WO2018122846A1

WO2018122846A1 - Unified booster for artillery munition fuses enabling detonating of both explosion and ejection type shells

Info

Publication number: WO2018122846A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/051392
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amir Weitz; Iris SILBERMAN; Zach TANANBOUM
Original assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-12-29
Filing date: 2017-12-27
Publication date: 2018-07-05
Also published as: IL249864A0

Abstract

A unified booster for artillery ammunition fuses, that enables initiating both explosive type shells as well as ejection type shells, wherein the booster component is installable in continuation to the detonator component and the lead charge, that are usually installed in various artillery ammunition fuses, as a part of their detonation chain, and wherein the booster component is formed as a charge of explosive material that a flyer plate is installed at its one end that from the instant of installing the booster component in the fuse and mounting the fuse at the head of the shell is turned towards the shell's charge to be initiated.

Description

UNIFIED BOOSTER FOR ARTILLERY MUNITION FUSES ENABLING DETONATING OF BOTH EXPLOSION AND EJECTION TYPE SHELLS

Field the Invention - The various embodiments described herein generally relate to fuses (fuzes) that are used to initiate the detonation in explosive type of artillery munitions and ignite artillery munitions of the ejection kind.

Background of the Invention -

Artillery weapons, such as cannons or mortars, are long ago in use for firing a variety of ammunition shells.

It is feasible to divide the variety of shells into two major groups - the explosive ammunitions group and the ammunitions group of the ejection kind.

As per explosive ammunition, it is required to initiate an explosive charge (high explosive, for example - TNT or composition B) and to bring it to a process of full detonation. Contrary to this, as per the ammunition of the second kind, the ejection type of ammunition, it is required to ignite pyrotechnics and/or propellant charge (for example - nitrocellulose), in a manner that would bring the ejecting charge into a state of fast burn-up, that will lead to increased pressure within the shell envelope without breaching it. The built up pressure actuates mechanical means (for example - a piston) within the shell envelope, whose movement will bring about ejection from the shell envelope of the effective payload (for example - ejection of cluster bomblets, flaming concealants, smoking concealants, illumination sources, phosphoric material), said ejection, as stipulated, occurring without the built up pressure resulting from burn-up of the propellant material breaching the shell envelope before the ejection is completed.

Timing the essentially different initiations, therefore, is carried out by fuses, for example - proximity fuses equipped with sensors that measure the distance to an item and initiate when the shell is found within a defined range from the item, time fuses that initiate when a defined time passes from the time of launching, delaying fuses that initiate when a defined time passes for example, from the time contact with the target was made (to ensure high penetration into the target before initiation), altitude fuses that initiate on reaching a desired altitude, distance fuses that initiate when a distance has been passed or impact fuses that initiate on contact with the target.

These kinds of fuses are installed for example at the heads of the different shells before loading them into the barrel of the cannon or the mortar.

In addition to the assemblies that, as said, are timing the initiation (and for example - subject to sensing proximity to the target in the case of proximity fuses or time that passed from the firing instant in the case of time fuses), the fuses also include various excitation systems that enable detonation or flaring (ignition).

From the time of receiving the timed excitation signal and in parallel, or even earlier, removing the one or more Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanisms, (usually preventing the possibility of forming a detonation chain), the excitation by way of detonating or flaring system that is installed in the fuse is activated and brings the explosive material to a detonation state (in the case of explosive ammunition) or the pyrotechnic or propellant material to a fast burn-up state (in the case of ejection type of ammunition).

A typical excitation system in the way of detonation or flaring, that is installed in fuses of the discussed type, includes a detonator component, a lead charge component and a booster (or in other words - a primer) leading and enhancing the detonation process from the detonator to the high explosive (HE) main charge (in the case of explosive ammunition) or ignite a propellant material in the main charge. A booster component is usually installed in initiating systems that are meant to initiate detonation in high explosive (HEs) materials in an explosive type of ammunition. The components that are installed in either excitation by detonation or flaring systems are suited to be activated one after the other forming a detonation chain.

