WO2012091665A1 - Fuzing system for a submarine signal flare - Google Patents
Fuzing system for a submarine signal flare Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012091665A1 WO2012091665A1 PCT/SE2011/051589 SE2011051589W WO2012091665A1 WO 2012091665 A1 WO2012091665 A1 WO 2012091665A1 SE 2011051589 W SE2011051589 W SE 2011051589W WO 2012091665 A1 WO2012091665 A1 WO 2012091665A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- ignition
- fuzing
- flare
- cartridge
- hydrostatic
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 32
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000009429 distress Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000779 smoke Substances 0.000 description 3
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005188 flotation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004083 survival effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B4/00—Fireworks, i.e. pyrotechnic devices for amusement, display, illumination or signal purposes
- F42B4/26—Flares; Torches
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C5/00—Fuzes actuated by exposure to a predetermined ambient fluid pressure
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
- F42B12/46—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information for dispensing gases, vapours, powders or chemically-reactive substances
- F42B12/48—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information for dispensing gases, vapours, powders or chemically-reactive substances smoke-producing, e.g. infrared clouds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
- F42C14/00—Mechanical fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type
- F42C14/04—Mechanical fuzes characterised by the ammunition class or type for torpedoes, marine mines or depth charges
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a fuzing system for a signal flare for use on a submarine vessel, said system comprising an ignition system that is operationally connected to a signalling substance in such a way that said signalling substance can be ignited by activating said ignition system.
- the invention also relates to a signal flare comprising a fuzing system.
- the level of safety required for equipment used on submarine vessels is generally very high, due to the environment inside the vessel and the risks connected with accidents in such an enclosed space located under water. If an emergency should arise, it is essential to be able to emit a distress signal to enable assistance from the surroundings, and for this purpose, signal flares are generally used.
- Such signal flares must be constructed and used following many and very strict safety precautions to on the one hand guarantee that the signal flares when launched will perform as desired and on the other hand to prevent an accidental ignition of the signal flare during handling and transportation, e.g. inside the submarine vessel. For instance, a signal flare should not get affected e.g. in case it is dropped to the ground or subjected to other external forces e.g. during transportation and the like since that would lead to a serious security risk.
- One way of activating the ignition system of a flare is to have a break screw that during launch will be broken and thus start the ignition.
- Such a system can, however, present dangers both when handling and possibly dropping the flare inside the submarine and when a launch has been badly performed so that the flare remains stuck in an ignition tube.
- a plundering to bring the flare back onboard is desired, but if there is a risk that the ignition chain of the flare has been activated, such a manoeuvre can possibly result in an ignition inside the submarine, resulting in a possibly life- threatening situation for the crew.
- Another problem is to choose a signal flare that is adapted to the water depth where the submarine is currently located, so that the ignition is delayed sufficiently for the flare to reach a desired water depth before the signalling substance is ignited but at the same time occurs before the flare has reached the water surface and possibly been placed in an undesirable position where the signalling substance cannot be activated in a desired way.
- One solution to this problem is to have a series of signal flares labelled with the depth where they can be used and having an operator select the flare that is suitable in a specific situation.
- US 3048111 relating to an arming and firing mechanism for pyrotechnic signals, where arming and firing means are operable in response to the predetermined sequence of hydraulic pressure conditions to which the signal is subjected after being launched.
- US 3048111 is associated with a number of weaknesses which taken together results in that the system essentially lacks fail-safe mechanisms which obviously poses a problem in the strict conditions in a submarine.
- a fuzing system for a signal flare for use on a submarine vessel comprising an ignition system that is operationally connected to a signalling substance in such a way that said signalling substance can be ignited by activating said ignition system, characterized in that a hydrostatic device is arranged to activate said ignition system at a predetermined surrounding pressure, and wherein said system comprises a movable central piston member associated with the hydrostatic device, which piston member upon launch of a fuzing system from a submarine is arranged to be pushed downwards with respect to the launching direction, simultaneously compressing an ignition spring member and locking the ignition spring member in a compressed position until a point where said predetermined surrounding pressure leads to that the hydrostatic device reaches an activating position, in which position said hydrostatic device is arranged to cause release of the ignition spring member thereby causing ignition of the ignition system.
