EP2060868A2 - Safety device for a fuse - Google Patents

Abstract

The detonation chain (8) includes a second detonator (14). The barrier (16), when in a safety position, blocks the intermediate space between the two detonators (10, 14). The detonation chain can be brought into a live state, by moving the barrier to open the intermediate space. When the barrier is moved, the two detonators remain stationary with respect to each other. The first safety device (24) is unlocked mechanically. An electronic controller causes the second safety device (26) to unlock.

Description

The invention relates to a safety device for an igniter, comprising a detonating chain with an ignition means and a barrier, which is locked in its Sicherstellung by a first securing means and a first independent second securing means provided for an unlocking action due to two independent physical Entsicherungsparameter are.

A safety device for an igniter is used to prevent inadvertent activation of a main charge of an explosion device, but an activation of the main charge after a release should be possible. The safety device is part of a detonator for igniting the main charge, which is provided with a detonating chain of two or more ignition means. To ignite the main charge, first the first ignition means is activated, e.g. a puncture-sensitive mini-detonator that is pierced by a mechanical means for firing. Explosive energy of the first ignition means is transmitted by a corresponding arrangement of the first two ignition means to the second ignition means, which may be designed as a booster. This can transfer its explosive energy to an initial charge or main charge.

To break the ignition chain, it is out of US 4,691,634 It is known to provide a barrier by which the second ignition means in the secured state is taken out of the ignition chain in such a way that it can not be reached by explosion energy of the first ignition means so far that it can ignite. To unlock the barrier and with it the second ignition means is moved into the ignition chain, so that the first ignition means can ignite the second ignition means.

In order to equip smaller floors with safe detonators or accommodate more modules in large detonators, it is desirable to be able to provide a small security device without loss of security can.

This object is achieved by a safety device of the type mentioned, in which the ignition chain comprises a second ignition means and the barrier blocks a gap between the two ignition means in a security and can be brought into a focus position by a release movement releasing the gap. The provision of the two independent securing means ensures a high degree of security. The blocking of the gap can be achieved with a compact component.

The arming parameters are desirably physically independent of each other such that the unlocking action is dependent on physically independent parameters, e.g. Forces, can be triggered. These can be an acceleration, a spin, a dynamic pressure, a time after a launch or an impact pressure. The blocking can be achieved by placing the barrier in the gap and at least partially filling it. The barrier releases the space between the ignition means with its release movement. In this case, the barrier can be removed from the gap or changed so that the gap is vacant, e.g. by pivoting the barrier in the intermediate space from a horizontal to a vertical position. The shared gap does not have to be the entire gap between the firing means.

The ignition means may be explosive charges, wherein the ignition chain in addition to the two ignition means may comprise a further ignition means, which is arranged in the ignition chain before, in particular behind the two ignition means. The barrier serves to exclude and / or redirect ignition energy of the first ignition means such that ignition of the second ignition means is reliably prevented by ignition energy of the first ignition means. The securing means are used in particular for mechanically locking the barrier in such a way that movement of the barrier from its securing into the armed position is reliably prevented. By unlocking the barrier can be released from the corresponding securing means in such a way that it is movable in the focus, either for example, by inertia independently, or powered by a means of movement.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ignition means remain at a release movement to each other dormant. There is no need to leave room for moving an ignition means, whereby the safety device can be made compact. The two ignition means remain in the release movement expediently not only to each other but also to a housing dormant.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first securing means for implementing the arming parameter is provided directly mechanically in the unlocking action. It can be unlocked independently of an electronic control and thus cheap and robust. Advantageously, the first securing means serves to directly absorb energy of a release parameter, in particular by its own inertia, and to convert it mechanically into the unlocking action.

A high variability in triggering the unlocking action can be achieved by an electronic control unit for triggering the unlocking action of the second securing means. The triggering is not dependent on the presence of forces, but can be freely controlled, whereby a high Vorrohr security can be achieved. For example, activation of the detonating chain may be restricted to a specified period of time after a launch so that a projectile can not fire immediately after leaving a launching tube. Or it can be integrated over time a back pressure or a flow and be closed on a route, so that an ignition is only allowed a distance from the launch tube.

The unlock action may be a movement of a micromotor that drives the release movement of the barrier. However, it is particularly advantageous if the second securing means is provided to release the barrier by the unlocking action mechanically to carry out the release movement. An engine can be dispensed with and the safety device can be kept simple and compact. By releasing the barrier can move independently with the Entriegelaktion, for example, be pulled by centrifugal force radially outward, or by a Entriegelmittel, such as a spring driven move. The Entriegelaktion and the release movement can be different processes, whereby a high level of security can be achieved.

