EP4296607A1 - Active body with predetermined breaking points for projectiles - Google Patents

Abstract

An active body (8) for a intended projectile (2), contains at least two fragments (10) and a bridge (12) for connecting them, which form a predetermined breaking point, during firing (14) and flight (18) of the active body (8 ) at a breaking point (20), the bridges (12) continue to hold the fragments (10) together, and at the breaking point (20) the predetermined breaking points break and the fragments (10) separate from one another, with the fragments (10) themselves continuing to exist remain.A projectile (2) contains the active body (8).In one process, at least part of the active body (8) is produced using an additive manufacturing process.In one process, either the active body (8) is fired at a target (22). and the breaking point (20) is the impact on the target (22), or the active body (8) is fired with a projectile (2) containing explosives (30) and accelerated by the reaction of the explosives. Here too, the breaking point is the impact on the target.

Description

The invention relates to an active body for a projectile.

From the DE 10 2010 027 580 A1 a warhead with a fragmentation function is known. This has a warhead casing that is filled with explosives inside. To enable the splinter function, splinter elements, for example in the form of splinter plates that burst when detonated, are arranged on the outside of the mostly cylindrical warhead casing. Closing the warhead radially outwards, an outer shell is finally provided, which surrounds the fragment elements and is firmly placed on the warhead shell. To detonate, the explosive located in the warhead casing is ignited so that the splinter elements burst or, if individual splinters are provided, they are thrown essentially radially into the environment by the detonation.

Active bodies in the sense of the present invention are, for example, such fragments/burst pieces of the splinter elements that form during detonation or such individual splinters as well as the parts of the warhead casing that form when it bursts.

The object of the present invention is to propose improvements with regard to active bodies.

The task is solved by an active body according to claim 1. The active body serves or is set up for a intended projectile. “Intended” means that the active body is designed for a specific or specific type of projectile and is intended and set up for use there. For example, it is designed for the resulting mass and geometry requirements, etc. In other words, a bullet in question is assumed to be known or given with regard to the properties of the active body.

1. 1.) Während eines bestimmungsgemäßen Abschusses und Fluges des Wirkkörpers mit dem Geschoss halten die Brücken die Fragmente weiterhin mechanisch fest zusammen. Der Wirkkörper besteht also unverändert als Ganzes fort. Der Abschluss und Flug des Wirkkörpers findet auf einen bestimmungsgemäßen Bruchpunkt des Wirkkörpers hin statt. "Bruchpunkt" ist hier im Sinne eines Ereignisses oder Kriteriums zu verstehen, das das Brechen der Sollbruchstellen auslöst. Auch die Randbedingungen des Bruchpunkts sind also im obigen Sinne bekannt bzw. gegeben ("bestimmungsgemäß").
2. 2.) Bei dem bzw. an dem Bruchpunkt des Wirkkörpers bzw. Geschosses brechen dann die Sollbruchstellen, insbesondere die Brücken bzw. deren Anbindung an die Fragmente als Sollbruchstellen, das geplante Brechen findet also statt. Als Folge hiervon lösen sich die betreffenden Fragmente voneinander, da sich nicht länger über die Brücken zusammengehalten werden und nun nicht mehr miteinander mechanisch verbunden sind. Die Fragmente selbst bleiben jedoch weiterhin bestehen. Diese zerbrechen also nicht weiter. Es erfolgt also keine weitere Zerlegung der Fragmente.

The active body contains at least two, in particular a large number (at least 8, 10, 15, 20, ...), of fragments. The active body contains at least one bridge. Respectively Two of the fragments are initially mechanically firmly connected to one another via at least one bridge (until they break, see below). The bridges and/or the connected fragments act as a predetermined breaking point in terms of their mechanical strength and/or the mechanical strength of the connection of the bridges to the fragments. In particular, a bridge alone forms a predetermined breaking point, ie the bridge itself breaks. The predetermined breaking point is set up as follows:

1. 1.) During the intended firing and flight of the active body with the projectile, the bridges continue to mechanically hold the fragments together. The active body therefore continues to exist unchanged as a whole. The termination and flight of the active body takes place at a designated breaking point of the active body. “Breaking point” is to be understood here in the sense of an event or criterion that triggers the breaking of the predetermined breaking points. The boundary conditions of the breaking point are also known or given in the above sense (“as intended”).
2. 2.) At or at the breaking point of the active body or projectile, the predetermined breaking points, in particular the bridges or their connection to the fragments, break as predetermined breaking points, so the planned breaking takes place. As a result, the fragments in question separate from one another because they are no longer held together by the bridges and are no longer mechanically connected to one another. However, the fragments themselves still remain. So these don't break any further. So there is no further dissection of the fragments.

