EP0916068B1 - Laser initiated simultaneous ignition system - Google Patents

Abstract

A laser initiated simultaneous ignition system comprising at least one ignition charge and/or one propellant charge module (15) containing explosive material (16). Along the pathway of the laser beam (23, 23') an outcoupling device (18) is assigned to outcouple at least one part of the laser beam, which when the laser beam (23, 23') is incident, causes ignition of the ignition charge or the explosive material in the propellant charge module.

Description

The invention relates to a laser initiated simultaneous ignition system with at least one ignition charge and / or an explosive propulsion module.

Various methods are known from the prior art for initiation, i.e. Ignition, from ignition charges or explosives known by laser light. Here can the laser beam directly or through a light guide focused on via a downstream focusing optics the charge or directly on the explosive or the charge is directed. At laser initiation coordinated framework conditions can be relative low laser energy the ignition process in progress be set. With one ignition system for several Driving modules or ignition charges is at least in each case one light guide to each drive module or each ignition charge guided, with each light guide simultaneously is fed with appropriate laser light and the Ignition charges or drive modules thereby simultaneously be lit.

Under unfavorable mechanical and spatial Conditions, for example in the cargo space of a Self-propelled howitzer, this ignition system is because of its Space requirements and its sensitivity and out Not suitable for reasons of cost.

US 3,177,651 describes a laser-initiated Ignition system for the simultaneous ignition of two Ammunition. A laser beam is passed through a semi-transparent mirror divided into two beams, each on an ignition system in the two Ammunition to be directed. There these two work Partial rays of the ignition process.

The generic US 5,191,167 (basis for the preamble of claim 1) describes a laser-initiated ignition system with a light guide. This light guide is designed so that on its Black powder applied on the outside through the Laser beam is initiated and thereby the Initiates ignition process.

The invention has for its object to provide a simplified and improved laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system for large-caliber ammunition with two explosive propulsion modules in the cargo space of the ammunition.
This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

In the ignition system according to the invention is along the Beam path of a laser beam for coupling out at least part of the laser beam or light a decoupling device arranged. Through the Decoupling device is when the laser beam hits the ignition charge or the explosive of the propulsion module set on fire. The decoupling device couples from the Laser beam emits so much light energy that it Igniting the explosive or the ignition charge is sufficient. Every ignition charge or every drive module along the optical axis of the laser beam lit almost simultaneously. Since no light guides are used to supply the laser light thus a very simple, compact and reliable simultaneous ignition system created. The location of the Propulsion modules or ignition charges, d. H. their removal and position to the laser light source, may vary without this ignition safety is deteriorated.

According to the invention, each drive module or each ignition charge an ignition channel in which the decoupling device is arranged. The drive modules or ignition charges are arranged such that the ignition channels a single straight and continuous channel for form the laser beam. With this arrangement you can several firing charges or drive modules in one line arranged and ignited almost simultaneously, for example in the cargo space of a self-propelled howitzer.

In a preferred embodiment, each Decoupling device at the same time part of the laser beam or lights coupled out, i.e. the laser light falls below the rate of propagation of light on all decoupling devices at the same time, which also ignites the drive modules or ignition charges occur simultaneously.

The decoupling device can be an optical element be part of the laser beam or light distracts to the explosive or the primer charge. This can be an optically partially transparent Act element that is only part of the incoming Laser beam reflected, and the rest of the part in the beam cross section unchanged to the next drive module or lets ignition charge through; or it can be act a mirror that only part, for example a sector of the laser beam, on the explosive or redirects the ignition charge.

In another embodiment, the decoupling device but also designed as a pyrotechnic element be on the at least part of the laser beam strikes, causing it to ignite and in turn the explosive of the respective propulsion module or ignites the ignition charge. By using it pyrotechnic elements can be a very inexpensive Solution can be realized.

The pyrotechnic decoupling device can also be used in this way be trained that they each only a part fades out the laser beam, so that the remaining part of the Laser beam pass through the respective ignition channel and on the decoupling devices of the following drive modules or strikes and ignite them.

In a first embodiment, the pyrotechnic Decoupling device is annular, the Decoupling device only after ignition and burning at least part of the inner circumference of the ring Laser beam no longer fades out in this area, whereupon the laser beam onto the coupling ring of the following driver module or the following ignition charge falls.

It is particularly advantageous if the inner part of the ring has a small axial length, i.e. has less substance and therefore flammable more quickly and is burning. This will burn very quickly of the inner part so that the laser beam the inner circumferential ring after a short time the decoupling ring of the following drive module or can ignite the following charge.

