ES2882784T3 - Tracer charge for tracer ammunition that can be fired from a firearm - Google Patents

Abstract

Tracer light charge for tracer ammunition that can be fired from a firearm with a projectile (26) that accommodates tracer charge (1-1'"), wherein tracer charge (1-1'") comprises a bowl-shaped casing (2-2"), where the light trace charge (1-1'") comprises an electrical power supply device (3), arranged on the side of the head in the casing ( 2-2") in the form of a bowl, where the lighting means arrangement (7) can be supplied with electrical voltage from the power supply device (3) with the help of the switching device (6), and where it is provided in the lighting media arrangement (7), in the area of the rear opening (15) of the bowl-shaped housing (2-2"), an optic (16) for focusing the light radiated from the media arrangement lights (7), where the switching device (6) is a switching element which, due to the high acceleration of the dispa ro of the projectile (26) that contains the respective luminous trace charge (1-1"), is made in such a way that it automatically passes from an open state to a closed state and then electrically connects the power supply device (3 ) to the light diode arrangement (7), characterized in that the switching device (6) is connected to a sensor (12,12') to detect the firing of the projectile (26), which can be attached to the light trace charge (1-1"), and because in the case of the sensor (12) it is a piezoelectric ceramic, whose first surface rests on the electric power supply device (3) and whose second surface rests on the switching (6) electronic or in the case of the sensor (12) it is a piezoelectric ceramic placed between the base (22) of the bowl-shaped casing (2") and the adjacent wall (27) of the projectile (26) .

Description

DESCRIPTION

Tracer charge for tracer ammunition that can be fired from a firearm

The invention relates to a tracer charge for tracer ammunition that can be fired from a firearm with a projectile housing the tracer charge, where the tracer charge is either integrated directly into the projectile or light trace charge comprises a bowl-shaped housing.

Training ammunition and live ammunition often have a tracer charge to track projectiles. The known tracer compositions are each a pyrotechnic charge, which is introduced under pressure either directly into a recess in the bottom of the projectile or into a bowl-shaped casing, for example made of steel. If a bowl-shaped casing is used, it is normally screwed into a threaded hole in the bottom of the projectile.

When the corresponding projectile is fired, the luminous trace charge is ignited by the gases of the projection charge of the corresponding ammunition and then burns with the development of intense heat.

For this reason, in the known luminous trace compositions there is the inconvenience, among others, that in the case of dry climates they can cause a fire in the vicinity of the point of impact of the projectile, provided that when the projectile hits the ground there are no completely burned. In addition to this, pyrotechnic luminous trace compositions entail dangers in the event of rough handling of the ammunition and, due to the classification according to the explosive substances legislation, are linked to a relatively high complexity in terms of management, transport and storage. .

The invention has set itself the task of developing a luminous trace charge, in which a strong generation of heat is reliably avoided with its use according to what has been determined, so that a fire cannot be caused in the environment of a projectile impact by the luminous trace charge.

This task is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims set forth further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention is fundamentally based on the idea of using, instead of a pyrotechnic luminous trace charge, an electrical luminous trace charge in which the luminous trace, after firing the corresponding projectile, is therefore not generated by combustion of a pyrotechnic mixture but by illumination of one or more electrical lighting means, preferably light diodes, and the projectile is thus tracked by means of a "cold" trace.

Document DE 102007 048 074 A1 discloses a luminous ammunition for lighting a battlefield, which proposes not to use a pyrotechnic luminous charge for the luminous ammunition, but an electric luminous body which, depending on its intended use, emits light in the visible and/or infrared wavelength spectrum. In this case, the luminous ammunition reaches the ground via a parachute and thus illuminates the battlefield. US2004/0099173 and US2005/0034627 disclose luminous ammunition.

The light trace charge according to the invention essentially comprises a power supply device arranged on the bottom side of the bowl-shaped housing, a switching device and a light-emitting diode arrangement, which can be supplied with electrical voltage at through the switching device from the power supply device. In order to focus the light rays of the light-emitting diode, an optic consisting of a lens or a lens system is additionally provided in the region of the rear opening of the bowl-shaped housing. If a lens or lens system is dispensed with, focusing is done by means of a reflector. Instead of a bowl, the light trace components can also be installed directly in the projectile body.

