EP1742007A1 - Device for firing simulation ammunition - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a loader comprising inert and pyrotechnic sub-assemblies respectively formed of inert parts (200) and pyrotechnic parts (300), where the inert parts comprise a multilayer printed board (210) with two outer shielding layers. Each inert part comprises an electronic component (220) and each pyrotechnic part comprises a pyrotechnic composition (310). The electronic component is disposed facing the pyrotechnic composition and converts electrical energy into heat and/or mechanical energy directly used for lighting the pyrotechnic composition.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for generating a pyrotechnic effect for the simulation of kick start or impact restoration.

The present invention applies in particular to a simulation munitions firing device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device comprising a universal launcher receiving simulation ammunition loaders.

The present invention is not limiting and therefore describes a device that can be applied to many applications.

Those skilled in the art knows many devices for firing simulation ammunition, to simulate a kick start or impact.

These include a launcher in which are arranged one or more chargers, each of these loaders having several ammunition. In the context of the present invention, launcher means any means of physical support chargers.

The launcher functions on the one hand to transmit to each charger and each ammunition information allowing ignition of ammunition and secondly to transmit ignition energy to these same chargers.

Each charger includes pyrotechnic compositions. These pyrotechnic compositions may differ from each other by their nature. They may also differ in the mass of the load used. This makes it possible to generate different pyrotechnic effects. To do this, the launcher also manages an ammunition firing sequence adapted to the desired pyrotechnic effect, to simulate for example a shot departure of a tank or the effects of a shell impact.

Within each charger, the ignition energy received from the launcher is transmitted, by means of an igniter, to the pyrotechnic composition of the ammunition, the initiation of this igniter allowing the transmission of energy to the composition. pyrotechnic.

Typically, the igniter, initiating the pyrotechnic composition of an ammunition, is itself of a pyrotechnic nature. The initiation of this igniter is performed by an electric means. In addition, this igniter is generally disposed in contact with a pyrotechnic composition of the simulation munition. This type of device raises several difficulties.

Indeed, the use of an igniter of a pyrotechnic nature is not always a satisfactory means insofar as inadvertent ignition, that is to say without authorization from the launcher, and resulting from any electromagnetic disturbance , can initiate the igniter and consequently the pyrotechnic composition of the ammunition.

In addition, the direct contact that usually exists between a charger lighter and a pyrotechnic composition of the ammunition also does not promote perfect security.

These difficulties are particularly sensitive for simulation munitions firing devices because compositions of different types can be implemented within the various munitions of the device. Indeed, a simulation usually includes a well-established shooting sequence of several ammunition. The initiation of a single igniter of the device and consequently a pyrotechnic composition of one of the ammunition, especially during storage and transport phases, is sufficient to render the simulation ineffective. This situation can all the more occur that the compositions used can be of different natures and thus of different sensitivities to the ignition.

In addition, the charger comprising an igniter in contact with the pyrotechnic composition forces the manufacturer to control both the electronic part of the charger, part being adapted to exchange information and energy with the launcher, and to control also the pyrotechnic composition, under all the possibilities proper to generate the desired simulation.

This type of simulation munitions firing device must be improved.

This object is achieved in the context of the present invention by means of a simulation munitions firing device comprising a launcher and at least one charger characterized in that a charger comprises two distinct subsets, one said to be inert and the other said other pyrotechnic, these subsets being respectively formed of inert parts and pyrotechnic parts, said inert parts each comprising at least one electronic component and said pyrotechnic portions each comprising a pyrotechnic composition, said at least one electronic component transforming a pyrotechnic energy. electrical nature in an energy of thermal and / or mechanical nature directly employed in the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition.

• Fig. 1 présente un schéma en vue de coupe d'un composant élémentaire de chargeur conforme à la présente invention ;
• Fig. 2 présente un schéma en perspective d'un sous-ensemble inerte des chargeurs conforme à la présente invention ;
• Fig. 3 présente un synoptique du circuit de la gestion des sécurités et de l'énergie d'allumage des chargeurs conformément à la présente invention;
• Fig. 4 présente un synoptique de la mise en oeuvre des simulateurs conformément à la présente invention ;
• La figure 1 décrit un composant élémentaire 100 d'un chargeur conforme à la présente invention. Le composant élémentaire 100 du chargeur est formé d'une première partie inerte 200 et d'une deuxième partie pyrotechnique 300.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on the following detailed reading and where:

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an elementary charger component according to the present invention;
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective diagram of an inert subset of chargers according to the present invention;
• Fig. 3 presents a block diagram of the circuit of the security management and ignition energy of the chargers in accordance with the present invention;
• Fig. 4 presents a block diagram of the implementation of the simulators according to the present invention;
• Figure 1 depicts an elementary component 100 of a charger according to the present invention. The elementary component 100 of the charger is formed of a first inert portion 200 and a second pyrotechnic portion 300.