In another embodiment, the pyrotechnic Decoupling device in the center of the ignition channel protruding part, so that this part of all decoupling devices captured simultaneously by the laser beam can be. To do this, these parts must be offset in this way to each other that they are not another protruding part of another driver module completely shade. This can be done with an inexpensive and easy to manufacture pyrotechnic ignition technology Almost simultaneous ignition of all drive modules or Ignition charges can be realized.

In a preferred embodiment, the pyrotechnic Decoupling device an explosive coated Foil, for example a plastic film.

The explosive is preferably the film and / or selected or modified the drive module such that he in the range of the wavelength of the laser light has a high degree of absorption. This will make the minimum laser energy to ignite the explosive of the propulsion module or the film reduced so that with less Energy density and with a miniaturized laser system can be lit.

The following are with reference to the drawings several embodiments of the invention in more detail explained.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform eines laserinitiierten Anzündsystems mit sechs Treibmodulen, die jeweils einen optischen Strahlteiler als Auskoppelvorrichtung aufweisen,

Fig. 2

eine ringförmige pyrotechnische Auskoppelvorrichtung in Draufsicht,

Fig. 3

die Auskoppelvorrichtung der Fig. 2 im Längsschnitt,

Fig. 4

die pyrotechnische Auskoppelvorrichtung der Fig. 2 im Querschnitt mit angezündeten und teilweise abgebrannten Innenumfangsrand,

Fig. 5

Längsschnitt der pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung der Fig. 2 mit teilweise abgebrannten Innenumfangsrand,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung mit dreieckigem Ringquerschnitt,

Fig. 7

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung im Querschnitt mit keilförmigen Ringquerschnitt,

Fig. 8

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung mit einem kreissektorartigen zur Mitte ragenden Teil,

Fig. 9

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung mit einem radial nach innen abstehenden Steg,

Fig. 10

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung mit einem den Kreisdurchmesser bildenden Steg,

Fig. 11

eine weitere Auskoppelvorrichtung einer pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtung mit einem nicht durch die Kreismitte verlaufenden durchgehenden Steg,

Fig. 12

eine weitere pyrotechnische Auskoppelvorrichtung mit einem in den Zündkanal ragenden Segment, und

Fig. 13

einen Querschnitt einer Ausführungsform des Anzündsystems mit pyrotechnischen Auskoppelvorrichtungen der Fig. 12.

Show it:

Fig. 1

one embodiment of a laser-initiated ignition system with six drive modules, each of which has an optical beam splitter as a coupling-out device,

Fig. 2

an annular pyrotechnic coupling device in plan view,

Fig. 3

2 in longitudinal section,

Fig. 4

2 in cross section with ignited and partially burned-off inner peripheral edge,

Fig. 5

Longitudinal section of the pyrotechnic decoupling device of FIG. 2 with partially burned-off inner peripheral edge,

Fig. 6

another embodiment of a pyrotechnic coupling device with a triangular ring cross-section,

Fig. 7

another embodiment of a pyrotechnic decoupling device in cross section with wedge-shaped ring cross section,

Fig. 8

another embodiment of a pyrotechnic decoupling device with a sector-like part protruding towards the center,

Fig. 9

another embodiment of a pyrotechnic decoupling device with a radially inwardly projecting web,

Fig. 10

1 a further embodiment of a pyrotechnic decoupling device with a web forming the circular diameter,

Fig. 11

a further decoupling device of a pyrotechnic decoupling device with a continuous web not running through the center of the circle,

Fig. 12

a further pyrotechnic coupling device with a segment projecting into the ignition channel, and

Fig. 13

12 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the ignition system with pyrotechnic decoupling devices of FIG. 12.

In Figure 1, the cargo space 10 is a gun shown, at the open end 11 there is no shown gun barrel connects with a projectile. In are the cargo space 10 formed by a tube 12 six ring-shaped, explosive propulsion modules 15 arranged one behind the other. In its center each drive module 15 has a continuous ignition channel 14 on. Each drive module 15 consists of an explosive ring 16, the inner circumference with an igniter sleeve 17 is lined, which surrounds the ignition channel 14. In the ignition sleeve 17 is as an optical decoupling device a glass plate 18 arranged approximately 45 ° to the longitudinal axis of the ignition channels 14 is set. The glass plate 18 forms a partially transparent Mirror for laser light fed into the ignition channels 14.

Instead of the glass plate 18, an optical beam splitter can be used also a transparent film, a prism or a partially transparent one Mirrors can be used.