- the need for a crew member to choose from a number of different signal flares for use at different depths can be eliminated, thereby also eliminating the risk of choosing an unsuitable signal flare and thus igniting too early or too late, preventing a signal in the form of light or smoke to be emitted.
- a safety system with a rotatable tube sensor an premature activation of the fuzing system before the signal flare has left the submarine vessel can also be prevented, allowing for plundering if a situation should arise where it is desired to abort a launch of the signal flare and return it to the inside of the submarine vessel. Thanks to this system, along with the additional safety systems used with the invention, an accidental activation of the fuzing system due to handling of the signal flare by a human operator can also be prevented.
- the compact construction of the fuzing system with casings or bodies surrounding its components also enables a construction of a signal flare without its commonly used casing that would ordinarily surround the fuzing system as well as the signal components.
- a construction with multiple signals placed tightly together and connected to the same fuzing system and still fitting into regular sizes of launch tubes commonly used on submarine vessels is enabled.
- Fig. la shows a perspective view of a signal flare comprising a fuzing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. lb shows a perspective view of a partly cut off signal flare comprising a fuzing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a fuzing system according to the invention
- Fig. 3 a shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 before launch
- Fig. 3b shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 during launch
- Fig. 4a shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 seen from a
- Fig. 4b shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 seen from a
- Fig. 5 a-f shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 seen from a top end
- Fig. 6a shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 before activation of a hydrostatic device
- Fig. 6b shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 after activation of a hydrostatic device
- Fig. 6c shows a perspective view of the fuzing system of Fig. 2 at ignition.
- a flare with a cartridge 1 can be seen, encasing a fuzing system 2, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, placed at a lower end 14 of the cartridge 1, a central tube 12 and a space 13, where at least one signal flare (not shown) can be contained, located towards an upper end 15.
- a nose plug 16 seals the cartridge 1, and at the lower end 14, an ejection bracket 3 is mounted.
- said cartridge 1 comprises a standard design with dimensions that fit into standard launching tubes, i.e. no adaptations are required in order to use the signal flare according to the invention. All its inventive features and safety mechanisms are accomplished by means of a signal flare having the dimensions of a standard type cartridge 1.
- the design of the cartridge 1 comprising in a lower end 14 a fuzing system 2 and inner spaces 13 elongating at the middle and upper portion of said cartridge 1 will lead to that the location of the centre of mass will contribute to the cartridge keeping a proper position during its trajectory through a body of water, i.e. with its nose portion 16 directed upwards and the lower end 14 directed downwards.
- the fuzing system 2 comprises a first body 21 housing an ignition system 5 and a second body 22, separated from said first body 21 by a plurality of spacers 23.
- a central piston 4 a piston 7 called a "tube sensor” , a hydrostatic piston 6 and a ball locker 43 are mounted and arranged to interact in a manner that will be described below for launching, activation of safety systems and initiation of ignition, among other things.
- Fig. 3a-b, Fig. 5a-b and Fig. 6a-c show the fuzing system 2 with the bodies 21, 22 separated by spacers 23, and with the central piston 4 and the hydrostatic piston 6.
- a central ignition spring 44 and an inner ignition ring member 45 are arranged around the central piston 4 inside a central casing 12, and a hydrostatic spring 61 is arranged so that it is abutting the hydrostatic piston 6.
- a ball locker 43 with balls 49 locks the inner ignition ring member 45 to prevent its movement in relation to the ball locker 43 until the moment of initiation of ignition. Furthermore, a locking ring 62 is arranged to lock inner locking balls 49 (see e.g. Fig. 3a) which are located inside matching holes in the inner ignition ring member 45.
- the flare can be seen from the lower end 14 with the second body 22 and with the rotatable tube sensor 7 extending through the second body 22 and ending in a latch mechanism 71 in the form of a sensor arm that extends along a lower surface of the second body 22.
