GB2279439A

GB2279439A - Fuze running time programmer

Info

Publication number: GB2279439A
Application number: GB8911709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adolf Ludwig; Heinz Hau
Original assignee: Honeywell Regelsysteme GmbH
Current assignee: Honeywell Regelsysteme GmbH
Priority date: 1988-08-12
Filing date: 1989-05-22
Publication date: 1995-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-22
Also published as: FR2704312A1; GB2279439B; DE3827374C1; IT8948290A0; GB8911709D0; FR2704312B1; NL8902038A

Description

2279439 Process and device for inductive running time programming 1. - The

present invention relates to a pro.cess according to the preamble of patent claim 1, as well as to a device for carrying out this process.

The inductive running time programming of an igniter can in principle take place by modulating a highfrequency signal in accordance with a bit pattern and appropriately presetting by means of this bit pattern a counter in the igniter, which is then counted up or counted down by an internal oscillator in order to obtain the running time. Likewise the starting and the stopping of a counter forming the running time can be predetermined by the high-frequency signal.

The object of the present invention is to develop the lastmentioned process so that a reliable setting of the running time is ensured; in this case, furthermore, the energy for the operation of the running time igniter is made available externally. This object is achieved in accordance with the characterizing features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous refinements of the process according to the invention as well of a device for carrying out this process can be inferred from the subclaims.

The process according to the invention as well as a device for carrying out this process is described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to an illustrative embodiment represented in the figures of the accompanying drawing. In the figures:

Figure 1 shows the basic arrangement of a transmitting and receiving coil; Figure 2 shows the same arrangement in a plane developed view; Figure 3 shows a detailed circuit arrangement for the running time programming on the part of the igniter; Figure 4 shows the time-setting sequence according is to the invention; Figs. 5a-5c show a pulse diagram to illustrate the igniter programming; and Figs. 6a, 6b show a pulse diagram to illustrate a superprogramming.

According to Figure 1, a plurality of transmitting coils 12 are embedded in a coil carrier 10 which is curved in the shape of a half circle, which transmitting coils are arranged concentrically with one another. A projectile 14 carries in its nose a receiving coil 16; in this case, the projectile 14 is guided on a circular path, for example in a supply star (not shown), and the receiving coil 16 in the projectile 14 has in this case an equal distance from the transmitting coil 12. Since the munition is not strapped, a considerable displacement of the projectile 14 in the supply star can take place as a result of the recoil of the weapon. In this case, a plurality of transmitting coils 12 - two in the example represented - guarantee a good energy transfer independently of the axial position of the projectile 14 during its movement along the coil carrier 10.

According to Figure 2, the transmitting coils 12 are connected in parallel to a programming unit 18; in this case, the programming unit 18 is fed with signals from a fire control system FCS. It is recognized that tolerances with respect to the position of the receiving coil 16 are permissible, without the level of the energy transfer being decisively influenced. The transmitting coil 12 generates an alternating electromagnetic field with a frequency of 100 kHz, by which the igniter to be programmed is guided on feeding- the munition to the barrel of the weapon. In a corresponding manner, energy is induced in the receiving coil 16 by the alternating electromagnetic field. In order to increase the field line density, a ferrite rod is also provided in the receiving coil 16.

At the same time, data can be transmitted into the electronic system of the igniter by modulation of the alternating field with a specified sequence. After entry of the igniter into the alternating electromagnetic field in the first instance only energy is transferred, in order then to be able to carry out a data processing. If the programming unit recognizes, for example by means of a switch or an optical device, that a projectile is situated in the field of action of the transmitting coil 12, then the time-setting sequence can proceed, as is represented in Figure 4.

The duration TD of the programming sequence is determined by the time in which the igniter is situated in the alternating electromagnetic field of the transmitting coil 12. The programming phase is reduced by the factor 100 as compared with the original running time proceeding subsequently in the igniter.

