EP0952422A1 - Simulator for muzzle loading gun - Google Patents

Abstract

The simulator (1) has a projection barrel (3) with an ejection opening (7) at the lower end to enable a round (8) to fall out. The outlet opening is closed by a closure device so that a grenade can not fall through it. The closure device has a release mechanism that can open the outlet opening. Controlled exiting of the grenade from the opening is guaranteed by a spring-elastic or braking arrangement. Independent claims are also included for a round and a grenade for a simulator.

Description

The present invention relates to a simulator for muzzle-loading guns and ammunition suitable therefor.

Simulation systems for training the operation of military weapon systems offer various advantages and are therefore becoming increasingly interesting. Among other things significantly less to no security measures are necessary, while when practicing real, far-reaching weapon systems, in addition to the strict security measures for the practitioners, large areas, which depending on the situation can be difficult to find, have to be cordoned off to avoid personal injury and property damage. Finally, practicing on simulators is usually associated with lower costs and can therefore be carried out more intensively. Situations can also be practiced with simulators that in reality can only be practiced with great effort or not at all, e.g. the influence of the weather, shooting in the built-up area. In weapon systems with relatively expensive ammunition, such as. B. muzzle-loading barrel weapons, what u. a. Mine, grenade and rocket launcher count, a particular advantage is a reusable ammunition.

Known projects for mine throwing simulators suffer, among other things, from the fact that the simulation does not correspond to reality in crucial points, which then provokes dangerous operating errors on real systems. After a shot has been carried out, the shot, ie the lead, grenade, lighting grenade, etc., is in the launch tube in the known constructions and must be removed therefrom. For this purpose it is proposed to pull the shot upwards out of the tube again using a suitable tool. For one thing, this manipulation is in the Reality extremely dangerous, on the other hand, it is not possible with such a mine thrower simulator to practice rapid fire, in which the shots are fired as quickly as possible.

Another proposal is to automatically extract the grenades. One possibility is to provide a very weak propellant charge, another is to provide a spring, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders or the like. The first option is associated with noise development and the consumption of propellant charges, the other requires manual or motorized tensioning of the spring or the generation of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. Motorized tensioning or pressure generation in turn requires a relatively strong energy source that can be practiced in a realistic manner Terrain is usually not available. In any case, all ejection techniques again require safety measures, since each grenade is thrown a few meters away. There is also a risk that the expensive simulation grenade in the event of an unfavorable landing, e.g. B. on the tail fin, is damaged until unusable. But the detonators in the tip can also be damaged during regular landings. Finally, it should not be forgotten that the practice mines / grenades have to be searched for and collected again after the exercise.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simulator for muzzle-loading barrel weapons which enables realistic practice training while avoiding at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above.

Such a simulator for muzzle-loading guns is specified in claim 1, which define further claims preferred embodiments and ammunition particularly suitable for the simulator according to the invention.

Fig. 1

zeigt schematisch eine Seitenansicht eines Minenwerfersimulators;

Fig. 2

zeigt die Auswertungseinheit;

Fig. 3

zeigt schematisch einen Teilschnitt durch einen Minenwerfersimulator;

Fig. 4

zeigt eine Seitenansicht eines Schusses für den Minenwerfersimulator;

Fig. 5

zeigt eine Ansicht von unten des Minenwerfersimulators gemäss Figur 4;

Fig. 6

zeigt das Blockschema der Elektronik in einem Simulationsschuss; und

Fig. 7

zeigt das Blockschema der Elektronik im Minenwerfersimulator.

The invention will be explained using an exemplary embodiment with reference to figures.

Fig. 1

schematically shows a side view of a mine thrower simulator;

Fig. 2

shows the evaluation unit;

Fig. 3

shows schematically a partial section through a mine thrower simulator;

Fig. 4

shows a side view of a shot for the mine thrower simulator;

Fig. 5

shows a view from below of the mine thrower simulator according to Figure 4;

Fig. 6

shows the block diagram of the electronics in a simulation shot; and

Fig. 7

shows the block diagram of the electronics in the mine detector simulator.

