USH1236H - Polarity sensitive grenade firing system - Google Patents

Polarity sensitive grenade firing system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
USH1236H
USH1236H US08/053,573 US5357393A USH1236H US H1236 H USH1236 H US H1236H US 5357393 A US5357393 A US 5357393A US H1236 H USH1236 H US H1236H
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
salvo
salvos
relay
switch
positive
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US08/053,573
Inventor
Paul G. Schabdach
Irving F. Barditch
Scott H. Elwood
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
US Department of Army
Original Assignee
US Department of Army
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by US Department of Army filed Critical US Department of Army
Priority to US08/053,573 priority Critical patent/USH1236H/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of USH1236H publication Critical patent/USH1236H/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41WEAPONS
    • F41AFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A19/00Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
    • F41A19/58Electric firing mechanisms
    • F41A19/64Electric firing mechanisms for automatic or burst-firing mode

Definitions

  • This invention relates to firing salvos comprised of grenades, squibs or the like, and more particularly to a system for separately firing two distinct salvos at different times using a single power control wire.
  • This invention relates to firing salvos comprised of grenades, squibs or the like, and more particularly to a system for separately firing two distinct salvos at different times using a single power transmitting wire.
  • Grenade salvos require ignition to be fired and are usually ignited using an electrical system originating at a remote spot, a safe distance away from and hidden from the point of actual launching such as from the interior of a tank or other vehicle. Accordingly, the electrical firing system must be connected, by an electric wire, to the salvos. Usually the firing system entails the use of one wire to launch each set of grenades or squibs comprising a salvo.
  • the current system uses polarized sensitive relays wired to the salvo ignition and fired by electrical current supplied by a power source.
  • polarized sensitive relays wired to the salvo ignition and fired by electrical current supplied by a power source.
  • one salvo can be fired and, by supplying negative current to the other relay, the second salvo can be fired.
  • a single wire system was not available for firing separate salvos at different points in time.
  • a single wire was not being used for selectively carrying oppositely charged currents to matching polarity sensitive relays for firing only selected salvos.
  • the invention described in this application is a grenade firing system providing means for launching from a remote position, distinct grenade salvos at different points in time using only one wire. Accordingly, the system enables the installation of new salvos to be launched at distinct times at a location already in use without running another wire.
  • the device comprises two grenade salvos each electrically wired to a polarity sensitive relay wherein the relays are of opposite sensitivities; a power supply comprised of two 24 Volt batteries each supplying current to a selecting switch but from oppositely charged terminals; a selecting switch for selecting between the battery and current charge desired for the salvo to be launched; and an ignition switch for directing particularly charged current from the batteries through a single wire to the relays and subsequently igniting the salvos having matching relays.
  • the batteries are aligned in the circuit such that each supplies current to the selecting switch from a terminal having an opposite polarity than that of the other battery.
  • the oppositely charged current is directed to separate terminals on the selecting switch while the other terminals of each battery are jointly directed to an ignition switch terminal.
  • a positive polarity sensitive relay is wired to a first salvo launching system while a negative polarity sensitive relay is wired to a second salvo launching system.
  • the selector switch Upon selecting the salvo desired to be launched, the selector switch is moved into contact with the terminal having the electrical polarity matching the salvo and relay selected.
  • An ignition switch is connected between a single wire running to the relays and the selecting switch. Upon engaging the ignition switch, the circuit is closed and the selected current is directed to the single wire and the salvos.
  • each of the relays due to the polarity sensitive nature of the relays, only the matching polarity relay will fire.
  • the open contacts of the matching relay close and the desired salvo is launched. If the operator desires to launch the second salvo, the selector switch is simply moved to the other terminal matching the polarity of the other relay.
  • the polarity of each relay can be selected by the way it is connected in the circuit due to a magnet built therein which polarizes the direction of current flow necessary for activation.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of the circuit comprising the firing system and its various electrical components.
  • FIG. 1 a schematic drawing of the electrical circuit comprising the grenade firing system diagrammed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention and designated generally as 10.
  • the grenade firing system 10 is comprised generally of two polarized relays 12 and 14 having opposite polarity sensitivity and two grenade salvos 16 and 18 wired to the relays and located at an actual launching site; two 24 volt batteries 20 and 22 each supplying current from oppositely charged terminals to separate terminals on a single pole double throw selector switch 24, the selecting switch 24 for selecting the current having the charge matching the relay and salvo selected, and an ignition switch 26 all located at a remote operating site; and a single control wire 28 running to the relays at the launch site from the remote operating site for carrying power to the salvos.
  • the batteries 20 and 22 each supply current to the selecting switch 24 and circuit 10 from oppositely charged terminals.
  • the positive terminal 30 of battery 20 and the negative terminal 32 of battery 22 are each wired to the selecting switch 24 at separate terminals, 25 and 27, respectively.
  • Negative and positive terminals 34 and 36, of batteries 20 and 22 respectively are wired jointly to a terminal 29 on the ignition switch 26.
  • Grenade salvos 16 and 18 are comprised of squibs, grenades or other projectile type bombs and are located at a remote launching site such as on the exterior of a vehicle.
  • the polarized relays 12 and 14, wired to the salvos 16 and 18, respectively, are polarity sensitive such that they only operate when current of the proper polarity is applied from the batteries 20 and 22 through a single wire 28.
  • selector switch 24 from either of the positive or negative terminals 30 or 32 of batteries 20 and 22, and delivered to the matching relay, the relay fires thereby igniting the salvo wired to it.
  • each relay can be selected by the way it is connected in the circuit due to a magnet built therein which polarizes the direction of current flow necessary for activation.
  • the single control wire 28 carries either the positive or negative current as determined by the selecting switch 24.
  • the selecting switch 24 and polarity sensitive relays 12 and 14 allow the one wire 28 to be used for firing one or more salvos at a particular point in time and for firing yet another one or set of salvos at a later point in time without changing the wire 28 connections at the launch site or operating site.
  • the selected current must first be delivered to the relays 16 and 18 via the ignition switch 26.
  • the ignition switch 26 is a typical momentary contact two pole switch mechanism. Upon engaging the ignition switch 26, the circuit is closed. Current at terminal 31 having the desired polarity flows to both relays 12 and 14 through the single control wire 28 while the common battery terminals, 34 and 36, connected to switch terminal 29 is grounded to chassis 38.
  • the matching relay will activate and allow the power to travel to the ignition system of the salvo.
  • a particular salvo 16 or 18, can be fired by selecting the matching current with the selector switch 24 and allowing the current to flow to the relays via ignition switch 26.
  • the circuit 10 is used by first setting up the salvos such that one or more salvos have negatively polarized relays and one or more other salvos have positively polarized relays.
  • a single control wire 28 supplies power to each of the relays, for example 12 and 14, and their respective salvos.
  • the wire is run to a remote operating location such as the interior of a vehicle wherein the rest of the circuit is maintained and is connected to the terminal 33 of the ignition switch 26.
  • the matching current is selected via selecting switch 24 and run to terminal 31 of the ignition switch 26.
  • the salvo 16 selected is now ready for firing.
  • the ignition switch 26 is then engaged thereby closing the circuit allowing current to flow to the relays and firing salvo 16.
  • salvo 18 can be fired at a later time.
  • Additional salvos can be added without running another control wire by simply wiring the ignition system and relays of the additional salvos to wire 28.
  • this circuit can be added to the operating location of firing systems set up prior to this invention if one desires to add additional salvos to a pre-existing launching site. New salvos for synchronous or non-synchronous launching could be added without running another control wire to the launch site by simply tapping into the main wire.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical system for launching separate salvos, comprised of squibs, jectile bombs or the like, at different times but at the same launch location from a remote position using a single electrical control wire for carrying the current. The system is comprised of a negative polarity relay and a positive polarity relay respectively connected with a first and second salvo, a power supply comprised of two 24 volt batteries supplying power to the circuit from opposite terminals, a selecting switch connected with the batteries to select either positive or negative current to match the relay and salvo desired to be fired, an ignition switch for closing the circuit and a single control wire running from the ignition switch to the relays carrying the positive or negative current required for launching the chosen salvo. By using the selector switch and matching the polarity sensitive relay of the salvo to be fired with the enabling current and pressing the ignition switch, only the desired relay contacts close and the projectiles are launched.