- the tube sensor 7 is arranged to be rotatable around its longitudinal axis and is spring biased to rotate in a predetermined direction corresponding to said sensor arm being turned outwardly from said second body 22 at an angle, as seen in Fig. 4b.
- the sensor arm 71 Before launch, the sensor arm 71 is held in place by the ejection bracket 3 and as long as the signal flare remains inside the launch tube, the sensor arm 71 remains in the non-operable position shown in Fig. 4a. As soon as the signal flare has left the launch tube and been ejected into the water, the sensor arm 71 is free to rotate to the position shown by Fig. 4b, protruding from the second body 22 at an angle.
- Fig. 4a shows the fuzing system before the cartridge 1 is positioned into the launching tube, said tube sensor 7 being in an inoperable position and the latch mechanism 71 is held inwardly by retaining means comprised by the ejection bracket 3, and Fig. 4b shows the fuzing system after launch and after that the cartridge has been ejected out from the launching tube, wherein the tube sensor 7 is in an operable position.
- the tube sensor 7 In an operable position the tube sensor 7 has armed the signal markers and ignition of the ignition system is enabled.
- additional safety mechanisms must also be unlocked, i.e. only turning the tube sensor 7 will not fully arm the fuzing system. This means an unsuccessful launch (e.g.
- said tube sensor design where a latch mechanism 71 is arranged to pivot in a horizontal direction (in relation to the length of the cartridge) leads to a flare having dimensions which are compatible with conventional launching tubes, i.e. the presence of the latch mechanism 71 per se does not lead to any need for any specially arranged launching tubes which is advantageous from a users perspective.
- the latch mechanism 71 is arranged to cooperate with retaining means for keeping the tube sensor member 7 in an inoperable position, as shown in Fig. 4a.
- the bracket member 3 is firmly fastened onto the lower end 14 of the second body 22, for instance by means of thumbscrews 33 safely keeping the bracket 3 in place. This means that as long as the bracket 3 is in place said sensor member 7 is completely shielded by it, and is thus protected from any sudden impacts, e.g. due to rough handling or dropping, and accidental arming/firing of the fuzing system is prevented.
- Fig. 4b is seen a situation where the retaining means (i.e. the bracket 3) has been removed allowing the latch mechanism 71 to flip outwards in the direction of the biasing force acting on the tube sensor 7, meaning that said tube sensor 7 has been rotated into an operable position whereat ignition of the ignition system is enabled, as will later be described in more detail.
- Figs. 5a - f are depicting components located at the uppermost side of the first body 21. It is to be understood that the following description of the function and safety aspects of the system are to be seen as merely illustrative for describing the technical function of the invention, and are thus not to be seen as limited to the exact outline of the appended figures.
- a cone shaped portion 40 of the central piston 4 protrudes upwardly from a bore passing through the first body 21. In this position the system is in a non- operable state.
- a safety unit 9 is arranged in connection to the first body 21 and at least one spring member 94 is arranged between the upper surface of the first body 21 and the underside of the safety unit 9.
- the safety unit 9 is arranged with a first and a second retaining member 92, 93 arranged to lock the safety unit 9 in an unarmed position when the flare is in non-operable state.
- Said retaining members 92, 93 are arranged to release the safety unit 9 upon launch of the flare, whereupon said spring member 94 pushes the safety unit 9 upwards into an armed position, as will later be described in more detail.
- a first and second safety aspect is that of said safety bracket 3 being locked to the cartridge in two ways: firstly by means of the fastening means (thumbscrews) and secondly via said break screw 31. Said safety bracket 3 safeguards that said tube sensor 7 is kept in an inactive position.
- a third safety aspect is provided by the central piston 4. As long as said central piston 4 has not moved downwards said safety unit 9 is retained in a non-armed position.
- Another, fourth safety aspect is that said tube sensor 7 prevents the system from becoming activated as long as it is kept in a non-rotated position.