Advantageously, the securing device comprises an electronic control which is prepared for controlling the unlocking action of at least one of the securing means. The controller may in turn be connected to a sensor for sensing one of the arming parameters. When a predetermined value of the arming parameter is reached, e.g. a predetermined amount of twist, the control unit may initiate the unlocking action.

Advantageously, the electronic control is connected to two sensors for sensing two different Entsicherungsparametern and provided for controlling the Entriegelaktion the second securing means based on both Entsicherungsparameter. The security device can be used universally and e.g. depending on the application, can be programmed to process one or both arming parameters. If the security device is used, for example, in a swirled projectile, then the controller can be programmed to process the data of that sensor which senses the swirl. If the safety device is used on a non-spinning projectile, the controller can be programmed to process data from another sensor, such as a back pressure sensor. It is also possible to process the data from both sensors to control the unlocking action more complexly. The two unlocking parameters are expediently different from the unlocking parameter of the first securing means.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the second securing means comprises a loading means for actuating the unlocking action by means of a discharge. The second securing means can thereby be kept compact. The charging means may be any means capable of storing a mechanical, chemical or electrical charge. In a simple variant, the load is a spring through which an unlocking action is driven. The securing means may be particularly compact if the charge is a chemical charge, e.g. in the form of a pyrotechnic charge. Alternatively or additionally, the charging means may be configured to accumulate a charge, e.g. in the form of a pressure, which may be formed by a dynamic pressure, comprising a retaining element, e.g. pushes a bolt away and unlocks the barrier.

The unlocking action can be particularly simple and the securing means particularly compact, when the discharge is intended, a holding element, which is intended to hold the barrier, from another element of the securing means to separate and throw off. Thus, a bolt can be dropped, in particular blasted, whereby a previously solid connection can be solved in a simple manner.

In a further embodiment variant of the invention, the first securing means has a double-bolt system. This simple system is particularly safe with the two bolts, which can only be activated in one chain, when detecting a longer lasting acceleration than arming parameters.

If the release movement of the barrier radially outward by a twist, so the safety device can be kept very simple. If the securing device comprises unlocking means for moving the barrier into the armed position, the securing device can also be used in projectiles without swirling. A particularly simple Entriegelmittel is a spring.

In order to obtain a high level of security against inadvertent unlocking of the barrier, the unlocking means, e.g. the spring is not fundamentally in a condition permitting movement of the barrier, but will only be able to move the barrier when a release criterion is met. A Entsicherungskriterium is an unlocking action of one of the securing means. If the first securing means is provided to load the unlocking means by an unlocking action, then just that security can be achieved. The loading may be cocking, e.g. a spring.

A compact and robust loading of Entriegelmittels can be achieved if the first securing means has an inclined to an unlocking surface, which causes the movement in the unlocking the charge by a movement of a loading means along the surface. In a particularly simple and error-prone embodiment, the surface is guided along a spring arm, which is so tense.

The compactness of the safety device can be further increased if the first ignition means is particularly small and yet sufficient in its force to ignite the second ignition means. This can be realized if the first ignition means comprises a projectile for igniting the second ignition means. The ignition energy of the first ignition means is transmitted by kinetic energy of the projectile to the second ignition means, which by the pressure wave of the impinging projectile Ignition can be brought. The projectile may be a bolt or a lid of the first ignition means, which is blasted off by a detonation of the first ignition means in the direction of the second ignition means.

The object of the barrier is to reliably interrupt the ignition chain even in the case of a misfire of the first ignition means, so that the ignition energy of the first ignition means does not possibly reach the second ignition means. In particular, in the transmission of ignition energy in the form of kinetic energy, the first ignition means does not have to be completely shielded by the second ignition means, since no free jet of fire propagates the ignition energy, and the barrier can be compact. However, particularly high stability requirements are placed on the barrier. These requirements can be met if the barrier comprises two different metals, whereby two different properties of metals can be used together, for example a high breaking strength combined with a high degree of hardness. The shielding function of the barrier is particularly safe if it has a zone of harder metal between the ignition means and another zone of softer metal outside this zone. Particularly suitable as a harder metal is a WC hard metal, with a tungsten carbide content of over 90%. Also advantageous is a hard metal with a hardness over 90 Rockwell or 1480 Vickers, in particular with a hardness over 91.5 Rockwell or about 1700 Vickers. In such hard metals, however, the flexural strength with possibly less than 2000 N / mm ^{2 is} not very high, also they are quite expensive and expensive to process for a shaping of the entire barrier, so that the embedding of the harder metal proposed in the softer metal becomes. This can be characterized by a lower hardness than the harder metal, in particular by a simpler machinability for easier processing.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Sicherungseinrichtung in einer Schnittdarstellung,

Fig. 2

eine Detail der Sicherungseinrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einer Sicht von unten,

Fig. 3

eine Zündkette der Sicherungseinrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 4

die Zündkette nach einer ersten Entriegelaktion,

Fig. 5

die Zündkette nach einer weiteren Entriegelaktion,

Fig. 6

die Zündkette mit einer Barriere nach einer Freigabebewegung,

Fig. 7

die durch eine Feder verriegelte Barriere von unten,

Fig. 8

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch zwei Zündmittel und der zwischen ihnen angeordneten Barriere,

Fig. 9

eine alternative Zündkette mit einem verschiebbaren Zündmittel und

Fig. 10

die Zündkette aus Fig. 9 mit einer Barriere in Scharfstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a safety device in a sectional view,

Fig. 2

a detail of the safety device Fig. 1 in a view from below,

Fig. 3

a firing chain of the security device Fig. 1 in a schematic representation,

Fig. 4

the firing chain after a first unlocking action,

Fig. 5

the detonating chain after another unlocking action,

Fig. 6

the firing chain with a barrier after a release movement,

Fig. 7

the spring-locked barrier from below,

Fig. 8

a schematic sectional view through two ignition means and the barrier arranged between them,

Fig. 9

an alternative ignition chain with a displaceable ignition means and

Fig. 10

the ignition chain off Fig. 9 with a barrier in focus.

Fig. 1 shows a fuse device 2 for an igniter with a housing 4, in the upper part of an electronic control unit 6 and including a firing chain 8 is arranged, which comprises a first and a second ignition means 10 and 14, respectively. The ignition chain 8 includes a detonator as a first ignition means 10 in a center axis of the igniter, wherein the center axis with respect to a rotation about a direction of flight 12 can be seen. Below the first ignition means 10 and also in the center axis, an ignition amplifier is arranged as a second ignition means 14, which is aligned on an underside of the overlying detonator for receiving ignition energy from there. Between the two ignition means 10, 14 there is a barrier 16, which at their in Fig. 1 shown position a passage between the ignition means 10, 14 blocked. In Fig. 1 To the left of the barrier 16, a pin 18 of a double pin system 20 is shown cut, which is pressed by a spring 22 in the direction of flight 12. The double pin system 20 is part of a first securing means 24 for locking the barrier 16 in its securing position. To the right of the barrier 16, a second securing means 26 is shown, which is designed as a force element.

In Fig. 2 is the barrier 16 shown from below, with "up" in the direction of flight 12 and "down" opposite to the direction of flight 12 can be seen. You can see the spring 22 the second pin 18 and a spring 28 of a further pin 30 of the double pin system 20 and a locking spring 32 for holding down the pin 18 in the unlocked state, wherein the locking spring 32 in the in Fig. 2 shown locking position of the bolt 18 is inactive. There is also another, in Fig. 2 also to see inactive locking spring 34, which serves to hold the barrier 16 in an unlocked state (s. Fig. 7 ).

Fig. 3 shows the ignition chain 8 in its safety. A zone 36 of the barrier blocks a gap between the two ignition means 10, 14 by filling the gap. The blockage is achieved by blocking a passage between the end of the first firing means 10 facing the second firing means 14 and the end of the second firing means 14 facing the first firing means 10 so that any direct line between them Ends through the barrier 16 runs.

The barrier 16 is at a pivot point 38 by a in Fig. 2 held bolts 39 and prevented by a holding member 40 of the force element 26 from being able to pivot radially outwardly in a release movement. As in Fig. 2 can be seen, the barrier 16 is also applied to the second bolt 18, by which it is prevented from, in Fig. 2 to pivot clockwise in the release movement.

In ensuring the ignition chain 8 is interrupted by the barrier 16. The locking of the barrier 16 takes place on the one hand directly by the force element 26 and the other by the second pin 18 and thus corresponds to the requirement STANAG 4187th The second pin 18 is in turn locked by the first pin 30, as a ball 42 between the pin 18th , 30 prevents a translational movement of the second pin 18. The ball 42 is disposed in a groove 44 of the second pin 18 and would have to be pushed out upon movement of the second pin 18 down from the groove 44. This is prevented by the first pin 30, which blocks the outward movement of the ball 42 from the groove 44.

Based on FIGS. 4 to 7 will be described below the Entsicherungsvorgang the safety device 2. The Entsicherungsvorgang begins immediately after a launch of the projectile, part of which is the safety device 2. Due to the high acceleration of the safety device 2 when shooting in the direction of flight 12, the two bolts 18, 30 by their inertia relative to eg Barrier 16 to the rear and against the spring forces of the springs 22, 28 pressed. However, a movement of the second bolt 18 is initially blocked by the ball 42. However, the first pin 30 is free in its downward movement and is inserted in the in Fig. 4 pressed position shown. Now, the ball 42 is pushed out of the groove 44 and into a taper 46 of the first pin 30 by the inertial force of the second pin 18, so that the ball 42 releases downward movement of the second pin 18, as in FIG Fig. 4 is shown.

By the Entsicherungsbewegung the second pin 18 down several more Entsicherungsvorgänge be effected. First, the locking spring 32 engages behind an undercut 47 in the second pin 18 and thus blocks a return movement of the second pin 18 in the locking position. In addition, a contact element 48 in the form of a pin is moved out of a contact unit 50, so that an electrical contact in the contact unit 50 is interrupted. This is registered by the control unit 6 and used to control at least one further unlocking action. Furthermore, an unlocking means 52 designed as a spring is loaded to move the barrier 16 into its in-focus position by tensioning the spring. This is done by one arm of the spring, hereinafter referred to as loading means 54, slides along an inclined surface 56 of the second bolt 18 and - by the inclined surface 56 down, ie in the unlocking of the second bolt 18, is moved - stretched and thus loaded. The loaded unlocking means 52 now exerts a pressure on the barrier 16 in its armed position, which remains held by the still locked second securing means 26, so that the barrier 16 is not yet moved by the pressure.

By opening the contact unit 50, the sequence of an unlocking program is started in the control unit 6. Through the unlock program, it is now possible, e.g. Data from a sensor 57 which is sensitive to a predetermined unlocking parameter, e.g. to a back pressure or a centrifugal force - and thus to a spin - or a pressure generated by a surcharge. The centrifugal force can be measured by pressing in or against the securing device 2 an element against a spring pressure to the outside and so against a contact and the element closes this. Other electrically interrogated sensors 57 connected to the control unit 6 are also conceivable.

If the unlocking parameter stored in the control unit 6 or selected by the control unit 6 reaches a predetermined or from the control unit 6 fixed value, it is controlled by another unlocking action. It is also conceivable, the unlocking action by a timer and without sensor to control.

The unlocking action will be in the in Fig. 5 shown embodiment completed by the second securing means 26. The securing means 26 is controlled by the control unit 6 and comprises a charging means with a pyrotechnic charge, which is now electrically ignited. With this action, a retaining element 58 in the form of a bolt, which is provided for holding the barrier 16, blasted from the remaining securing means 26. In order to improve the detachment of the retaining element 58 from the remaining securing means 26, a vent opening 60 is present in the igniter 2 ( Fig. 1 ), can escape through the displaced by the retaining element air and possibly explosive gases of the explosive charge. Alternatively, the charging means may have a charge in the form of a tensioned spring which is released by the unlocking action. Other forms of stored energy are also conceivable.

After the holding element 58 has been blown off, the barrier 16 can perform its release movement and take its focus, which in Fig. 6 is shown. The release movement can be effected here by the Entriegelmittel 52 that the barrier pushes outward, or caused by centrifugal forces generated by swirl, which are supported by Entriegelmittel 52 only. A stop stops the release movement.

In its armed position, the barrier 16 is held by the spring 34, which in Fig. 7 is shown. It snaps behind the barrier and holds it in place, preserving its focus status.

With the release movement, the barrier 16 is removed from a gap 62 between the ignition means 10, 14 so that it is released. Now, an explosive energy can be transmitted from the first ignition means 10 to the second ignition means 14. Ignition of the first ignition means 10 is controlled by the control unit 6 according to programmable parameters and values of the parameters, e.g. by time, route or surcharge.

Fig. 8 shows the two ignition means 10, 14 and the barrier 16 in the space 62 in a schematic sectional view. The first ignition means 10 comprises in a housing 64, one or more pyrotechnic charges 66, which by the Control unit 6 controlled ignition contacts 68 can be ignited electrically. In a detonation example, a cover-shaped projectile 70 is blasted down at very high speed. If the barrier 16 is removed from the gap 62, the projectile 70 hits the second ignition means 14 and transfers ignition energy in the form of kinetic energy to the second ignition means 14, by which it is ignited.