The mine thrower simulator 1 according to the invention looks like a "real" mine thrower: the launch tube 3 is pivotably mounted on the base plate 2. The upper part of the launch tube 3 is movably attached to a support 5 via a sighting and adjusting unit 4. Since for the simulation the alignment of the launch tube 3 is measured by an electronic compass in the alignment measuring unit 6, the simulator in the area of the compass consists largely of antimagnetic material, in particular the base plate 2 and the launch tube 3, so as not to disturb the earth's magnetic field. As such a material, e.g. B. aluminum, an alloy thereof or brass.

The launch tube 3 has at the lower end the drop opening 7, from which the grenade 8, after being pushed in by the practitioner at the top, falls out of the launch tube 3 at the bottom. The low drop height largely prevents damage to the grenade 8. In addition, padding, for. B. a mat can be designed to further reduce the risk of grenades 8.

Alignment unit 6 already mentioned comprises an electronic magnetic compass for the direction (azimuth) and protractor (inclinometer) for determining the elevation and tilting of the connecting pipe 3. The alignment measurement unit is located together with a radio data transmission unit 9 and a GPS unit 10 for determining the position of the simulator on a support 11 which is attached to the launch tube 3.

The determination of the geographical position and of elevation and tilting can easily be carried out with sufficient accuracy using commercially available components. In contrast, determining the direction is problematic. In numerous tests, sufficient accuracy could only be achieved with the specified magnetic compass sensor. However, this does not exclude that other sensor types will be used in the future, possibly with a corresponding reduction in requirements. As the limit for the target accuracy of artillery 10 _^0/00 have been accepted in accordance with a scattering ≤ 10 m on 1 km range of fire or ½ ° angular resolution on the launch tube.

In the interior of the launch tube 3 there is the evaluation unit 12 with a misalignment device and a battery 13 as a power supply for the mine detector simulator. All of these measuring and control modules 6, 9, 10, 12, 13 are interconnected by power supply, signal and data lines 21.

The misalignment device, e.g. B. in the manner of an eccentric gear, also represents the connection between the launch tube 3 and the bearing ball 14, which rests on the base plate 2. After a launch, the misalignment device is activated by the evaluation unit 12 in order to change the alignment of the launch tube. The misalignment, i. H. the effect of the shock of a real mine launcher when fired, simulated.

Data determined by the launcher evaluation unit 12 are transmitted wirelessly by the transmission unit 15 when it is fired to an evaluation device 16 (FIG. 2). The evaluation device 16 is usually in the care of the training supervisor and serves on the one hand to monitor the correct operation of the mine thrower simulator and on the other hand carries out the calculation of the trajectory and the virtual point of impact of the shot. The device 16 can e.g. B. a portable computer ("laptop") provided with a corresponding receiving unit.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of the mine thrower simulator 1 in an enlarged view. In the launch tube 3 there is a grenade 8 sliding straight down. At its lower end it carries an optical transmitter 17, via which the shot control contained in the grenade 8 can transmit data as light signals 18. The light signals 18 are detected by the optical receiver 19 and forwarded to the projector control 12 for evaluation. Since the transmitter 17 emits a light cone of a suitably selected opening angle, the intensity of the light signal detected by the receiver 19 increases with the approach of the grenade 8. This distance dependency the intensity is used to detect a grenade sliding down the tube 3 (in contrast to a grenade that was inserted into the tube end before firing but was still held). The disappearance of the light signal when the grenade 8 falls out of the drop opening 7 can serve as a trigger for the simulation of the launch, ie as an equivalent to the ignition of the propellant charge of a real grenade.

In the area of the discharge opening 7 there are baffles 20 which guide the grenade 8 out of the tube even when the launch tube 3 is oriented almost vertically. The guide plates 20 have a passage or a window for the light signal 18.

The Fig. 4 and 5 show an enlarged grenade 8. It essentially consists of the body 31, the detonator 32 and the tail unit 33 with additional charge plates 34. The detonator 32 is screwed into the body 31, as in a real grenade. The firing control 35 (FIG. 7) arranged in the body 31 can recognize which type of igniter is present (impact, delay, time detonator, etc.) via a marking on the detonator end which is screwed into the body 31. The usual types of ammunition and applications can thus be represented with one and the same type of grenade, and, if appropriate, unauthorized combinations are also recognized by the shot control 35 or in the evaluation device 16, eg. B. a detonator in a lighting grenade.