The tracer charge according to the invention is completely inert and therefore cannot be activated unintentionally. Since it is thus not a dangerous product within the meaning of the legislation on explosive substances, its dispatch is also made less complicated than the dispatch of conventional pyrotechnic tracer compositions. In addition to this, the coloring of the light trace can be achieved in a simple manner by a corresponding choice of the light diode(s).

The power supply device is preferably a fire-resistant battery located in a battery holder. These batteries known from the state of the art already today have a service life of 10 years and more. Alternatively, at least one capacitor may be integrated in the light ammunition. Other power supply possibilities are represented by paddle wheels, set-back generators, etc.

In order to take advantage of any scattered radiation of the light-emitting diode, the inner shell surface of the bowl-shaped housing in the area of the light-emitting diode and optics, which is connected to the rear (for example by chrome plating), can be configured metallic. For this purpose, the optics can be configured as a lens system or as a reflector.

In order to illuminate a larger area with the same focusing of the light rays, and thus the same brightness, it has proven to be advantageous, in the case of rotation-stabilized projectiles or projectiles exhibiting a compensating rotation, for the diodes to be arranged lights inclined to the longitudinal axis of the bowl-shaped casing, whereby the projectile axis should still be within the light cone.

Since the light trace charge, especially the optics, is subjected to high stresses due to the high pressure during the firing of the projectile and the optical components of the light trace charge, in addition to this, would become very dirty due to gases from the spray charge, it is convenient to close the rear opening of the bowl-shaped casing by means of a removable closing piece.

This closing piece can preferably be made up of an elastic membrane made of rubber or synthetic material which, in its central area, has a contour adapted to the optics of the light trace charge and which, on the edge side, can be joined by external force (for example with the help of some screws) to the projectile that houses the light trace charge.

Alternatively, the membrane can be reinforced in the axial zone of the closing piece by means of a metallic insert with a greater resistance than the membrane. In this case, the metal insert can be permanently bonded to the membrane made of rubber, for example, by vulcanization. The metallic insert protects, together with the membrane, against the gases of the projection load. By supporting the metal insert on the edge of the bowl-shaped housing of the luminous trace charge, the gas pressure acting on the optics is reduced.

Preferably, the membrane should have an external diameter that laterally exceeds that of the projectile that houses the trace charge, in such a way that during the firing of the projectile the membrane tears due to the influx of air from the open area of the membrane. bowl-shaped casing.

However, it can also be envisaged that the membrane can be connected perimetrically through several valves to blind hole-type holes in the rear outer wall of the projectile, in such a way that the high-pressure gases of the projectile charge, which have penetrated during the firing of the projectile in the blind hole drills, flow out again from the drills, as soon as the projectile has left the mouth of the gun tube of the corresponding firearm, and drag the membrane with them.

In this connection, it has proven to be advantageous if the outer contour of the valves, which extends into the blind hole bores, is conically shaped.

In the case of the switching device, it can be, for example, a switching element which, due to the high acceleration of the firing of the projectile containing the respective luminous trace charge, automatically passes from an open state to a closed state and then electrically connect the power supply device to the LED array.

According to the invention, however, provision is made for an electronic switching device which is connected to a sensor for detecting the firing of the projectile, which can be connected to the trace charge. The electronic switching device comprises a thyristor, which supplies the array of light-emitting diodes with voltage from the power supply device, through a processor, only if a voltage value generated by the sensor has exceeded a preset voltage value ( 1st condition) for a preset time interval (2nd condition) (similar to removing the safety from a fuse).

The sensor is a piezoelectric sensor, preferably a sheet-type piezoelectric ceramic, the first surface of which rests on the electrical power supply device and the second surface of which rests on the electronic switching device. The inert mass of the energy supply device (here, for example, the battery) can thus exert a high pressure on the piezoelectric element during the shot due to acceleration forces and fulfill the two aforementioned conditions.

In the case of the sensor, it is a piezoelectric ceramic arranged between the bottom of the bowl-shaped casing and the adjacent wall of the projectile. In such an arrangement, the displacement of the bowl-shaped casing caused by the high pressure of the gases of the projectile charge during the firing of the corresponding projectile is used. This is due to the fact that a displacement of the casing occurs, in the case of the high gas pressures that occur during firing, at least in the elastic zone. The movements of the casing in the elastic zone are sufficient to apply considerable pressure to the piezoelectric ceramic located between the bottom of the bowl-shaped casing and the projectile.

