on a circular arc around the longitudinal axis L such that their ends lie in the lower surface of the base piece 6.1. In the launch cup 1 electrical proximity switches 3 are arranged, so that their sensing ends in the bottom 1.1 of the launch cup 1 lie at predetermined angular intervals on a circular arc around the longitudinal axis L, the radius of which corresponds exactly to the circular arc on which the coding pins 12 are also arranged . The proximity switches 3 lie outside the electric motor 2 and the type of bayonet holder 11 between the launch tube 6 and launch cup 1 ensures that when the launch tube 6 is inserted in the launch cup 1, each coding pin 12 is opposite a proximity switch 3 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the proximity switches 3 are connected via lines 16 to evaluation electronics arranged in the operating device 17. The three proximity switches 3 make it possible to obtain an identification signal about the type of throwing body, which is sent to the evaluation electronics as a 3-bit binary value is passed on, the different signal values being given by the fact that zero to a maximum of three coding pins 12 are arranged in the base piece 6.1 of the launch tube 6, which actuate the proximity switches 3 in the launch cup 1 when the launch tube 6 is mounted.

A fourth proximity switch 13, which is arranged in the throwing cup 1 and which is arranged in the base piece 6.1 of the launch tube 6, is used in the axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the to detect whether a projectile 7 is inserted into the launch tube 6 or whether a correct launch has taken place Launch tube displaceable sensing pin 4 is made of steel. The sensing pin 4 is arranged so that its end facing the inside of the launch tube 6 in the drawing lies at the top of the bottom piece 6.1 and a throwing body 7 inserted into the launch tube 6 sits with its lower edge on the sensing pin 4 and by its weight moves against the force of a compression spring 14 downwards towards the opposite proximity switch 13. When the throwing member 7 is fired, the sensing pin 4 is relieved and raised by the force of the spring 14. This is recognized by the proximity switch 13 and a corresponding signal is sent to the evaluation electronics 17 via a line 16. The launch or a possible ignition failure can thus be recognized.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the launch device 18 is operated from an operating device 17 which is arranged in the combat vehicle and, as mentioned, contains the ignition device and the control and evaluation device containing a control computer. If no shot is detected by sensor 13, the ammunition So sharp and the firing command is given by the control unit 17, the electric motor 2 is switched on via the ignition relay 15 for about 2 to 5 seconds. This is enough to ensure a safe ignition. The operator is informed by the control and evaluation electronics in the operating device 17 about the firing or a dud (misfire). There is also a main switch on the operating device 17, with which all the ignition relays for changing the ammunition can be blocked.

4 shows how a plurality of launching devices 18 'can be connected to a common operating device 17' via lines 2.2 'and 16' and ignition relays 15 '.

Claims (8)

1. Device for the inductive ignition of the propellent charge of projectiles and missiles, particularly in a projection system for smoke candles, explosive charges and the like, having an electrically ignitable ignition pellet which is disposed in the vicinity of the propellent charge and the connecting elements of which are connected to the ends of an ignition coil in which an ignition impulse is generated from an ignition arrangement by means of induction, characterized in that a permanent magnet (5) is rotatably disposed in the inner compartment of the ignition coil (10) and is connected to the output drive shaft (2.1) of an electric motor (2), the current supply (2.2) to which can be controlled from the electrical ignition arrangement (17).
2. Device according to Claim 1 in a projection system for smoke candles, explosive charges and the like, consisting of a firing arrangement (18) having at least one firing cup (1) to which there can be connected a firing tube (6) into which projectiles (7) can be inserted, characterized in that the ignition pellet (8) and ignition coil (10) are disposed in a base part (6.1) of the firing tube (6), substantially coaxially with the longitudinal axis (L) of the firing tube (6), and the electric motor (2) is disposed coaxially in the firing cup (1) in such a way that the permanent magnet (5) projects out of the base (1.1) of the firing cup (1) and, when the firing tube (6) is connected to the firing cup (1), into a recess (6.3) in the base part (6.1) of the firing tube (6), which recess is surrounded by the ignition coil (10).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the permanent magnet (5) is surrounded by a protective cover (9) connected to the base (1.1) of the firing cup (1).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the ignition coil (10) is disposed in a cast manner in the side walls of the recess (6.3) in the base part (6.1) of the firing tube (6).
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electric motor (2) is a direct-current motor, the feeding current of which is supplied via a controllable switching element which is controlled by the ignition arrangement (17) in a computer-controlled manner.
6. Device according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it contains an arrangement for identifying the type of projectile, having metal coding pins (12) which are disposed in the base part (6.1) of the firing tube (6) on a first circuit around the longitudinal axis (L) and outside the ignition coil (10), and also having proximity switches (3) which are disposed in the base (1.1) of the firing cup (1) on a second circuit around the longitudinal axis (L), the radius of which circuit corresponds to the first circuit, and outside the electric motor (2), and which are located opposite the coding pins (12), by which proximity switches (12) an evaluating electronics system (17) is controlled.
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized by an additional proximity switch (13) which is connected to the evaluating electronics system (17) and is associated with a metal sensing pin (4) which is guided in through the base part (6.1) of the firing tube (6) and is displaceable in the axial direction, parallel with the longitudinal axis (L) of the firing tube (6), and on whose end which faces towards the firing tube (6) there rests a projectile (7) which has been inserted in the firing tube (6) and through the weight of which the sensing pin (4) can be displaced, against the action of force of a spring (14), towards the additional proximity switch (13).
8. Device according to Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the firing tube (6) and firing cup (1) are connected to each other, by way of a bayonet type mounting (11), in such a way that each of the coding pins (12) and the sensing pin (4) is unambiguously associated with one of the proximity switches (3, 13) in the base (1.1) of the firing cup (1).

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