The ignition modules 15 are arranged one behind the other in such a way that their ignition channels 14 a straight line and through channel for a laser beam form. At the closed end of the cargo space 10 is a laser device 22 in a termination block 21 arranged that its optical axis in a line lies with the longitudinal axes of the drive modules 15. The of the laser beam 23 emanating from the laser device 22 extends that is, on the optical longitudinal axis of the ignition channels 14.

The glass plates 18 act as optical beam splitters, which each couple out part of the laser beam light. The laser 22 forms together with the special Drive modules 15 a laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system.

Instead of through the laser device 22, the laser light can also fed into the ignition channels 14 through a light guide become. The parallel laser beam is expanded and has a diameter of a few millimeters. The laser beam can in other embodiments also be focused or divergent.

The laser device 22 is used to ignite the drive modules 15 a short high-energy laser pulse, which the Ignition channels 14 of the drive modules 15 passes. Through the Glass plate 18 in the ignition channels 14 is one approximately 15% light portion of the laser beam radially reflected outward where the reflected beam 25 ignite the ignition sleeve 17. The igniter sleeve 17 in turn ignites the explosive ring 16. The laser beam 23 strikes all glass plates 18 of the drive modules 15 at the same time, which is why the propellant charges 15 all lit at the same time.

In Figs. 2 to 13 show exemplary embodiments, where initiation, i.e. the ignition, of the propellant charges not by an optical one, but is made by a pyrotechnic element. The Fig. 2 to 12 show only pyrotechnic Coupling devices without an explosive ring surrounding them. The pyrotechnic decoupling devices are each instead of the optical decoupling device of the drive module of Fig. 1b in the explosive ring 16 used.

In Figs. 2 to 5 is the simplest embodiment a pyrotechnic coupling device 30 is shown. This decoupling device 30 consists of a cylindrical ignition ring 31, in the middle of which free through channel 32 is arranged.

When the laser beam 23 hits the ignition ring 31 at its end facing the laser light The inner peripheral edge is lit and burns from the inside outside. The inside diameter increases of the channel 32 such that the laser beam 23 on one the ignition ring 31 'behind it also falls kindles. This process is so quick themselves that these pyrotechnic decoupling devices 30,30 'are lit approximately simultaneously, so that the explosive rings were lit almost simultaneously become.

In Figs. 6 and 7 show further rotationally symmetrical pyrotechnic decoupling devices 30 ₁ , 30 ₂ , each consisting of an ignition ring 35, 40. While the embodiment of the ignition ring of FIG. 6 has the ring cross-sectional shape of an equilateral triangle with an inward-pointing tip, the ignition ring 38 of FIG. 7 is wedge-shaped in its cross-sectional profile. Both ignition rings 35, 38 have in common that the axial thickness of the inner circumferential edge of the ignition ring 35, 38 is very small on the inside and only increases towards the outside. This ensures that the inner part of the ignition ring burns up quickly and, in turn, that the subsequent ignition ring (s) are ignited quickly.

In any case, the laser beam must have a larger diameter than the inner material-free area of the pyrotechnic igniters.

In Figs. 8 to 11 are pyrotechnic ignition rings shown that are not rotationally symmetrical but are asymmetrical and in which a segment-like part protrudes into the ignition channel or the laser beam cross section. All these decoupling devices have in common that several such decoupling elements in a row can be arranged without them shade each other. This ensures that the laser beam with the correct arrangement of the ignition rings on several ignition rings arranged one behind the other falls simultaneously, which in turn causes a simultaneous Ignition of the decoupling devices and thus the explosive of the drive modules is guaranteed.

In the decoupling device 39 ₁ of FIG. 8, a circular sector-like part 41 protrudes in one piece from the outer ring 40 to the center.

In the embodiment of the decoupling device 39 ₂ shown in FIG. 9, a web-like part 42 projects radially inward from the outer ring 40.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 10, a web 43, which passes through the center and forms the diameter, divides the ignition channel 14 of the pyrotechnic decoupling device 39 ₃ into two halves.

Another pyrotechnic igniter 39 ₄ is shown in FIG. 11. A web 44 crossing the ignition channel 14 connects two points of the outer ring 40 in such a way that it asymmetrically divides the ignition channel 14 into two parts.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a pyrotechnic outcoupling device 39 ₅ , in which the outer ring 40 is supplemented by a segment-like part 43 projecting inwards.

The in Figs. 2 to 12 shown pyrotechnic Igniters are in the form of a tablet, can however also be designed as a film.