By means of appropriate programming of the processor of the switching device, the sequence of the light sequence of the light-emitting diode(s) can be easily specified (flashes, light-emitting diode switching on only after a predetermined time has elapsed in the tube, disconnection once the flight time has elapsed and a preset safety time, etc.). In order to ensure that the light-tracing charge according to the invention is trip-resistant, it is not only necessary to use trip-resistant constructional elements, but the constructional elements of the light-tracing charge should be fixed trip-resistant on the bowl-shaped casing by means of corresponding filling masses.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be deduced from the following exemplary embodiments, described on the basis of figures. Here they show:

the fig. 1 the schematic structure of a light trace charge according to the invention with a lens system, in a longitudinal section;

the fig. 2 the schematic structure of a light trace charge according to the invention with a reflector, in longitudinal section;

the fig. 3 a light trace charge corresponding to fig. 1/1a with a multi-part bowl-shaped casing and a partially metallized inner casing surface;

the fig. 4 a light trace charge corresponding to fig. 1/1a, which is inserted in the rear area of a projectile, where a piezoelectric ceramic of type sheet;

the fig. 5 the rear area of a spin-stabilized projectile or a compensating-spin projectile with a light trace charge disposed therein;

figs. 6-8 some rear areas of projectiles with luminous trace compositions arranged inside them, where the rear openings of the bowl-shaped casing of the luminous trace compositions are closed by means of different removable closing pieces.

In FIG. 1, 1 designates a luminous tracer charge for a tracer ammunition that can be fired from a firearm. The tracer charge 1 comprises a bowl-shaped housing 2 made of steel, in which an electrical power supply device 3 is arranged on the head side.

The power supply device 3 comprises a battery housing and a battery 5 located inside it. In this regard, the battery housing 4 is used to center the battery 5 and protects against unforeseen short circuits in the event that the battery 5 makes contact with the metallic parts of the light trace load 1. Its material preferably consists of an artificial material and/or a ceramic material. If a metal is used, a surface treatment (eg by anodizing) for electrical passivation is also conceivable.

Alternatively, a capacitor can be used as the power supply device 3, which is charged by an ammunition-internal power supply (not shown in more detail) and which, after the firing signal, supplies a power supply device with current. switching 6. An internal power supply to the ammunition can here be an RCID chip, to which the necessary energy is coupled during / after the output of the projection 4 (illuminating ammunition) from the weapon tube (not shown in more detail) , for example by microwave.

Connected axially to the power supply device 3 is an electronic switching device 6 and to this a light-emitting diode arrangement 7, which can be supplied with electrical energy from the power supply device 3 with the aid of the electronic switching device 6.

The electronic switching device 6 comprises a first plate 8, which houses the first electronic components 9, and a second plate 13 fixed in a first filling mass 10 with additional electronic components 11.

In addition to this, the board 8 of the electronic switching device 6 is used to support a piezoelectric sensor 12 in the form of a foil, which is arranged between the board 8 and the battery holder 4 and is used as a trigger sensor.

The light-emitting diode arrangement 7 comprises a second board 13, on which one or more light-emitting diodes 14 are arranged (only one light-emitting diode is shown for a better overview).

An arrangement with all the electronic components, including the light-emitting diodes, on a single board is also feasible.

In the opening area 15 of the bowl-shaped housing 2, a lens (optic) 16 is provided for focusing the light generated by the light-emitting diode 14. In this case, the optics 16 are designed in such a way that an angle of appropriate opening for the visibility of the light trail.

In order to achieve subsequent tracking of the projectile equipped with the tracer charge 1, also laterally next to the firing mechanism, an opening angle of approx. ± 5° to ± 10°.