In order to create the same conditions in the case of the inductive signal transmission and to achieve a high accuracy in the time transmission, the programming phase is started and stopped with a positive flank. For this purpose, the transmission frequency of the transmitting coil is interrupted for 1 ms in the start phase and for 0.4 ms in the stop phase, as is evident from Figure 4.

With an equal speed of passage of the igniter through the transmissionside alternating field, the time TD remains the same. However, the second positive flank in is the programming sequence is displaced only as a function of the transmitted time data. The duration of the programming and recharging phase also varies in a corresponding manner. What is essential to the present invention is a preceding energy transmission in an initial charging phase, a subsequent simultaneous data and energy transmission in the programming phase, and finally also a further energy transmission in the recharging phase. Since the programming phase and the recharging phase are in a specified ratio to one another, nothing of the total time of the energy transmission is lost. The programming phase preferably varies in the order of magnitude of 0.5 ms to 50 ms.

The various phases and functions will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the electronic system of the igniter according to Fig. 3.

After entry of the electronic system of the igniter into the transmissionside alternating field, the initial charging phase begins. The alternating voltage induced at the receiving coil 16 (L1) is rectified by a bridge rectifier (B1) and the pulsating rectified voltage charges up an igniting capacitor Cl and a supply voltage capacitor C2 via diodes D1 and D2 in parallel and in a decoupled manner. The voltage value at the voltage supply capacitor C2 is above the supply voltage to be regulated, and a longitudinal regulator Il emits a regulated supply voltage YDDr with which the remainder of the electronic system of the igniter is supplied. The initialization of the electronic system of the igniter takes place by means of a Power-On-Reset C integrated into the regulator Il. The actual reset R is obtained from this Power-On-Reset C via an inverter and a NOR gate IC4. which actual reset is is employed for the resetting of the electronic system of the igniter.

The electronic system of the igniter comprises as essential components, counters Zl to Z4, flip-flops FF1 to FF4, an internal oscillator Ql, a divider TE1, a trip switch FS and an igniting device ZE, as well as various logic gates for connecting these elements, which are connected as inverters, NOR gates or NAND gates. Their connecting function is clearly evident to a person skilled in the art.

The pulsating direct-current voltage at the output of the rectifier bridge B1 is supplied not only to the two capacitors C1, C2 but also, via a further decoupling diode D3, to an RC combination R4, C4, whereby a smoothing in the sense of a peak value rectification takes place. The rectified signal then switches a transistor stage Tl, which serves for the level matching to the downstream HCMOS logic and protects the latter from excessively high input voltages. In order to achieve a high accuracy in the time transmission between transmitter and receiver, the programming is started and stopped with a positive f lank on account of the high flank steepness, as is evident from Figure 4.

For this purpose, the signal from the programming unit is deactivated for 1 ms bef ore the start of the programming. The reactivation of the signal is sensed in the electronic system of the igniter by means of the R4, C4 combination as positive flank, and evaluated as temporal starting point of the programming. This signal is inverted and trips a downstream f lip- f lop FF1. As a result of the level variation at the output of the flipflop FF1, a first counter Zl is cleared at its clearance is input. Pulses of the internal oscillator Ql are now counted into the latter. The flip-flop M is connected so as to be self-blocking and thus does not react to the next positive flank. A further flip-flop FF2 is connected as toggle flip-flop, i.e. it trips at each negative input flank. This second flip-flop FF2 prepares a third flipflop FF3 for the clearance of a second counter Z2. If the signal of the transmitter is now deactivated for 0.4 ms and subsequently the second positive flank within the time-setting sequence is generated by renewed activation of the 100 kHz signal, then the second flip-flop FF2 trips and causes a tripping of the third flip-flop FF3. Since the output of the third flip-flop FF3 is passed to the clearance input of the second counter Z2, this second counter is cleared. The first and the third flip-flop M and FF3 are both blocked and can only be cleared again by a reset. Pulses are now counted simultaneously into the first and second counter Z1 and Z2. With the overflow pulse of the first counter Zl, the counting-in process into both counters Z1 and Z2 is blocked. The complement of the transmitted time data now stands in the second counter Z2. These processes are illustrated in Figures 5a to 5c.

