EP3584529B1 - Device for generating an unlocking criterion, igniter and ammunition - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for generating an arming criterion according to claim 1, a detonator with a device according to claim 1, according to claim 6, and ammunition with a device according to claim 1, according to claim 9.

A partially twisting ammunition is z. B. from the DE 103 41 713 B3 known. It describes a spin-stabilized artillery projectile with a projectile body and a projectile tip with a detonator, which has a detonator housing and an inner detonator part. During the flight of the artillery projectile, the fuse is supplied with electrical energy by means of a generator. The projectile tip is designed in such a way that it has a different, lower speed than the speed of the swirling projectile body in relation to the projectile body spinning during flight, the generator supplying the igniter with electrical energy due to the relative rotational speed between the spinning projectile body and the decelerated projectile tip is propelled.

The operation of a generator with a motor function when the tip is decoupled is also known from the document.

A safety device for a detonator is z. B. from the DE 10 2007 054 777 B3 known. This is based on a safety device for a detonator, comprising an ignition chain with an ignition means and a barrier which is locked in its securing by a first securing means and a second securing means independent of the first, which are provided for an unlocking action on the basis of two mutually independent physical unlocking parameters. It is proposed that the ignition chain comprises a second ignition means and the barrier blocks an intermediate space between the two ignition means in a safe position and can be brought into an armed position by a release movement that releases the intermediate space.

In other words, the mode of operation and the logic of a "MEMSAD" (Micro-Electromechanic Safe and Arm Device) safety device for an igniter are known from this.

The object of the invention is to provide improvements with regard to an arming criterion, a detonator and an ammunition.

The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 for generating an unlocking criterion. The security criterion is one that can be supplied to a detonator or used in it in order to unlock the detonator. In particular, the device is designed for a particular detonator or a particular type of detonator or is specifically geared to it. The device is then one which is intended to be used in or with a corresponding detonator and thus knows and uses the properties of the detonator. In particular, the unlocking criterion represents one of several unlocking criteria in a detonator, all of which must be present together in order to unlock it. The same applies to the detonator: The detonator is intended for use with partially twisting ammunition. Such ammunition has a first part which, during the intended flight of the ammunition after firing, has a twist around the central longitudinal axis (direction of flight) of the ammunition. The ammunition has a second part which, during the flight, has no movement or only a rolling movement less than the twist around the central longitudinal axis. The number of revolutions of the rolling movement (e.g. 0 to 5 Hz) is therefore smaller than the number of revolutions of the twist (e.g. approx. 300 Hz).

The device contains a sensor. This is used to detect a relative rotation (e.g. rotation present or not / speed) or relative position (e.g. angle) about the central longitudinal axis between the first and second part of the ammunition. The sensor is also used to output a parameter for the detected relative rotation. The parameter therefore reflects characteristic data of the relative rotation and is, for example, a speed (Hz), an angle of rotation (degrees), an electrical voltage or current that affects the relative rotation in terms of amplitude, frequency, etc. or an aspect that is important in the context of unlocking the relative rotation (e.g. "present or not", duration of the rotation).

The device contains a control unit which is connected to the sensor. The connection is used, among other things, to transmit the parameter. The control unit is set up (for example, by integrating a corresponding execution program, hard-wired logic, etc.) to generate the unlocking criterion only when the recorded parameter fulfills a flight criterion.

In particular, the device is designed as intended for an overall system made up of a specific fuse (type) and a specific ammunition (a specific type); H. intended for installation in this. Corresponding properties of detonators / ammunition are therefore assumed to be known, i.e. H. the device aligned or designed accordingly.

A corresponding igniter is, for example, in principle the one mentioned above, from the DE 10 2007 054 777 B3 is known. With regard to its first release criterion (launch shock), this could in principle remain unchanged. The invention could then provide the second unlocking criterion (originally from environmental criteria): The device according to the invention could be used for the second unlocking criterion in the appropriately modified detonator as at least part of the control unit in connection with the sensor described there (electrical triggering of a pyrotechnic charge).

In the context of the above-mentioned intended suitability, properties of the detonator and ammunition are therefore also described in the context of the application, although the actual components, strictly speaking, are not part of the claimed Subject matter are, however, related to the invention according to a "key and lock principle". However, these statements also apply mutatis mutandis to the detonator and ammunition according to the invention described further below and may not be explicitly repeated there again.

