EP1095238B1 - Device for eliminating means of combat - Google Patents

Abstract

An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) system with improved applications has a hollow charge (4) contained in a non metallic, plastic housing (1) and with the shaping (3) of the hollow charge of amorphous material. The detonator (6) is plugged into the top cover (5) of the housing and the system positioned at the end of a support (16) via a universal joint (12,13,14). This enables the operator to best align the EOD with the ordnance (M) for maximum effect.

Description

The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is the declared goal of numerous states and humanitarian Organizations scattered across the globe To clear minefields and those still on all former Theaters of war to eliminate existing unexploded ordnance.

The previous practice, mines and duds by means of others Explosive ordnance has proven to be very dangerous and often proven ineffective. The ongoing development and the use of proximity, vibration, and detonators responding to magnetic field changes are more difficult mine clearance is enormous and makes it immeasurably more expensive.

They are devices according to the preamble of claim 1 known (DE -C1-36 23 240), the so-called "low order Technique ", i.e. one on a tripod, for example attached beam-forming shaped charge is in their Penetration performance on the shell of the defuse Ammunition set to target it, without initiating it. This can make it a relatively safe Disposal of the ammunition by removing the explosive charge or by burning them off.

However, the necessary adjustment of the Breakthrough performance because this is either due to different Charges or as known from DE -C1-36 23 240, through optional placement of the beam power reducing Components made of metal (in practice brass), only empirically can happen. Although the known device is relative is designed low in metal, is just by the attached component, in addition to the metallic lining another metal introduced into the system what when approaching modern detonators to detonate the ammunition can bring, at least with larger minefields, causes a sustainable soil contamination with heavy metals. In addition, the clearing effort is often difficult to access Locations by the necessary adjustment of the beam power to the object to be cleared, complex and required an additional logistics.

From GB -A- 2 254 402 is one in a plastic housing watertight encapsulated cutting charge (linear cutting charge) known mainly for marine engineering Applications. The one used is preferred Lining made of a ductile material high Density like copper. The also mentioned possibility of However, plastic, ceramic or glass are used at the same time discarded again, as this detonated to Tending to pulverize - A cutting charge is due to its linear cutting beam is generally not suitable for the disposal of weapons; their breakthrough performance not enough.

A destructive charge (AT -B- 398 634) with a three-legged Tripod for simplified vertical positioning of the load has insertion openings into which rod-like feet hold different lengths by friction - disadvantageous is that the destructive charge is in its angular position is not adjustable, so depending on the surface and size the effectiveness of the ammunition to be destroyed Charge is at least impaired.

An improved tripod is described in US-A-5 210 368. Its height can be adjusted in such a way that a remote triggering of the detonator of the destructive ammunition is possible.- The relative low adjustment height from the ground and the limitation of Can be rotated to the respectively set horizontal level makes it impossible to use it in the sense of the "Low Order Technique".

From US -A- 5 301 594 a stationary machine for Defuse unexploded ordnance, for sampling and sealing known. This machine is for field use, completely unsuitable, especially for mine clearance.

For detonating multiple objects at the same time or sequentially central ignition. is a DE facility -A1- 195 14 122 suitable. This facility requires that Attaching explosive devices to the weapon to be destroyed and is in some cases too dangerous and especially for Clearing minefields etc. unsuitable.

In the disposal of ordnance (abbreviation: KMB) or in English Called EOD (Explosive Ordonance Disposal Systems), there is always a risk of premature triggering, for example by addressing contained in mines electromagnetic sensors by the existing ones in the KMB Metal parts and / or resulting field changes, especially by moving explosive charges with inlaid metallic linings during installation in the field of mines.

In addition, these linings cause, especially when they consist of heavy metals, further emissions, before especially in areas with high mine density and pollute the Fauna, flora, soils and the ground and surface waters quite substantial and permanent.