The additional charge plates 34, which are simple, preferably simulated additional charges plates in the simulation shot, can each be inserted into receptacles between two guide vanes 36 each. So that the shot control 35 can recognize how many additional charge plates were plugged in, from which the flight distance is calculated, there is a sensor 37 for the additional charge plates between each two guide vanes 36. The sensors 37 can e.g. B. work optically (reflex light barrier) or inductively. In the case of inductive sensors, the plates 34 consist of metal or a metallized carrier material

The transmitter 17 is arranged at the lower end of the tail unit 33.

The illustration of this exemplary simulation shot also shows that ejection due to reduced propellant charge poses additional difficulties: even a reduced propellant charge would generate high temperatures in the tail unit, the propellant gases generated after the powder burn-off are very hot and under high pressure and the shot control 35 In the grenade is subjected to great acceleration, which could affect the shot control 35, the sensors 37 and the transmitter 17 and would accordingly have to be carried out with high temperature, pressure and acceleration resistance.

6 shows a block diagram of the shot control 35. It comprises a central processing unit 41, which essentially consists of a microcontroller. A capacitor of extremely high capacitance, e.g. B. known gold cap capacitors. Because of the low energy available, the shot control is only switched on by an inclination sensor 42 when the grenade takes up an angle to the horizontal which is in the range of the elevation of the mine thrower simulator (e.g. 45 ° to 90 °).

The energy source is preferably charged while the grenade is being stored in a special transport container (not shown). The transport container has u. a. via a battery. The energy transfer can be done by electrical contacts on the grenade 8 and in the container or z. B. done wirelessly by induction.

Since the energy of the energy source 43 is designed such that it is essentially used up after being fired, the unrealistic, immediate reuse of the grenade after its "firing" is prevented. Instead, a grenade must then be put back into the transport container after it has been fired and left there until the energy source is recharged.

In the case of energy sources of higher capacity, a realistic simulation requires that the grenade either deactivates after firing or generates a special signal which indicates that the grenade has been reused.

The central unit 41 controls the transmitter 17 for the data transmission, which generates the light signals 18.

Additional, optional sensors 44 may also be present. For example, a brightness sensor due to the darkness in the tube 3 could serve to detect a launch in cooperation with the inclination sensor 42, or an acceleration sensor which would detect the "launch" by the impact of the grenade 8 on the launcher tube bottom, the discharge device or the base plate with or without Combination with the inclinometer 42 recognizes. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to use other sensors installed in the grenade, e.g. B. switches, optical, inductive or capacitive sensors, alone or in combination use to detect if the grenade is in the launch tube.

The launcher control 51 (FIG. 7) consists of the evaluation unit 12, to which the sensors for position 10 (GPS unit), elevation / tilt 52 (inclinometer) and direction 53 (compass) are connected. The light detector 19 serves to receive the light signals of a grenade 8 in the launch tube 3, the output signals of which are both a measure of the distance of the grenade 8, i.e. H. their position in the launch tube 8, as well as the information about the grenade, which are emitted by the shot control.

The launch data, ie all the data required to calculate the launch, are transmitted to the evaluation device 16 via the transmission unit 15. A battery or a rechargeable battery is used as the energy source 54.

The mine thrower simulator can still be set via the control unit 55 to different, real types of thrower, which, for. B. are characterized by the caliber.

A typical exercise sequence is to be presented: The mine thrower simulator is set up and aimed at a target. The trainer continuously monitors what is happening using the data displayed by the evaluation device. Depending on the (virtual) target to be aimed at and the shooting targets, the mine thrower simulator is aligned and the required number of grenades is provided by the shooter. Raising the grenades and tilting them according to the pipe inclination leads to the activation of the shot control 35, but only when a detonator is also screwed in and (virtually) sharp. The characteristic data of the grenade are passed to the Thrower control 51 transmits, which transmits this to the evaluation device 16 together with the data about the alignment of the launch tube. On the basis of this data, the evaluation device calculates the trajectory and the impact and / or issues a message in the event of unauthorized operating states.

The falling out of the grenade from the drop opening 7 leads to its deactivation, be it due to a lack of energy or because the shot control blocks itself after simulating a shot. It is conceivable that a data transmission from the mine thrower simulator to the grenade in the launch tube also takes place for this purpose in particular.