In particular the pyrotechnic decoupling devices 39 ₁ -39 ₅ of FIGS. 8 to 12 can also be designed as a thin film coated with magnesium. Furthermore, the film can be coated with a colorant or graphitized explosive, as a result of which the degree of absorption for the incident laser light can be increased. It is also possible to use thin foils on a plastic carrier with a conventional ignition mixture made of lead triresorcinate, AZM, black powder, etc., possibly with a burn accelerator or a primary igniter. Explosives tuned to the laser wavelength with a high degree of absorption of the laser light and a low initiation energy can also be used.

By selecting suitable beam guidance optics or by deflecting the light beam, the Beam diameter reduced and that for a safe Initiation important energy density can be increased, for example by an annular instead of a disc-shaped one Beam structure. The should by Explosives exposed to laser light are selected in this way be that a quick burn and a good removal burning is guaranteed.

Since the axial position of the drive modules, for example in Cargo space of a self-propelled howitzer along a 1 meter long longitudinal axis, can be arbitrary and also the number the drive modules can vary, is with the through a drive module that can be initiated by a laser beam pulse ideal variable ignition system for such applications created. No one becomes focused for lighting Beam, but an expanded parallel laser beam used with an approximately constant energy density. With this expanded beam, anyone can Driver module ignited regardless of its axial position become.

13 shows in cross section a charge tube 12 with six drive modules, each with a pyrotechnic ignition device 39 ₅ . The circular segment-like inwardly projecting parts 43 of the pyrotechnic decoupling devices 39 ₅ are each rotated by 60 ° to one another, so that each segment 43 of the decoupling devices 39 ₅ fills a part of the total cross section of the ignition channel 14. A laser beam, which has approximately the diameter of the ignition channel 14, therefore detects all six segments 43 of the decoupling devices 39 ₅ . A simultaneous ignition of all drive modules 15 is thereby achieved.

An optical decoupling device can also be in the form of pyrotechnic decoupling devices 39 ₁ -39 ₅ of FIGS. 8 to 12 can be formed, the part projecting into the ignition channel being designed as a mirror which is at approximately 45 ° to the longitudinal axis of the ignition channel and deflects part of the laser beam to the outside.

With the laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system also explosive samples or igniters ignited become.

Claims (10)

1. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system for large-calibred ammunition, which system comprises, in the charge chamber (10) of the ammunition, several propellant modules (15) one behind another and having explosive (16), wherein each propellant module (15) has a detonating duct (14) and the detonating ducts (14) of all the propellant modules (15) form a single, straight-line and continuous duct for the laser beam (23), and wherein arranged in each propellant module (15) there is a decoupling arrangement (18, 30, 30₁, 30₂, 39₁ - 39₅) for at least one portion (25) of the laser beam (23), which decoupling arrangement, when a laser beam (23) impinges thereon, causes the propellant module (15) associated with the decoupling arrangement (18, 30, 30₁, 30₂, 39₁ - 39₅) to be ignited.
2. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the laser beam (23) or light is simultaneously decoupled by each decoupling device (18, 18', 39₁-39₅).
3. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the decoupling arrangement (18) is an optical element which deflects a portion (25) of the laser beam (23) or light onto the explosive (16).
4. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the decoupling arrangement is a pyrotechnic element (30₁, 30₂, 39₁ - 39₅) upon which at least one portion of the laser beam (23) impinges, whereby it is ignited and for its part ignites the explosive (16) of the respective propellant module (15).
5. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical or pyrotechnic decoupling arrangement (18, 30₁, 30₂, 39₁ - 39₅) in each case only masks a portion of the laser beam (23) so that the remaining portion of the laser beam (23) can pass through the respective detonating duct (14).
6. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the pyrotechnic decoupling arrangement (30, 30₁, 30₂) projects annularly into the detonating canal (14) and allows the laser beam to fall onto the decoupling arrangement of the following propellant module (15) only after ignition and partial burn-off.
7. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pyrotechnic decoupling arrangement (39₁ - 39₅) has a portion (31 - 45) that projects into the centre of the duct so that all the decoupling arrangements can be simultaneously covered by the laser beam.
8. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the pyrotechnic decoupling arrangement (39₁ - 39₅) is a foil that is coated with explosive.
9. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the detonating canal (14) is circular.
10. Laser-initiated simultaneous ignition system according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the explosive of the foil and/or of the propellant module is coloured in such a way that it has a high absorption coefficient in the range of the wavelength of the laser light.

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