The inert portion 200 consists of a multilayer printed circuit board 210 comprising at least two outer layers of shielding for better mechanical protection of the device as well as protection against any electromagnetic interference.

This inert part 200 also comprises several inner layers, preferably between two and four, allowing for they exchange information and energy with the launcher through a connection system (not shown). These internal layers are also used for the management of safety and fire rates and the distribution of fire energy.

The inert part 200 also comprises one or more electronic components 220 used to transmit an ignition energy to the pyrotechnic composition 310. As for them, these electronic components 220 receive this energy necessary for the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 through an electronic circuit located in the inner layers of the inert portion 200 and the connection system connected to the launcher, which launcher comprises or is connected to a source of electrical energy. This electrical energy necessary for the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 is transmitted directly to the said at least one electronic component 220. Direct transmission means that no pyrotechnic means is used upstream of the at least one electronic component 220 , and only one type of (electrical) energy is used between the power source and the at least one electronic component 220.

This at least one electronic component 220 is located near the pyrotechnic composition 310, and preferably facing it without direct contact. This at least one electronic component 220 may be a component of resistive type, a capacitive component or any other ignition means adapted to receive an energy in electrical form and to transmit the received energy to the pyrotechnic composition 310.

The pyrotechnic portion 300 shown comprises a cell 320 containing the pyrotechnic composition 310.

The two inert parts 200 and pyrotechnic 300 are connected to each other by means of rivets 400 which allow to fix them together rigidly. This is made possible with connecting elements 330 of the pyrotechnic part 300 which pass through the printed circuit board 210. To do this, orifices 230 are provided in the printed circuit board. 210. The rivets 400, as well as the connecting elements 330, are dimensioned so that the thrust force generated by the gases produced during the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 does not imply a separation, at the level of the rivets 400. , of the two inert 200 and pyrotechnic parts 300 during ignition.

Connecting elements 340 make it possible to rigidly fix the wall 321 of the cell with the connecting elements 330.

In addition, there is provided at least one seal 500 between the wall 321 of the cell 320 and the printed circuit board 210. This at least one seal 500 allows a perfect seal between the two inert parts 200 and pyrotechnic 300 so that any leakage gases produced by the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 is avoided.

The bottom 322 of the cell 320 is provided with weakening zones so that the rupture thereof is facilitated during ignition. The presence of the seal 500 and the fixing of the inert and pyrotechnic parts 200 200 by the rivets 400 ensure that the thrust force exerted by the gases produced during the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 is fully exercised on the bottom 322 of the alveole 320, thus allowing the optimal realization of the simulation effect.

According to a preferred embodiment, there is no direct contact between an electronic component 220 and the pyrotechnic composition 310, a space 350 being provided between the two.

The ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 is actually effected by the deterioration of the at least one electronic component 220. If the electronic component 220 is a capacitive type component whose capacitance is of value C, the deterioration of this component may be obtained by applying a voltage greater than its breakdown voltage. The deterioration of this component can also be achieved by inverting the polarity, especially when using a chemical capacitor. By bursting, the capacitive component causes the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition 310 by transforming the electrical energy received from the energy source into an energy of a thermal nature and / or of a mechanical nature. In the case of a component of type capacitive, and preferably, it is the shock wave (mechanical energy) produced by the bursting of the component that allows the transmission of energy from the electronic component 220 to the pyrotechnic charge 310.

Similarly, if the electronic component 220 is a resistive type component whose resistance is of value R, then a voltage is applied generating an intensity of the electric current greater than the intensity that the resistive component is able to withstand. The overheating of the resistive type component then produces the same effects described above with the use of a capacitive component, namely the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition by deterioration of the component and transformation of the electrical energy received from the source energy in an energy of thermal nature and / or mechanical nature.

Figure 2 reveals the arrangement of the different pyrotechnic parts 300 relative to each other. Each of the pyrotechnic parts 300 is rigidly connected to a plate 600 which is common to them, the plate assembly 600 and pyrotechnic parts 300 constituting a common subset of the charger, called a pyrotechnic subassembly.

The shape of the pyrotechnic sub-assembly is adapted to the firing device used, comprising a universal launcher. The amount of cells 320 disposed in the plate 600 is therefore adapted to the firing device used. Under these conditions, the case presented showing 64 cells is not limiting.

The charger is also constituted by a second subset, said inert subset (not shown). This inert subassembly is formed by all the inert parts 200 shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the inert subassembly is in one piece and its dimensions are adapted to the dimensions of the plate 600 of FIG. pyrotechnic subassembly. In this case, the inert part 200 is only part of a larger physical set, preferably in the form of a plate.

In an alternative embodiment, however, it can be envisaged that the inert subset is physically composed of several pieces, each of these pieces forming a plate comprising several inert parts 200. It can even be envisaged that each cell 320 is vis-à-vis screw with an inert portion 200, forming a plate physically independent of other inert parts. In all cases, each inert portion 200 is connected to the launcher.

The installation of the device is particularly easy, since once the desired pyrotechnic compositions 310 have been introduced into the cells 320 of the plate 600, it is sufficient to close the charger by riveting the two inert and pyrotechnic subassemblies. Preferably, this riveting is carried out hot and the attachment can be further consolidated by depositing a resin on at least a portion of the inert subassembly and on rivets 400. Preferably the contour of the inert subassembly coming into contact lateral walls 620, 630, 640, 650 of the plate 600 are covered with this resin.

During the installation of this device, it may also be envisaged to deposit the resin between each cell 320, that is to say at the holes 610 of the plate 600. This has advantages in terms of holding mechanical plate 600 but also and especially as to the quality of the insulation cells 320 between them. This insulation improves the efficiency against any inadvertent ignition of a pyrotechnic composition 310 located in a cell 320 and whose ignition was not desired by transmission of a thermal energy and / or mechanical from the ignition of a pyrotechnic composition of a neighboring cell.

Whether using electronic components 220 such as capacitive type, resistive type, or any other suitable means as described above, the nature of the components of the firing circuits are typically the same, at the level of the launcher as on the printed circuit board 210. On the other hand, the ignition energy supplied to the electronic components 220 before to be adapted to the type of electronic component 220 used, the characteristics of the components of the firing circuits are adapted accordingly.

It may be envisaged in one embodiment of the invention to set up within each of the chargers identical electronic components by their nature and their characteristics. In this case, adaptation means that the ignition energy provided differs depending on whether capacitive type components, resistive type components, or any other suitable means as described above. It is understood that the energy required for the deterioration of a capacitive type component is not generally the same as the energy required for the deterioration of a component of the resistive type. In this embodiment, and in the case where capacitive type elements are used, it is also understood that the energy supplied to each of these capacitive components is identical. Obviously, this possibility can also be considered in the event that resistive components or any other suitable means as described above are used.

It may also be envisaged, in another embodiment, and if one chooses capacitive type electronic components, to implement capacitors whose values C _N differ from each other as a function of the pyrotechnic compositions 310 installed. in each cell 320. In this way, the ignition energy is optimized according to the nature of each pyrotechnic composition. Again, this possibility can also be considered in the event that resistive components or any other suitable means as described above are used.

Thus, the adaptation of the means used in the firing device makes it possible to perform all types of simulations. Among these, one can simulate a departure and / or an impact of gunshots, machine gun shots, or all types of small and medium-sized weapons.

These simulations can be envisaged with a universal launcher and several loaders, each of the loaders comprising a certain amount of elementary components 100, but it is quite possible taking into account the means described in the present invention to implement mixed loaders, that is to say where at least one charger can simulate both impacts and / or kick starts and this also for different calibers. As a non-limiting example, it is possible with the same loader, to perform a simulation of starting a gun and an impact of weapons.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the firing system. This block diagram notably shows a block 700 representing the functionalities included on the printed circuit board 210. The block 700 comprises two sub-blocks forming an electronic circuit, the first sub-block 710 providing the distribution of the firing energies and the second sub-block 720 ensuring the management of security and the implementation of firing rates that is to say simulation.

The sub-block 720 comprises a means 721 adapted to receive and generate logical information and clocked by a clock 722. This means 721 may be, by way of nonlimiting example, a microcontroller, a microprocessor or a means of execution a preprogrammed function. This means 721 acts on two distinct security stages 711 and 712 of the sub-block 710 respectively allowing the application of a voltage 760 or 770 to the stages concerned. The means 721 only allows the power up 770 to the second security stage 712 only after the first security stage 711 has been unlocked by its power-up 760, powered up 760 enabled by the control signal 730 supplied by the The means 721 then supplies a control signal 740 to the second stage 712 so that it is unlocked and can power-up the electronic components 220.