Because of the different objects we pointed out above, high explosive detonation in the case of an explosive type of ammunition or just igniting a propellant in the case of an ejection type of ammunition, the artillery ammunition these days is required to be installed in the fuses that are installed in it, with excitation systems of detonation or of flaring that are different one from the other.

One skilled in the art, will understand that any attempt to adapt the same booster element that is regularly utilized for initiating an explosive charge type of artillery ammunition, and implement the same booster, as is, also for the purpose of ignition of pyrotechnics or propellant charges in an ejection type of ammunition, might result in an excessive pressure build up occurrence within the shell envelope. Such an over pressure, may breach or even shutter the shell envelope and that might hinder the ejection completely.

At most, the miniaturization, computerized and electronic capabilities have found their way for example by unifying different fuses into one single fuse which the soldier can choose on the spot via its operation mode (whether as a proximity fuse or timed fuse), before loading the shell to the barrel of the canon or mortar. However the need for initiating different types of materials, as we pointed out above, detonating HE in the case of an explosive type of ammunition or flaring a propellant in the case of an ejection type of ammunition, still requires the existence of at least two types of fuses that are different one from the other, and this - in accordance with the different excitation system, either of detonating or flaring, which is installed in them.

The need for a variety of fuses, as said, in accordance with the specific shell in which they are supposed to be installed (an explosive shell as opposed to ejection shell), naturally creates logistic problems (the need for an inventory of different fuses), and also raises the probability of human error to take place in the operational level (installing a fuse equipped with the wrong excitation system - detonation instead of flaring or flaring instead of detonation).

It is also to be remembered that the challenge of unifying the types of excitation systems - detonation and flaring, into a single excitation system - whose initiation would lead to both the detonation of the high explosive upon initiating the fuse in which the system is mounted in a shell that belongs to said first group (the explosive ammunition group) and also lead to igniting a propellant material from the instant of installing the fuse in which the system is equipped to, with a shell belonging to said second group (the ejection ammunition group) compels overcoming many difficulties, for example - The necessity to adapt the excitation system to geometrical packaging constraints (the given geometry of the fuses), the requirement that the system should withstand exposure to extreme environmental conditions (for example, withstanding the acceleration shock unto which the artillery shell is exposed), the necessity that the detonator's or the flaring action would bridge over geometrical gaps that are different in their sizes, that are liable to be found between the fuse at the time of its being mounted in the shell and the material it is supposed to detonate or ignite (for example - one air gap that exists between the system to the explosive material in a shell from the first group, and a second air gap, different in its size, that exists between the system to a propellant material in a shell of the second group).

furthermore - the excitation system also has to overcome mechanical obstructions that are positioned opposite it at various times and to ensure detonation or ignition at a time wherein a mechanical obstruction is posted facing it but with a shell of the second group, wherein such an obstruction does not exist at all in a shell of the first group (for example - in a charge of a propellant type of material, whose ignition as said, is required in shells of the second group, alongside the charge which is facing towards the fuse, might be installed a rigid disc formed with a passage hole having a restricted dimension, a mechanical obstruction which does not exist at all in high explosive shells of the first group).

As per these circumstances, at a period that preceded the invention that is the subject matter of this patent application, no technological solution was found that would enable overcoming these difficulties at which we pointed hereinabove while providing a solution to the challenge of unifying the different detonation and flaring excitation systems into a single excitation system (of both in one: detonation and flaring) wherein its initiation provides for both detonation and flaring as a suitable application ("two in one" excitation), and its initiation activates both of them as required in a shell of the first group (detonation of explosive material) and for the ignition (flaring) of propellant upon mounting of the fuse in which the same system as assembled, in a shell that belongs rather to the second group (the ejection ammunition group).

Summary of the Invention -

The invention, the subject matter of this patent application, enables unifying the types of excitation systems of detonation and of flaring into one (single) system whose excitation would lead both to detonation of explosive materials from the instant of installing the fuse in which the system is installed with a shell that belongs to said first group (the explosive ammunition group), and (jointly) to the flaring of a propellant material from the instant of installing the fuse in which the same excitation system is mounted, in a shell that belongs to said second group (the ejection ammunition group).