Since the described mine thrower simulator neither produces a launch sound - even if this can be generated for realistic simulation, if necessary with a significantly reduced volume, by a sound generator - nor grenades can be thrown out, this device can be used at practically any location, e.g. B. also in built-up areas or in halls.

In a real mine launcher, the grenades in the launch tube are braked by an air cushion that forms below them in the launch tube because of the necessarily relatively tight seal with the tube wall. Because of the ejection opening, such an air cushion cannot form in the simulator. For a more realistic gliding time of the grenades in the pipe, especially for the practice of rapid fire, the friction of the grenades on the pipe wall can be increased by suitable measures, such as. B. at least in places a closer fit, special material pairing or attaching or fitting, for example, felt surfaces or similar material on or into the Surface parts of the grenades that come into contact with the pipe wall and / or into the pipe wall. It is also conceivable to keep the outlet opening 7 closed with a lid, to have the grenade braked or unbraked on the launcher tube bottom and to open the lid preferably after the typical delay time between the insertion and the ignition of the grenade. Opening the lid can e.g. B. by the action of the weight of the grenade, with an auxiliary drive (motor) or the stored energy of the sliding grenade. A suitable shape of the cover can also serve to remove the grenade relatively gently and in a defined manner from the launcher tube.

The cover can also be kept closed by an electromagnet, so that the control of the mine detector simulator can release the cover by an electrical signal. Under the weight of the grenade, possibly reinforced by its kinetic energy, the lid is pressed open and the grenade slides out. The lid is then automatically closed again by a return spring.

A possible alternative to controlled opening could be that the closing spring is designed so that the lid opens automatically under the weight of the grenade. It is also sufficient if the cover only closes the outlet opening to such an extent that the grenades can no longer fall out of the tube.

In the case of simulators for mine launchers which do not fire automatically, but in which a grenade located in the launch tube is fired from the outside, e.g. B. over a rip cord, such a cover or an equivalent closure device must be available. Only by pressing On the one hand the trigger is triggered, on the other hand the lid is released so that the grenade can fall out.

In order to brake the grenade when it falls out, the return spring element can be designed so strongly that there is an effective braking effect on the grenade by pinching it between the launch tube and the flap. In addition, the cover can also be a kind of guide, e.g. B. in the manner of a short piece of pipe, and / or have a friction-increasing lining (felt strips; spring strips) to reduce the falling speed of the grenades.

Variants of the exemplary embodiment specified are accessible to the person skilled in the art from the description without leaving the scope of the invention as claimed.

It is conceivable, for example, to additionally use an echo method, e.g. B. by means of ultrasound, to arrange the detection unit in the tube, which allows the presence and movement of a grenade in the launch tube to be determined independently, and / or inductive sensors for this purpose on the launch tube.

In view of the different outer shape of different types of ammunition, in particular between light and explosive ammunition, it can also be advantageous to make the body changeable, e.g. B. by an interchangeable jacket.

The measuring and evaluation units present on the simulator can also be arranged differently, for example the arrangement of all parts in the launch tube is conceivable, so that, if at all, only the antenna of the transmission unit 15 has to be attached outside. It is also conceivable that To mount compass in another suitable place e.g. B. the base plate 2, but then with a suitable measuring device, for. B. an optical rotary encoder between the base plate 2 and the bearing ball 14 of the launcher tube, the angle difference is measured and taken into account in the evaluation. It is also conceivable that when reactivating or charging the grenades, for. B. as suggested in the transport container, there is also the possibility of reprogramming the grenades, for. B. as explosive or light ammunition. This would only suffice for one programmable ammunition for the simulation of all possible real ammunition types. The programming, possibly even the connection of a fresh energy source, could also be done by changing the jacket (see above) of the body.

