IL262031A - Ammunition for a non-lethal protection of a platform and non-lethal protection device implementing such an ammunition - Google Patents

Description

1 Ammunition for a non-lethal protection of a platform and non- lethal protection device implementing such an ammunition The technical field of the invention is that of ammunitions enabling a non-lethal protection of a platform, such as a vehicle or a structure.

Ammunitions are known, having an intense sound or light effect and which thus enable to disorientate aggressive individuals progressing towards a vehicle or a fixed structure. These ammunitions are fired from the barrels of close-range defence systems the platforms are equipped with.

The disadvantage of the existing systems is that their efficiency is only optimal at a distance from the platform exceeding 5 meters. When the threat is in direct contact with the platform, these systems are inoperative.

Also known, for example with patent EP118339, is a centralised protection device for a vehicle, which is provided with a network of pipes which connect a tank containing a lachrymatory means (such as a gas or a liquid which may be scattered by a propellant gas) to different diffusers distributed around the vehicle.

This device is particularly suitable for a defence in the vicinity of the vehicle. However, it requires to equip the vehicle with a tubing network, which remains complex and costly to implement.

Also known, with patent EP2058621, is a defence device made up of a container secured to a vehicle by a suction cup and containing several lachrymatory product tanks. Each tank is equipped with a valve connected to a nozzle which is radially orientated and provided on the side wall of the container. Such a device is complex to implement. It requires to put in place a heavy and bulky container on a part of the vehicle and dedicated control means must be provided in the vehicle.2 The purpose of the invention is to provide a close-range defence ammunition both allowing to ensure a close-range protection of a platform and not requiring a specific adjustment on the known platforms.

Thus, the invention relates to an ammunition for a non- lethal protection of a platform, such as a vehicle or a structure, which ammunition is provided with means, such as a base, for allowing it to be secured in a dismantlable way to a firing base integral with the platform, which ammunition is characterised in that it comprises a case containing a container which contains a lachrymatory means, which is pressurized or which can be scattered by a propellant gas, which case is closed at its front part by a plug which has at least one diffuser nozzle connected to the container via a remote-controllable valve which is intended to be actuated from the firing base, after the ammunition is secured to the latter, and via a control interface which cooperates with the firing base.

According to one embodiment, the remote-controllable valve may comprise a flap sealingly closing a port of the container, which flap is intended to be pushed by a gas pressure produced by a pyrotechnic composition which can be initiated from the control interface, which flap has a hole intended to be positioned opposite to the port after the flap has moved.

The pyrotechnic composition may be accommodated within the base and be connected to the valve by a tubing extending along the container.

According to another embodiment, the remote-controllable valve may be an electrically-operated valve and the ammunition may incorporate an electronic module for controlling the opening of this electrically-operated valve, which module is controlled by the control interface and incorporates a power source.3 Advantageously, the electronic module may comprise a time- delay circuit ensuring the opening of the electrically- operated valve for a preset amount of time.

The electronic module may incorporate a circuit for counting the number of times the electrically-operated valve has been opened.

The ammunition may also incorporate a means for displaying the empty or full state of the container and/or the number of times the electrically-operated valve has been opened or can be opened.

According to a variant, the ammunition may comprise a means for transmitting the number of times the electrically- operated valve has been opened or can be opened.

Advantageously, the nozzle of the ammunition may incorporate ports allowing a radial diffusion of the lachrymatory means and at least one hole allowing an axial diffusion of the lachrymatory means.

The invention also relates to a device for a non-lethal protection of a platform, such as a vehicle or a structure, by a lachrymatory means being scattered by at least one diffuser nozzle, which device is characterised in that it comprises: - at least one firing base integral with the platform and arranged to accommodate at least one ammunition in a dismantlable way, and - at least one non-lethal protection ammunition according to the invention, which ammunition is intended to be secured to the at least one firing base.

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of various embodiments, description made with reference to the appended drawings in which : - figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ammunition according to a first embodiment of the invention; - figures 2a and 2b are two cross-sectional views of this ammunition, the section being made according to the plane4 the trace AA of which is marked in figure 1, figure 2a showing the ammunition in the idle state and figure 2b showing it in its active state, when the lachrymatory means is being scattered; - figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ammunition according to a second embodiment of the invention; - figure 4 is a simplified diagram of the electronic module the second embodiment is equipped with; - figures 5a and 5b are two schematic views of an armoured vehicle equipped with a non-lethal protection device according to the invention, figure 5a being a top view and figure 5b being a side view; - figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a firing base according to one embodiment; - figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a firing base according to another embodiment, on which an ammunition is illustrated.