The active body has a surface or circumferential shape (in the unbroken state). This forms an envelope for all components of the active body. The bridges are located in or inside this peripheral shape.

The breaking point is in particular an impact of the active body or the projectile on an intended target. The breakdown into fragments (breaking of the predetermined breaking points) then occurs due to the impact shock/ballistic impact on the target, e.g. the armor of a vehicle. In this respect, it is assumed that in this case the active body is operated in such a way that it is fired at a target as part of a projectile, so that the breaking point results from impact on the target. The target is, for example, a land, air or sea vehicle that is in particular armored, the armor being able to be penetrated by the active body.

Alternatively, the active body(s) is/are arranged around an explosive and is/are accelerated by its ignition, but without breaking on the bridges; breaking only occurs when it hits the target. However, the individual active bodies can be connected by weaker bridges, which break when detonated, so that the active bodies are present individually.

The predetermined breaking point is created, for example, by dimensioning the dimensions of the bridge compared to the fragments (e.g. reduced cross section in a transition direction between fragments). In other words, the predetermined breaking point is then designed, for example, with (much) smaller dimensions than the fragment. Alternatively, a predetermined breaking point arises, for example, due to the less strong solidification of the starting material in an additive manufacturing process.

According to the invention, the active body is fragmented at the breaking point. Before and at the beginning of the breaking point, the entire active body is still available as a unit, for example to have an initial effect on a target, for example to penetrate armor. When it breaks through, it breaks down into fragments. After the armor has been penetrated, the fragments are then available to have their own effect. This creates a defined number of smaller fragments. This increases the "number of fragments" (first one, namely the active body, later the majority of actual fragments) and thus also the effect of the active body, for example in a target.

In a preferred embodiment, the active body has an outer layer (up to the breaking point). This closes off the active body from its surroundings. The outer layer consists exclusively of at least sections of or entire fragments and at least sections of or entire bridges that connect the respective fragments. This creates a mechanically strong, particularly dense outer layer up to the breaking point, which acts like a shell. However, a separate component in the form of a separate shell is avoided here. In the casing, other components of the active body, e.g. additional elements such as a charge/powder etc. can be stored safely and isolated from the environment. For example, a reaction of the additional elements with the environment (eg atmospheric oxygen) can be avoided until the active body breaks at the breaking point.

In a preferred embodiment, the active body (up to the breaking point) also has an outer layer that closes it to its surroundings. This can in particular be designed as above (fragments and bridges), but can also be designed alternatively (also other shell elements). In addition, the active body has an interior space enclosed by the outer layer up to the breaking point. The active body then contains at least one additional element. In particular, at least one of the additional elements is a loose additional element, which is therefore held in the interior up to the breaking point, but is otherwise not specifically attached to parts of the active body. The additional element is arranged in the interior up to the breaking point. The additional element is therefore in the interior for so long. If it is a loose additional element, it is accommodated, held or stored in the interior. The outer layer does not necessarily have to be mechanically stable, but in particular it has such a property. However, the outer layer is in particular designed in such a way that it prevents an uncontrolled exit of the additional elements from the interior and/or their interaction with the environment before the breaking point. The additional elements can be used to introduce additional functionality into the active body. After the breaking point, the additional elements are then released.

In a preferred variant of this embodiment, at least one of the additional elements is designed in powder form as a collection of powder elements. The powder elements are smaller, in particular much smaller, for example by a factor of 10, 20, 50, 100, 1000 or more, than the entire additional element. "Powder-like" is to be understood as meaning, for example, a partially solidified or actually loose powder, in any case a structure that decomposes into powder at the breaking point. In particular, in addition to the powder elements, the additional element can also contain other components, for example ceramic components or particles. These components then do not bond with the powder elements and ensure that the powder itself remains loose. This applies in particular to the production of the active body/additional element using additive manufacturing processes.

In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the active body, in particular the entire active body, is or is produced by an additive manufacturing process. In particular, all components, fragments, bridges and additional elements are manufactured accordingly. In particular, a predetermined breaking point/bridge is produced, for example, by solidifying a base material of the manufacturing process less than a fragment happens. In particular, for example, the material of the bridge is less solidified than that of the fragments. The predetermined breaking point can also be a continuous layer of material that, for example, completely fills a gap between fragments. The predetermined breaking point/bridge is then created, for example, solely by the less solidification of the base material in the gap in some areas compared to the fragments. Using an appropriate additive manufacturing process, especially 3D printing, particularly varied active bodies can be produced.

In a preferred embodiment, the active body is designed in one piece, at least with regard to at least two of the fragments and one of the bridges connecting these fragments. A corresponding bridge then forms a one-piece continuation of two fragments. In particular, all fragments and bridges are made in one piece with each other. In particular, at least one of the additional elements is designed in one piece with it, in particular as a partially solidified powder. For example, the powder is only solidified to such an extent in the context of additive manufacturing that it can be viewed as one piece with other components (fragment/bridge), but pulverizes at the breaking point.

In a preferred embodiment, the active body is a construction splitter for the intended projectile. In other words, the active body is a fragment of the projectile, in particular its component or a component of its occupancy.

The active bodies are arranged in the explosive. By igniting the explosive, the individual active bodies are accelerated without the bridges in the active bodies breaking. The active bodies hit the target as a whole.

In a preferred embodiment, the individual active bodies can also be connected via further, weaker predetermined breaking points and thus form a projectile casing for an explosive projectile. When the explosive is ignited, the weaker bridges break, meaning that the active bodies are present individually. The breaking point of the individual active bodies is when they hit the target.

The active body can in particular also be an integral part of the projectile.

In a preferred embodiment, the intended projectile is an explosive-free projectile and the active body is at least part of a, in particular a complete, projectile casing for the intended projectile. In particular, the active body not only forms a shell of the projectile, but also its filling. The active body can also form the entire projectile. The active body is then dismantled solely by a breaking point in the form of a intended ballistic impact (impact) of the projectile on a target; Explosives are not used for dismantling/separating the predetermined breaking points.

This results in the above-mentioned advantages of the active body in particular for fragments of bullets or bullet casings or even entire bullets.

In a preferred embodiment, the active body does not have an unfilled cavity within its circumferential shape. Excluded from this are small spaces, which arise, for example, as a result of the aforementioned additive manufacturing process, for example in the form of non-solidified spaces between material parts. Pores in a material, gaps, tolerance spaces between individual parts, etc. should not be understood as such “cavities”. Even small empty spaces in an additional element, which inevitably remain present between powder elements, for example, do not represent “cavities” in this sense. The result is: With regard to this embodiment, no deliberate free spaces/cavities are left in the active element. The active element is overall - within the scope of its material/manufacturing properties - a "solid material". The entire volume of the active body therefore serves as useful mass.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one component of the active body contains reactive material or consists of reactive material. Components include, in particular, fragments, bridges and additional elements. The reactive material is designed to have a reactive effect with an intended counter material. The counter material is formed, for example, by components of the target or by components of the environment or the interior of the target. "Reactive" is to be understood in particular as meaning that a chemical reaction of the material occurs on or with the counter material, possibly in connection with a physical impact effect (energy that is created by acceleration/deformation of the active body/target). This reaction results in the release of further energy, in particular heat, which occurs in particular as chemical energy in the reactive material is stored. It is therefore particularly an exothermic reaction. Alternatively or additionally, there is a reactively destructive, weakening effect on an intended material, in particular the target. The reactive material is in particular a pyrophoric material. The counter material is in particular a target material or an atmosphere/medium surrounding the target, in particular atmospheric oxygen or water, fuel or a load on the target, e.g. ammunition/warfare materials.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a projectile according to claim 11. This contains at least one active body according to the invention. The projectile therefore represents the above-mentioned intended projectile for the active body. The projectile and at least some of its possible embodiments as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the active body according to the invention.

A projectile in the present sense is also a so-called warhead, a fragmentation ammunition or a fragmentation warhead.

In a preferred embodiment, the projectile has at least one of the active bodies according to the invention in the form of a structural fragment. This has also already been explained above in connection with the active body as a construction splitter. A construction splinter is here in particular part of a splinter coating on the projectile. However, the term can also be understood broadly in that the structural fragment can be at least part of a bullet casing or the bullet itself.

The projectile can either be made without explosives, but can also contain explosives, in particular to dismantle the projectile in the air. In addition to the active bodies, the projectile can also contain at least one classic solid fragment, which does not further break down into parts at the breaking point of the active body itself. These classic splitters are made in one piece and solid, and correspond to the fragments in that they do not disintegrate further at the breaking point of the active body, etc. The classic splitters are also particularly construction fragments.

In a preferred embodiment, the projectile is designed without explosives. This embodiment has also already been explained above.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for producing an active body according to the invention. In the method, at least part of the active body, in particular the entire active body, is produced by an additive manufacturing process. This procedure has also already been explained above.