Description

GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for Government purposes without payment to us of any royalties thereon.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to firing salvos comprised of grenades, squibs or the like, and more particularly to a system for separately firing two distinct salvos at different times using a single power control wire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to firing salvos comprised of grenades, squibs or the like, and more particularly to a system for separately firing two distinct salvos at different times using a single power transmitting wire.
Grenade salvos require ignition to be fired and are usually ignited using an electrical system originating at a remote spot, a safe distance away from and hidden from the point of actual launching such as from the interior of a tank or other vehicle. Accordingly, the electrical firing system must be connected, by an electric wire, to the salvos. Usually the firing system entails the use of one wire to launch each set of grenades or squibs comprising a salvo.
The current system uses polarized sensitive relays wired to the salvo ignition and fired by electrical current supplied by a power source. Thus, by supplying positive current to a relay, one salvo can be fired and, by supplying negative current to the other relay, the second salvo can be fired. However, prior to this invention a single wire system was not available for firing separate salvos at different points in time. A single wire was not being used for selectively carrying oppositely charged currents to matching polarity sensitive relays for firing only selected salvos.
Therefore, prior to this invention, if more than one salvo launching system was to be set in a particular area, a wire for each would have to be run from the launching spot to the remote area. Similarly, if adding another launching system to the same or neighboring spot was desired, a new wire had to be run.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention described in this application is a grenade firing system providing means for launching from a remote position, distinct grenade salvos at different points in time using only one wire. Accordingly, the system enables the installation of new salvos to be launched at distinct times at a location already in use without running another wire.
In accordance with the invention, the device comprises two grenade salvos each electrically wired to a polarity sensitive relay wherein the relays are of opposite sensitivities; a power supply comprised of two 24 Volt batteries each supplying current to a selecting switch but from oppositely charged terminals; a selecting switch for selecting between the battery and current charge desired for the salvo to be launched; and an ignition switch for directing particularly charged current from the batteries through a single wire to the relays and subsequently igniting the salvos having matching relays.
The batteries are aligned in the circuit such that each supplies current to the selecting switch from a terminal having an opposite polarity than that of the other battery. The oppositely charged current is directed to separate terminals on the selecting switch while the other terminals of each battery are jointly directed to an ignition switch terminal. A positive polarity sensitive relay is wired to a first salvo launching system while a negative polarity sensitive relay is wired to a second salvo launching system.
Upon selecting the salvo desired to be launched, the selector switch is moved into contact with the terminal having the electrical polarity matching the salvo and relay selected. An ignition switch is connected between a single wire running to the relays and the selecting switch. Upon engaging the ignition switch, the circuit is closed and the selected current is directed to the single wire and the salvos.
The current flows to each of the relays but due to the polarity sensitive nature of the relays, only the matching polarity relay will fire. The open contacts of the matching relay close and the desired salvo is launched. If the operator desires to launch the second salvo, the selector switch is simply moved to the other terminal matching the polarity of the other relay. The polarity of each relay can be selected by the way it is connected in the circuit due to a magnet built therein which polarizes the direction of current flow necessary for activation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form which is presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of the circuit comprising the firing system and its various electrical components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 a schematic drawing of the electrical circuit comprising the grenade firing system diagrammed in accordance with the general principles of the present invention and designated generally as 10. The grenade firing system 10 is comprised generally of two polarized relays 12 and 14 having opposite polarity sensitivity and two grenade salvos 16 and 18 wired to the relays and located at an actual launching site; two 24 volt batteries 20 and 22 each supplying current from oppositely charged terminals to separate terminals on a single pole double throw selector switch 24, the selecting switch 24 for selecting the current having the charge matching the relay and salvo selected, and an ignition switch 26 all located at a remote operating site; and a single control wire 28 running to the relays at the launch site from the remote operating site for carrying power to the salvos.
The batteries 20 and 22 each supply current to the selecting switch 24 and circuit 10 from oppositely charged terminals. The positive terminal 30 of battery 20 and the negative terminal 32 of battery 22 are each wired to the selecting switch 24 at separate terminals, 25 and 27, respectively. Negative and positive terminals 34 and 36, of batteries 20 and 22 respectively are wired jointly to a terminal 29 on the ignition switch 26.