It has also been repeated when clearing minefields demonstrated that these heavy metals - even after Detonation of mines - initiate mine detectors and thus lead to false reports. This will increase the detection rate reduced in clearance; as a result is security mine clearance personnel - in addition to not eliminable danger - again enormously reduced.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to be safe functioning device for the disposal of ordnance to create which the aforementioned disadvantages do not exhibits, is metal-free and precise from the weapon distant destruction or simplified elimination allows. The KMB's to be created are not supposed to be substances contain, which significantly burden the environment can.

At the same time, the object is intended to eliminate Explosive devices, for example for security reasons are not identifiable. Also supposed to so that unexploded ordnance is blown up safely and in an environmentally friendly manner and will not lead to false reports for mine clearance.

Furthermore, the device should be as inexpensive as possible and with known, modern manufacturing means in large series can be produced.

The KMB support is said to be highly adaptable the location and the type of weapon have and also be metal-free.

All materials used should also have a low, have relative dielectric constant, too sensitive electronic sensors based on general field changes address, not trigger.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

Surprisingly, projectile-forming shaped charges with amorphous, not galvanically conductive linings, mines and duds up to a distance of several Ignite meters safely or at least render them harmless.

The subject of the invention is advantageously by the means attached to the cover and / or to the housing on the Target (weapon) aligned, but the real thing Straightening by known mechanical and / or optical Devices.

It has been shown that for ordnance disposal already low energies are sufficient, namely because it is in most cases the housing and / or the ignition chain is sufficient the dangerous ammunition by means of a shaped charge to drill and not, as previously assumed, this necessary to explode or at least deflagrate bring to.

Based on this knowledge, relatively large ones can also be found Weapons with little technical and financial effort eliminate, i.e. so far as to render them harmless safe, for example by a subsequent targeted Burn it, destroy it.

According to current knowledge, as materials for the linings technical glass, but also organic glass, ceramics, in particular aluminum oxide and numerous plastics with a relatively high density such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene. The concept of a non-galvanic conductive amorphous material, i.e. no electric Ladder, also includes glass mixtures, the metals or metal oxides have been added so that the glasses remain non-conductive and therefore of common metal detectors are not detected by mines and do not trigger them.

It has been shown that the performance of amorphous linings through their design as projectile-building Charge is increased.

Advantageous further developments are in dependent claims described the subject of the invention.

A dome-shaped design of the lining results in a molding process the first 15 cm of your flight, which corresponds to an almost ideal shape of a projectile and achieved a high drilling effect at the target.

Lining is required for technical and economic reasons made of glass preferred.

Ceramic linings, in particular Al ₂ O ₃ , have also been tried and tested, but these appear to be uneconomical in their production owing to the required sintering process and the necessary finishing (grinding).

The design of a ball joint allows in the simplest Align the shaped charge with the target.

Another support, the flexibility, has proven itself the use of the KMB increased again.

With the optionally insertable support rods, the Define the altitude of the KMB within wide limits.

Breakpoints allow easy adjustment of the Support rods to the required height and also provide a desired "dismemberment" of the rods upon detonation.

Inclusion of support ribs inside the housing leaves a direct placement of the KMB on the one to be destroyed Ordnance too and results in a mechanically perfect Centering the lining.

The installation of the KMB is particularly easy with the realize design with an annular groove.

A tapered ring groove results in a clamping effect, which the Assembly made easier again.

The insertion of an ignition device is particularly advantageous in a hollow cylinder.

Exemplary embodiments are described below with the aid of drawings the invention explained in more detail.