- the tube sensor 7 As will later be described in more detail, as long as the tube sensor 7 is in a non-rotated position it locks the hydrostatic piston 6 preventing it from moving in a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, as long as the tube sensor 7 is kept in a non-rotated position the ignition chain at the upper side of the first body 21 is broken due to that the safety unit 9 is prevented from moving to an armed position.
- a signal flare is placed into a launch tube for launch into surrounding water.
- a first safety lock in the form of at least one thumbscrew 33 (see Fig. la), that serves to firmly secure the ejection bracket 3 to the second body 22 to prevent an accidental breaking of a break screw 31, is removed.
- the ejection bracket 3 is still retained onto the second body 22 by means of said break screw 31 being connected to the central piston 4.
- the central piston 4 is protruding through the second body 22 via an opening in the second body 22.
- a second opening from said launch tube to a surrounding of the submarine vessel is opened and water fills the launch tube.
- a hydrostatic opening 63 allows the water to penetrate into the hydrostatic chamber 64 located at the lower end of the hydrostatic piston 6 whereupon the piston 6 becomes subjected to the water pressure at the depth where the submarine vessel is currently placed. In this position the water pressure inside the hydrostatic chamber 64 will push against the underside of the piston 6. In this stage the hydrostatic piston 6 is locked (i.e. is fixed into place) by a locking mechanism connected to said tube sensor 7.
- the hydrostatic piston 6 As long as the tube sensor 7 is in a non-rotated position the hydrostatic piston 6 is locked in position, whereas at the same moment as the tube sensor 7 rotates the hydrostatic piston 6 is free to move in a longitudinal direction.
- said hydrostatic piston 6 will be affected in one end by a prebiased spring 61 and in another end by the water pressure inside the chamber 64, meaning that the position of the hydrostatic piston 6 is determined on one hand by the force exerted by said spring 61 and on the other hand by the water pressure.
- the hydrostatic spring 61 is preloaded (i.e. held in a compressed position) already before launch by means of being somewhat compressed by the hydrostatic piston 6 which in its turn is held in place by said tube sensor 7.
- Fig. 3a there is depicteda fuzing system 2 before launch.
- the flare may or may not have been positioned inside a launch tube.
- the ejection bracket 3 is connected to the central piston 4 via the break screw 31 and the tube sensor 7 is retained in an inoperable position by means of said latch mechanism 71 being held inwardly within a matching groove of said ejection bracket 3.
- the central piston 4 is movable in a longitudinal direction, but until launch it is kept in place in a non-operable position by said central spring member 44.
- the spring member 44 is positioned so that it extends between the ring member 45 and a spring support unit 42 (shown in Fig. 3a).
- the spring support unit 42 is integrated with said central piston 4 and is movable inside and in relation to the central tube 12.
- the cartridge 1 Upon launching of the signal flare the cartridge 1 is subjected to a sudden, upwardly directed ejection force.
- said ejection bracket 3 has a diameter larger than the launching tube and will therefore not be able to follow the flare as it is launched via the launching tube. Since the central piston 4 is attached to the break screw 31 and is movable in its longitudinal direction, the central piston 4 will initially be retained by the break screw 31 and will thus get pushed in a downward direction in relation to the other components of the flare. The downward movement of the central piston 4 leads to that the ignition spring 44 is compressedbetween the spring support unit 42 of the movable central piston 4 and the fixed, inner ignition ring member 45, as also seen in Fig. 3b.
- the ignition spring 44 is activated only upon launching the flare: up until the firing moment the ignition spring is inactive and cannot initiate firing which is an advantage from a safety aspect since careless handling of the cartridge when carrying or transporting it may not lead to accidental ignition since no ignition is possible due to the inactive ignition spring 44.
- the central piston 4 is arranged to get locked once it reaches a lowermost position (as in Fig. 3b) by means of a locking member 47 located at the lower end of the central piston 4, locking the central piston 4 in relation to the lower surface of the second body 22.
- a locking member 47 located at the lower end of the central piston 4, locking the central piston 4 in relation to the lower surface of the second body 22.
- the locking member 47 is mechanically activated so that the central piston 4 is locked in a position where said ignition spring 44 has been compressed.
- the locking member 47 preferably comprises a spring biased latch member 47 which may be manually unlocked, meaning that in case a plundering to bring the launched flare back onboard is desired, the latch member 47 may be easily unlocked releasing the central piston 4 which may thus move upwards to its initial position, whereby also the ignition spring 44 is decompressed and ignition disabled. An accidental ignition inside the submarine may hereby be avoided.
- Said central piston 4 is provided with an annular flange 46 which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the central opening in the second body 22.
- the central piston 4 will be drawn in a relative downward direction until the flange 46 is stopped by the surface around the central opening in the second body 22.
- the break screw 31 is arranged to break so that the flare is released from the ejection bracket 3 and is allowed to continue through the launching tube.
- the break screw 31 and central piston 4 thus form a second safety lock.
- the downward movement of the central piston 4 leads to opening of a third safety lock at the upper side of the first body 21, as will be described in more detail in connection to Fig. 5a - b.
- Fig. 5a - b there is seen the upper side of a first body 21 of a preferred embodiment according to the invention.
- the upper cone shaped end 40 of the central piston 4 is positioned so that it protrudes up from a bore through the first body 21.
- Fig. 5a shows a flare before launch, where said safety unit 9 is locked in an unarmed position.
- Fig. 5f shows a flare after launch, where said safety unit 9 has been unlocked and has moved to an armed position where ignition of the ignition system 5 is enabled.
- the safety unit 9 When the safety unit 9 is in an unarmed position the ignition chain 5 is broken, i.e. even if the ignition thread 8 would light the fuse 5 (as will be explained later) the lightening would be interrupted in case the safety unit 9 is in an unarmed position, and thereby there is no risk that the explosives of the flare composition would fire off e.g. in case of an external fire outbreak. This is achieved in that part of the blasting safety fuse of the ignition system 5 is arranged within the safety unit 9. Thus by separating the safety unit 9 from the rest of the ignition system until the moment when projection of the flare composition is to be enabled a safer fuzing system 2 is attained. When the safety unit 9 is brought into an armed position as seen in Fig. 5f, the previously separated ignition system units 5, 5' are connected via said safety unit 9, and via the fuse contained therein, so that the ignition chain 5 is closed and firing of the signal flare is enabled.
- the safety unit 9 is now to be described referring to Figs. 5a - f.
- the central piston 4 protrudes up from the first body 21 to such an extent that its thickest base is exposed above the opening from which it protrudes.
- the retention pin 9 will lock said safety unit 9, keeping it in an unarmed position, as shown in Fig. 5a.
- the safety unit 9 is also kept in an unarmed position by means of a second retention pin 93, representing a fourth safety lock, illustrated in Fig. 5c - d.
- the fourth safety lock is released by means of rotation of the tube sensor piston 7.
- Fig. 5c there is seen a situation where the tube sensor end portion 7 is protruding upwardly from the surface of the first body 21.
- Said second retaining pin 93 abuts the tube sensor 7 in one end and is introduced into a drill hole in the safety unit 9 in its other end.
- Fig. 5c there is seen a situation where the tube sensor end portion 7 is protruding upwardly from the surface of the first body 21.
- Said second retaining pin 93 abuts the tube sensor 7 in one end and is introduced into a drill hole in the safety unit 9 in its other end.
- the safety unit 9 moves to an armed position requires the release of both retention pins 92, 93, i.e. both turning of the tube sensor 7 and a downward movement of the central piston 4.
- the outline of said third safety lock means that if the ignition chain is ignited without the central piston 4 having moved enough downwards, the top portion 40 of the central piston 4 will stop the first retaining pin 92 from moving out from the drilled hole in the safety unit 9 and keeping the safety unit 9 in a position where it will interrupt the ignition chain.
- Fig. 5e shows a situation where the safety unit 9 is kept in a lower, unarmed position by means of said first 92 and second 93 retaining members.
- the safety unit 9 is pushed upwards by said spring member 94 to an armed position as shown in Fig. 5f wherein the ignition chain is closed. This leads to that ignition of the smoke signal is now possible.
- the hydrostatic piston 6 may be unlocked by means of a hydrostatic retaining pin (not shown) in a manner similar to that of locking/unlocking the safety unit 9.
- a safety pin may be arranged which partly is introduced into a drilled hole in the hydrostatic piston 6, and which in the other end is locked against the surface of the tube sensor piston 7.
- Rotation of the tube sensor 7 i.e. unlocking of the fourth safety lock
- the hydrostatic piston 6 is arranged in one end with a hydrostatic spring device 61 exerting a predetermined force onto the piston 6, and in its other end being subjected to surrounding pressure which, in case the signal flare has been launched from a submarine into the water, corresponds to the surrounding water pressure acting on the hydrostatic piston via a hydrostatic opening 63 allowing the water to penetrate into a hydrostatic chamber 64 located at the lower end of the movable piston 6.
- the piston 6 seals against the walls of the chamber 64 with sealing means, such as O-rings, sealing the interior of the fuzing system 2 from ingress of water.
- the force from the hydrostatic spring 61 will overcome the pressure from surrounding water enough for pushing the piston 6 downwards into the chamber 64 to an activating position whereat it is arranged to cause initiation of ignition of the ignition system. This is accomplished as follows. When reaching a predetermined activating position below the water surface the hydrostatic piston 6 has been pushed downwards into the chamber 64 by means of the spring 61. The piston 6 is connected via a projecting arm 65 to a locking ring 62 which is positioned around the circumference of the central tube 12 which surrounds the central piston 4.
- the outer locking ring 62 is fixated onto the hydrostatic piston 6 but is movably positioned around the central tube 12 meaning the outer locking ring 62 will move together with the hydrostatic piston 6 as the signal flare ascends through the water and water pressure changes.
- the locking ring 62 is arranged to lock inner locking balls 49 (see e.g. Fig. 3a and Fig. 6a) which are located inside matching holes in the inner ignition ring member 45 and the central tube wall 12.
- inner locking balls 49 see e.g. Fig. 3a and Fig. 6a
- the ring member 45 further contributes to compressing the central spring 44 which is
- the signal flare can be launched from the submarine vessel without the use of a launch tube, but simply by placing the signal flare in an area that can be opened into the surrounding water and allowing the signal flare to float up through the water towards a surface due to being arranged with a positive buoyancy.
- This type of launch would require manual activation of the system.
- a distress signal can be emitted even if damages have occurred onboard the submarine vessel that affects operation of the launch tube, thus allowing for a distress signal to be sent even in these cases.
- a signal flare can be made without a casing thus allowing for more signal units to be mounted together without using more space than a conventional flare with a casing would and thus giving a larger and more visible signal.
- a signal flare of a lower weight can be constructed, or with flotation elements, for instance in the form of a polyurethane foam, for achieving a faster rise through the water.
- a fuzing system 2 according to the invention may be launched from any water depth, and even from the surface. Firing from the surface would lead to that the hydrostatic piston 6 will be activated immediately upon launch since the hydrostatic spring 61 does not need to overcome any surrounding water pressure, and thus ignition of the flare will be affected without delay.