Referring to figure 1, an ammunition 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a case 2 which carries at its rear part a base 3 (with which it is integral) and which is intended to allow to secure it in a dismantlable way to a firing base (not shown), which firing base is itself integral with a platform (for example, a vehicle). An examplary firing base suitable for this base 3 is shown in figure 6.

According to the embodiment which is shown therein, the base 3 thus carries at least one radial lug 4 and the ammunition 1 is mounted on the firing base via a bayonet mechanism, the lug 4 circulating in a groove of the firing base (one to three radial lugs may be provided).

Of course, it is possible to define an ammunition which is secured to a firing base by a different securing means, for example by screwing.5 The base 3 also comprises an axial bore 5 which contains a squib 6. The squib 6 is connected to a control interface which is here an axial electric contact 7 which is intended to cooperate with a complementary contact pad P provided on the firing base (not shown).

Once again, it would be possible to define a different control interface, for example contact strips provided on cylindrical surfaces of the base or of the case of the ammunition and which will cooperate, when the ammunition is being secured to the firing base, with contact pads provided on the firing base. Such a firing base will be described hereinafter with reference to figure 7.

Such a case 2 provided with a rear base 3 is known in the field of close-range defence devices of armoured vehicles. For example, patent FR2612287 which describes a close-range defence smoke ammunition can be taken into consideration.

The case 2 encloses a container 8 which contains a lachrymatory means in the form of a pressurized gas or a lachrymatory liquid which can be scattered by a propellant gas. The lachrymatory means may consist of CS (ortho-chloro- benzalmalonitrile) or of Capsicum oleoresin scattered by a propellant gas. The pressure within the container is in the range of 500 to 700 kPa. The volume available for the pressurized gas or the dispersible aerosol is from 1 to 1.5 liter in the usual volumes of close-range defence ammunitions.

The case 2 is closed at its front part by a plug 9 which carries at least one nozzle 10 for diffusing the gas or the aerosol. The nozzle 10 incorporates ports 10a distributed in a radial ring, which allow a radial diffusion of the gas or the aerosol. It also comprises at least one axial hole 10b allowing an axial diffusion of the gas or the aerosol. Thus, the distribution of the lachrymatory means covers an area of about 180° around the axis 1a of the ammunition.6 The plug 9 encloses a remote-controllable valve 11 which here comprises a flap 11a or a piston sealingly closing a port 12 through which the gas or the aerosol can go out of the container 8. Concretely, in order to avoid any leakage and in order for the ammunition 1 to be mounted easily, the container 8 is integral with the plug 9 that ensures it is closed.

The squib 6 is intended to initiate a gas generating composition 13 which is connected to the flap 11a through a pipeline 14 which longitudinally extends along the case 2. The pipeline 14 is, for example, formed by a longitudinal groove arranged on the internal surface of the case 2. This pipeline communicates with the composition 13 and with the flap 11a through radial channels, respectively arranged in the base 3 and in the plug 9.

Figure 2a shows more specifically how the flap 11a is mounted in the plug 9. The flap 11a is here made in the form of a cylindrical piece with an axis 15, which slides into a bore 16. Sealing is ensured by O-rings 18. The flap 11a has a hole 17 which is located at a distance from the port 12 of the container 8 in the closed position shown in figure 2a.

The flap 11a is kept in its closed position by a shearable collar 19 secured in a groove of the flap 11a.

Figure 2b shows the valve when the pressure of the gases produced by the gas generating composition 13 was applied to the flap 11a. The pressure caused the collar 19 to be sheared and the flap 11a translated in its bore 16. The hole 17 positioned opposite to the port 12, ensuring the opening of the valve and connecting the port 12 with the nozzle 10.

The flap 11a is immobilised in its open position (figure 2b) by the distortion of a non-return spring washer 20 which is secured to the bore 16.

In this position, the whole lachrymatory means contained in the container 8 escapes through the nozzle 10.7 Thus, the ammunition according to the invention allows to provide any platform equipped with firing bases with defence ammunitions having a very short-range lachrymatory defence capability.

No change needs to be made to the platform.

The ammunition according to the invention is actuated like all the other ammunitions, thanks to the contact with the firing base. The firing actuation, however, does not cause the propulsion and the ballistic ejection of a projectile but it simply ensures the opening of the valve 11 which allows the lachrymatory means to be scattered by the nozzles 10 the ammunition is equipped with.

Thus, each firing base of the platform becomes the support of a device for diffusing a lachrymatory means. It is not necessary to equip the platform with a specific network of tubings and specific diffuser nozzles.

It is also not necessary to provide additional control means which would be specific to the diffusion of the lachrymatory means.

Once the ammunition 1 is actuated, the whole lachrymatory means contained in the container 8 is scattered. The ammunition 1 just needs to be replaced with a new ammunition in order to renew the lachrymatory defence capability.

