EP1004844B1 - Reactive armour device for a vehicle or structure - Google Patents

Description

The technical field of the invention is that of active protection devices for a wall, in particular a wall of a vehicle.

We know, in particular from patent FR2436361 a protective device (called reactive) which is intended to be attached to the outer wall of an armored vehicle.

This device includes an explosive sheet arranged between two metal plates.

During the impact of a shaped charge jet on the plate external metal, the explosive is initiated. The detonation of it causes a projection of the plate metallic towards the jet, which has the effect of consuming this one, thus reducing its perforating efficiency.

Such shielding is insufficiently effective against projectiles arrows or against the nuclei generated by nucleus generating charges (CGN).

Indeed, with regard to the arrows, the duration of interaction between the projected plate and the arrow is too short so that it can see its piercing capacity sufficiently reduced.

Concerning the nuclei generated by explosives (CGN), these most often pass through reactive armor without initiate the explosive.

Solutions have been sought to overcome such disadvantages.

Thus the patents FR2730805 and FR2679022 propose coupling the reactive shielding to a detection device approaching the projectile. The projected plate goes to the front of the projectile long before it hit the armor. The disturbance caused to the arrow is then good higher.

However, such shields still exhibit disadvantages.

The protection modules are first of all too heavy because they use large masses of explosives and multiple armor plates.

It is therefore not possible to insure with such the protection of light vehicles or the protection of tank turrets against attack by the roof.

These devices are also not usable for provide protection against charges generating core.

Indeed the detection of the approach of the nucleus is delicate due to its small dimensions (length less than or equal to 120mm, diameter less than or equal to 40mm).

The reactive shields known by FR2436361 are more particularly intended to provide protection against charges formed. However, they are now ineffective. against so-called “tandem” charges (described for example by FR2577037). Indeed these charges include a rear main load associated with a small front load whose function is to initiate reactive armor before the arrival of the rear load or even to pierce a hole in the reactive armor without initiating it which will allow a passage of the jet of the main charge without disturbances.

It is the object of the invention to propose a device active protection without such drawbacks.

Thus the protection device according to the invention is lighter and more compact than known devices, which authorizes its installation on weak vehicles armored and on turrets.

The subject of the invention is therefore a protection device active of a wall, in particular of a wall of a vehicle, comprising at least one shaped charge having a direction of action substantially parallel to or inclined relative to to the wall of the vehicle as well as detection means ensuring the initiation of the charge formed in response to the arrival of a projectile, a device characterized in that it has at least four shaped charges arranged in at minus a case, each charge formed being placed on the side of a quadrilateral.

According to a first embodiment, the housing can contain four dihedral shaped charges forming a quadrilateral and having converging directions of action.

One of the advantages of this first embodiment of the invention using dihedral charges is that it provides better protection than the devices known against arrow projectiles and even against nuclei generated by charge formed.

The directions of action of the charges formed may be inclined relative to the wall of the vehicle and oriented towards the outside of the vehicle.

The detection means may include at least one panel comprising at least two closed electrical contacts by the impact of a projectile.

The detection means may also include four independent contact panels, each panel commanding the initiation of a dihedral charge different.

The detection means may include at least one panel incorporating at least one conductive cable broken by the impact of a projectile.

Advantageously, the detection means may understand at least two cables broken by the impact of a projectile, each cable being arranged so as to go alternately from a first edge of the panel to a second edge parallel to the first by making a coverage of the panel by a network of lines substantially parallel to each other, the lines of the network consisting of a first cable being perpendicular to those of the network constituted by a second cable so as to form a grid area of the panel surface.

The detection means can then also include a control system that measures the resistance of the detection cables, so as to locate the point of impact of the projectile on the panel, and which controls the initiation of the dihedral load closest to the point of impact.

According to an alternative embodiment, delay means may be provided to ensure after the initiation of a instructs the initiation of other charges in sequence.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the active protection device is characterized in that the housing contains at least four charges formed cylindrical, each load being placed on the side of a quadrilateral and the directions of action of the charges being inclined relative to the wall of the vehicle.

According to this second embodiment, the invention ensures protection against projectiles with shaped charge, in particular projectiles with charges formed in “tandem”.

The device according to the invention may include at least two boxes and the detection means may include at least one electromagnetic or optical central sensor, sensor connected to a calculation means which determines the direction approach the projectile and its speed and which controls the initiation of at least one charge from one of the boxes.