- hydrostatic piston 6 may be replaced by any movable member 6 suitable for generating a movement as a result of change of surrounding pressure.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NO11853651A NO2659220T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-12-27 | |
EP11853651.5A EP2659220B1 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-12-27 | Fuzing system for a submarine signal flare |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE1051383-6 | 2010-12-29 | ||
SE1051383 | 2010-12-29 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2012091665A1 true WO2012091665A1 (en) | 2012-07-05 |
Family
ID=46383401
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SE2011/051589 WO2012091665A1 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-12-27 | Fuzing system for a submarine signal flare |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2659220B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
NO (1) | NO2659220T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
WO (1) | WO2012091665A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112204337A (zh) * | 2018-03-14 | 2021-01-08 | 莫内蒂有限责任公司 | 包括至少一个烟花、电点火器和对接基座的烟火装置,该装置包括用于可移除地联接它们的系统 |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2966849A (en) * | 1948-12-30 | 1961-01-03 | Harold R Joiner | Submarine signalling device |
US3048111A (en) * | 1953-02-10 | 1962-08-07 | Kenneth L Baker | Submarine signal fuze |
GB2018404A (en) * | 1978-04-07 | 1979-10-17 | Menon L | A smoke signalling device to be launched from a submerged submarine |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH539835A (fr) * | 1971-09-10 | 1973-07-31 | Mefina Sa | Fusée pour projectile à mouvement non giratoire |
DE19651974C1 (de) * | 1996-12-13 | 1998-06-10 | Buck Chem Tech Werke | Sicherheitsvorrichtung für einen Zünder |
-
2011
- 2011-12-27 NO NO11853651A patent/NO2659220T3/no unknown
- 2011-12-27 WO PCT/SE2011/051589 patent/WO2012091665A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-12-27 EP EP11853651.5A patent/EP2659220B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2966849A (en) * | 1948-12-30 | 1961-01-03 | Harold R Joiner | Submarine signalling device |
US3048111A (en) * | 1953-02-10 | 1962-08-07 | Kenneth L Baker | Submarine signal fuze |
GB2018404A (en) * | 1978-04-07 | 1979-10-17 | Menon L | A smoke signalling device to be launched from a submerged submarine |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112204337A (zh) * | 2018-03-14 | 2021-01-08 | 莫内蒂有限责任公司 | 包括至少一个烟花、电点火器和对接基座的烟火装置,该装置包括用于可移除地联接它们的系统 |
CN112204337B (zh) * | 2018-03-14 | 2023-02-28 | 莫内蒂有限责任公司 | 烟火装置 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2659220A1 (en) | 2013-11-06 |
EP2659220A4 (en) | 2014-07-09 |
EP2659220B1 (en) | 2017-08-02 |
NO2659220T3 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) | 2017-12-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
KR101210582B1 (ko) | 40mm 연습탄 | |
US5052489A (en) | Apparatus for selectively actuating well tools | |
EP0088543B1 (en) | Improvements in or relating to safety devices for carrier shells | |
KR101606921B1 (ko) | 산불화재 진압용 소화폭발탄 | |
CA2819964C (en) | Grenade mechanism | |
US4969398A (en) | Lane marker | |
US8430031B1 (en) | Ignition train mechanism for illumination flare | |
EP2659220B1 (en) | Fuzing system for a submarine signal flare | |
US20120037028A1 (en) | Stationary self-destruct fuze mechanism | |
US3154042A (en) | Embedment anchor | |
KR101930865B1 (ko) | 소구경용 회전안정식 안전장전장치 | |
US5373790A (en) | System for self destruction of a carrier shell submunition by chemical attack | |
US11460280B2 (en) | Firing mechanism for a grenade and a grenade | |
KR101519387B1 (ko) | 유탄의 독립형 자폭장치, 슬라이더의 장전위치 고정부 및 이를 포함하는 유탄 | |
EP3690322B1 (en) | Electromechanical contact fuse for multi-purpose aircraft ammunition | |
US3112703A (en) | Universal hand grenades and projectiles | |
NO133683B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) | ||
KR101879944B1 (ko) | 지연장전부와 격침부 사이의 기폭정렬이 보장되는 충격신관 | |
US3616753A (en) | Out of line fuze mechanism | |
US3086464A (en) | Detachable practice mine section | |
US2440702A (en) | Antipersonnel mine | |
US4457232A (en) | Artillery fuze for practice and tactical munitions | |
US3368488A (en) | Arming and firing mechanism | |
US3245346A (en) | Hydrostat-actuated parachute release mechanism | |
US2405840A (en) | Fuse |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 11853651 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
REEP | Request for entry into the european phase |
Ref document number: 2011853651 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2011853651 Country of ref document: EP |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |