EP1967815B1 - Ignition chain for a convertible charge - Google Patents

Abstract

An explosively formed projectile weapon has a trigger (2) linked to a detonator (2a) and an initial explosive charge (2b) that causes the main charge (1c) to explode. The active part of the weapon comprises pellets (4) held against a fixture (3) from which they are expelled at right angles to the fixture. The firing trigger can be directed between a number of different firing presentations. The position chosen for the trigger impinges on either the main charge, a transfer plate, or with a further secondary charge (7) that then acts on the main charge (1c). The inert holder (3) has numerous pellets. The trigger terminates in a dampening plug (6) and may be directed selectively towards one of several secondary trigger explosives.

Description

The invention relates to a switchable active charge with a detonating chain comprising a centrally disposed detonator and a booster charge for initiating the main charge of an active charge in which a perpendicular to the direction of action arranged inert holder is arranged with a plurality of distributed on a circular ring around the ignition chain arranged pellets, wherein the inert Holder abuts a Übertragerplatte. The active charge is part of a warhead and can be switched for use against various objectives regarding their mode of operation during the approach to a target. Here, the search head built into the warhead determines the target type and derives the most effective mode. In particular, the following modes of action are possible: Either the formation of a compact projectile (EFP = explosively shaped projectiles) or a projectile that has been elongated and becomes increasingly particulate during the approach of the target, or the formation of a splinter swarm.

In the patent application with the file number DE 10 2006 018 687 A1 a reversible charge is described which within the active charge a holder with a plurality of pellets, consisting of an explosive charge, wherein the holder is arranged approximately perpendicular to the direction of action and for insertion of the active charge has a distance of about ¼ to ½ of the charge caliber. This also results in a correspondingly large distance of the bracket to the booster charge the ignition chain. By means of radial repositioning or partial or total removal of the holder, the desired operating mode can be set. Resulting gaps are compensated by moving at least a portion of the main charge. The repositioning or removal of parts or the entire holder requires considerable mechanical effort, which ultimately also has a negative effect on the effectiveness of the active charge.

The EP 1 524 489 A1 describes an igniter for a shaped charge with two modes of initiation, a third mode consisting of the combination of the first two modes. In the first mode, the charge is initiated in the center and thus generates an EFP bullet (= explosively shaped projectiles). In the second mode, the charge is ignited by relay charges (pellets) arranged on a circular line around the central axis. Thus, chips are formed from the insert of the hollow charge. The combination of both modes results in the creation of smaller splitter than in the second mode. However, the generation of an elongated or even particle-shaped projectile or a mixture of fragments of different size is not possible with this arrangement.

Finally, out of the DE 38 08 110 C1 a shaped charge has become known, which has a displaceable ignition element, which allows both an initiation on the occupancy base as well as on the way via a Übertragerplatte at the occupancy tip. This can optionally be switched between the creation of a projectile or a spine.

It is therefore an object of the invention to modify the described active charge so that mechanical repositioning of parts of the holder or the whole holder is avoided and switchable the optional generation of splitters of variable size or an elongated projectile is made possible.

This object is achieved with the aid of the invention in that the ignition chain is controlled axially displaceable (arrow) between a first and a further ignition position that the ignition chain depending on the ignition position either with the main charge or with a Übertragerplatte or optionally with another Übertragerladung for forwarding the ignition corresponds to the main charge with respect to the ignition and that in the middle of the holder, an annular central pellet is arranged with a recess whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the booster charge.

The advantage of this solution lies in the fact that the holder of the pellets is no longer disposed within the active charge but at the edge in the vicinity of the ignition chain. Furthermore, by means of simple displacement of the ignition chain, the mode of action can be set in different ways. It is particularly advantageous that in the middle of the holder, a pellet is arranged with an annular recess whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the booster charge. Centrally arranged pellets produce in the insert a correspondingly large central splitter, which is advantageous for the target control.

It has proven to be a constructive advantage if a damping means is arranged radially around the ignition chain and / or axially in the effective direction of the ignition chain. This avoids unwanted flashings in the individual modes of action.

The decoupling between the ignition paths of the different ignition modes is improved by arranging a damping layer between the different means for relaying the ignition.

Another solution to the problem, which is not the subject of the patent application, is the fact that individually initiable ignition elements are arranged stationary at different adjacent axial ignition positions, that the ignition chain depending on the ignition position either with the main charge or with a Übertragerplatte or with another Transformer charge for forwarding the ignition to the main charge with respect to the ignition corresponds and that in the middle of the holder, a pellet is arranged with an annular recess whose diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the booster charge.

Fig. 1:

eine Wirkladung mit umschaltbarer Zündkette in der Position "Projektil"

Fig. 2:

die Wirkladung nach Fig. 1 in der Position "Splitter"

Fig. 3:

eine Variante zur Wirkladung nach Fig. 1 in der Position "Projektil"

Fig. 4:

die Wirkladung nach Fig. 3 in der Position "Splitter"

Fig. 5:

eine weitere Variante zur Wirkladung nach Fig.1 in der Position "Projektil"

Fig. 6:

die Wirkladung nach Fig. 5 in der Position "Splitter"

Fig.7:

die Wirkladung nach Fig. 5 in der Position "Projektil lang"

Fig. 8:

eine Wirkladung mit in verschiedenen Zündpositionen angeordneten Zündmitteln

Fig. 9a:

eine Halterung mit vier auf einem Kreis liegenden Pellets

Fig. 9b:

die Halterung nach Fig. 9a mit einem zusätzlichen zentralen Pellet

Fig. 10a:

eine Halterung mit acht auf einem Kreis angeordneten Pellets

Fig. 10b:

die Halterung nach Fig. 10a mit weiteren konzentrisch angeordneten Pellets

Fig. 11a:

eine Halterung mit einem kreuzförmigen Pellet

Fig. 11b:

eine Halterung mit einem sternförmigen Pellet

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically simplified in the drawing and will be described in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1:

an active charge with switchable ignition chain in the "projectile" position

Fig. 2:

the Wirkladung after Fig. 1 in the position "splitter"

3:

a variant to the Wirkladung after Fig. 1 in the position "projectile"

4:

the Wirkladung after Fig. 3 in the position "splitter"

Fig. 5:

another variant to the Wirkladung after Fig.1 in the position "projectile"

Fig. 6:

the Wirkladung after Fig. 5 in the position "splitter"

Figure 7:

the Wirkladung after Fig. 5 in the position "projectile long"

Fig. 8:

an active charge with arranged in different ignition positions ignition means

Fig. 9a:

a holder with four pellets lying on a circle

Fig. 9b:

the bracket after Fig. 9a with an additional central pellet

Fig. 10a:

a holder with eight pellets arranged on a circle

Fig. 10b:

the bracket after Fig. 10a with further concentrically arranged pellets

Fig. 11a:

a holder with a cruciform pellet

Fig. 11b:

a holder with a star-shaped pellet

The FIG. 1 shows a first approach, but without the invention, centrally arranged, annular pellet. An active charge 1, comprising a housing 1a, an insert 1b and a main charge 1c, is equipped with a detonating chain, which is displaceable in the axial direction (arrow) controlled at least between two positions. In the illustrated position of the ignition chain, which consists of a detonator 2a and a booster charge 2b, the booster charge 2b acts directly on the main charge 1c when it is initiated by the damping means 6. The propagation of the generated detonation wave is shown schematized at three successive times by dashed lines a, b, c. When the detonation front strikes the insert, a projectile EFP (= explosively shaped projectile) is ultimately produced by everting the insert material.

The inert holder 3 located at the same level as the booster charge 2b with the pellets 4 contained therein and consisting of explosive material is indeed initiated in this case as well as the transformer plate 5 adjacent to the holder 3 is also detonated, but these processes have no impact on the formation of the EFP projectile.

The changeover to another mode of action of the active charge 1 takes place according to FIG. 2 by axial displacement of the ignition chain 2a, 2b in the direction of the arrow upwards. In this new ignition position, the booster charge is exactly equal to the Übertragerplatte 5. In the case of initiation, thus the ignition is initiated directly into the Übertragerplatte 5 and from this directly into the pellets 4. From these now go their own detonation waves in the FIG. 2 by dashed lines a, b, c are shown at successive times. The superposition of these different detonation waves in the region of the insert 1 b is decomposed due to local pressure increase in a plurality of splinters SPL. The size and shape of these chips depends directly on the number and the arrangement of the pellets in the holder 3 and can thus be chosen arbitrarily.

The damping element 6 is designed so that no premature initiation of the main charge 1c can take place by the swaths of the booster charge 2b.

The FIG. 3 shows an expanded variant of the effective charge according to the invention. The variation relates firstly to the design of the holder 3 and the pellets 4 contained therein. The arrangement of the pellets in the holder is decisive for the pattern of the decomposition of the insert 1 b in corresponding splitter. Possible embodiments will be described later on the basis of FIGS. 9a to 11b explained. Unlike the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the in FIG. 3 illustrated variant on an annular central pellet 4a.

In order to produce a projectile EFP with the active charge 1 shown, the booster charge 2b of the ignition chain is shifted into a recess in the main charge 1c. This recess 1d, like the detonator 2a, is surrounded by a damping means 6. This damping agent has at initiation in the in FIG. 3 shown position of the ignition chain does not affect the actual initiation of the main charge 1 c. After initiation of the main charge 1 c, the detonation front propagates in the time sequence within the main charge 1c as indicated by the dashed lines a, b, c.