The invention is based on the knowledge that, for example, guided ammunition is not fired with a full twist. Therefore, the swirl cannot be used (at least not immediately if a corresponding unlocking device itself does not swirl) as an unlocking criterion for a safe and arm unit (detonator). Thus, the task arises of finding an arming criterion for non-twisting (partially twisting) guided ammunition. "Not twisting" is to be understood here as meaning that the part in which the detonator or the device for generating the release criterion is housed does not twist, but, for example, rests in a rotational manner or only rolls (rollers: "twist" with rotational frequencies of e.g. E.g. less than 1, 3, 5, 10, 50, 100, ... Hz).

The invention is further based on the knowledge that it is known from practice that guided ammunition is fired with reduced twist or with a low roll rate from a weapon system with a barrel with twist pulls. The twist reduction or low roll rate is necessary in order to be able to specifically intervene in the trajectory based on information for orientation.

The invention is also based on the knowledge that the electronics of a detonator (e.g. MEMSAD) require two digital signals (0 or 1) on the channels of the unlocking criteria. For the first release criterion z. B. a mechanical signal, namely the opening of a switch on a double bolt system during the launch shock, converted into an electronic or digital signal within the MEMSAD. For the second unlocking criterion - as is known in practice - a digital signal is generated by means of an environmental sensor board (data from the environment of the ammunition) or an external measurement electronics (measurement during the flight of the ammunition), which clearly indicates a state in flight ( ie can clearly distinguish whether the ammunition is actually in flight after a launch or not).

The invention is based on the idea that when there is a twist-decoupled part (second part) of the ammunition, the relative movement between the fully twisted (first part) and the untwisted (second) part can be used as a criterion for unlocking (unlocking criterion).

Since the two parts (which are part of a generator or contain these parts, for example) are fixed for firing and cannot be moved by hand in such a way that a manual unlocking signal is generated, the signal "Relative movement available" is output the sensor (in particular Hall sensor, see below) clearly indicates the state "Projectile is on the trajectory (in flight after being fired)" and can thus be used for arming. At the same time, this is an environmental criterion that is physically independent of the launch shock (if this is used as a further safety criterion) (criterion from the environment of the ammunition) and thus meets the requirements of the STANAG 4187 safety guideline.

According to the invention, the relative rotation or rolling movement of two ammunition parts is determined (in particular through the use of a Hall sensor, see below) and this state is used as a (in particular second) criterion for arming a safe and arm unit (detonator).

The invention offers in particular the advantage of a small installation space and a cost-effective solution.

According to the invention, a particularly second releasing criterion for ammunition, in particular guided ammunition, is generated or a corresponding device is proposed.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a contactless sensor. "Contactless" means that the sensor in the assembled case is at most mounted on one of the parts and works without touching the other part. In particular, the sensor is attached to a third part of the ammunition: in this case it works without contact with the first and the second part of the ammunition. By the In contactless work, the sensor does not intervene, or only intervenes minimally or imperceptibly, in the other movement sequences in the ammunition.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a magnetically operating sensor. This works, in particular without contact, via the effect or detection of magnetic fields. In particular, the sensor is mounted in a (first, second, third, see above) part of the ammunition; another part then has a magnetic field that is detected differently by the sensor (Hall sensor, see below) for at least two different rotational positions, i.e. H. is different or changeable depending on the relative rotation. In particular, there is a permanent magnet in the other part or the other parts. The rotation moves the magnetic field (or the magnet) in relation to the sensor, which can then be detected.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the sensor is a Hall sensor. Hall sensors are particularly inexpensive and commercially available. According to this variant of the invention, the use or use of a standard component for a safety-related application, namely the present device, thus results.