Adopting the technology of acceleration of flyer plate through using specialized HE formulation and its implementation in the structure of a booster component that is installed in the detonation or the flaring system as a part of the initiating chain.

A booster component in accordance with the invention, serves as a unified booster that is installable into the detonator component and to lead charge components that are usually installed in the various fuses as part of the detonation chain.

A booster component in accordance with the invention, provides dual actuation capability. Initiation of the booster component in accordance with the invention - as always by actuating one after the other, the second from the activation of its preceding one, would lead both to detonating HE from the instant of installing a fuse that its excitation system there is installed a booster component in accordance with the invention, in a shell that belongs to said first group (the explosive ammunition group) and to flaring a propelling material from the instant of installing a fuse that its excitation system there is installed with the same booster component in accordance with the invention, in a shell that belongs to said second group (the ejection ammunition group).

In one embodiment, a booster component in accordance with the invention is formed as a cylinder shaped HE formulation wherein from the instant of installing (mounting) the booster's component in the fuse and mounting the fuse at the head of the shell, at its one end that is turned towards the charge that is to be initiated (either explosive or propellant charge) there is installed a flyer plate. In an additional embodiment, in a booster component in accordance with the invention, the detonating material is PBX (Plastic Bonded Explosive) and the flyer plate is made of metal such as aluminum, copper or tungsten.

The invention, which is the subject matter of the patent application, also embodies in its manner of operation a method for detonating explosive material that is found in artillery shells from one type (explosive type of ammunition) and ignites propellant material that is found in artillery shells of another kind (ejection type of ammunition). A method comprises the steps of providing a booster component that is formed as a cylinder of explosive material and wherein at the time of installing the booster component in a fuse and installing said fuse at the head of a shell, at the one end of the booster that is turned towards the charge that has to be initiated, there is a flyer plate installed; and detonating of said booster in a manner that leads to acceleration of said flyer plate towards said charge that has to be initiated.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiments are discussed in detail below. Embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with other embodiments in any manner consistent with at least one of the principles disclosed herein, and references to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an alternate embodiment," "various embodiments," "one embodiment" or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such terms herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Brief Description of the Figures -

Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an example of a booster in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view in cross-section of a typical fuse in an artillery shell wherein, in its excitation system, a booster, in accordance with the invention that is depicted in Figure 1, is mounted. The fuse is depicted wherein its Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism is in a safe state.

Figure 3 is an additional schematic perspective view in cross-section of the typical fuse of artillery shell depicted in Figure 2, wherein its S&A mechanism is in an armed state.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view in cross-section depicting the suitable components that serve for the booster mounting in the typical fuse that is schematically illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a cross-section depicting one mode of operation of a booster in accordance with the invention that is drawn in Figures 1 - 4 - acceleration during detonation of the flyer plate for initiating HE material in an explosive type of shell.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a cross-section depicting second mode of operation of a booster in accordance with the invention that is drawn in Figures 1 - 4 - acceleration during detonation of the flyer plate for the purpose of ignition of propellant material in an ejection type of shell.

Figure 6a is an enlarged view of the portion marked a-a in Figure 6, depicting the mechanical obstacles the flyer plate might need to overcome on its way to ignite a propellant material in an ejection type of shell.

Figure 7 is an illustration of the flyer plate of the booster that is drawn in Figures 5 and 6, after detonating the explosive material component of the booster. Detailed Description -

It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the apparatuses and methods discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The apparatuses and methods are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to "or" may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using "or" may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements; in addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

Referring to Figures 1 - 4 there is illustrated a view in perspective of booster 10 in accordance with the invention (in Fig. 1). In accordance with the illustrated example, booster in accordance with the invention is mountable (installable) in artillery ammunition fuses. For example - in Fig. 2, a typical fuse of artillery shell is illustrated. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the booster component 10 is installed there as a continuation to the detonator component 33, and to the lead charge 36, which are installed in fuse 30, as a part of its regular detonating chain.