Figure 3 shows an ammunition 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

This embodiment differs from the previous one in that the remote-controllable valve 11 is an electrically-operated valve and may therefore be opened and closed unlimitedly.

The valve 11 is controllably opened or closed by an electronic control module 21 which is accommodated within a housing 22 arranged between the container 8 and the base 3.

A resin packing 29 immobilises the electronic module 21 in the housing 22 and ensures the protection of this module against impacts and humidity.8 The electronic module 21 is driven by the contact 7 going through the base 3. The electronic module 21 is connected to the electrically-operated valve 11 by a control conductor 26 which extends axially along the case 2 of the module 21 to the electrically-operated valve 11.

The firing pulse which is provided by the firing bases of the platform defence systems is generally not sufficient to control an electrically-operated valve.

Figure 4 outlines the organisation of the electronic module 21. This electronic module 21 is defined in the form of a circuit 23 for controlling a static switch 24 which connects a power source 25 (a battery) which is integral with the module 21 and the electrically-operated valve 11. The control circuit 23 is equipped with a timing which ensures the opening of the static switch 24 at the end of a preset amount of time after this switch is closed.

Thus, when a pulse I is provided by the firing base to the ammunition 1, only a part of the lachrymatory means contained in the container 8 is scattered.

It is therefore possible to control the same ammunition 1 several times in a row to scatter the lachrymatory means.

In order to control the residual volume of lachrymatory means contained in the container 8, the electronic module 21 may be provided with an apparatus 27 for counting the number of times the switch 24 is closed.

This counting apparatus 27 is connected by a conductor 30 to a display means 28, here a DEL secured to the front plug 9.

The circuit for driving the counting apparatus 27 is set in such a way as to switch the DEL on only when the maximum number of lachrymatory means scattering orders has been performed. Thus, the empty ammunitions which need to be replaced can be detected rapidly.

Advantageously, the ammunition 1 may also be provided with a switch (not shown) allowing to power the electronic module9 21 off during the storage phases in order to limit the wear on the power source 25. The power source 25 may also be arranged in a compartment adjacent to the external wall of the case 2 and accessible from the outside in order to allow it to be replaced.

Alternatively, the display means 28 may be replaced or completed with a means for transmitting the number of times the electrically-operated valve is opened. For example, an inductive transmitter 31 (RFID technology) which allows a receiving means arranged remotely to read the number of times the electrically-operated valve is opened, may be incorporated in the electronic module 21. Either the number of openings made or more advantageously the number of openings which may still be made before the ammunition is empty may be transmitted.

The invention also relates to a device for a non-lethal protection of a platform, such as a vehicle or a structure, using a lachrymatory means being scattered by at least one diffuser nozzle.

The device according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises at least one firing base integral with the platform and arranged to accommodate at least one ammunition in a dismantlable way, and at least one non-lethal protection ammunition according to the invention which is intended to be secured to the at least one firing base.

The platforms, in particular military vehicles, frequently comprise firing bases for close-range defence ammunitions.

By way of a non-limiting example, in figures 5a and 5b, a tracked armoured vehicle 40 comprising a turret 41 equipped with a gun 42 is illustrated.

The turret 41 has firing bases 43 which are distributed over its circumference and which are intended to accommodate close-range defence ammunitions 1. As it can be seen in the figures, each firing base 43 is shaped as a barrel which10 comprises an axis 44 marking the operating direction of the ammunition which is then placed on the firing base 43.

The orientations in space of the axes 44 are different for each firing base 43. The objective is to arrange around the turret 41 a sufficient number of firing bases. The whole of the firing bases 43 defines operating directions 44 which are distributed angularly all around the turret in order to ensure a protection coverage of the turret over practically 360°.

Depending on the case, the operating directions 44 may be fixed or they may be changed thanks to a motorisation dedicated to the firing base 43 in question and which is controlled from the inside of the turret 41.

These close-range defence systems using firing bases are well known and they are associated with explosive, smoke, illuminating, sound or light ammunitions.

According to the invention, a lachrymatory means-based non-lethal protection will be defined in a simple way by associating with these firing bases one or more ammunitions of the type of those described previously with reference to figures 1 to 4.

Thus, it is no longer necessary to provide specific pipelines on the vehicle to direct a lachrymatory liquid.

It is also not necessary to seek to secure a specific system comprising additional control means which would have to be installed in the vehicle.

The ammunitions according to the invention are actuated by using the firing system which already exists in the vehicle and which is associated with the firing bases 43.

Figures 6 and 7 show two types of firing bases which are commonly used nowadays in the existing armoured vehicles.