In a preferred embodiment, the flight criterion is the following condition, which is transformed into the parameter: The condition is that a minimum number of revolutions has occurred between the first and second part and / or a minimum rotational frequency of the relative rotation is present. Transformed into the parameter means that the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the condition can be distinguished on the basis of the parameter or its evaluation. The flight criterion is therefore to be understood in connection with the parameter when used as intended. For example, the parameter is an output voltage of a Hall sensor. For each rotation between the first and second part, this then detects a positively or negatively directed magnetic field when installed and used as intended. For one revolution there are therefore zero crossings in the Hall voltage. The flight criterion is then the determination of a minimum number of zero crossings of the voltage or the frequency of a time course of the voltage. The minimum number can be less than one, one or a larger number of revolutions. The frequency is e.g. B. at least 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 Hz.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a detonator according to claim 6 for partially twisting ammunition. The detonator and ammunition correspond to the description above in connection with the device according to the invention. The ammunition thus has the first part, which has a twist around its central longitudinal axis during its intended flight, and a second part, which has no movement or only a rolling movement less than the twist around the central longitudinal axis. The detonator has at least one unlocking criterion that must be met in order to unlock the detonator. The detonator contains a device according to the invention. The device provides the unlocking criterion as the or one of the unlocking criteria of the detonator. In particular, as described above, the detonator is principally from the DE 10 2007 054 777 B3 known and modified as explained above according to the invention.

The igniter and at least a part of its embodiments as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in the context of the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the detonator has the unlocking criterion generated by the device as the first criterion. The detonator has a second unlocking criterion which is based on a physical effect that is different from the relative rotation between the parts. The second criterion is based in particular on the launch shock of the ammunition when it is fired. Thus, in particular, the independence of the release criteria required by STANAG 4187 is fulfilled.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor rests at least relative to the igniter and is in particular attached to the igniter. Because the detonator is then fixed in the ammunition (in particular in part of it) as intended or rests there in relation to at least part of the ammunition, the sensor is also fixed in the ammunition and can detect a corresponding relative movement between the two parts .

The object of the invention is also achieved by an ammunition as described above, which has a first part that during the intended flight has a twist around its central longitudinal axis, and which has a second part, which has no movement or only a rolling movement less than the twist around the central longitudinal axis. The ammunition contains a device according to the invention as described above. The sensor is accordingly arranged or fastened in the ammunition or rests in this or at least in a part of the ammunition. A corresponding ammunition in the sense of the invention is in particular also an ammunition part, for example a 2-D steering module with a decoupled tip or a guided ammunition with a decoupled rear end.

The ammunition and at least some of the embodiments thereof as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in the context of the fuse according to the invention and / or the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the ammunition contains a detonator according to the invention, as has already been explained above.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor and / or the control device of the device and / or the detonator are arranged in the second part of the ammunition. Thus, the corresponding components are also not subjected to any rotation or only a rolling movement.

In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a magnetic sensor which is fixed in one (the first or second) of the parts. A magnetic field source for a time-constant magnetic field is mounted in the other (second or first) of the parts. The magnetic field is detected by the sensor in at least one first rotational position. No or a changed magnetic field is then detected in at least one second rotational position. This ensures that the sensor can detect or differentiate between individual rotational positions and thus also the rotation between the two parts. Due to the assembly (stationary) in one part, the sensor also reproduces the immediate relative movement to the other part.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the magnetic field source contains or is at least one permanent magnet. This leads to a particularly simple and reliable embodiment of the ammunition.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the magnetic field source is that of a generator and / or motor, which is divided into two components in the first and second part. "Two-component" means that a first part of the motor / generator is attached or rests in one part of the ammunition (e.g. a stator) and a second part (e.g. rotor) in the second part of the ammunition. The relative rotation then rotates the parts of the motor / generator with respect to one another. A corresponding ammunition with generator / motor is basically z. B. from the DE 103 41 713 B3 known as explained above. In this regard, the invention is based on the knowledge that such a generator at the decoupling point in the ammunition (between the first and second part) makes use of the relative movement of the decoupled ammunition parts, for example projectile body and fuse tip or projectile body and tail, to generate energy. In order to use this generator as a motor at the same time, Hall sensors, for example, are used anyway. In this way, the decoupled part can be rotated into a specific position or phase position with respect to the swirling part by means of a control algorithm. Hall sensors do not have a large installation volume, so that a second Hall sensor (as a sensor of the device) can easily be used at this interface, from which a signal for unlocking from the relative movement is derived. A second Hall sensor is therefore used in order not to couple the releasing criterion of the ignition chain with the control algorithms for influencing the flight path.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the device according to the invention therefore has a first Hall sensor as a sensor and the generator and / or motor has a second magnetic field sensor as a Hall sensor.

Figur 1

eine Munition mit Zünder mit erfindungsgemäßer Vorrichtung im Blockdiagramm.

Further features, effects and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and the attached figures. They show, in each case in a schematic principle sketch:

Figure 1

an ammunition with a detonator with a device according to the invention in a block diagram.

Figure 1 shows a partially twisting ammunition 2, which comprises a first part 4a and a second part 4b. The Figure 1 shows the ammunition 2 after it has been fired, ie during the flight in the direction of a target (not shown).

As intended, the first part 4 a has a twist D about a central longitudinal axis 6 of the ammunition 2. The ammunition flies in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 6. According to the twist D, the first part 4a rotates at 300 revolutions per second (Hz) around the central longitudinal axis 6. The second part 4b, on the other hand, is rotationally at rest, i.e. at rest. H. does not perform any rotation about the central longitudinal axis 6. The first 4a and second part 4b thus rotate in a relative rotation R (indicated by a double arrow) relative to one another, here at 300 Hz, about the central longitudinal axis 6.

The second part 4b of the ammunition 2 contains an igniter 8 in order to ignite the ammunition at a suitable point in time which is not explained in greater detail here. However, this only takes place when the fuse is unlocked. For this purpose, two unlocking criteria 10a, 10b must be present. A first releasing criterion 10a is already present in the flight shown, since this was generated when the ammunition 2 was fired.

To generate the second unlocking criterion 10b, the detonator 8 contains a device 12, which is shown in FIG Figure 1 is shown outside the igniter 8. The device 12 contains a sensor 14 (also indicated by dashed lines in part 4b for clarity) which detects the relative rotation R between the first 4a and the second part 4b about the central longitudinal axis 6. The sensor 14 is fixedly mounted in part 4b and outputs a parameter K which reflects the relative rotation R. In the example, the sensor 14 is a contactless and magnetically operating Hall sensor. The sensor 14 detects a magnetic field dependent on the angle of rotation from a magnetic field source 18 which is fixedly mounted in part 4a.

The parameter K is the Hall voltage emitted by the sensor 14, or its course over time t. In the example, the sensor system is designed in such a way that with a relative rotation R in the form of a single rotation, a sinusoidal oscillation of the Hall voltage results. The sensor 14 is fixedly attached to the igniter 8. The sensor 14, the control unit 16 and the entire detonator 8 are thus arranged in the second part 4b of the ammunition 2 or fixed in place therein.

In order to form a corresponding sensor system, the magnetic field source 18, here a permanent magnet, is fixedly mounted in the first part 4 a of the ammunition 2. The magnetic field source 18 generates a time-constant magnetic field. In the event of a rotation or relative rotation R, the magnetic field source 18 generates a variable magnetic field in the sensor 14. The current magnetic field or the corresponding change is reflected in the parameter K or its time course over time t.

The magnetic field source 18 is part of a generator 20 of the ammunition 2, which is arranged distributed in the first 4a and second part 4b of the ammunition 2. For this purpose, the generator 20 contains a counterpart 22, which is not explained in more detail, here a coil arrangement, in the second part 4b. The generator 20 can also be operated as a motor. In order to implement a corresponding control of the motor, a further magnetic field sensor 24, here also a Hall sensor, is provided, which also interacts with the magnetic field source 18 in order to control the relative position between the first 4a and the second part 4b of the Ammunition 2 to accomplish. In the present case, with a given twist D of the first part 4a, the second part 4b is controlled in such a way that it remains at rest with respect to rotation about the central longitudinal axis 6.

The device 12 also contains a control unit 16. This is set up or designed as follows by means of electronic components that are not explained in detail or corresponding programming:
The control unit 16 monitors the parameter K for a flight criterion F. As long as this is not available (“N”), the monitoring is continued; as soon as this is available (“Y”), the unlocking criterion 10b is generated.

The flight criterion F is designed in such a way that it is only fulfilled after the ammunition 2 has been fired in flight. In the present case, the flight criterion F includes that in the parameter K over the time t an alternating signal with a frequency of at least 250 Hz is present for at least 1 second. This condition is met for a good 1 second after the ammunition 2 has been fired, since the twist D and thus the frequency of the parameter K after the firing until it leaves the barrel from 0 Hz to 300 Hz increases and remains at least above 250 Hz in flight. The delay of 1 second results in a corresponding safety of the upstream pipe.

List of reference symbols

2

ammunition

4a, 4b

first, second part

6th

Central longitudinal axis

8th

Detonator

10a, 10b

Release criterion

12th

contraption

14th

Sensor (Hall sensor)

16

Control unit

18th

Magnetic field source

20th

generator

22nd

Counterpart

24

Magnetic field sensor (Hall sensor)

D.

Twist

R.

Relative rotation

t

time

K

Parameter

F.

Flight criterion

Claims (15)

1. Device (12) for producing an arming criterion (10b) for a fuze (8) for a partly spinning munition (2), which comprises a first part (4a), which has a spin (D) about its central longitudinal axis (6) during its flight as intended, and comprises a second part (4b), which at the same time has no motion or only a rolling motion less than the spin (D) about the central longitudinal axis (6),

   - with a sensor (14) for sensing a relative rotation (R) about the central longitudinal axis (6) between the first part (4a) and the second part (4b) of the munition (2) and for outputting a characteristic variable (K) for the sensed relative rotation (R),

   - and with a control unit (16), which is connected to the sensor (14) and is set up to only produce the arming criterion (10b) when the sensed characteristic variable (K) fulfils a flying criterion (F).
2. Device (12) according to Claim 1,
   characterized
   in that the sensor (14) is a contactlessly operating sensor.
3. Device (12) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that the sensor (14) is a magnetically operating sensor.
4. Device (12) according to Claim 3,
   characterized
   in that the sensor (14) is a Hall sensor.
5. Device (12) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that the flying criterion (F) is the condition, transformed into the characteristic variable (K), that a minimum number of revolutions between the first part (4a) and the second part (4b) has taken place and/or there is a minimum rotational frequency of the relative rotation (R).
6. Fuze (8) for a partly spinning munition (2), which comprises a first part (4a), which has a spin (D) about its central longitudinal axis (6) during its flight as intended, and comprises a second part (4b), which at the same time has no motion or only a rolling motion less than the spin (D) about the central longitudinal axis (6), the fuze (8) having at least one arming criterion (10a, 10b), with a device (12) according to one of the preceding claims which provides the arming criterion (10b) as one of the arming criteria (10a, 10b) of the fuze (8) .
7. Fuze (8) according to Claim 6,
   characterized
   in that the fuze (8) has the arming criterion (10b) to be produced by the device (12) as a first criterion and has a second arming criterion (10a), which is based on a physical effect that is different from the relative rotation (R) between the two parts (4a, 4b).
8. Fuze (8) according to either of Claims 6 and 7,
   characterized
   in that the sensor (14) is fastened to the fuze (8) .
9. Munition (2), which comprises a first part (4a), which has a spin (D) about its central longitudinal axis (6) during its flight as intended, and comprises a second part (4b), which at the same time has no motion or only a rolling motion less than the spin (D) about the central longitudinal axis (6), with a device (12) according to one of Claims 1 to 5.
10. Munition (2) according to Claim 9,
    characterized
    in that it includes a fuze (8) according to one of Claims 6 to 8.
11. Munition (2) according to either of Claims 9 and 10,
    characterized
    in that the sensor (14) and/or the control unit (16) of the device (12) and/or the fuze (8) are arranged in the second part (4b) of the munition (2) .
12. Munition (2) according to one of Claims 9 to 11,
    characterized
    in that the sensor (14) is a magnetic sensor, which is fastened in one of the parts (4a, b), and in the other of the parts (4b, a) a magnetic field source (18) for a time-constant magnetic field is fitted.
13. Munition (2) according to Claim 12,
    characterized
    in that the magnetic field source (18) includes at least one permanent magnet.
14. Munition (2) according to either of Claims 12 and 13,
    characterized
    in that the magnetic field source (18) is that of a generator (20) and/or motor, divided in a two-component manner into the first part (4a) and the second part (4b).
15. Munition (2) according to Claim 14,
    characterized
    in that the device (12) has a first Hall sensor as the sensor (14) and the generator (20) and/or the motor has a magnetic field sensor (24) as the second Hall sensor.

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