FR2842899A1 - Non-lethal projectile is launched by series of pyrotechnic micro-pulsers that can be selected to give controlled speed and trajectory - Google Patents

Abstract

A projectile (14), fired e.g. from a shoulder-mounted launch barrel (10), is propelled by a series of pyrotechnic micro-pulsers (20) using a fuel such as propergol to control its speed and trajectory. Prior to launching the number of micro-pulsers to be fired is determined by a selector (30) with an electronic control circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

  The present invention relates to the field of projectiles.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

  The object of the present invention is to provide a

  new means of projectile propulsion.

  The object of the present invention is in particular to propose impeller means making it possible to easily modulate and over a wide range the setting parameters.

using a projectile.

BASIS OF THE INVENTION

  The aforementioned aims are achieved in the context of the present invention by means of a projectile propulsion device characterized in that it comprises several micro pyrotechnic boosters and a selection means capable of controlling the implementation of the micro boosters to impose on the projectiles a determined kinetic energy suitable for ensuring the

work sought.

QUICK DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

  Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the

  detailed description which follows, and next to

  attached drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples and in which: - Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a projectile launcher according to a first embodiment of the present invention, - Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of a device according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, - Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a propellant device according to a general structure of the invention, - Figure 4 shows a view detailed in section of a propellant device according to a preferred variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

  We see in Figure 1 attached a propulsion device comprising a barrel 10 whose chamber 12 houses a projectile 14 and whose bottom is equipped with a

plate 20 of micro impellers.

  Preferential methods of producing the plate of micro-impellers 20 will be described more

  in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  As previously indicated, the wafer 20 of micro-impellers is associated according to the invention with a selection means 30 (schematically illustrated in the appended figures) capable of controlling the implementation of the micro-impellers 20 to impose on the projectile 14 a determined kinetic energy suitable for ensuring the

implementation sought.

  In the context of the present invention, the term "controlling the implementation of the micro-impellers" means the possibility of initiating only certain chosen ones. micro impellers, or even control the timing over time of the initiation of these

micro impellers 20.

  Thus, the present invention makes it possible to vary and control the speed of the projectile 14 fired by the

barrel or launcher tube 10.

  The present invention thus makes it possible to control the kinetic energy of the projectile 14 in order, for example, to give it properties of non-lethality, or of

variable level of lethality.

  The present invention also makes it possible to vary the range of the projectile 14, or the speed in

depending on the scope.

  The speed of the projectile 14 depends directly on the

  number of micro impellers 20 initiated.

  The shooter can easily choose when firing the number of micro-impellers 20 to initiate in order to choose the initial speed of the projectile 14 and therefore its kinetic energy. The user can thus choose between a lethal or non-lethal weapon according to the initial speed of the projectile and therefore the number of micro-impellers

insiders 20.

  The shooter can easily modulate the initial speed of the projectile 14 as a function of the distance from the target, by choosing to initiate a determined number of micro-impellers 20 on the propulsion plate, so that at the distance from the target, the residual kinetic energy of projectile 14 is less than a value

of non lethality.

  This choice of the number of initiated micro impellers 20 can be automatic. It can be ordered by a

  telemetry measurement with regard to the gun 10 / target distance.

  For this, it suffices to provide an electronic circuit suitable for controlling a number of micro impellers.

  prerecorded according to the measured distance.

  There is illustrated in FIG. 2 an alternative embodiment according to which the plate of micro-impellers 20 is not integral with the barrel 10 but is provided on the projectile 14 itself. In this configuration, it suffices to program the selection means associated with the micro-impeller plate 20, when

of shooting.

  The micro impellers 20 can be the subject of

  many variants.

  However, preferably, they will be inspired by

  procedures described in document FR-A-2 811 036.

  It will be recalled that in this document FR-A-2 811 036, microactuators have been described essentially for inflation functions of the structure, or else of mechanical displacement of micro-tools such as jack, piston, disconnector or cutting member, see the

valve control.

  0 As illustrated in FIG. 3, preferably, the array of micro-impellers 20 is formed by stacking different plates an intermediate plate 200 having a plurality of parallel wells 202 capable of each containing a pyrotechnic composition 204, a closing plate 210 attached at the base of the intermediate plate 200 to close the bottom of the wells 202 and a cover plate 220 disposed on the top of the intermediate plates 200

  to close the second end of wells 202.