During this data transmission, the electronic system of the igniter is further supplied with energy, i.e. the igniting capacitor and the supply capacitor Cl and C2 are also charged during the programming phase.

In the recharging phase, the data transmission is, in fact, ended, but the projectile is still situated in the range of action of the transmission-side alternating field, so that the electronic system of the igniter continues to be supplied with energy. In the event that --- r_ ' is this should not yet have happened, then the igniting capacitor and the supply capacitor C1 and C2 are now fully charged.

When the projectile is shot off, the trip switch FS included in the electronic system of the igniter is actuated, and the time function of the running time igniter is triggered hereby. The signal formed by actuation of the trip switch FS is debounced by means of a fourth flip- flop FF4 in order to prevent an influencing of the time function by means of the trip switch. On the actuation of the trip switch FS, the signal input of the first counter Z1 is blocked and the blocking of the second counter Z2 is cancelled. The pulses of the internal oscillator Q1 are now diverted, and the frequency is reduced by the factor 100 by the divider TE1, so that the factor introduced in the course of the programming is again compensated. With the subdivided oscillator frequency the second counter Z2 is counted up to overflow. With the overflow pulse of the second counter Z2 the igniting device ZE is actuated; in this case, a discharge of the igniting capacitor C1 takes place via a primer ZM, by driving a thyristor Th at its gate.

In the event that no time function is desired or the programmed-in igniter running time is not to become operative, the electronic system of the igniter is provided with an analyzer function, which, after a specified time, causes the igniting device ZE to be actuated. This analyzer function is likewise cleared by actuation of the trip switch FS. After actuation of the trip switch FS, a third counter Z3 is cleared via the flip-flop FF4, and this counter Z3 is likewise acted upon by the subdivided oscillator frequency. The counter Z3 is is switched at its output so that it generates a pulse as a function of the oscillator frequency after a specified time, by which pulse the igniting device ZE is actuated.

The present electronic system of the igniter is equipped with the facility of a superprogramming. In this case. this is possible in two ways. On the one hand. this can take place by means of a renewed Power-On- Reset of the regulator Il. and on the other hand by means of an additional fourth counter Z4. In this case, the counter Z4 counts the negative flanks occurring in the programming sequence according to Figure 4. The counter is designed so that at each third negative flank it generates a reset pulse, by which the electronic system of the igniter is newly initialized. These processes are illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b.

- 10

Claims

Patent Claims:

1. Process f or the inductive running time programming of an igniter by means of an alternating electromagnetic field which is irradiated by a transmitting coil and received by a receiving coil in the igniter, the running time data being fed into the igniter by appropriate modulation of the alternating field, characterized in that the programming sequence consists of an initial charging phasei in which the igniter is supplied with energy from the alternating electromagnetic field, of a programming phase, the duration of which predetermines the running time. and of a recharging phase. which merely serves for the further energy transmission, the programming phase being separated from the initial charging phase and the recharging phase in each instance by a stop phase, in which the transmission of the alternating electromagnetic field is interrupted.

2. Process according to Claim 1. characterized in that the stop phases exhibit differing lengths.

3. Process according to Claim 2, characterized in that the programming is started and stopped by the positive pulse flanks which are predetermined by the stop phases.

4. Process according to Claim 3, characterized in that a reset signal for an electronic system of the igniter is obtained from the supply voltage which builds up during the initial charging phase.

5. Process according to Claim 3, characterized in that a first counter is started by the first positive pulse flank and a second counter by the second positive pulse flank, and on overflow of the first counter the second counter is stopped. the two counters exhibiting the same. counting capacity and the counting capacity remaining in the second counter corresponding to the programmed running time.