Claims (19)

Simulator (1) for muzzle-loading barrel weapons, preferably for mine or grenade launchers, characterized in that the launch tube (3) has a drop opening (7) at the lower end in order to allow a shot (8) to fall out. Simulator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet opening (7) is closed at least to the extent that a grenade cannot fall through the outlet opening, and a release device through which the closure device and thus the outlet opening (7) can be opened, is present on the closure device. Simulator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure device is pressed in the open state by pressure means, preferably spring-elastic elements, into the closed position and / or has means which exert a braking effect on the falling out grenade in order to allow it to slide out in a controlled manner to ensure the grenade from the outlet opening (7). Simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one guide means (20), in particular in the form of a ramp running towards the lower end of the exit opening (7), is provided in order to ensure that a shot () 8) ensure from the drop opening. Simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the launch tube (3) braking means are arranged, in particular at least one point or points of increased friction and / or constrictions in order to adjust the time of a shot (8) in the launch tube (3) to real conditions. Simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that measuring means, in particular one or more of, on the launch tube (3) and / or on the frame (2) of the mine thrower - a position measuring device (10), in particular one that works according to the GPS method, for determining the geographic position, - An inclination measuring device (6: 52) for determining the elevation of the launch tube and - a direction measuring device (6: 53), preferably one that works according to the compass principle, are available to determine the current alignment of the launch tube (3). Simulator (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that receiving means (19) for data signals, in particular for electromagnetic, acoustic and / or optical radiation (18), are present on the inside at the lower end of the launch tube, in order to detect one in the To be able to catch the shot tube (8) emitted data signal. Simulator (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a signal can be generated by the receiving means (19) which is in at least one size, in particular the amplitude, of the position of the shot (8) in the tube and / or the presence of a shot (8) is dependent in the launch tube in order to trigger a launch simulation by detecting a shot sliding down in the launch tube. Simulator (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that shot detection means (19) are present, preferably inside the launch tube at the lower end, in order to determine the presence and preferably also the approximate position and / or movement of a shot in the tube . Simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an adjustment device is attached to the launch tube (3) so that the launch tube (3) can be adjusted and so the effect of a real shot on the alignment can be simulated. Simulator according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a control device (51) is provided, by means of which at least one operating state, preferably all of the following operating states, can be determined: - the execution of a shot, the alignment of the launch tube, in particular elevation, tilting and / or direction, - the geographical position, - the type of ammunition used in a shot. Simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a sensor for the earth's magnetic field coupled to the launch tube (3) is present for determining the direction of the launch tube and the metallic parts of the simulator are at least largely made of antimagnetic material, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy, in order to avoid a local disturbance of the earth's magnetic field. Shot (8) for a simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is in the essentially consists of tail unit (33), body (31) and detonator (32), of which at least the detonator is detachably attached, so that by changing the body (31) and / or detonator (33) different types of ammunition for mine throwers in function and / or shape can be simulated. Grenade (8) according to claim 13 or for a simulator according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has transmission means (17) and a control unit (41), the control unit being able to transmit data signals (18) by means of the transmission means Content indicates the type of ammunition to be simulated by the grenade (8). Grenade according to claim 14, characterized in that the intensity of the emitted data signal (18) decreases with the distance from the grenade (8) in order to be able to determine the distance of the grenade (8) from a receiving means (19) for this data. Grenade (8) according to one of claims 13 to 15 or for a simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has at least one device, preferably 4 to 8 devices, which can accommodate additional charge simulation units (34) and has detection means (37) for the additional charge simulation units in order to be able to determine the number of attached additional charge simulation units (34). Grenade (8) according to claim 16, characterized in that the additional charge simulation units (34) essentially consist of a plate which can be attached to the tail unit (33) or to the neck of the grenade, the grenade attachment options for a specific one Has a maximum number of additional charge simulation units (34) and for each attachment option there is a detector (37), in particular an inductive, capacitive or optical one, so that the presence of an additional charge simulation unit can be determined in the respective attachment option. Grenade (8) according to one of claims 13 to 17 or for a simulator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the grenade (8) has a shot control unit (41) and detection means (42, 44), wherein a simulated firing of the grenade can be detected by the detection means (42, 44) and the shot control unit (41) can be informed that the grenade has first transmission means (17) for a signal (18) and that the shot control unit (41) is performing a transmits a first signal after the first shot and for every second and / or further shot sends information that differs from the signaling during the first shot or does not send out a signal, so that it can be determined whether the same grenade (8) is used several times in succession. Grenade (8) according to claim 18 and container for at least one grenade, characterized in that the shot control unit can be set to the state before a first launch by inserting the grenade into the container, which has second connecting means with complementary, third Connecting means in the grenade can come into contact and the resetting process can be triggered by the establishment of contact and / or the signal exchanged between second and third connecting means.

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