Let us return to Fig. 1, booster 10 is formed in accordance with the illustrated example, as a cylinder of explosive material 13 wherein in its end 16, that from the instance of installing the booster component in the fuse and installing the fuse at the top of the shell (which is not illustrated), is turned towards the charge that is to be initiated, there is installed flyer plate 20. Flyer plate 20 as illustrated in this exemplifying figure is of a diameter bigger than the diameter of the explosive made portion 13 of booster 10. One example is a booster having an explosive portion diameter of 15mm and a flyer plate of 24mm diameter. However, any professional would understand that what is discussed is only an example, and components of boosters in accordance with the invention might be formed at different geometric configurations.

The cylinder of explosive material 13 might be formed for example in a diameter of 15 mm and at a length of 15 mm, and this in a configuration which was found fit to be included in the various fuses which serve in a 155 mm caliber artillery shells. Typically, in 155 mm caliber artillery shells of the HE type, a purely explosive made (without a flyer plate) booster of a rather larger 40 mm diameter is provided, therefore as said in the background portion of this application, might cause a state of over pressure within the shell envelope if adapted for igniting pyrotechnic or propellant charges in an ejection type of 155 mm caliber artillery shells.

But any professional would understand that what is discussed is only an example, and components of boosters in accordance with the invention, might be formed as said at a different geometric configuration or as one which is different in its dimensions from the above given example, but as long as the function of accelerating the flyer plate, and initiating a charge of explosive material or igniting the propellant material would be executed by them.

The explosive material of booster 10 could be for example, a PBX (Plastic Bonded Explosive) wherein the technology of manufacturing it is given in Weitz et al. patent document US 8,002,916. Explosive materials that are apt to serve in a booster in accordance with the invention can be for example pasty explosive formulations as said, having the contents of PETN and TNT, RDX, and /or HMX. Following is Table 1 which provides some exemplifying formulations -

Table 1

TNT 5-40%

CL-20 30-50%

Binders

Silicone binder (PDMS) 5-20%

HTPB 5-20%

Fillers

CaC0₃ 5-45%

Si0₂ 5-45%

/

The preferred content of explosive powder in the formulations is 50 - 95%.

A proven dosage was found to be the formulation combining 19.5% wt. of silicone binder (PDMS) in combination with 33.5% wt. RDX, 17% wt. CaC0₃ , and 30% wt. PETN.

In this regard, one skilled in the art will appreciate the usage of an inert powder as a filler in order to achieve a rather pasty composition (and not a liquid one). The challenge of avoiding a high pressure build up, as said, in the case of implementing the booster in an ejection type of shell, also dictate a reduction in the explosive powder content in the formulation and the adding of inert fillers as said.

Flyer plate 20 is liable to be manufactured from aluminum. The discussed subject is solely an example, and any professional would understand that a flyer plate that is given to acceleration by gluing it to a component of explosive material in the booster in accordance with the invention, is liable to be made also from other and different selected materials, for example - tin, lead, zinc alloy, copper, stainless steel, tantalum or tungsten.

Flyer plate 20 is formed at a relatively thin thickness. For example - at a thickness of 0.3 to 1.0 mm. Flyer plate 20 that is illustrated in Figure 1 is formed as a circular disk that is flat and has uniform thickness (as a complete unified thickness flyer disk).

Flyer plate 20 is liable to be installed on the end of cylindrical explosive material 13 by gluing. The adhesives that are suited can be any explosive compatible adhesives. Any professional would understand that we are referring solely to an example, and that installing of the flyer plate on the explosive part of the booster might be executed by different and other means, for example during the stage of injecting of the paste explosive material and at most - aided by an appropriate primer, another manufacturing practice can be simple geometric pinning of the flyer plate to the explosive material (without fixing them one to the other). The discussed is but an example, and every professional would understand that the flyer plate that is given to acceleration by being attached to an explosive material component in a booster in accordance with the invention might be formed in other shapes and configurations.