Grenade salvos 16 and 18 are comprised of squibs, grenades or other projectile type bombs and are located at a remote launching site such as on the exterior of a vehicle. The polarized relays 12 and 14, wired to the salvos 16 and 18, respectively, are polarity sensitive such that they only operate when current of the proper polarity is applied from the batteries 20 and 22 through a single wire 28. When the proper current is selected by selector switch 24 from either of the positive or negative terminals 30 or 32 of batteries 20 and 22, and delivered to the matching relay, the relay fires thereby igniting the salvo wired to it. The polarity of each relay can be selected by the way it is connected in the circuit due to a magnet built therein which polarizes the direction of current flow necessary for activation. The single control wire 28 carries either the positive or negative current as determined by the selecting switch 24. The selecting switch 24 and polarity sensitive relays 12 and 14 allow the one wire 28 to be used for firing one or more salvos at a particular point in time and for firing yet another one or set of salvos at a later point in time without changing the wire 28 connections at the launch site or operating site.
However, to accomplish the firing of the salvos, the selected current must first be delivered to the relays 16 and 18 via the ignition switch 26. The ignition switch 26 is a typical momentary contact two pole switch mechanism. Upon engaging the ignition switch 26, the circuit is closed. Current at terminal 31 having the desired polarity flows to both relays 12 and 14 through the single control wire 28 while the common battery terminals, 34 and 36, connected to switch terminal 29 is grounded to chassis 38. However, only the matching relay will activate and allow the power to travel to the ignition system of the salvo. Thus, a particular salvo 16 or 18, can be fired by selecting the matching current with the selector switch 24 and allowing the current to flow to the relays via ignition switch 26.
The circuit 10 is used by first setting up the salvos such that one or more salvos have negatively polarized relays and one or more other salvos have positively polarized relays. A single control wire 28 supplies power to each of the relays, for example 12 and 14, and their respective salvos. The wire is run to a remote operating location such as the interior of a vehicle wherein the rest of the circuit is maintained and is connected to the terminal 33 of the ignition switch 26. Upon selection of the salvo(s) desired to be fired, for example positively polarized salvo 16, the matching current, is selected via selecting switch 24 and run to terminal 31 of the ignition switch 26. The salvo 16 selected is now ready for firing.
The ignition switch 26 is then engaged thereby closing the circuit allowing current to flow to the relays and firing salvo 16. By switching the selector switch 24 to the negative terminal 27, salvo 18 can be fired at a later time. Additional salvos can be added without running another control wire by simply wiring the ignition system and relays of the additional salvos to wire 28. Similarly, this circuit can be added to the operating location of firing systems set up prior to this invention if one desires to add additional salvos to a pre-existing launching site. New salvos for synchronous or non-synchronous launching could be added without running another control wire to the launch site by simply tapping into the main wire.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:
1. A polarity sensitive grenade firing system for firing independent grenade salvos, comprising:
(a) first and second grenade salvos;
(b) a positively polarized relay connected to said first salvo and being wired thereto so that said first salvo can be fired only when said positive relay is energized;
(c) a negatively polarized relay connected to said second salvo and being wired thereto so that said second salvo can be fired only when said negative relay is energized;
(d) a power supply capable of providing said system with a positive voltage source or a negative voltage source;
(e) switch means for selecting between said positive and negative voltage sources, and
(f) a single control wire connected between said switch means and said relays for carrying power from said power supply to said salvos.
2. The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a single pole double throw switch.
3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said power supply comprises first and second batteries wired to said switch for supplying current to said system, the positive terminal of said first battery and the negative terminal of said second battery being wired to separate terminals of the switch, the negative terminal of said first battery and the positive terminal of said second battery being connected together and to ground.
4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said salvos are comprised of squibs having ignition systems, said squibs being ignited by said power from said batteries causing normally open contacts of said relays to close and thereby transmit power from said batteries to said ignition system for igniting said squibs.
US08/053,573 1993-04-28 1993-04-28 Polarity sensitive grenade firing system Abandoned USH1236H (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/053,573 USH1236H (en) 1993-04-28 1993-04-28 Polarity sensitive grenade firing system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/053,573 USH1236H (en) 1993-04-28 1993-04-28 Polarity sensitive grenade firing system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
USH1236H true USH1236H (en) 1993-10-05

Family

ID=21985185

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/053,573 Abandoned USH1236H (en) 1993-04-28 1993-04-28 Polarity sensitive grenade firing system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) USH1236H (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5796297A (en) * 1995-06-21 1998-08-18 Sgs-Thomson Microelectronics S.A. Selector switch circuit enabling the selective supply of voltages with different signs

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5796297A (en) * 1995-06-21 1998-08-18 Sgs-Thomson Microelectronics S.A. Selector switch circuit enabling the selective supply of voltages with different signs

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6269726B1 (en) Multi-shot, non-lethal, taser cartridge remote firing system for protection of facilities and vehicles against personnel
US8132510B2 (en) Remote setting for electronic systems in a projectile for chambered ammunition
US3980019A (en) Adaptive ordnance system
US5078051A (en) Ammunition data transmission system
US8250983B2 (en) Remote setting for electronic systems in a projectile for chambered ammunition
US5097765A (en) Electric fuze with selectable modes
US5721391A (en) Electronic firing circuit
US4736583A (en) Rocket firing system for sequential firing of rocket motor groups
US3485461A (en) Firing control system for laser-guided projectiles
USH1236H (en) Polarity sensitive grenade firing system
US6202532B1 (en) Data exchange system and method for ammunition rounds
US3728935A (en) Coded induction rocket motor ignition system
US7481145B1 (en) Cruise munitions detonator projectile
US3722416A (en) Fuze function selection and firing system
US4833991A (en) Submunition incorporating a fuze
US3722415A (en) Electrostatic contact fuze
US3712230A (en) Firing equipment for simulating gunfire
RU96120588A (en) ANTI-AREA MANAGED ANTI-UTILIZED ROCKET
WO1998016794A2 (en) One-man air-defence guided missile
US4103585A (en) Ammunition firing system having means for electrically signaling presence or absence of ammunition
GB752153A (en) Improvements in self-propelled projectiles
RU2303235C1 (en) Device for launching of guided missile or projectile
US20050109200A1 (en) Method and apparatus for increasing the effectiveness of electrical discharge weapons
US3229632A (en) Ejector breech and firing system
US11988172B2 (en) Ignition safety device for a multi-pulse or multi-stage rocket motor system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE