Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
  • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
  • H04K3/60—Jamming involving special techniques
  • H04K3/65—Jamming involving special techniques using deceptive jamming or spoofing, e.g. transmission of false signals for premature triggering of RCIED, for forced connection or disconnection to/from a network or for generation of dummy target signal
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
  • B63G9/00—Other offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels against submarines, torpedoes, or mines
  • B63G9/02—Means for protecting vessels against torpedo attack
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
  • F41H11/00—Defence installations; Defence devices
  • F41H11/02—Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile or anti-torpedo defence installations or systems
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
  • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
  • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
  • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
  • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
  • F42B12/56—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information for dispensing discrete solid bodies
  • F42B12/58—Cluster or cargo ammunition, i.e. projectiles containing one or more submissiles
  • F42B12/60—Cluster or cargo ammunition, i.e. projectiles containing one or more submissiles the submissiles being ejected radially
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
  • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
  • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
  • F42B12/56—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information for dispensing discrete solid bodies
  • F42B12/70—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information for dispensing discrete solid bodies for dispensing radar chaff or infrared material
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
  • H04K3/00—Jamming of communication; Counter-measures
  • H04K3/80—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function
  • H04K3/82—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection
  • H04K3/825—Jamming or countermeasure characterized by its function related to preventing surveillance, interception or detection by jamming
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
  • H04K2203/00—Jamming of communication; Countermeasures
  • H04K2203/10—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application
  • H04K2203/12—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application for acoustic communication
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
  • H04K2203/00—Jamming of communication; Countermeasures
  • H04K2203/10—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application
  • H04K2203/22—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application for communication related to vehicles
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04K—SECRET COMMUNICATION; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION
  • H04K2203/00—Jamming of communication; Countermeasures
  • H04K2203/10—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application
  • H04K2203/24—Jamming or countermeasure used for a particular application for communication related to weapons

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a pyroacoustic device forming a jammer or decoy, for the protection of submarines or surface vessels.
• the object of the present invention is to propose a new device which is more effective than the prior devices known with regard to torpedo homing heads.
• control means capable of initiating said plurality of charges, according to a controlled sequence corresponding to a step between the initiation of two successive charges between 0.2 and 0.5 s.
• FIG. 1 schematically represents, according to a top half view in longitudinal section and a bottom side half view, a housing according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of this structure
• FIG. 3 schematically represents an elementary load according to the invention
• FIG. 4 represents a variant staggered arrangement of charges in accordance with the invention
• FIG. 5 represents a view similar to FIG. 1 of a housing according to a second embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 6 represents a cross-sectional view of this same housing
• FIG. 7 represents a view similar to FIG. 1 of a housing according to a third embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 8 represents a plan view of a wafer of charges of this third embodiment
• FIG. 9 illustrates the implementation of the charges contained in such a wafer
• FIG. 10 represents a rocket designed for the implementation of the device according to the invention
• FIG. 11 schematically illustrates the operation of the device according to the invention
• FIG. 12 represents a transverse view of a base ensuring the connection between a buoy and the housing
• FIGS. 13 and 14 respectively represent views in longitudinal section of this base according to the section planes referenced XIII and XIV in FIG. 12,
• FIG. 15 represents a view in longitudinal section of a rocket according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 represents a cross-sectional view of this rocket
• FIG. 17 shows schematically the sequencing of implementation of the pyrotechnic device according to this alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• This box 100 is connected to a positioning structure controlled underwater.
• a positioning structure controlled under water can be the subject of numerous embodiments.
• it is an inflatable buoy 240 to which the housing 100 is connected by a rope 2100, as will be explained below.
• the positioning structure may not include an inflatable buoy, but an inflated buoy from the outset, or any equivalent means capable of floating on water to support the housing 100 via the rope 2100, or even capable of controlling the descent of the housing 100.
• the positioning structure may not include an element which floats on the surface water, but an element, such as a parachute canopy adapted to control the descent of the housing 100 into the water.
• the housing 100 houses a plurality of charges 110 adapted to each generate an acoustic effect. According to the representation given in Figure 1, these loads 110 which open onto the outer surface of the housing 110 are distributed on a propeller centered on the axis O-O.
• the housing 100 houses means adapted to successively initiate the charges 110 according to a controlled timing.
• these means consist of a reduction motor 120 placed in the upper part of the housing 100 and associated with a supply battery 130.
• the reduction motor 120 drives a shaft 122 centered on the axis O-O.
• the shaft 122 is non-cylindrical in revolution. It is engaged with a plate 124 which, on the one hand is engaged in a spiral guide formed on the housing 100 and on the other hand carries at least one electrically conductive brush 125, preferably two electrically conductive brushes 125, 126 so that when the shaft 122 is driven by the motor 120, the brushes 125, 126 come into contact successively with igniter pads of the different charges 110.
• Each of the charges 110 is preferably formed from a generally cylindrical casing 111 of revolution, tapered radially towards the interior of the casing 100.
• Each casing 111 houses a sound composition 112.
• each casing 111 is provided with an ejection flush 113.
• each housing 111 further comprises a pyrotechnic delay 114.
• an electric igniter 115 is carried by the structure of the housing 100 receiving the charges 110 opposite each flush 113.
• Each igniter 115 communicates with an ejection flush 113.
• each igniter 115 has a supply terminal in contact with the electrically conductive housing 100 on the one hand, and a second terminal accessible opposite the displacement path brushes 125, 126 on the other hand.
• the housing 100 can contain 700 charges 110 implemented in steps of 0.25 seconds.
• FIG. 4 shows a variant of staggered storage of the loads 110, which makes it possible to limit the height of the housing 100.
• a seal is provided between each load 110 and the housing 100, for example by means of an O-ring 116 engaged on the radially internal end of each housing 111.
• each housing 111 is held in the housing 100 by means capable of yielding during the implementation of the ejection flush 113.
• Such temporary retaining means can be formed for example of a toothed washer 117 in taken with a stud 118 formed on the radially external surface of each housing 111 and also coming into engagement with the internal surface of each housing of the housing 100 receiving a load 110.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 The general operation of the device illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 remains essentially identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
• the priming of the battery 130 powers the motor 120.
• the latter drives the rotary striker assembly 140 which is designed so as to automatically strike the percussion caps 130 as a function of its movement, according to an adequate timing.
• FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate another alternative embodiment according to which the housing 100 accommodates several circular wafers 150 stacked axially.
• each wafer 150 itself houses a plurality of elementary charges 110, in chambers which open axially on a main surface of the wafers 150, orthogonal to the axis O-O during storage.
• the housing 100 can thus house, for example, 30 pancakes each containing, for example, 18 charges 110.
• the motor 120 is replaced by an electronic unit 121 connected by means of a bundle of cables 128 to ejection pipes 1150 interposed between the wafers 150.
• each wafer 150 carries an electric igniter 152, preferably in central position.
• Each charge 110 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 consists of a body 111, preferably of plastic material, which contains the sound composition 112, and of a pyrotechnic delay 114.
• the priming of the battery 130 supplies the electronic unit 121.
• each wafer This initiates the electrical igniters 152 of each wafer according to an adequate sequencing.
• the initiation of an igniter 152 causes the ignition of an associated ejection flush 1150, which causes the separation of the wafer 150, the release of its elementary pyroacoustic charges and the ignition of all the pyrotechnic delays 114 of these charges 110.
• each delay 114 has a different duration.
• each pyrotechnic delay 114 initiates the associated sound composition 112, thus creating the desired acoustic effect.
• the sequencing of the electronic unit 121 is such that the end of combustion of the last delay 114 of a wafer 150 corresponds to the initiation of the next wafer 150. Is illustrated in Figure 10, a munition 200 which can be launched from a ship, to implement a countermeasure device according to the present invention.
• This munition 200 comprises an essentially cylindrical body of revolution, around an axis O-O.
• This body comprises a primary part 210 and a secondary part 250.
• the primary part 210 is located at the end of the rocket 200. It preferably houses stabilization fins 220, a propulsion motor 212 (this motor can be a powder motor) and preferably a parachute assembly 230.
• the secondary part 250 houses the useful part of the load comprising the buoy structure 240 and the box 100 containing the sound charges 110.
• the ammunition 200 also has a pyrotechnic impeller 235 placed between the primary part 210 and the secondary part 250 to separate the engine 212 from the payload 240/100 during its initiation.
• a second impeller located in the warhead of the rocket also allows, after firing, to request a piston ensuring the deposition of the payload 240/100 out of its container tube to release the countermeasure device.
• the powder of the first and second impellers is ignited, for example, using an electronic device.