Figure 6 thus shows a bayonet-type firing base 43 which comprises a barrel 45 for accommodating the ammunition 1 (not shown). The barrel 45 comprises a bottom 46 at the center of which an axial contact 47 protrudes. The bottom 46 is preceded11 by a cylindrical collar 48 in which at least one axial groove 4 9 which allows the one or more lugs 4 of the ammunition 1 to pass is arranged.

Thus, the ammunition is positioned simply by inserting the base 3 of the ammunition 1 into the bottom 46. The lug 4 passes through the groove 49 and the ammunition body is then pivoted so as to be immobilised by the lug (or the lugs) which abuts the collar 48. A spring means which is not shown indeed pushes the ammunition body outside the barrel 45, and the axial contact 47 comes into abutment against the axial contact 7 provided on the ammunition 1 and which is complementary thereto (bayonet-type assembly).

Of course, the axial contact 47 is connected through electrical conductors 50 to the firing control boxes arranged in the vehicle. The current return is ensured via the body of the ammunition and of the firing base (current return through the one or more lugs 4).

Figure 7 shows a smooth firing base 43 in which the ammunition 1 (illustrated therein using a dotted line) is accommodated. The ammunition 1 is centered then by an axial tip 51 integral with the bottom 46 of the barrel 45. The barrel 45 has on its wall at least two radial contact pads 52a and 52b which are intended to come into contact with conductor tracks Pa and Pb integral with the wall of the ammunition 1.

The contact pads are connected through electrical conductors 50 to the firing control boxes accommodated in the vehicle.

The ammunition 1 has also a front collar C, which is made of elastomer for example, and which engages the end of the barrel 45 so as to make sure the ammunition 1 is held within the barrel 45.

These smooth launchers 43 are of course associated with ammunitions 1 having a geometry suitable for the launcher as described therein.12 But even if the ammunition is secured to the firing base 43 differently from figure 6, and if the mode for supplying electrical current to the ammunition 1 is also different, the operation of the ammunition 1 remains the same as the one described above with reference to figures 1 to 4.

Therefore, the ammunition 1 here also comprises a case 2 which is closed at its front part by a plug 9 which has at least one diffuser nozzle 10 connected to the container 8 filled with the lachrymatory means via a remote-controllable valve 11.2 62 03 1/2 13

Claims (10)

1. – An ammunition for a non-lethal protection of a platform, such as a vehicle or a structure, which ammunition is 5 provided with means, such as a base, for allowing it to be secured in a dismantlable way to a firing base integral with the platform, which ammunition is characterised in that it comprises a case containing a container which contains a lachrymatory means, which is pressurised or which can be scattered by a 10 propellant gas, which case is closed at its front part by a plug which has at least one diffuser nozzle connected to the container via a remote-controllable valve which is intended to be actuated from the firing base, after the ammunition is secured to the latter, and via a control interface which cooperates 15 with the firing base.

2. – The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 1, characterised in that the remote-controllable valve comprises a flap sealingly closing a port of the container, which flap is intended to be pushed by a gas pressure produced by a pyrotechnic 20 composition which can be initiated from the control interface , which flap has a hole intended to be positioned opposite to the port after the flap has moved.

3. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 2, characterised in that the pyrotechnic composition is 25 accommodated within the base and is connected to the valve by a tubing extending along the container.

4. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 1, characterised in that the remote-controllable valve is an electrically-operated valve and in that the ammunition 30 incorporates an electronic module for controlling the opening of this electrically-operated valve, which module is controlled by the control interface and incorporates a power source. 02598913\64-01 2 62 03 1/2 14

5. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 4, characterised in that the electronic module comprises a time- delay circuit ensuring the opening of the electrically-operated valve for a preset amount of time. 5

6. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 5, characterised in that the electronic module incorporates a circuit for counting the number of times the electrically- operated valve has been opened.

7. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 10 6, characterised in that it incorporates a means for displaying the empty or full state of the container and/or the number of times the electrically-operated valve has been opened or can be opened.

8. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to claim 15 6, characterised in that it comprises a means for transmitting the number of times the electrically-operated valve has been opened or can be opened.

9. - The non-lethal protection ammunition according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the nozzle incorporates 20 ports allowing a radial diffusion of the lachrymatory means and at least one hole allowing an axial diffusion of the lachrymatory means.

10. - A device for a non-lethal protection of a platform, such as a vehicle or a structure, by a lachrymatory means being 25 scattered by at least one diffuser nozzle, which device is characterised in that it comprises at least one firing base integral with the platform and arranged to accommodate at least one ammunition in a dismantlable way, and at least one non- lethal protection ammunition according to one of the preceding 30 claims, which is intended to be secured to the at least one firing base. 02598913\64-01