• la figure 1a représente en vue frontale un boítier d'un dispositif de protection selon l'invention,
• la figure 1b est une vue de ce même boítier en coupe suivant le plan dont la trace AA apparaít sur la figure 1a,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'une variante de réalisation de ce même boítier,
• la figure 3a est une vue frontale d'un boítier selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 3b est une vue de ce même boítier en coupe suivant le plan dont la trace BB apparaít sur la figure 3a,
• la figure 4 représente en détails un premier mode de réalisation d'un moyen de détection,
• la figure 5 représente un second mode de réalisation d'un moyen de détection,
• les figures 6a et 6b représentent suivant deux directions d'observation orthogonales un véhicule équipé d'un dispositif de protection selon l'invention et utilisant un moyen de détection suivant un troisième mode de réalisation,
• La figure 7 7 représente schématiquement un dispositif de sécurité et d'armement d'une des charges formées.
• La figure 8 représente schématiquement une variante de réalisation d'un dispositif de sécurité et d'armement d'une des charges formées.

Other advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows of particular embodiments, description made with reference to the appended drawings and in which:

• FIG. 1a represents a front view of a housing of a protection device according to the invention,
• FIG. 1b is a view of this same box in section along the plane, the trace AA of which appears in FIG. 1a,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of this same housing,
• FIG. 3a is a front view of a housing according to another embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 3b is a view of this same case in section along the plane, the trace BB of which appears in FIG. 3a,
• FIG. 4 shows in detail a first embodiment of a detection means,
• FIG. 5 represents a second embodiment of a detection means,
• FIGS. 6a and 6b represent in two orthogonal directions of observation a vehicle equipped with a protection device according to the invention and using a detection means according to a third embodiment,
• FIG. 7 7 schematically represents a security and arming device for one of the charges formed.
• FIG. 8 schematically represents an alternative embodiment of a security and arming device for one of the charges formed.

Referring to Figures 1a and 1b, a device for active protection according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises at least one box 1 parallelepiped which is fixed to a wall 2 of the vehicle by lugs link 3 removable. The case will preferably be made light alloy or a composite material which may also provide a splinter-proof function.

The housing 1 includes an internal housing closed by a cover 1a, fixed to the body of the case by means of fixing not shown (such as screws). It contains four dihedral shaped charges 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d which are arranged along the inner edges of the case and cover each substantially the entire length of an edge of the housing, the dihedral charges thus forming a quadrilateral.

The directions of action 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d of the different loads are converging towards the interior of the quadrilateral that they define.

Each formed charge 4 comprises a coating 5 applied on an explosive block 6 (for example in octolite). The explosive is initiated by a priming relay 7 (for example in hexocire) itself initiated by a primer integrated into a security and arming 8.

In the figures, the indices a, b, c and d have been given to different components of each dihedral charge. Thus the charge 4a comprises an explosive 6a, initiated by a cord 7a, itself connected to a safety device and 8a.

A security and arming device (or DSA) 8 is shown schematically in Figure 7. It includes a shutdown of pyrotechnic chain 9 which can slide by the action of motor means 10 and which is held in the safety position by a latch 11 of which the erasure is controlled by a clock system 12 of the type known (electronic or mechanical). DSA 8 contains also an electrical initiation primer 13 which is connected to an electronic firing control system 14 including an energy source such as a battery (the source energy may also be external to the DSA). This last is shown schematically in the figures in the form a box 14 secured to a lower face of the case 1.

The primer 13 is intended to initiate the ignition cord 7, one end of which therefore enters the DSA.

The watch system will advantageously be controlled by the electronic system 14 which may include a button push-button 31 for manually arming the various DSA after the installation of the box on the vehicle. We may also provide a means 32 for receiving orders from remote control (by radio for example) which will allow switch the various components at will and from a distance DSAs from a safe position to an armed position or Conversely.

The electronic control system 14 receives a signal firing trigger which is provided by means of detection 16.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures 1a and 1b, the detection means 16 comprise four independent detector panels 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d.

The detector panels are arranged inside the box 1 and are therefore protected from external constraints by the cover of the housing. Advantageously these panels may be submerged in the material of the lid.

The cover will have a thickness chosen so that the panels cannot be triggered by a shock inadvertent or by the impact of a small caliber projectile.

The impact of a kinetic projectile (nucleus or arrow) on one of the panels makes it possible to determine in which part of the case the projectile penetrates and therefore to know the two linear loads closest to impact.

Thus an impact on the panel 17a will allow the system deduct that the charges closest to the impact point are loads 4a and 4d. An impact on the panel 17c will allow to deduce that the dihedral loads the closest are charges 4b and 4c.

Figure 4 shows schematically a particular embodiment a detection panel 17. This panel comprises a first sheet 18 for example of aluminum and a second sheet 19 also made of aluminum. The two sheets are electrically isolated from each other by a sheet of plastic material 20 (for example polyethylene). Each sheet is connected by a conductor 21,22 to the system control electronics 14. The latter is thus connected to the conductive sheets of the 4 panels 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d.

When a projectile hits a panel, the conductive sheets and the insulating sheet are located torn. This results in establishing contact between the electrical contacts formed by the sheets 18 and 19. The electronic control system 14 detects this contact and locates the panel in question.

It determines the loads 4 closest to this panel and first of all commands the initiation of these through primers 13 arranged in the associated DSA 8.

The other two charges 4 will then be initiated and in sequence after a predetermined delay depending on the threat and in the range of 10 to 100 microseconds.

The delay will preferably be an electronic delay integrated into the control system 14. It can be pre-programmed or programmed during the installation of the device or programmed as a result of detection of a particular threat.

As a variant, it is possible, in this mode of realization including 4 panels 17, replace the system central electronic 14 by four control systems independent and simplified which will each be integrated into a DSA 8.

Figure 8 shows such an alternative embodiment. In this case, each DSA 8 incorporates a control system room 14 which includes a source of electrical energy and possibly electronic security and the means 32 of reception of the arming remote control command.

In this case each panel 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d will be connected to a single DSA 8a, 8b, 8 or 8d respectively. The detection of a projectile impact on a panel will cause the initiation of the dihedral load associated with the panel.

Primer 13 also causes the initiation of a cord pyrotechnic delay 15 (for example a pentrite cord or a pyrotechnic composition with delay of the type of that described by patent FR2650586 and associating tungsten / barium chromate and potassium perchlorate) which connects the various DSAs and ensures from the initiation of a single primer 13, the initiations in sequences of the four dihedral loads. The strings will defined to ensure delays between each charge initiation on the order of 10 to 100 microseconds.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a detection means 16. This means comprises a single panel 21 which incorporates two continuous two-wire conductor cables 22 and 23 glued to panel 21.

The cable 22 goes alternately from a first edge 24 of the panel 21 to a second edge 25 parallel to the first thus achieving coverage of the panel by a network of lines 26 substantially parallel to each other.

The cable 23 goes alternately from an edge 27 of the panel 21 up to an edge 28 parallel to the first, thus achieving coverage of the panel by a network of lines 29 substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to lines 26 of the first network.

A grid of the panel surface is thus constituted by the two cables 22 and 23.

The ends of the two cables 22 and 23 are connected to the electronic control system 14 which comprises means allowing a measurement of resistance or conductivity electrical cables.

The impact of a projectile on panel 21 will cause a break in cables 22 and 23.

System 14 provides resistance measurement electrical cables 22 and 23. At the time of rupture this resistance is modified (reduced), the projectile ensuring a fleeting short circuit of the two cables at the level from the point of impact.

The resistance of a conducting cable being proportional to its length, appropriate programming - of the system 14 will allow from the measurement of the resistance during the impact of the projectile to deduce the lengths of the portions of cables located between the control system 14 and the point of impact, therefore the coordinates of the point of impact of the projectile on panel 21.

The system 14 will deduce therefrom the dihedral load 4 which is finds the closest to the point of impact. This one will initiated first, the other three charges will then be triggered in sequence by electronic delay or of a pyrotechnic delay as described previously.

As a variant, it is possible to make four detection panels, each incorporating at least one cable broken by the impact of the projectile. Detecting an impact on one of the panels will then cause the initiation of the or charges formed close to said panel.

The detection systems described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 are well known to those skilled in the art in the field of metrology of projectile fire. They don't will therefore not be described in more detail.

The operation of such a protection device active is as follows.

As previously stated, the cover 1a is dimensioned so as to be able to withstand the impacts of small caliber projectiles (the cover will for example a light alloy or composite thickness of the order of 5 at 10mm). Thus the detection system of the protection will only be activated by the impact of a projectile high energy kinetics such as an arrow or a nucleus of charge formed. To increase the security of the device keep device in unarmed state until detection and identification of a threat by the head of vehicle.

The impact of such a kinetic projectile is detected by a detection device panels. Depending on the solution selected for this device, the impact will be located in a of the four quadrants of the housing (4-panel detector of the figure 4) or in the vicinity of one of the dihedral loads (detector according to figure 5).

The dihedral load closest to the point of impact or well the one that is arbitrarily associated with one of the panels detection is then initiated. It generates with a delay very low compared to impact detection (from the order of ten microseconds) a dihedral jet which intercepts the kinetic projectile. The other three dihedral shaped charges are initiated sequentially with delays of the order of 10 to 100 microseconds. The different jets impact the kinetic projectile and cause it to be cut into sections and destabilized. This which greatly reduces its perforating efficiency with respect to the wall of the vehicle.

A single dihedral charge is sufficient to destabilize a formed charge core. Tests have thus could demonstrate that a hollow charge 35 mm in diameter (100 g explosive) could cut a charge nucleus formed of 80 mm long and animated with a speed of 2400 m / s.

The combination of several dihedral charges (and including the four charges described above) allows cutting long elongated projectiles (projectiles arrows) greatly reducing their effectiveness.

The protection device according to the invention is thus very effective against kinetic projectiles while not using only a reduced mass of explosive (of the order 400 g for a case of dimensions: 200mm x 200mm). he is light and can therefore be placed on the roof of a vehicle to protect it from attack ammunition in overview.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of such protection system, variant in which the four dihedral charges 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d have their directions of action 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d inclined relative to the wall 2 of the vehicle and oriented towards the outside of the vehicle.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to intercept the projectile further from the vehicle and lessen the rear effects on this last.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 3a and 3b.

This mode is more particularly intended to protect a vehicle against warheads military charge formed and especially the tandem charge heads. It differs from previous in that the dihedral charges are replaced by small cylindrical shaped charges 33 (about 40 mm caliber) arranged in the vicinity of the internal walls of the box 1. The charges formed 33 are arranged in four rows 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d, each row being associated with one of the internal walls 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d of the housing 1.

Loads 33 of a single row are all parallels between them and the directions of action of different charges formed (axes of charges formed) are inclined relative to the wall 2 of the vehicle.

The directions of action of the loads arranged on a single and same side of the case therefore materialize a plan of attack.

Tracks of attack plans for rows of charges 34a and 34c are represented by lines 36a and 36c on the figure 3b (and are confused with the directions of action charges 33 visible in FIG. 3b). The different planes of attack intersect outside of case 1 and at a distance of the cover 1a from the latter of the order of 1 load rating formed.

In addition, the rows of loads 33 arranged at the vicinity of walls 35 of the housing 1 which are parallel does not do not have the same number of loads and the axes of different loads are staggered one by the other compared to others. Thus row 34a has four charges while the facing row 34c has none than three. Likewise row 34d has four charges while row 34b has three.

The different charges are initiated by strings delay 15, themselves initiated by a primer arranged in a security and arming 8.

An electronic control system 14 ensures the initiation of the different charges in response to an order of firing provided by detection means 16 arranged at distance from the housing.

The electronic control system 14 will be provided with a means 32 for receiving remote control orders which will ensure also receipt of the firing order issued by the detection means 16.

These are shaped so that they can detect the approach of a charge projectile formed such as a missile or a rocket (projectile speed of the order of 200 to 800m / s).

They may include one or more radar detectors and / or one or more optical detectors, they will include also calculation means making it possible to determine the velocity of the projectile and deduce from it the moment of initiation optimal for shaped loads.

The operation of this active protection device is the next.

In response to the identification of a threat by the detecting the approach of a projectile such as a missile or a rocket in the vicinity of the housing, the detection means 16 control the initiation of the device at the optimum instant protection.

The initiation time is determined using of calculation algorithms according to the measured speed for the projectile and the distance from the wall at which this one is found. The initiation of the charges formed is caused at an instant such that the detected projectile located at a distance from the housing between 0.5 m and 2 m.

The electronic control system will initiate the different rows of loads formed in sequence. All loads formed from a single row will be initiated simultaneously, the other rows being initiated successively with initiation delays of around 20 at 50 microseconds.

Due to the multiplication of the number of charges formed 33 as well as the spatial offset of the different axes of the charges, the probability of interception of the projectile found increased. It is further increased by the shift temporal instants of initiation from one row to another.

We are thus guaranteed to destroy the incident projectile well before it hits the case.

Efficiency is therefore ensured even against projectiles with charges formed in tandem and this with a mass for the relatively small protective case (about 4 kg).

As a variant, it is possible to adopt a number of charges formed 33 different. We can also have the charges formed in several parallel rows between them, for example two rows of loads in the vicinity of each wall of the case, for a total of eight rows of loads formed. In this case we will have the solidarity charges of the same wall in two staggered rows so to increase the probability of interception of a projectile by the device. The two load rows of a single wall can be initiated simultaneously or sequentially.

Such a protective device is only effective if the projectile has a trajectory bringing it into the area efficiency of the case.

It is therefore preferable to associate several boxes distributed on different walls of the vehicle with a means of centralized detection which will determine the box (es) which must be initiated as a result of the approach of a threat.

Figures 6a and 6b thus show an armored vehicle 37 which has several protective boxes 1.

• des boítiers 1b disposés latéralement sur la tourelle,
• des boítiers 1c disposés sur les glacis,
• des boítiers 1d disposés en partie avant,
• des boítiers 1e disposés sur les protection latérales de chenilles,
• des boítiers 1f disposés en protection de motorisation.

We can see in the figure:

• housings 1b disposed laterally on the turret,
• boxes 1c arranged on the glazes,
• 1d boxes arranged in the front part,
• boxes 1e arranged on the side protection of tracks,
• 1f boxes arranged in motor protection.

• des radars 39 de proximité disposés sur la tourelle (dans l'exemple représenté ici),
• des caméras optiques 40 à transfert de charge (CCD) ou des caméras infrarouge rapides,
• une ou plusieurs barrières optiques 41, 42.

The vehicle is equipped with centralized detection means ensuring the watch (alert) of the immediate environment of the tank and the pursuit of the projectile (trajectography). These means are designed either to ensure simultaneous and permanent standby and tracking functions, or they are capable of rapidly switching from standby mode to tracking mode. They can include:

• proximity radars 39 placed on the turret (in the example shown here),
• charge transfer optical cameras (CCD) 40 or fast infrared cameras,
• one or more light barriers 41, 42.

Lateral optical barriers can be provided 42 in the form of sensor strips (infrared or diodes laser). These bars will detect the approach of projectiles attacking the vehicle laterally (direction of detection 44). Sensors detecting the approach of the projectile provide localization of the attack direction of this one. A central computer that coordinates the different detection means will deduce therefrom the active box or boxes which must be initiated.

We can also provide (in addition to the bars or a replacement) a roof barrier 41 to conical beam which will be fixed to a telescopic mast 43 (detection directions 45).

It is of course possible to associate on the same vehicle formed anti-load protection boxes (Figures 3a, 3b) and anti protective boxes kinetic projectiles (Figures 1a, 1b, 2).

The protection device according to the invention may well obviously be adapted to the wall of a fixed structure, such a building, a hangar, a mobile unit (such as a communications relay).

Claims (11)

1. An active protection device for a wall, notably a vehicle wall, comprising at least one shaped charge (4, 33) having a direction of action (30, 36) substantially parallel or else inclined with respect to the vehicle wall as well as detection means (16) ensuring the triggering of the shaped charge in reply to the onset of a projectile, such device being characterized in that it incorporates at least four shaped charges (4, 33) arranged in at least one casing (1), said shaped charge being arranged on one side of a quadrilateral.
2. An active protection device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the casing (1) encloses four dihedral shaped charges (4) forming a quadrilateral and having converging directions of action.
3. An active protection device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the directions of action of the shaped charges (4) are inclined with respect to the vehicle wall and oriented towards the outside of the vehicle.
4. An active protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection means comprise at least one panel (17) comprising at least two electrical contacts (18,19) closed off by the impact of a projectile.
5. An active protection device according to Claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the detection means comprise four independent contact panels, each panel controlling the triggering of a different dihedral charge.
6. An active protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection means (16) comprise at least one panel incorporating at least one conductor cable (22, 23) broken by an impacting projectile.
7. An active protection device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the detection means can comprise at least two cables (22, 23) broken by the impact of a projectile, each cable being arranged such as to go alternatively from a first edge of the panel to a second edge parallel to the first making a cover of the panel by means of a network of substantially parallel lines (26, 29), the lines of the network being formed by a first cable (22) being perpendicular to those of the network formed by a second cable (23) such as to form a grid on the panel surface.
8. An active protection device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the detection means (16) comprise a control system (14) to ensure measurement of the resistance of the detection cables (22, 23), such as to locate the impact point of the projectile on the panel, and that controls the triggering of the dihedral charge nearest the point of impact.
9. An active protection device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the delay means (15) are provided to ensure the sequential ignition of the other charges after the ignition of a first charge.
10. An active protection device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the casing (1) encloses at least four cylindrical shaped charges (33), each of such charges being arranged on the side of a quadrilateral and the directions of action of such charges being inclined with respect to the vehicle wall.
11. An active protection device according to Claim 10, characterized in that it incorporates at least two casings (1) and in that the detection means (16) comprise at least one electromagnetic or optical central sensor, such sensor being connected to computation means that determine the approach direction of a projectile and its velocity and that controls the ignition of at least one charge from one of these casings.

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