Fig. 1

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Hohlladung bei der Minenräumung,

Fig. 2

ein Aufsatz für eine pyrotechnisch initiierte Zündung der Hohlladung Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine elektrisch initiierte Hohlladung in einer seitlichen Ansicht beim Sprengen eines Blindgängers,

Fig. 4

einen Support mit zwei schematisch eingezeichneten Positionen der Hohlladung bei der Kampfmittelbeseitigung,

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Hohlladung mit einer projektilbildenden Auskleidung und

Fig. 6

eine sequentielle, schematische Darstellung der Projektilbildung der Auskleidung nach Fig. 5.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a sectional view of a shaped charge in the mine clearance,

Fig. 2

an attachment for a pyrotechnically initiated ignition of the shaped charge Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

an electrically initiated shaped charge in a side view when blasting a dud,

Fig. 4

a support with two schematically drawn positions of the shaped charge in the disposal of ordnance,

Fig. 5

a sectional view of a shaped charge with a projectile-forming lining and

Fig. 6

5 shows a sequential, schematic representation of the projectile formation of the lining according to FIG. 5.

In all figures, the same reference numbers are used for the same Functional parts used.

In Fig. 1, 1 denotes a plastic housing, which an explosive charge 2 which has a conical shape Contains lining 3 made of glass. The one so formed Hollow charge 4 is also made by a cover 5 Plastic, completed, this lid 5 is an annular groove 17, which has the cylindrical edge of the housing 1 non-positively. Is located above the cover 5 in the axial direction, a hollow cylindrical attachment 27 through a protective cap 20 slotted in the center is covered.

A ball carrier 12 projects on an end face of the cover 5 out, which holds a ball 13, which in turn from a Ball socket 14 is partially included and thus a ball joint forms. The ball socket 14 goes into a connecting sleeve 15 over, in which a rod 16 is inserted.

Support ribs 18 can be seen in the lower part of the housing 1, on which the lining 3 is supported at the end. The spherical cap of the housing 1 has a frontal one Predetermined breaking point 19, in the form of a recess.

The beam direction of the shaped charge beam is denoted by S; the schematically represented mine with M.

The KMB according to FIG. 1 is initiated by insertion an ignition device 28, FIG. 2 with its sleeve-like trained ignition channel 7 in the slotted protective cap 20 in the hollow cylindrical attachment 27. The cavities in the ignition device 28 and in the ignition channel 7 are by a usual secondary explosives such as hexogen or octogen filled and direct the detonation into the Explosive charge 2.

Above the ignition channel 7 there is a known one Primer 6, which is in the igniter housing 8 laterally is composed and fixed.

The shaped charge 4, FIG. 1, is initiated by a Insert a fuse in two opposite one another lateral recess 8a in the igniter housing 8. About this For this purpose, a tab 11 is pulled off a nipple 11a and a cover 9 attached to a bending tab 10 open. After inserting the fuse, the Cover 9 closed and the tab 11 over the nipple 11a pulled and thereby fixed.

An analog shaped charge 4 is according to FIG. 3 on a bomb B. directed, but here an electrical ignition cable 29th with an end-side glow starter 29a with one removed installed ignition generator 30 is connected.

In Fig. 4, a support 23 is shown, which the facilitated Orientation of the KMB serves. Support 23 there are three bores 24 in which support rods of any length 25 can be inserted with predetermined breaking points 26.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the support 23 allows an adjustment of the beam direction S of the shaped charge 4 the weapon to be destroyed. - By an optimal Use of the potential beam power can be achieved using small KMB's are also blown up large objects, especially if the beam direction S on at least a part the war chain of the ordnance is aimed.

While in Fig. 1 an easy to manufacture, conical Liner 3 made of industrial glass, in conjunction with a Explosive charge 2 from a notoriously known secondary explosive 5 is a projectile-forming, dome-shaped lining 3 'is provided.

To ignite the explosive charge, which also consists of octogen 2 'is a booster charge which is also known per se 22 made of hexogen (RDX) or octogen (HMX), which is an improved alignment of the detonation wave towards the highest point of the calotte of the lining 3 'results.

The structure of the shaped charge 4 'basically corresponds to that of the previously described shaped charges 4, FIG. 1. For stability reasons, however, the ball carrier 12 'and the ball 13 'on a circumferential clamping bracket 21 on the cylindrical Part of the shaped charge 4 'attached.

The illustration in FIG. 6 shows the shaping process of the Lining 3 'in their chronological sequence. From this recognizes that after 10 µs the dome shape of the lining 3 ' is only hinted at after 20 µs deforms into a projectile which after 80 µs, i.e. after a distance of less than 12 cm is finally shaped and a high drilling capacity, i.e. a high penetration in the target.

in the described exemplary embodiments were commercially available Used plastics, so the housing 4, 4 'made of glass fiber reinforced PBT (polybutylene terephthalate); the covers 5, 5 'also made of glass fiber reinforced PBT; the housing of the igniter 28 made of PE (polyethylene) and the ignition channel 7 made of a thin-walled aluminum sheet. Of course, the ignition channel can also be made of POM (polyoxymethylene) be made.

The support consists of POM; the rods 16 and 25 made of glass fiber reinforced PA6 (caprolactam polyamide).

For blasting tank mines and other larger weapons at distances of several meters there are larger ones KMB has proven itself, for example with a caliber of 66 mm. This were placed on standard photo / video tripods and over grain and rear sight - a plastic strip - to the target aligned.

Basically, all conceivable non-metallic, amorphous materials suitable for linings, however limit the economy and / or density.

Technical glass linings have proven to be optimal (Industrial glass) as this is easy Pressing processes are inexpensive to manufacture and one Have density that has a sufficient penetration surrender to the target.

Because in every mine field, for logistical reasons, numerous similar mines are installed, it is recommended from economic Reasons to use a KMB whose caliber and lining to the required minimum performance in the Goal is matched. To increase the density and thus the Breakthrough performance can be further, the glass itself add known substances; in addition to strontium also appear Tellurium and the smallest amounts of thalium the task to fulfill.

Of course, the subject of the invention is not on limited use for demining etc., there are civil applications are also conceivable, for example in connection with safety measures on pressure vessels, lines etc., i.e. in all cases where there are no dangerous metallic Contamination may arise.

Also the object for remote controlled blasting of unidentified sabotage objects, such as "explosives packages" etc. suitable and can be easily attached to appropriate Arranged vehicles, directed from these and be ignited.

Claims (12)

1. A device for the disposal of weapons, such as mines, unexploded bombs and unidentified explosive objects, comprising a piece of ammunition having a detonating capsule/detonating chain or a detonating fuse in a plastics housing containing a hollow charge, the lining thereof being supported in the plastics housing at the front end and an adjustable support being provided for aiming the piece of ammunition at the weapon to be disposed of and, initiated by the detonating fuse or by remote control, for producing in the weapon an opening serving to disarm it, characterised in that the lining (3, 3') is formed as a projectile-forming charge and in that it comprises a non-electrically conductive, amorphous material.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the lining (3') is cup-shaped.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the lining (3, 3') is made of glass.
4. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the lining (3, 3') is made of ceramic.
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the adjustable support has a ball (13) projecting from a cover (5) of the plastics housing and, together with an attached socket (14), forming a ball-and-socket joint connected to a rod (16).
6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that a further support (23) is provided, into which the rod (16) with the ball-and-socket joint (13, 14) can be positively inserted and fixed.
7. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that three bores (24), into which supporting rods (25) are insertable, are provided in the further support (23).
8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the supporting rods (25) have predetermined breaking points (26) over a large part of their length.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that supporting ribs (18), on which the lining (3) is supported, are arranged inside the housing (1) at the front end.
10. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the cover (5, 5') has an annular groove (17, 17'), into which the cylindrical part of the housing (1, 1') is inserted.
11. A device according to claim 10, characterised in that the annular groove (17) tapers in the direction of the cover (5, 5').
12. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the cover (5, 5') has a hollow cylindrical attachment (27, 27'), into which a detonator (28) is insertable.

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