For example, although in most cases the flyer plate will break up into small pieces, one might consider forming the flyer plate with a hole passing through its middle that enables passage of - a flash - the product of the detonation through it and during its flight.

Another example, the flyer plate might be formed with weakening means (for example a slot) on its surface, in a manner that leads it to be sheared at the time of detonation and for the acceleration of an element from it that is smaller in its dimensions from the size of the entire plate before the detonation. This for example, is in order to enable the same element that has been sheared away and accelerated in the explosion to pass through a mechanical obstruction as it is posted before it.

As said, in a charge made of propellant material that as said is required in shells from said second group (the group of ejection shells), on the side of the charge that is pointed towards the fuse, sometimes there is installed a rigid disk with a passage hole which is limited in its dimensions. Hence, the smaller element that will be cut away (sheared) from the flyer plate and would be accelerated, is liable to ensure overcoming the mechanical obstruction such as by passage of the smaller element through the passage bore that is limited in its dimensions that are formed at that disk. The selection of what material should the flyer plate be (for example, aluminum or copper), should ensure the reduction of its dimensions (by convergence or by shearing), and so its passage through the limited passage hole, and from there into the space in which there exists the propellant charge, while enabling the hot gasses resulting from the detonation to pass as well and, with the hot metal, ignite the propelling material.

Reference is given to Figures 2 - 4. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view in cross-section of typical fuse 30 of artillery shell (which is not illustrated), wherein as said, in its excitation system, a booster 10 in accordance with the invention that is depicted in Figure 1 is mounted. The fuse is depicted wherein its Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism is in a safe state, namely the booster component 10 is installed there as a continuation to the detonator component 33, and to the lead charge 36, which are installed in fuse 30, as a part of its regular detonating chain, but at this safe state they are shifted one in relation to the other (for avoiding the detonating sequence). Figure 3 is an additional schematic perspective view in cross-section of typical fuse 30 depicted in Figure 2, wherein its S&A mechanism is in an armed state - note the positioning on line of detonator component 33, lead charge 36 and booster 10. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view in cross-section depicting the suitable components that serve for booster 10 mounting in the typical fuse 30 that is schematically illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Any professional will appreciate the fact that only minor changes are required in fuse 30 construction in order to accommodate a booster in accordance with the invention and thereafter enabling the fuse with dual capabilities (as a unified fuse for both - HE shells and ejection shells as well). As said, in Figures 2 to 4 there is illustrated an example of booster 10 in accordance with the invention, while mounted in fuse 30 of the type which regularly serves to initiate artillery shells, explosive and ejection as one, but what is discussed as said, is solely an example. A booster in accordance with the invention is found suited to packaging and inclusion as said, in the artillery shell fuses, which usually serves to initiating artillery shells of the 155 mm caliber, explosive and the ejection as one, and this, without requiring principle structural changes in given fuses like these. Therefore, Figures 2 - 4 illustrate fuse 30 of the specific artillery ammunition - ammunition of 155 mm caliber, wherein in the detonation or the excitation system of the fuse there is installed booster 10 in accordance with the invention.

In accordance with the illustrated example, the explosive material component 13 in booster 10 is formed as a cylinder that has a diameter of approximately 15 mm and a length of approximately 15 mm (wherein the accepted deviation from these dimensions is +/- 1 mm). The explosive material is a combination of PBX that contains PETN and RDX.

Any professional would understand that a booster in accordance with the invention has to comply with environmental challenging conditions, and according to the illustrated example - in an acceleration that might reach even 20,000 g.

As per these circumstances, from the beginning, when there is a given high density of the explosive material component (for example - over 99.3% of the TMD), (the Theoretical Maximum Density), the risk of additional compression occurring of the booster, due to its exposure to high compression stress, is reduced. However in order to prevent deformation and distortion of the booster, it is required to safely package the booster.

In accordance with the illustrated example, (see Figs. 2- 4) booster 10 is packaged and included in a given bore 39, inside adapted lower component 41 of fuse 30. Damping component 45 is also positioned inside bore 39 (damping component could be for example - felt disc or elastomer disc), in a manner that compensates the elongation and contraction of the booster when exposed to the environmental conditions. In addition, and in accordance with the illustrated example, the specific structure of the flyer plate 20 also donates to reducing danger of deformation or breakage of booster 510. Any professional would understand that it is possible to design a flyer plate in accordance with the invention in a rigid structure - in accordance with the illustrated example, as a disc that has a relatively large thickness (for example - approximately 1 mm), and that from the beginning, is fabricated from relatively rigid material (for example - aluminum), as required for withstanding the risk of significant plastic deformation and breakage of the explosive material component of the booster. Flyer plate 20 is formed as a disk having a diameter for example, of 24 mm. Booster cover component 48 is installed under booster 10 and flyer plate 20 that consists of a part of it. Booster cover component 48 is formed with passage hole 51 (see Fig. 4) which is smaller in its dimension relative to the diameter of the explosive material portion 13 of booster 10 (for example - 12.5 mm as compared to 15 mm).

Reference is being made to Figures 5, 6 and 6a. Figure 5 is a schematic view of a cross-section depicting one mode of operation of a booster 10 in accordance with the invention that is drawn in Figures 1 - 4 - acceleration during detonation of the flyer plate 20 for initiating HE material 65 in an explosive type of shell 70. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a cross-section depicting second mode of operation of a booster 10 in accordance with the invention that is drawn in Figures 1 - 4 - acceleration during detonation of the flyer plate 20 for the purpose of ignition of propellant material 75 in an ejection type of shell 80. Figure 6a is an enlarged view of the portion marked a- a in Figure 6, depicting the mechanical obstacles the flyer plate 20 might need to overcome on its way to ignite a propellant material 75 in an ejection type of shell 80. In accordance to what is explained above, on the side of the propellant charge 80 that is turned towards fuse 30, there is usually installed a rigid disk 85 with a passage hole limited in its dimensions 90. But any professional would understand that the smaller element that is sheared away in accordance with the example from flyer plate 20 and accelerated by the booster detonation, overcomes this mechanical obstruction by passage of the smaller element through the hole, that is formed in disk 85.

Given this structure, any professional would understand that in the illustrated example, a diminishing of the effective diameter of flyer plate 20 is taking place from the time of the detonation while traveling through passage hole 51 (also see Fig. 4), and then through hole 90 formed in disk 85 that is said, typically positioned in ejection type shells between the fuse and the propellant charge.

Reference is given to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 consists of an illustration of the configuration of flyer plate 20 as it is provided in booster 10 following detonating explosive material component 13 in the booster. The explosion formed a sector from flyer plate 20 to serve as an accelerated flyer plate, wherein it is in smaller dimensions than the dimension of flyer plate 20 before the detonation took place, and hence reduces the diameter of the effective flyer plate. The explosion also produce hot gasses combined with the contact of hot metal fragments (or even droplets) of the flyer plate (not shown), all contribute for detonating the HE charge or flaring the propellant charge.

Any professional would understand that booster 10 is initiated for detonation by an actuating system that is usually installed in fuse 30. As depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, the fuse's regular Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism comprising of movable lead charge 36 and detonator 33, which are installed in fuse 30, are part of the detonating chain that eventually, timely detonate the explosive portion of booster 10. Initiating explosive material component 13 of booster 10 leads to its detonation and to the acceleration due to it, of flyer plate 20 towards the specific charge that is in accordance with the type of the shell, it is required to initiate detonation (high explosive charge) or ignite fast burn-up (in case the charge is of propellant pyrotechnic material).

It is also appropriate to understand that accelerating the flyer plate by itself does not cause a fully appropriate factor for igniting the propellant. As per the estimate of the applicant, the igniting mechanism that is realized by the invention, is not based on shock waves but rather on heat that is transferred by the hot gasses produced by the detonation of the booster combined with the contact of hot metal fragments (or even droplets) of the flyer plate, which are accelerated to interact with the propellant material and help ignite it. Similarly, although a booster in accordance with the invention provides less gasses during its detonation in comparison to regular booster usually implemented in fuses for HE type of shells, the forming of hot gasses produced by the detonation of the booster combined with the contact of hot metal fragments (or even droplets) of the flyer plate, contribute for detonating the HE charge.

It was found that a booster in accordance with the invention initiates and ignites as required above. Hence, in view of the description which was given above while referring to the accompanying figures, any professional would appreciate the fact that the invention encompasses also a method for detonating an explosive material charge which is found in artillery shells from one type and also to ignite a propellant material charge which is found in artillery shells of the second type. A method that comprises in the first stage, providing a booster component which is formed as a cylinder of explosive material and wherein on its one end that from the instance of installing the booster component in the fuse and mounting the fuse at the top of the shell, is turned towards the charge that has to be initiated (either an HE charge or propellant one), there is installed a flyer plate, and in the second stage - detonation of the booster's explosive made component in a manner that leads to acceleration of the flyer plate toward the charge that has to be initiated (either an explosive charge or propellant one).

Hence, implantation of the invention provides an appropriate answer to the challenge of unifying two systems of detonation and ignition, into one single excitation system that initiating it would lead both to detonating high explosive material from the instant of installing the fuse wherein the system is mounted in a shell that belongs to said first group (the group of explosive ammunition) and to igniting a propellant material from the instant of installing the fuse wherein the same system is installed, in a shell that belongs to said second group (the group of ejection ammunition).

In other words - implementation of the invention enables a unified excitation mechanism in the fuse. An excitation mechanism that unifies two types of different one from the other mechanisms that are required in our days, for explosive artillery ammunition and to ejection type of artillery ammunition.

While the applicant's teachings are described herein in conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

C L A I M S -

1. A unified booster for artillery ammunition fuses, that enables initiating both explosive type shells as well as ejection type shells, wherein - said booster component is installable in continuation to the detonator component and the lead charge, that are usually installed in various artillery ammunition fuses, as a part of their detonation chain; and

wherein said booster component is formed as a charge of explosive material that a flyer plate is installed at its one end that from the instant of installing said booster component in the fuse and mounting said fuse at the head of the shell is turned towards the shell's charge to be initiated.

2. A booster in accordance with claim 1, wherein said booster's explosive material charge is formed in shape of a cylinder.

3. A booster in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said booster's explosive material component is made from a Plastic Bonded Explosive.

4. A booster in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the flyer plate is made of a material that is taken from a group of materials consisting of aluminum, tin, lead, zinc alloy, copper, stainless steel, tantalum and tungsten.

5. A booster in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said artillery ammunition fuses in which said unified booster is installable, are fuses used to initiate 155 mm caliber artillery shells, both explosive and ejection types; and - wherein said booster is formed as a cylinder of explosive material as said, with a diameter of approximately 15 mm and a length of approximately 15 mm; and- wherein said booster's explosive material is a Plastic Bonded Explosive that contains

PETN, TNT, RDX or HMX, an inert filler and a binder.

wherein said flyer plate is made of aluminum, formed as a disk of approximately 1 mm thickness and having a diameter of approximately 24 mm. A method to detonate explosive material found in artillery shells of the first group and ignite propellant material found in artillery shells of the second group, that comprises the stages of- providing a booster component that is formed as a cylinder of explosive material and wherein at its one end that from the instant of installing said booster component in a fuse and mounting the fuse at the top of the shell, is turned towards the charge that has to be initiated, a flyer plate is installed; and

detonating said booster component in a manner that leads to detonation of the booster's explosive material and to the acceleration of said flyer plate towards the material that is to be detonated.

A fuse for artillery munition that enables initiating both explosive shells by explosion and ejection shells by ignition, in whose excitation system there is installed a booster in accordance with any of claims 1 to 7, as part of the fuse's detonation chain.