In the case of a malfunction of the safety device, in particular a faulty detonation of the first ignition means 10, it is the task of the barrier 16 to prevent this transfer of ignition energy. For this purpose, it comprises a zone 71 of a hard metal, e.g. a carbide from the material group K10 of ISO standard 513, which is adapted in such a way to the first ignition means 10 that it has a sufficient hardness to intercept the projectile 70. In order to avoid breakage of the barrier 16, the zone 71 adjoins another zone 72, which has a softer and more malleable metal. In particular, the cemented carbide is embedded in the zone 72 of softer metal.

The FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a safety device 74 for a detonator. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiment in the preceding figures, to which reference is made with regard to features and functions that remain the same. Substantially identical components are basically numbered with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 9 is the securing device 74 in its security and in Fig. 10 shown in their focus. The securing device 74 accommodates a barrier 76, whose release movement proceeds as described above, but in contrast to the barrier 16 carries the first ignition means 10. In ensuring the barrier 76, the first ignition means 10 is arranged outside the center axis, so that a faulty detonation directs the ignition energy into a holding plate 78 and does not reach the second ignition means 14. In addition, the barrier 76 blocks a gap between the ignition means 10, 14 by at least partially filling it. Only in the armed position is the first ignition means 10 in the center axis and thus arranged directly above the second ignition means 14 and directed thereto, so that the ignition energy can be transmitted and the ignition chain 8 is not interrupted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

safety device

4

casing

6

control unit

8th

ignition chain

10

ignition means

12

flight direction

14

ignition means

16

barrier

18

bolt

20

Double-bolt system

22

feather

24

securing means

26

securing means

28

feather

30

bolt

32

locking spring

34

locking spring

36

Zone

38

pivot point

39

bolt

40

retaining element

42

Bullet

44

groove

46

rejuvenation

47

undercut

48

Contact unit

50

Contact unit

52

Entriegelmittel

54

loading equipment

56

area

57

sensor

58

retaining element

60

vent

62

gap

64

casing

66

charge

68

Ignition Points

70

bullet

71

Zone

72

Zone

74

safety device

76

barrier

78

Retaining plate

Claims (16)

An igniter (2, 74) for an igniter, comprising a detonating chain (8) having an ignition means (10) and a barrier (16, 76) secured by a first securing means (24) and a second independent securing means (16). 26) provided for unlocking due to two independent physical arming parameters,
characterized,
that the firing chain (8) comprises a second firing means (14) and the barrier (16, 76) in a safeguard blocks a gap (62) between the two firing means (10, 14) and by a release movement in the gap (62) a focus can be brought. Securing device (2) according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the ignition means (10, 14) remain at rest during a release movement to each other. Securing device (2, 74) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the first securing means (24) is directly mechanically provided to implement the Entsicherungsparameters in the unlocking action. Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked
by an electronic control unit (6) for triggering the unlocking action of the second securing means (26). Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the second securing means (26) is provided for mechanically releasing the barrier (16, 76) by the unlocking action for carrying out the release movement. Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked
by an electronic control unit (6) which is connected to two sensors (57) for sensing two different arming parameters and for controlling the unlocking action of the second securing means (26) by means of both arming parameters. Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the second securing means (26) comprises a loading means for actuating the unlocking action by a discharge. Securing device (2, 74) according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the charge means comprises a pyrotechnic charge. Securing device (2, 74) according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized,
in that the discharge is intended to separate and drop one holding element (58), which is provided for holding the barrier (16, 76), from another element of the securing means (26). Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the first securing means (24) has a double-bolt system (20). Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the release movement of the barrier (16, 76) takes place radially outward by a twist. Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
marked
by an unlocking means (52) for moving the barrier (16, 76) into the in-focus position. Securing device (2, 74) according to claim 12,
characterized,
that the first securing means (24) is provided to load the Entriegelmittel (52) by an unlocking action. Securing device (2, 74) according to claim 13,
characterized,
in that the first securing means (24) has an inclined surface (56) towards an unlocking direction, which in its movement in the unlocking direction causes the loading by a movement of a loading means along the surface (56). Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the first ignition means (10) comprises a projectile (70) for igniting the second ignition means (14). Securing device (2, 74) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
in that the barrier (16, 76) between the ignition means (10, 14) comprises a zone (71) of harder metal and outside this zone (71) has a further zone (72) of softer metal and.

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