The FIG. 4 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 3 in that position of the ignition chain 2a, 2b, in which a splinter sheaf SPL can be generated. The initiation proceeds from the detonator 2a via the booster charge 2b in the Übertragerplatte 5 and from there into the individual pellets 4a and 4. The result is a compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 2 relatively flat, but quite regionally amplitude-modulated detonation front, which by the main charge 1 c runs to insert 1 b and this decomposed into a splinter sheaf SPL. The central annular pellet supports the structuring of the detonation front in such a way that a large central fragment is produced. Ultimately, this deliberately induced structuring of the detonation front determines the number and size of the fragments produced. The damping means 6 in turn have the task of preventing premature initiation of the main charge 1c via the windrows formed by the booster charge 2b.

A third variant of an active charge, likewise without the centrally arranged, annular pellet according to the invention, is shown in FIGS FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 shown with different positions of the ignition chain and according to the initiation paths generated projectiles or splinters. This variant has yet another initiation mode, so that the ignition chain can be selectively shifted in three different positions to trigger the main charge 1. The ignition position according to FIG. 5 Actually corresponds exactly to that of FIG. 3 , so that hereby a projectile EFP can be generated in the already known form.

In the in FIG. 6 ignition position shown is a spark ignition via the transfer plate 5 causes the pellets 4, as already in FIG. 2 has been shown and described. According to the invention finds in FIG. 4 shown variant application, opposite to in FIG. 2 variant shown by means of a centrally located, annular pellets allows a central large splitter.

The in the FIG. 7 shown third firing position is used to produce an elongated projectile EFPL. For this purpose, the booster charge 2b in the third ignition position initiates a further transformer charge 7 for forwarding the ignition to the main charge 1 c. This further Übertragerladung can be designed plate-shaped or star-shaped. The detonation runs in it from the center to the outside, is deflected in front of the housing in the direction of the main charge and initiates this at the outer edge in the area of the housing. The dashed lines at different times indicated course of the detonation front a, b, c leads when hitting the insert 1 b in the central region to a superposition of the incoming fronts and thus to a local pressure increase. The deposit is thereby applied increasingly. This leads to an increased elongation of the generated projectile EFPL. Depending on the design of the active charge, a decomposition of the projectile into some subprojectiles can be triggered. This is desirable if the distance to the destination is not too large, otherwise you can expect a reduced performance.

The FIG. 8 finally shows an active charge with arranged in different ignition positions non-displaceable ignition means 8a, 8b and 8c, which is not the subject of the patent application. The positions of these discretely arranged ignition means correspond to the previously described ignition positions according to the FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and serve to produce projectiles of the type EFP or EFPL or splinters SPL. Depending on the type of use, the ignition means 8a, 8b and 8c can be initiated individually or else in combination of two or also all three ignition means. As a result, splinters or projectiles or combinations thereof can be produced.

In the FIGS. 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b By way of example, many concentric placements of pellets 4 in a holder 3 made of inert material are shown by way of example for many other arrangements. In FIG. 9a is a simple combination of four arranged on an imaginary circle pellets 4 to see. In the case of about simultaneous initiation of these four pellets, these overlays create the detonation fronts. This eventually leads to local pressure peaks in the area of the insert 1 b. The shape and the course of these pressure exaggerations, which ultimately lead to a similar decomposition of the deposit, are in the FIGS. 9a to 11b each dashed 8 entered. In an arrangement according to FIG. 9a Thus, four approximately equally sized and similarly shaped splitter would be generated. If this arrangement of four pellets added another central pellet, as in the FIG. 9b is shown, in the case of initiation, five partly differently shaped splitter, including a central splitter. The design of the pellet arrangements depends on the desired result of the splinters to be produced, and may range from a very few pellets to a plurality of pellets on an imaginary circular line, as in FIG. 10a up to arrangements on several concentric circles, as in FIG. 10b shown to lead to arbitrary orders.

The use of pellets is not limited to cylindrical pellets. In the Figures 11a and 11b are shown as examples of further forms usable by the skilled person once a cross-shaped version 4a and a star-shaped version 4b. Other shapes are conceivable within the scope of this invention.

Claims (4)

1. Switchable warhead having a firing chain (2) comprising a centrally arranged detonator (2a) and a booster charge (2b) for initiation of the main charge (1c) of the warhead (1), in which an inert holder (3) which is arranged at right angles to the effect direction and has a multiplicity of pellets (4) which are arranged distributed around the firing chain (2) is arranged, wherein
   the firing chain (2) can be moved axially, in a controlled manner, between a first and at least one further firing position,
   the firing chain corresponds with the main charge (1c) in the first firing position, or corresponds with a relay plate (5) in the second firing position, in order to pass on the ignition to the main charge (1c) in order to detonate it,
   and an annular pellet (4a) is arranged in the centre of the holder (3), having a recess whose diameter corresponds to the external diameter of the booster charge (2b).
2. Firing chain according to Claim 1, characterized in that a damping means (6) is arranged radially around the firing chain and/or axially in the effect direction of the firing chain.
3. Firing chain according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a damping layer (6a) is arranged between the various means for passing on the ignition.
4. Firing chain according to Claim 1, characterized in that the firing chain corresponds with a further relay charge (7) in a third firing position, in order to pass on the ignition to the main charge (1c) in order to detonate it.

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