1. 1.) Entweder wird/werden der/die Wirkkörper als Teil des Geschosses zusammen mit diesem auf ein bestimmungsgemäßes Ziel hin abgeschossen. Der Bruchpunkt ist dann das bestimmungsgemäße Auftreffen des/der Wirkkörper(s) auf das Ziel. Insbesondere erfolgt hierbei ein Brechen der Sollbruchstellen durch die beim Auftreffen entstehende Impakt-Energie.
2. 2.) In der zweiten Verfahrensvariante wird/werden der/die Wirkkörper als Teil des Geschosses zusammen mit diesem abgeschossen. Hierbei wird jedoch ein Geschoss verwendet, welches auch Sprengstoff enthält. Der/die Wirkkörper wird/werden hierbei durch Umsetzung des Sprengstoffs beschleunigt, jedoch erfolgt keine Zerlegung des/der Wirkkörper(s) selbst bei der Umsetzung. Der Bruchpunkt des/der Wirkkörper(s) liegt auch hier beim Auftreffen auf das Ziel.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for operating an active body according to the invention. There are two options for the procedure:

1. 1.) Either the active body(s) is/are fired as part of the projectile together with it towards an intended target. The breaking point is then the intended impact of the active body(s) on the target. In particular, the predetermined breaking points are broken by the impact energy generated upon impact.
2. 2.) In the second method variant, the active body(s) is/are fired as part of the projectile together with it. However, this uses a bullet that also contains explosives. The active body(s) is/are accelerated by the reaction of the explosive, but the active body(s) themselves are not dismantled during the reaction. The breaking point of the active body(s) is also here when it hits the target.

In the event that the individual active bodies are connected to a shell via weaker bridges, the reaction of the explosive causes the weaker bridges to be broken, so that the active bodies are separated. The breaking point of the active bodies is again when they hit the target.

This method and its two options have already been explained above in connection with the active body or the bullet, also with regard to their advantages.

The invention is based on the following findings, observations and considerations and also has the following preferred embodiments. These embodiments are sometimes referred to as “the invention” to simplify matters. The embodiments can also contain parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or correspond to them and/or possibly also include previously unmentioned embodiments.

The invention is based on the following findings: In practice, the central point in the design of fragmentation ammunition or fragmentation warheads is usually the penetration performance of the fragments into the targets to be combated. For appropriately protected targets, comparatively large fragments are required, which affects the number of fragments. In the target itself, however, fewer large splinters are usually necessary to cause damage there. The single large splinter is oversized here; a larger number of smaller splinters within the target would be an advantage. This disadvantage becomes even more important if the fragment hits less massive targets than assumed for the design. Here, a conventional fragment penetrates the target completely, i.e. penetrates the target and leaves the back of the target with only minor damage to the target and without using up its energy in the target.

So far, in practice, splinters have been dimensioned based on the required penetration power and manufactured as a “solid material” (object that does not decompose further).

The invention is based on the following idea: In order to compensate for this circumstance, it is possible to design the individual large splinters in the form of active bodies and to provide them with predetermined breaking points inside (within the surface of the active body). As a result, the large active body / splinter breaks into a defined number of smaller fragments (comparatively smaller splinters), particularly when it penetrates the massive external structure of the target, which can increase the probability of failure of components inside the target due to the larger number of splinters.

The invention is also based on the idea that it is possible to create predetermined breaking points inside active bodies (fragments) using additive manufacturing processes (e.g. 3D printing). The application can be in the form of active bodies as structural fragments for ammunition or warheads. Additive manufacturing technology also allows the creation of a range of different fragment sizes (secondary fragment sizes) in a single active body. By designing the internal structure (fragments, bridges, additional elements, ...) smaller fragments (splinters) can be created without this fragment mass (splinter mass) being attached to the larger active body (i.e. a single larger splinter) during construction is available. In other words, the mass of the active body has a dual function:
On the one hand, as a total mass, it represents a comparatively massive large active body (large fragments, e.g. piercing the armor of a vehicle). After disassembly, the same (total) mass acts again in smaller fragments (small fragments, e.g. effect in the area surrounded by the armor). interior of the vehicle).

Instead of splinters, the same principle can also be used for active bodies in the form of small / medium caliber - especially explosive-free - bullets or their parts / casings. Instead of a splinter (active body), for example, the bullet itself is provided as an active body with internal predetermined breaking points. While the massive bullet - apart from the predetermined breaking points - initially has a high penetrating power, the predetermined breaking points, made possible in particular by additive manufacturing / 3D printing of the bullet body, lead to a defined breakdown of the bullet when it penetrates sufficiently massive targets to penetrate inside the target through a large number of splinters (fragments).

According to the invention, this results in active bodies (splitters) with integrated predetermined breaking points for optimized effect on the target through defined fragmentation of the active bodies into fragments during target penetration.

The active bodies therefore contain predetermined breaking points inside. When a target structure is penetrated, the individual active bodies fragment into a defined number of smaller fragments (splinters) according to the predetermined breaking points. This increases the number of splinters and thus the effect on the target. Active bodies with predetermined breaking points inside the individual active bodies are produced, in particular using additive manufacturing (3D printing).

According to the invention, there is a high active body (fragment) penetration power with at the same time high impact (fragments) within the target. The number of fragments (number of fragments) inside a target can be increased without reducing the penetration capacity of the still undisassembled active body (large fragments).

The active bodies in particular form a fragment coating, a projectile casing or a projectile.

The invention is further based on the following idea:
Crucial to the effectiveness of reactive fragments is ensuring that the reactive material within the target reacts as completely as possible. This can be achieved, particularly in the case of materials that react with air, by dismantling the active body (large fragments) during the target penetration.

• Einbringen innenliegender Sollbruchstellen,
• Unverbundenes, loses Pulver innerhalb der Wirkkörper, z.B. in den Sollbruchstellen (als Teil / Material der Sollbruchstellen bzw. Brücken),
• Schwache, unvollständige Verbindung der einzelnen Pulverelemente (Pulverkörner) zueinander (durch Einstellung der Prozessparameter oder durch Einbringen von keramischen Partikeln, welche keine Bindung erreichen).

Through additive manufacturing (3D printing), the following positive aspects can be used for implementation:

• Introducing internal predetermined breaking points,
• Unconnected, loose powder within the active bodies, e.g. in the predetermined breaking points (as part/material of the predetermined breaking points or bridges),
• Weak, incomplete connection of the individual powder elements (powder grains) to one another (by adjusting the process parameters or by introducing ceramic particles that do not achieve any bonding).

Already in detail, but above all by combining the points mentioned, a high proportion of the reactive mass can be caused to react at or after the breaking point:
E.g.: During additive manufacturing (3D printing), unconnected powder in the area of the predetermined breaking points is present directly as a pyrophoric material and reacts immediately with release during disassembly when the target is penetrated. The resulting increase in temperature can in turn lead to the start of the reaction of larger fragments (splinter fragments) from weakly connected powder areas (e.g. parts of a broken bridge, parts of an additional element). Larger fragments (e.g. fragments), which are necessary for sufficient structural strength, ultimately react when they hit structures inside the target.

The same principle can also be applied to active bodies in the form of small / medium caliber bullets (or bullet casings) instead of for active bodies in the form of fragments. Instead of a fragment, the bullet itself is constructed as or with an active body as described above. While the bullet (active body), which is solid apart from the predetermined breaking points, initially has a high penetration capacity, the disintegration that occurs during penetration as a result of the shock load and deformation leads to the release of the pyrophoric powder and the conversion of the reactive material (e.g. also the fragments).

This results in decomposing active bodies (fragments, bullets) made of reactive material when the target is penetrated, in particular produced using additive manufacturing processes. Reactive active bodies of a warhead or ammunition are provided with macro/microscopic predetermined breaking points and unconnected areas (additional elements) through additive manufacturing (e.g. using 3D printing). When a target structure is penetrated, strong fragmentation of the active body and the release of additional elements (e.g. loose powder) can be achieved. This results in improved implementation of the reactive material within the target.

According to the invention, the implementation of a reactive active body/fragment/additional element (splitter) can also be achieved within thin-walled target structures (decomposition into fragments on the thin wall, effect of the fragments in the space behind the wall).

The invention is based on the observation that in practice such an effect - if at all - could only be achieved through the use of materials with brittle mechanical properties.

According to the invention, in particular active bodies with predetermined breaking points, weak and unconnected powder inside are produced additively (e.g. using 3D printing). This results in a strong breakdown when the target is penetrated into smaller fragments (fragments) and the release of loose powder.

What is achieved is that the active body is broken down so much when it penetrates the target that the fragments / additional elements (fragments) begin to react or the remaining fragments (fragments, parts of bridges, etc.) react when they hit structures inside the target , instead of completely penetrating the target without any further effect like larger splinter fragments (e.g. undisassembled large splinters, comparable to an active body without predetermined breaking points).

The reaction is optimized through an adapted active body structure, in particular using additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Here too, the active bodies in particular form a fragment coating, a projectile casing or a projectile.

For example, mixtures of suitable metals (Ta, Al, Ti, Zr, W, Hf) and metal compounds can be used as reactive materials. The additional energy release after impact depends on the surrounding atmosphere (e.g. oxygen). The intermetallic reaction is independent of fragmentation. The release of the additional chemical energy during combustion with oxygen usually occurs faster and more completely, the finer the reactive material is fragmented after impact.

When used as a (reactive) splitter assignment:
The fragmentation of the projectile/warhead can consist of individual preformed active bodies (fragments) (and offset with microscopic/macroscopic predetermined breaking points). Likewise, a continuous shell with predetermined breaking points is also conceivable as an active body, which contributes to the structural strength of the system when acceleration forces occur. The predetermined breaking points of the casing must then be designed in such a way that when the active body/active part detonates, it breaks down into individual splinters (fragments), which then have an impact on the target, in particular fragmenting even further. In addition, the effect on the target can be optimized by adjusting fragment sizes or predetermined breaking points in the bullet casing. Depending on the target, the effectiveness of the bullet could also be increased by a mixture of conventional fragments and (reactive) active bodies (fragments) weakened via predetermined breaking points. The density of the splinter material is another design parameter.

Figur 1

ein Geschoss mit Wirkkörper in Form eines Konstruktionssplitters in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Figur 2

einen alternativen Wirkkörper in Form eines Konstruktionssplitters in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Figur 3

einen Schnitt durch den Wirkkörper aus Figur 2,

Figur 4

einen Schnitt durch einen alternativen Wirkkörper in Form eines Konstruktionssplitters,

Figur 5

einen Wirkkörper in Form eines Geschosses in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Figur 6a

einen Wirkkörper bei einem Abschuss und Flug auf ein Ziel hin mit Bruchpunkt bei Aufschlag auf das Ziel im Fall der Zündung von Sprengstoff, und

Figur 6b

einen rein ballistischen Bruchpunkt sowie Fragmente eines Wirkkörpers in einem Innenraum des Ziels aus Figur 6a.

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

Figure 1

a bullet with an active body in the form of a construction fragment in a perspective view,

Figure 2

an alternative active body in the form of a construction fragment in a perspective view,

Figure 3

a cut through the active body Figure 2 ,

Figure 4

a section through an alternative active body in the form of a construction fragment,

Figure 5

an active body in the form of a projectile in a perspective view,

Figure 6a

an active body during a launch and flight towards a target with a breaking point when impacting the target in the event of explosives being detonated, and

Figure 6b

a purely ballistic break point as well as fragments of an active body in an interior of the target Figure 6a .

Figure 1 shows a highly stylized section of a projectile 2. This contains a projectile casing 4 and on the outside of which a splinter coating 6, of which only a single splinter in the form of a construction splinter 7 is shown. The construction splitter 7 is formed here by an active body 8 or is designed as such. In this respect, the active body 8 is one for the intended projectile 2. The active body 8 has a total of fifteen fragments 10. The entire active body 8 has a peripheral shape 32, here a cube shape. Two of the fragments 10 (at the back of the figure) each take up about a quarter of the cube (volume) in the same cuboid shape. Two of the fragments 10 (same, cube-shaped, front left) each take up an eighth of the cube. Another eighth of the cube (front right top) is divided into three fragments 10 (one sixteenth - cuboid, two thirty-seconds (cube)). Another eighth of the cube (front bottom right) is divided into eight cube fragments 10 of equal size.

The active body 8 contains a large number of bridges 12; which are shown enlarged in the figure for clarity. Adjacent fragments 10 are initially mechanically firmly connected to one another via the bridges 12. The bridges 12 themselves form predetermined breaking points in the active body 8 between the fragments 10. With regard to their mechanical strength and the mechanical strength of the connection of the bridges 12 to the fragments 10, they are set up as follows (see also Figure 6 ):
Figure 6a shows how the floor 2 (in Figure 6 itself not shown), and together with this the active body 8 attached to it is fired from a barrel weapon 16 towards a target 22. During the firing 14 (indicated by an arrow) and during flight 18 (indicated by an arrow) and during the detonation of any explosives, the bridges 12 hold the fragments 10, as in Figure 1 shown, still mechanically firmly together. The firing 14 also takes place at a intended breaking point 20.

This one is in Figure 6b indicated by a circle and consists here in the ballistic impact of the active body 8 on the target 22. The breaking point 20 here is the impact of the projectile 2 or the active body 8 on the 22, here a vehicle with armor 24 that surrounds an interior 26 . The active body has enough mass to penetrate the armor 24.

Due to the impact shock on the armor 24, i.e. the ballistic energy, the bridges 12 break open in the form of the predetermined breaking points while the armor 24 is penetrated. The fragments 10 are no longer held together and become isolated. In other words, the active body dissolves into its fragments 10. However, these do not divide any further; They are mechanically stable and now act as individual fragments, comparable to conventional construction fragments of comparatively low mass.

Figure 6b thus illustrates that the fragments 10 and bridges 12 are further set up so that at the breaking point 20, here when the active body 8 hits the armor 24, the bridges 12 break as predetermined breaking points and the relevant fragments 10 separate from one another, the fragments 10 itself will continue to exist.

The firmly holding active body 8 of comparatively large mass is thus used to initially penetrate the armor 24. After the active body 8 has fulfilled this task, it breaks down into the fragments 10 based on the predetermined breaking points or bridges 12, each of which then falls apart in the interior 26 Have an effect against components 28 in the interior 26 (only one shown symbolically). These are electronic devices and other internal fittings of Target 22.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of an active body 8. This also has a peripheral shape 32 in the form of a cube. However, the active body 8 only has three cuboid fragments 10, which take up approximately one half and two quarters of the cube volume.

Figure 3 shows a section through the active body 8 along plane III-III. In this embodiment, the bridges 12 are not formed over the entire surface between the fragments 10, but are designed as concentrated webs in gaps between the fragments 10 and are indicated here by hatching. The active body 8 here has an outer layer 34, indicated by dashed lines, which closes off the active body 8 from its surroundings 35. The outer layer 34 is formed exclusively from fragments 10 (or parts thereof) and bridges 12, which connect the fragments 10 as explained above. Furthermore, the active body 8 has an interior 36 enclosed by the outer layer 34, which here has a T-shaped cross section. Another bridge 12 is arranged in the interior 36.

Furthermore, the interior 36 contains two additional elements 38a, b. The additional elements 38a, b are designed in powder form as a collection of powder elements 40 (only some of them symbolically indicated in the figure). The powder elements 40 are much smaller than the entire additional element 38a, b. The additional element 38a is a partially solidified powder from the powder elements 40, which initially forms a solid mass, which, however, changes according to the target penetration Figure 6b pulverized, i.e. separated into individual powder elements 40. The additional element 38b, on the other hand, is actually already initially accommodated in the interior 36 as loose powder of the powder elements 40. When dismantling the active body 8 according to Figure 6b this is simply released. In this embodiment, in addition to the fragments 10, the loose powder or powder elements 40 also penetrate into the interior 26 of the target 22.

The ones in the Figures 1 to 3 The active bodies 8 shown are each manufactured entirely using an additive manufacturing process, here 3D printing. The starting point for this is a base material for the active body 8, which is solidified in a customary manner as part of the manufacturing process. The fragments 10 are created by the fact that the base material is maximally or finally solidified as part of the manufacturing process. The bridges 12 in Figure 1 On the other hand, they are manufactured in such a way that the starting material is only partially solidified. The solidification only occurs to the extent that the bridges 12 as described above, launch 14 and flight 18 of the active body 8 according to Figure 6a as a mechanical load to hold the fragments 10 together. According to the impact shock at Target 22 Figure 6b However, the bridges 12 do not withstand, thus acting as predetermined breaking points and breaking, so that the fragments 10 separate from each other.

In the Figures 2 and 3 The bridges 12 are also stronger than in Figure 1 solidified base material. Here the function of the predetermined breaking point also arises from the smaller dimensions of the bridges 12 in relation to the fragments 10 or gaps between them. In other words, the bridges are designed with a comparatively small cross section in the direction from one fragment 10 to the next.

In this sense, the active bodies 8 are according to the Figures 1-3 made in one piece with regard to all fragments 10 and bridges 12. These active bodies 8 have no unfilled cavity within their circumferential shape 32, here the cube shape, and therefore consist entirely of the above-mentioned base material for 3D printing, which, as above, is partly final solidified and partly only partially solidified (bridges 12 in Figure 1 ). The powder elements 40 are also made from base material. In the additional element 38b, the base material is not solidified at all and therefore remains as a loose powder; In the additional element 38a it is only solidified to such an extent that a coherent mass results. Also the active body 8 according to Figures 2 and 3 is therefore completely manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. The powder elements 40 are base material or manufacturing material, the additional element 38b is unsolidified material, the additional element 38b is slightly partially solidified material, the bridges 12 are more strongly solidified base material and the fragments 10 are again fully solidified base material. In this respect, all elements of the active body 8 are the Figures 2 and 3 manufactured in one piece with the exception of the additional element 38b. or executed.

The fragment occupancy 6 of the projectile 2 has, in addition to the active bodies 8, also construction fragments 7 in a classic, solid design. In the Figure 1 only one of these is indicated by dashed lines. These are used in accordance with Figure 6b also the penetration of the armor 24, but do not disassemble any further and may penetrate the armor 24 even after crossing the interior 26, i.e. on the right side Figure 6b in order to penetrate and damage the target 22 again on the side facing away from the fire.

Figure 4 shows a section through another alternative active body 8, which is also manufactured in one piece using an additive manufacturing process. Here the bridges 12 are uniformly solidified with the fragments 10. The effect as a predetermined breaking point results from the fact that cavities 42 are created inside the active body 8 during production. The effect as a predetermined breaking point results here solely from the purely geometric dimensioning of the bridges 12. Here too arises as per Figures 2 and 3 a closed outer layer 34 surrounding the entire cube.

The active bodies 8 (here as an example according to Figure 4 ) are designed in an alternative variant for a different breaking point 20 or the bridges 12 are dimensioned differently. The active bodies 8 are then dimensioned for a intended projectile 2, which contains explosives 30 within its projectile casing 4 and in Figure 4 is shown in dashed lines.

In the example according to the Figures 2 and 3 The active body 8 is also made of reactive material, here pyrophoric material as the base material. When the material is released at the breaking point 20 as fragments 40 and powder elements 40, the material reacts with atmospheric oxygen as countermaterial 44. A particularly strong reaction occurs for the additional elements 38a, b, since the pyrophoric material is present as powder elements 40. However, the fragments 10 that form from pyrophoric material also react with their respective surroundings, in particular with air or fuel in the interior 26, which significantly increases the effect of the projectile 2.

Figure 5 shows another alternative active body 8, which is designed here as an entire floor 2. Here too, the active body 8 has a total of eight fragments 10, which are comparable to Figure 1 are connected by solid material bridges 12, which are also made from less compacted or solidified base material using an additive manufacturing process. The projectile 2 is designed here without explosives, so it only has the fragments 10 and bridges 12. The breaking point 20 here is again the impact on a target 22 during or after flight 18. The breaking of the bridges 12 and thus the disintegration of the active body 8 into the fragments 10 takes place purely ballistically due to the impact shock when the projectile 2 hits the target 22 or its armor 24, as in Figure 6b shown.

Reference symbol list

2

bullet

4

Bullet casing

6

Splitter occupancy

7

Construction fragments

8th

active body

10

fragment

12

Bridge

14

Launch

16

Pipe weapon

18

Flight

20

Breaking point

22

Goal

23

Environment (of the target)

24

Armor

26

inner space

28

component

30

explosive

32

Circumferential shape

34

Outer layer

35

Environment (of the active body)

36

Interior (the outer layer)

38a,b

Additional element

40

Powder element

42

cavity

44

Counter material

Claims (15)

Active body (8) for a intended projectile (2), - with at least two fragments (10), - with at least one bridge (12), whereby two of the fragments (10) are initially mechanically firmly connected to one another via at least one bridge (12), - wherein the bridges (12) and/or the connected fragments (10) are designed as a predetermined breaking point in terms of their mechanical strength and/or the mechanical strength of the connection of the bridges (12) to the fragments (10). - during a proper firing (14) and flight (18) of the active body (8) with the projectile (2) towards a proper breaking point (20), the bridges (12) continue to hold the fragments (10) together, and - At the breaking point (20), the predetermined breaking points break and the relevant fragments (10) separate from each other, with the fragments (10) themselves continuing to exist. Active body (8) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the active body (8) has an outer layer (34) that closes it to its surroundings (35), and the outer layer (34) consists exclusively of at least sections of fragments (10) and bridges (12) connecting them. Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the active body (8) has an outer layer (34) that closes it to its surroundings (35) and an interior space (36) enclosed by the outer layer (34), and the active body (8) contains at least one additional element (38a, b), which is arranged in the interior (36). Active body (8) according to claim 3,
characterized in that
at least one of the additional elements (38a, b) is designed in powder form as a collection of powder elements (40), the powder elements (40) being smaller than the entire additional element (38a, b). Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least part of the active body (8) is produced by an additive manufacturing process. Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the active body (8) is designed in one piece at least with regard to at least two fragments (10) and one of the connecting bridges (12). Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the active body (8) is a construction fragment (7) for the intended projectile (2). Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the intended projectile (2) is an explosive-free projectile (2) and the active body (8) is at least part of a projectile casing (4) for the intended projectile (2). Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the active body (8) does not have an unfilled cavity (42) within its peripheral shape (32). Active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least one component of the active body (8) contains or consists of reactive material, the reactive material being designed to have a reactive effect with an intended counter material (44). Projectile (2), with at least one active body (8) according to one of the preceding claims. Projectile (2) according to claim 11,
characterized in that
the projectile (2) has at least one of the active bodies (8) in the form of a structural fragment (7). Projectile (2) according to one of claims 11 to 12,
characterized in that
the projectile (2) is designed without explosives. Method for producing an active body (8) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which at least part of the active body (8) is produced by an additive manufacturing process. Method for operating an active body (8) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which: - either the active body (8) is fired as part of the projectile (2) together with it towards an intended target (22) and the breaking point (20) is the intended impact of the active body (8) on the target (22), - or the active body (8) is fired as part of the projectile (2) together with it, the projectile (2) also containing explosives (30) and the breaking point (20) the intended impact of the active body (8) on the target ( 22) is.

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