Ammunition and explosives – Igniting devices and systems – Ignition or detonation circuit
Patent
1998-01-16
2000-05-23
Carone, Michael J.
Ammunition and explosives
Igniting devices and systems
Ignition or detonation circuit
F42C 1906
Patent
active
060654031
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an ignition system arrangement for an ammunition-bearing unit, for example a unit in the form of a shell or missile. The ignition system is in this case of the type which comprises casings which establish electrical contact in the event of deformation caused by striking a target. The ignition system also comprises a unit which detects when electrical contact is established and which sends an initiation signal or trigger signal to the charge (ignition system) of the ammunition-bearing unit as a function of the electrical contact established.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to design ignition systems for antitank shells and missiles by arranging a twin casing of electrically conductive material in the nose of the shell or of the missile. The twin casing is surrounded, if appropriate, by a protective envelope. The operating principle is that when the envelope is deformed and the twin casing lying inside it (or possibly unprotected) is deformed, an electrical contact is established between the two parts of the twin casing. This contact is utilized for triggering the ignition system of the shell or of the missile.
The invention is preferably used in ammunition for combating tanks. As means of defense against shells and missiles of the type in question, the tanks can use warheads which expel splinters in the direction of the shell or the missile. The approaching shell or missile is exposed to a cluster of splinters when it is located relatively close to the tank. The purpose of the splinters is either to directly initiate the explosive of the shell or of the missile, or to initiate the shell or missile ignition system by means of a modest investment in terms of material volume, velocity, money and technical sophistication. There is therefore a need for making the approaching shell or missile as insensitive as possible to the said splinters, so that the shell or the missile reaches its target and is triggered there.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main aim of the present invention is to propose an arrangement which solves the problems which have been mentioned above. In the present invention, the contact-establishing casings are at least three in number, and the detecting unit is arranged to detect the time difference between the successive contacts established by the casings upon deformation. A further embodiment is that the unit generates the initiation signal or the trigger signal only if the time difference exceeds a selected value.
In one proposed embodiment, a triple casing is provided in which the middle casing is equipped with electrical contact material on both of its sides. A first contact is, in this case, intended to be established between the inner side of the outer casing and the outer side of the middle casing, or between the inner side of the middle casing and the outer side of the inner casing. A second contact can be established between the inner side of the middle casing and the outer side of the inner casing, or, respectively, between the inner side of the outer casing and the outer side of the middle casing.
Contact is usually first made between the inner side of the outer casing and the outer side of the middle casing.
A timing member can be included and can be triggered when the first electrical contact is established. The timing member causes generation of the initiation signal or equivalent signal if a predetermined time elapes after the first contact is established. In the case where the second electrical contact is established within the predetermined period of time, the timing member discontinues its time measurement, and no initiation signal or trigger signal is generated from the timing member.
In one embodiment, the detecting member can calculate the impact velocity, when a deformation occurs, with the aid of the measured time difference between the first and second contacts established, and the distances between the casings. In the case where the calculated velocity is less than the maximum velocity of the ammunition-bear
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Bofors AB
Buckley Denise J
Carone Michael J.
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