The lens 16 should be transparent (completely transparent to the light from the light emitting diodes 14) and as far as possible free of inclusions, in order to achieve a high light output and avoid unforeseen dispersion. It can be made of glass, artificial material (eg a silicone elastomer) or other transparent materials. Refilling can be done by gluing a solid body (lens) or by pouring a filling mass, either in a mold or with subsequent machining. A combination is also conceivable.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a completely transparent second filler 17 was inserted into the bowl-shaped housing 2, in which the LED array 7 was already located, and before the final hardening of the second filler 17, it was then inserted The lens 16 is pressed into the filling mass 17. Filling openings 18, 19, indicated only schematically in the side wall of the casing 2. The filling masses 10, 20, 21 for fixing the constructive elements of the luminous trace charge 1 between the second plate 13 and the bottom 22 of the casing 2 should not have any air inclusions, to intercept pressure and acceleration forces and encompass all construction elements.

Furthermore, the filling compositions, which can be, for example, epoxy resins, polyurethane or silicone elastomers, should be electrically non-conductive.

In fig. 1a shows the rear opening of the light trace with a reflector geometry 15'. The geometry is designed in such a way that a reflection occurs as far as possible within the aforementioned range of ± 5° to ± 10°. Depending on the available construction space, it may be helpful to design the geometry in such a way that part of the beams 80 are reflected on the side opposite the longitudinal axis in order to achieve the required opening angles.

The filler mass 17 is then only used as protection for the LED.

The mode of action of the light trace load 1 described above is discussed in more detail below, with the aid of the block connection diagram shown in FIG. 2, during the firing of a projectile equipped with the light trace charge 1.

As can be deduced from fig. 2, the electronic switching device 6 is electrically connected, through corresponding lines, both to the battery 5 and to the piezoelectric sensor 12 and to the light-emitting diode (LED) 14.

The electronic switching device 6 basically comprises a thyristor 60, which feeds the light diode 14 with current through a processor 61 that activates the light diode 14, whenever a voltage value generated by the piezoelectric sensor 12 has exceeded a value of preset voltage (1st condition) for a preset time interval (2nd condition).

To do this, during the firing of a projectile containing the light trace charge 1, the piezoelectric sensor 12 is subjected to the inert masses of the internal components of the light trace charge 1, especially the battery 5, and generates a voltage . If a previously set voltage value adapted to the load is exceeded, a field effect transistor 62 (FET 1) becomes conductive and the capacitor of an RC time element 63 is charged. In this case, the charging process of the capacitor it depends on the duration of the pressure acting on the piezoelectric sensor 12 and thus on the duration of the permeability of the field effect transistor 62.

If the charging process of the capacitor of the RC time element 63 lasts long enough, the thyristor 60 suffers an electrical breakdown and the processor 61 is supplied with voltage from the battery 5 through field effect transistors (FET 2/3). 64, so that the processor 61 can start a corresponding program. The processor 61 supplies the voltage from the battery 5 to the LED 14 via the driver circuit (FET 4/5) 65. The LED 14 is protected against overload by a current limiting circuit 66.

Depending on the type of programming, the LED 14 can be switched in such a way that it can generate any desired rhythm, such as "switch-on delay", "flashes", "variable flash rhythm", etc.

If only "constant lighting" is required, the 61 processor can be dispensed with.

The electrical tracer charge 1 according to the invention therefore has the great advantage over pyrotechnic tracer compositions in that - controlled by the processor 61 - a scintillating tracer light can be generated and/or that the tracer light it is only connected once a previous time has elapsed in the presettable tube. In this way, the service life of the battery 5 or the light output of the light-emitting diode 14 (power increase) can be increased.

The duration of the illumination should be measured in time in such a way that the light trace can illuminate during the entire flight time of the corresponding projectile. A switch-off of the light-emitting diode 14 can be provided after a predetermined period of time so that, in the event of an unexpected switch-on of the light-emitting diode 14, not too much energy is consumed and the light trace load 1 can still be used correctly even after unexpected lighting. On the other hand, to discharge the battery completely for reasons of environmental protection, for example, an exceptional "switch-on" with a defined discharge after the battery can also be provided.

The electronic switching device 6 is preferably designed in such a way that a long service life can be achieved. To this end, the field effect transistor 62 is highly resistive in the off state and, in that state, draws virtually no current. The RC time element 63 is passive and therefore, just like the next high-resistance thyristor 60, it also does not draw any current. Finally, the components 65 and 66 downstream of the thyristor 60 also have no current.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above.

In this way the light track charge can comprise a multi-piece bowl-shaped casing, which can greatly simplify the assembly of the light track charge. In fig. 3 shows such a light trace charge designated 1' with a corresponding casing 2', where the threaded areas between the different casing parts are marked with the reference symbol 23.

As can also be deduced from fig. 3, an additional intermediate wall 24 of the bowl-shaped housing 2' can be used to support the piezoelectric ceramic 12.

In addition to this, in order to take advantage of possible scattered radiation from the light-emitting diode 14, the inner casing surface 25 of the bowl-shaped housing 2' can be metallized in the area of the light-emitting diode 14 and of the optics 16 which are connected to the itself (for example by chrome plating).

Likewise, instead of a lens system, a reflector geometry can be incorporated in the open area 15 . In fig. A corresponding representation can be seen in 1a.

It can also be provided that the piezoelectric sensor is a piezoelectric ceramic arranged between the bottom of the bowl-shaped housing and the rear wall of the corresponding projectile. An arrangement of this type is shown in FIG. 4. In this connection, the trace charge designated 1" is located at the rear of a projectile 26 and the piezoelectric ceramic 12', between the bottom 22 of the bowl-shaped casing 2" and the adjacent wall 27 of the shell. projectile 26.

In order to illuminate a larger area with equal focusing of the light rays, it has proven to be advantageous, in the case of rotation-stabilized projectiles or projectiles exhibiting a compensating rotation, for the light-emitting diodes 14 to be arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the beam. the bowl-shaped casing, where the projectile axis should however still be located within the light cone.

A corresponding arrangement is shown in fig. 5. In this connection, the light trace charge 1''' located in a projectile 26 has a light-emitting diode 14 arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis 100 of the projectile.

Since the respective light-tracking charge of a corresponding projectile is highly stressed due to the high pressure during firing of the projectile, and the optics of the light-tracing charge, in addition to this, become very dirty due to gases from the spray charge, it is convenient to close the opening 15 of the bowl-shaped housing 2 by means of a removable closing piece.

As can be deduced from fig. 6, a closing part 30 of this type can preferably be composed of an elastic membrane 31 made of rubber or synthetic material which, in its central area, has a contour adapted to the optics 16 of the luminous trace charge 1 and which , on the edge side, can be attached by external force (for example with the help of screws 32) to the projectile 26 that houses the trace charge 1.

The membrane 31 has an outer diameter that laterally exceeds that of the projectile 26 that houses the trace charge 1, in such a way that during the firing of the projectile 26 the membrane tears due to the influx of air 33 coming from the opening 15. of bowl-shaped housing 2.

Alternatively, the membrane 31' (fig. 7) can be reinforced in the central area of the closing piece 30' by means of a metallic insert 34 with a greater resistance than the membrane 31'. In this case, the metal insert 34 can be permanently bonded to the membrane 31', which is made of rubber, for example, by vulcanization. The metal insert 34 protects the optics 16 or the reflector coating, together with the membrane 31', against the gases of the projection load. By resting the metal insert 34 on the edge 35 of the bowl-shaped housing 2 of the tracer charge 1, the pressure of the gases acting on the lens 16 is reduced.

However, it can also be provided that the membrane 31" of the closing piece 30" (fig. 8) does not protrude above the projectile 26 and is fixed by external force, by means of screws 32, to the projectile 26. To achieve this In the event of a tearing of the diaphragm 32" from the opening 15 of the bowl-shaped housing 2, it has proven to be advantageous if the diaphragm 31" additionally has several valves 36, which engage in blind hole bores 37 in the rear outer wall. 38 of the projectile.

During the firing of the projectile 26, high-pressure gases with a correspondingly high pressure then enter the blind hole holes 37 and flow out again from the holes 37 as soon as the projectile 26 has left the muzzle of the gun tube. corresponding firearm. In this case, the gases of the projection charge, which flow from the blind hole bores 37, draw the membrane 31" out of the opening 15 of the housing. bowl-shaped 2.

It has proven to be advantageous if the outer contours 39 of the valves 36, which penetrate into the blind hole bores 37, are designed conically.