• parachute assembly 230 can be housed in the secondary part 250 and not in the primary part
• the engine 212 can be associated with an asymmetrical parachute ensuring a change of trajectory to the engine 212, after initiation of the first impeller, to prevent the engine from disturbing the trajectory of the payload 240/100.
• an asymmetrical parachute can comply with the provisions described in document FR-A-2 724 222.
• the operation of the system according to the present invention is essentially as follows.
• the ammunition is fired at an elevation and with a precise flight time calculated to reach the desired range ( Figures 11 a and 11 b).
• the pyrotechnic chain is initiated and the rear impeller is fired. This ensures the separation of the motor 212 and the payload 240/100.
• the engine 212 is ejected towards the rear.
• the brake parachute 230, still not deployed, and the payload 240/100 are ejected forward. A halyard connecting the two previous sets is loosened until arriving in tension.
• the aforementioned asymmetrical airfoil fixed on this halyard deploys and inflates to ensure a change of trajectory for the engine 212 which continues its trajectory under the asymmetrical airfoil 124 until the impact with water.
• the payload 240/100 reaches the surface of the water.
• a sensor ensures the separation of the buoy structure 240 and the housing 100 and authorizes the unwinding of the rope 2100 connecting between them.
• the initiation of the housing 100 is operated when the rope 2100 by which the housing 100 is suspended from the buoy structure 240, is tensioned.
• the buoy structure 240 can be inflated by any appropriate means upon impact on the water, for example by a CO2 capsule activated by a striker itself released during the melting of a block of fusible salt in contact with water, for example NaCI.
• the means ensuring the provisional connection, before impact on the water, between the buoy structure 240 and the housing 100 can be the subject of numerous embodiments.
• FIGS. 12 to 14 An embodiment of such means has been illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 14.
• a base 260 designed to be fixed in the upper part of the housing 100.
• the base 260 has a housing 262 receiving a coil of cord 2100. At this level one of the ends of the cord 2100 is connected to the base
• the other end of the rope 2100 is connected to a stud 270 itself secured to the buoy structure 240.
• the stud 270 is held on the top of the base 260 by temporary retaining means.
• They may, for example, be frangible pins adapted to be broken during the impact on water, to allow separation of the buoy structure 240 and the housing 100 and unwinding of the rope 2100.
• the stud 270 is held on the one hand by an ejectable pin 280 and by pins 290 urged into engagement with the stud 270 under a calibrated force.
• the pin 280 and the pins 290 are placed in an upper flange 264 of the base 260.
• the pin 280 is thus placed in a passage 265 formed radially in the flange 264. At rest the pin passes through a complementary bore formed in the stud 270 to prevent withdrawal of the latter.
• the pin 280 is ejected upon impact on the water to release the stud 270 by the gas pressure released by an electrical primer 282.
• the primer 282 is placed in a housing of the flange 264 which communicates with the passage 265 upstream of a recess 281 formed on the pin 280.
• the stud is only held on the base 260 by the pins 290. It is thus preferably provided two diametrically opposed pins 290, placed in complementary passages 266 formed in the flange 264, at 90 ° of the passage 265. The radially internal rounded head of the pins 290 rest in a groove formed on the periphery of the stud 270.
• the pins 290 are kept in engagement with the stud 270 under a calibrated force controlled by all appropriate means.
• the pins 290 can be held in the passages 266 by an arrangement of spring washers 292.
• the pin 280 can be withdrawn on the path, so that the pins 290 give way upon impact on the water.
• the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which have just been described, but extends to all variants in accordance with its spirit.
• the elementary loads 110 are implemented outside the housing 100, as a variant, it is possible to envisage implementing them in their storage position in the housing, subject that the boxes 100 and 111 are adapted to avoid any risk of initiation of a load 110 to the adjacent load.
• the charges 110 are implemented from the bottom to the top of the housing 100 so as to avoid initiation of the charges between them, the charges 110 tending to flow after their release from the housing 100.
• the pitch between the initiation of two successive charges 110 is typically between 0.2 and 0.5 s, preferably between 0.2 and 0.25 s.
• the box 100 can be covered with a frangible skin, for example made of plastic, adapted to be broken during the implementation of each load 110.
• a frangible skin for example made of plastic
• the variant illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17 is adapted to emit a high level chopped signal resulting from the timing of successive pressure fronts created by pyrotechnic reactions.
• the pyroacoustic generator comprises a plurality of under loads or under ammunition 160 linked together by halyards 170.
• the halyards 170 also provide the connection with the rope
• Each submunition 160 is formed by axial stacking of several buckets or elementary loads 110.
• the halyards 170 are preferably adapted so that, as seen in FIG. 17, once deployed, the various under loads 160 form an almost continuous cord of elementary charges 110. This means that the upper end of a given submunition 160 substantially coincides with the lower end of the adjacent upper submunition 160.
• provision may therefore be made for 19 submunitions 160 each comprising 60 elementary charges 110.
• the generator further comprises first delay means 162 adapted to successively initiate the various under charges 160 and second delay means adapted to ensure the successive initiation of the various elementary charges 110 of a submunition 160.
• the first delay means 162 are preferably formed of electronic means integrated into the base of each submunition 160.
• the second delay means are preferably formed of pyrotechnic delays integrated respectively into each elementary charge 110.
• each elementary charge 110 is preferably formed of a cylindrical cup containing a pyrotechnic composition and a pyrotechnic delay body. These delay means are preferably adapted to start the initiation of the charges, by the lower submunition 160, and within a submunition 160, by the lower elementary charge 110.
• the delay means preferably define an identical timing for the different submunitions 160.
• these delay means are preferably adapted so that the time between the initiation of the last elementary charge 110 of a given submunition 160 and the initiation of the first elementary charge
• the rocket 200 illustrated in FIG. 15, adapted for the implementation of this device, essentially comprises a rear part 210 which comprises a propulsion motor 212 associated with fins 220 and a front part 250 which comprises, from the rear towards front a parachute compartment 230, a buoy compartment 240 and the payload consisting of submunitions 160 in a case or box 100.
• a pyrotechnic impeller 235 is placed between the rear part 210 and the front part 250 to separate the latter during its initiation. Also here again, preferably, a second impeller 2350 is located in the warhead 252 of the rocket to deposit the submunitions 160 out of the case 100 on command.
• the rocket preferably also includes an asymmetrical parachute 2300, as indicated above to ensure a change of trajectory for the motor 212, after separation and to prevent the motor 212 from disturbing the trajectory of the payload 160.
• the submunitions 160 each formed from a stack of under charges 110 are juxtaposed axially in the case 100 as seen in particular in FIGS. 15 and 16.
• a safety device and a power source are activated. After positioning at the desired immersion height, the warhead 252 and the case 100 are ejected, releasing the submunitions 160, as is seen in Figures 17a (before ejection of the case 100) and 17b (after ejection of this case 100).
• the operating sequence is then controlled by the long electronic delays 162 associated respectively with each submunition 160, operating in parallel, and by the short pyrotechnic delays, integrated respectively in each elementary charge 110, which operate in series.
• Each elementary charge 110 is initiated by a delay and operates by generating a pressure wave.
• the sequencing of these pressure waves constitutes a chopped noise of long duration, suitable for jamming the sensors of torpedoes or submarines.
• the pyroacoustic device according to the present invention can be adapted to ensure the jamming of submarines alone, or the jamming of submarines and torpedoes.
• the timing is less than half the second case, which allows to double the duration of action of the device.
• the pyroacoustic generator is conditioned to be carried by a rocket as already described.
• the mass and volume constraints are modified, and at substantially constant cost of ammunition, the duration of the pyroacoustic generator can be doubled.
• the device can for example be released using a pneumatic launcher, or simply released by gravity overboard, manually or using a launcher inclined downwards. Installation in the immediate vicinity of the building may lead either to an immediate initiation of the pyrotechnic sequence, or to a delayed initiation. In this case, it is necessary to be able to program before dropping an initiation delay of up to 5 minutes and typically, in the case of a successive dropping of four pyroacoustic generators, initiation delays of 5s, 80s, 120s and 180s.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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ID=9514046

Family Applications (1)

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• 1997
  • 1997-12-02 FR FR9715144A patent/FR2771805B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1998
  • 1998-12-01 ZA ZA9810969A patent/ZA9810969B/xx unknown
  • 1998-12-01 CA CA002312780A patent/CA2312780A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-12-01 DE DE69813285T patent/DE69813285T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-12-01 US US09/581,273 patent/US6430108B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-12-01 WO PCT/FR1998/002578 patent/WO1999028699A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-12-01 AU AU14382/99A patent/AU737923B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1998-12-01 EP EP98958287A patent/EP1034411B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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