  The thickness of the wall of the intermediate plate preserved between the different wells 202 must be sufficient to avoid untimely propagation of the initiation, by thermal effect from one well 202 to the other. Of course, if necessary, one or the other of the two plates 210, 220 may have come integrally with the

so-called intermediate plate 200.

  Preferably, the cover plate 220 carries a series of resistance 222 disposed respectively opposite one of the wells 202. The cover plate 220 must have a sufficiently thin thickness opposite the wells 202, in the form of a membrane, so that this plate 220 can be broken during the implementation

  work of the associated composition 204.

  The selection means 30 designed to control the implementation of the micro-impellers can be formed of

any appropriate means.

  0 It may, for example, be an ASIC type circuit carried directly by one of the plates 200, 210 or

  220, preferably the cover plate 220.

  Of course, each control resistor 222 is connected to the selection circuit 30 by means of a connection network allowing specific addressing of an initiation signal on each

resistance 222.

  Plates 200, 210 and 220 can also be the subject of numerous embodiments. They are preferably produced by machining a silicon or ceramic plate. Such a technique allows a cadence

  high production in large series.

  The pyrotechnic composition 204 can be the subject of numerous variants. According to a preferred embodiment, the composition 204 is formed of

propellant.

  We illustrated in Figure 4 a particular variant of the array of microphones

impellers 20.

  We find in this figure 4 the general structure illustrated in Figure 3 comprising an intermediate plate 200 having wells 202 housing a composition 204, a base plate 210 and a cover plate 220 which carries initiation resistors

  222 respectively opposite each well.

  However, on examining FIG. 4, we note the presence of an additional plate 230 interposed between the cover plate 220 and the intermediate plate 200. The additional plate 230 defines opposite each well 202 a diverging flared towards the inside the well 202 and which houses a primary pyrotechnic composition 232 interposed respectively between a resistor 222 and the associated main composition 202. It will also be noted in FIG. 4 the presence of an external plate 240 attached to the covering plate 220, on the outside of it and who

  defines a divergent 242 opposite each well 202.

VARIANT

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which have just been described, but extends to any variant

conforms to his spirit.

APPLICATIONS

  We have previously described a preferred application of the invention to the production of non-lethal neutralizing projectiles by controlling their speed and therefore their kinetic energy, this

  the latter being proportional to the square of the speed.

  However, the invention is not limited to this

application.

  It will be noted in particular that the present invention can also be applied advantageously to the production of projectiles for fireworks. In this context, the present invention makes it possible to easily modulate the range of a projectile and therefore to implement the fireworks at an open area, for example undisturbed by a cloud of smoke. The present invention also makes it possible to control the internal ballistics of a projectile by sequenced operation of the micro-impellers; the purpose of which is to limit the effect of gamma on the projectile and to be able to draw fragile or easily fusible things (non lethal) and / or to limit the effect of recoil of the weapon. The present invention makes it possible in fact by controlling the sequence of implementation of the micro-impellers to control the evolution of the acceleration both on the projectile and on the launching ft and the support thereof, for example the shoulder of a shooter. The invention thus makes it possible, for example, to maintain constant, even to limit to a maximum value, or to control the evolution both of the abovementioned acceleration and of the

  pressure exerted on said support.

Claims (10)

  1. Projectile propulsion device, characterized in that it comprises several pyrotechnic micro-impellers (20) and a selection means (30) capable of controlling the use of the micro-impellers to impose on the projectile a specific kinetic energy of its own to ensure the implementation sought.   2. Propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is placed in the bottom a barrel (10).   3. propulsion device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is integral with a base of a projectile (14).   4. Propulsion device according to one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it   is formed by stacking several plates: an intermediate plate (200) having wells (202) housing a pyrotechnic composition (204), a base closure plate (210) and a cover plate (220) carrying electrical resistances (222) respectively with regard to each well (202).   5. Propulsion device according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises at least one plate (240) defining a divergent (242) respectively opposite each well (202).   6. Propulsion device according to one of the   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the   selection means (30) comprises an ASIC circuit carried by a plate of the set of microphones impellers (20).   7. Projectile equipped with a propulsion device   according to one of claims 1 to 6.   8. Canon equipped with a compliant propulsion device to one of claims 1 to 6.   9. Application of the propulsion device in accordance with   one of claims 1 to 6 for the implementation of a non-lethal projectile.   10. Application of the propulsion device in accordance with   one of claims 1 to 6 for the implementation fireworks.