Reference symbol list

1- 1'” Luminous trace compositions

2- 2” Casing

3 Power supply device

4 battery compartment

5 Battery

6 Switching device, electronic switching device

7 Light source arrangement, light-emitting diode arrangement

8 First plate

9 First electronic components

10 (First) stuffing dough

11 Second electronic components

12, 12' Sensor, Piezoelectric Sensor, Piezoelectric Ceramic

13 Second plate

14 Light diode

15 Opening (rear)

15, 15' Opening (rear), reflector geometry

16 Optics, lens

17 (Second) stuffing dough

18, 19 Filling openings

20, 21 Filling masses

22 shorts

23 thread zones

24 Intermediate wall

25 Inner casing surface

26 Projectile

27 wall

30- 30” Closing pieces

31- 31” Membranes

32 screw

33 Draft

34 metal insert

35 Edge (shell)

36 valve

37 Blind hole drill, hole

38 Outer wall (housing)

39 Outer contour (valve)

60 Thyristor

61 processor

62 Field Effect Transistor

63 RC time element

64, 65 Field effect transistors, components

66 Current limiting circuit

80 rays of light

100 Longitudinal axis

Claims (13)

1. Tracer luminous charge for tracer ammunition that can be fired from a firearm with a projectile (26) that accommodates the tracer luminous charge (1-1'”), wherein the tracer luminous charge (1-1' ”) comprises a casing (2-2”) in the form of a bowl, where the light trace charge (1-1 '”) comprises an electrical power supply device (3), arranged on the side of the head in the bowl-shaped casing (2-2”), where the lighting means arrangement (7) can be supplied with electrical voltage from the power supply device (3) with the help of the switching device (6), and in where an optic (16) is provided in the arrangement of lighting means (7), in the area of the rear opening (15) of the housing (2-2”) in the form of a bowl, to focus the light radiated from the of luminous means (7), where the switching device (6) is a switching element which, due to the high acceleration firing of the projectile (26) containing the respective luminous trace charge (1-1”), is made in such a way that it automatically passes from an open state to a closed state and then electrically connects the power supply device ( 3) to the light-emitting diode arrangement (7), characterized in that the switching device (6) is connected to a sensor (12,12') for detecting the firing of the projectile (26), which can be attached to the trace charge luminous (1 - 1”), and because in the case of the sensor (12) it is a piezoelectric ceramic, whose first surface rests on the electric power supply device (3) and whose second surface rests on the device electronic switching (6) or in the case of the sensor (12) it is a piezoelectric ceramic arranged between the bottom (22) of the bowl-shaped casing (2”) and the adjacent wall (27) of the projectile (26). ). 2. Light trace load according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic switching device (6) comprises a thyristor (60), which supplies the light-emitting diode array (7) with current via a processor (61) that activates the arrangement of light diodes (7), whenever a voltage value generated by the piezoelectric sensor 12 (12, 12 ') has exceeded a preset voltage value during a preset time interval. Light trace load according to claim 2, characterized in that the processor (61) supplies the light-emitting diode array (7) with power only at predetermined intervals. Light trace load according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by a field effect transistor (62) and an RC time element (63) as well as additional field effect transistors (64), a driver circuit (65 ) and a current limiting circuit (66). Light trace load according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the sequence of the light sequence of the light-emitting diode(s) can be specified by programming the processor (61) of the switching device. 6. Light trace charge according to claim 5, characterized in that the development is a flash and/or a connection of the light diodes only after a previous time has elapsed in the tube, as well as a disconnection after the flight time has elapsed and a preset security time. Light trace charge according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner jacket surface (25) in the area of the lighting arrangement (7) and of the optics (16), which is connected to the itself, it is metallic. Light trace charge according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lighting means arrangement (7) is arranged at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis (100) of the bowl-shaped housing, such that at In the case of projectiles (26) that present a rotation, a presettable lighting cone is generated. 9. Light trace charge according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rear opening (15) of the bowl-shaped casing (2) is closed by a removable closing part (30-30”). Light trace load according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the power supply device (3) is a battery (5) located in a battery holder (4) or a battery is used. capacitor as power supply device (3), which is charged via an internal power supply to the ammunition and which, after the firing signal, supplies current to the switching device (6) or because as switching device power supply (3) paddle wheels or set-back generators are used. Trace light load according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the trace light load comprises one or more electrical lighting means (14), preferably light diodes. Projectile (26) with a tracer charge according to one of Claims 1 to 11. Projectile (26) according to claim 12, characterized in that the light trace charge comprises a bowl-shaped casing or the light trace charge is integrated directly into the projectile (256).