Thus, the ignition of the various pyrotechnic charges by means of the electronic components 220 can not be effected by an external action on the launcher, by acting for example on the connections with a battery, the security stages 711, 712 and management thereof being located at the charger which is inaccessible directly from the outside.

This means 721 is also in electrical contact with inputs / outputs 800 connected to the launcher, itself in contact with a simulator. It is therefore through these inputs / outputs 800 that the means 721 is able to apply the firing sequence of the different ammunition, in dialogue with the launcher, in order to perform the desired simulation. This firing sequence managed by the means 721 is information then transmitted by the different electrical connections to each of the electronic components 220.

Sub-block 710 supplies the necessary ignition energy to electronic components 220 by means of an electric power source 810 included in the launcher or connected to the launcher. This energy source 810 supplies power to the first security stage 711 (power-up 760) and also the second security stage 712 (power-up 770) and consequently the electronic components 220.

It should be understood that the power up is accompanied by the information bearing the firing sequence so that the ignition energy is directed to the elementary component 100 of the desired charger, in due time.

Figure 4 presents a synopsis of the implementation of the simulations. A simulator 900 dedicated to a specific charger is able to communicate with a universal launcher 820 by means of a common interface 830 and adaptable to the different types of simulator 900 implemented.

With the same launcher, we can expect all types of simulators. By way of nonlimiting examples, this can be either a simulator 910 for a simulation of a hit on a building, or a simulator 920 for a simulation of a 35mm gun shot, or a simulator 930 for a simulation of 20mm gun departure. Finally, it is still possible to envisage a simulator 940 for a mixed charger allowing, by way of non-limiting example, to perform at the a 35mm cannon firing start simulation and a small caliber ammunition departure simulation. In the context of the present invention, the universal launcher can receive only one simulator 910, 920, 930, 940 at a time.

Claims (18)

A simulation ammunition firing device comprising a launcher and at least one magazine characterized in that a charger comprises two distinct subassemblies, one said to be inert and the other said to be pyrotechnic, these subassemblies being formed respectively of parts inerts (200) and pyrotechnic parts (300), said inert parts (200) each comprising at least one electronic component (220) and said pyrotechnic portions (300) each comprising a pyrotechnic composition (310), said at least one electronic component (220) being disposed opposite the pyrotechnic composition (310) and transforming an energy of an electrical nature into an energy of a thermal and / or mechanical nature directly used in the ignition of the pyrotechnic composition (310). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one electronic component (220) transmits the ignition energy to the pyrotechnic composition (310) by its own deterioration. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one electronic component (220) is without direct contact with said pyrotechnic composition (310). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inert subassembly comprises a printed circuit board (210) in which an electronic circuit (700) is located. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one electronic component (220) included in each inert portion (200) is fixed on the printed circuit board (210). Device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the printed circuit board (210) comprises outer layers of shielding and layers providing the electrical connection between said at least one electronic component (220) and a launcher. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of different inert parts (200), thus constituting the inert subset, is in one piece, that is to say physically constituted of a single plate. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pyrotechnic subassembly comprises a plate (600) on which the pyrotechnic parts (300) are rigidly connected. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pyrotechnic part (300) comprises a cell (320) intended to contain the pyrotechnic composition (310) and connecting elements (330) intended to be housed in the sub-part. inert whole. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that each cell (320) comprises a vertical wall (321) participating in maintaining the inert portion (200) and a bottom (322) provided with weakening zones to facilitate the ejection of the pyrotechnic composition. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises resin between the cells (320), that is to say at the orifices (610) of the plate (600). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises resin on at least a part of the inert subassembly and in that it comprises rivets (400) on which resin is deposited, for fixing each inert portion (200) of the inert subset to a corresponding pyrotechnic portion (300). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one electronic component (220) is a capacitive type component. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the value C of the capacitive component is adapted to the nature of the pyrotechnic composition (310). Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said at least one electronic component (220) is a component of the resistive type. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the value R of the resistive component is adapted to the nature of the pyrotechnic composition (310). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises within the magazine means (721) managing the unlocking of the security stages (711, 712). Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the means (721) also manages the transmission of firing sequences from said at least one simulator (900).

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