6. Process according to Claim 5, characterized in that the two counters are acted upon by the timing of an internal oscillator.

7. Process according to Claim 6, characterized in that the frequency of the internal oscillator is subdivided in counting out the running time present in the second counter.

8. Process according to Claim 7, characterized by the predetermination of an analyzer function by means of a third counter which is counted up to its overflow by the internal oscillator.

9. Process according to Claim 8, characterized by a fourth counter, which counts the negative pulse flanks within the time-setting sequence, and, at the third negative pulse flank, generates a reset for the electronic system of the igniter.

10. Device for carrying out the process according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a rectifier bridge (B1),, which is connected to the receiving coil (12) and the output of which is connected in each instance in a decoupled manner via diodes (D1, D2, D3), to an igniting capacitor (Cl),, a voltage supply capacitor (C2) and a screening element (C4. R4) with parallel-connected electronic switching (T1).

11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that to the voltage supply capacitor (C2) there is connected a voltage regulator (II), the output voltage (V DD) of which feeds the electronic switch (T1) and a programming circuit which is connected thereto.

11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that to the voltage supply capacitor (C2) there is connected a voltage regulator (I1), the output voltage (VDD) of which feeds the electronic switch (T1) and the programming circuit which is connected thereto.

12. Device according to Claim iii characterized by the arrangement of a trip switch (FS), which, on its actuation, switches a frequency divider (TE1) between the output of the internal oscillator (01) and the input of the second counter (Z2) and clears the second counter (Z2) for counting.

13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the output of the second counter (Z2) is switched to an igniting device (ZE), which exhibits a thyristor (Th), which discharges an igniting capacitor (Cl) via a primer (m).

14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the outputs of the third counter (Z3) are combined via logic gates and are likewise passed to the igniting device (ZE).

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Patent Claims:

Process for the inductive running time program ming of a f use by means of an alternating electro magnetic field which is radiated by a transmjtting coil and received by a receiving coil in the fuse, the running time data being fed into the fuse by appropriate modulation of the alternating field, charac terized in that the programming sequence consists of an initial charging phase, in which the fuse is supplied with energy from the alternating electromagnetic field, of a programming phase, the duration of which predeter mines the running time, and of a recharging phase, which merely serves for a further energy transmission, the programming phase being separated from the initial charging phase and the recharging phase in each instance by a stop phase, in which the transmission of the alter nating electromagnetic field is interrupted.

2. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stop phases exhibit differing lengths.

3. Process according to Claim 2, characterized in that the programming is started and stopped by positive pulse flanks which are provided by the stop phases.

4.. Process according-to Claim 3, characterized in that a reset signal for an electronic system of the fuse is obtained from a supply voltage which builds up during the initial charging phase.

5. Process according to Claim 3, characterized in that a first counter is started by the first positive pulse flank and a second counter by the second positive pulse flank, and on overflow of the first counter the second counter is stopped, the two counters exhibiting IN- the. same counting capacity and the counting capacity remaining in the second counter corresponding to the programmed running time.

6. A process according to Claim 5, characterized in that the two counters are acted upon by the timing of an internal oscillator.

7. Process according to Claim 6, characterized in that the frequency of the internal oscillator is divided in counting out the running time present in the second counter. 8. Process according to Claim 7, characterized by the provision of an analyzer function by means of a third counter which is counted up to its overflow by the internal oscillator.

9. Process according to Claim 8, characterized by a fourth counter, which counts negative pulse flanks within a time-setting sequence, and, at the third negative pulse flank, generates a reset for the electronic system of the fuse.

10. Device for carrying out the process according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a rectifier bridge (Bl), which is connected to the receiving coil (12) and the output of which is connected in each instance in a decoupled manner via diodes (Dl, D2,D3), to an igniting capacitor (Cl), a voltage supply capacitor (C2) and a smoothing element (C4,R4) with paralldl-connected electronic switching (Ti).