Inductive ignition system, in particular for infantry weapons

Details Inductive ignition system, in particular for infantry weapons Inductive ignition system, in particular for infantry weapons

1999-11-08

2001-08-07

Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)

Ordnance

Firing devices

Electric

C089S028100, C089S135000, C042S084000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06269728

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an inductive ignition system, in particular for infantry weapons, having a primary coil which cooperates inductively with a secondary coil in the ignition system of a cartridge and which transmits the ignition energy that is required for ignition.
Inductive ignition is preferably used for automatic weapons in the mid-calibre range. To this end, a primary coil which cooperates inductively with a secondary coil in the ignition system of the cartridge and which transmits the firing power that is required for the ignition is arranged in the weapon housing. The ignition energy is made available by means of an external supply (battery, on-board system, etc). Cables need to be laid for this. An example of a secondary coil for the cartridge is described in DE 32 31 369 C1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The underlying object of the invention is to develop further an inductive ignition system so that the ignition energy that is required is generated and made available internally, that is, without an additional supply.
In accordance with the invention the object is achieved in that a weapon breechblock component which can be moved from a cocked position into a firing position and in which the primary coil is located is arranged in the weapon housing, and
in that an inductive power generator, the coil system of which is arranged in the weapon breechblock component and the magnet system of which is arranged in the weapon housing, is provided for the purpose of generating the firing energy, with the coil system sliding past the magnet system and inducing the necessary ignition energy in the coil system when the weapon breechblock component is moved from the cocked position into the firing position.
An electronic circuit arrangement for the intermediate storage and/or processing of the ignition energy generated in the coil system of the power generator and for the timely retransmission thereof to the primary coil is advantageously provided in the weapon breechblock component. It is expedient to use a capacitor for the intermediate storage and to use a rectifier for the processing.
The weapon breechblock component can preferably be moved from the firing position into the cocked position in opposition to the force of a spring, and is moved by way of a loading lever for the purposes of being cocked.
The solution to the problem of achieving the object in accordance with the invention is characterised by the following features:
a) The ignition energy is generated by means of an inductive power generator. As a result of “passing by” permanent magnets, a coil system experiences a magnetic flux of alternating magnetic fields, in which case an induced voltage is tapped off at the terminals of the coil system.
b) The necessary displacement for the generation of the induced voltage is achieved by means of the internal weapon kinematics (relative displacement of the weapon breechblock component in relation to the fixed housing).
c) The intermediate storage of the energy for firing the cartridge takes place in an energy circuit (capacitor) and for the purpose of firing the cartridge by means of a suitable electronics unit, which is not described in greater detail, the energy circuit is coupled by way of an inductive transmission system (primary coil in the weapon breechblock component, secondary coil in the cartridge) with the inductive igniter of the cartridge. The ignition of the cartridge is triggered.
Special features are:
The inductive power generator is part of the fixed weapon housing and also the movable weapon breechblock component.
The ignition energy storage or intermediate storage in the capacitor and the function-related energy transfer to the cartridge by way of a suitable control electronics unit is integrated in the movable weapon breechblock component.
The invention therefore has the following advantages:
External energy supply is done away with.
Conditionally upon the functional sequence in the weapon, no additional safety device is required for the functional electronics to prevent unintentional firing release.
Electrical connections between energy generation, energy store and inductive circuit are not critical.
All the electrical functional components are integral parts of the weapon breechblock component; exchange is possible in a problem-free, rapid manner as a result of a replacement part (weapon breechblock component).
Located in the weapon breechblock component (displaceable)—also called breechblock in the following—are the primary coil, a control electronics unit that is not denoted in greater detail and which releases the energy stored in the capacitor (generated by means of an inductive power generator) to the primary coil when the cartridge is located in the cartridge chamber and the breechblock is securely closed. (An interrogation may possibly be carried out beforehand by way of a sensor, or an electronic time delay may be provided. It must be made certain that the breechblock is actually closed as well). The power generator is “quasi” divided into two.
Coils, which are wound over a soft magnetic yoke, are located in the weapon breechblock component. Permanent magnets are located in the fixed weapon housing. The two portions are arranged in such a way that when on the basis of the “command to fire” the weapon breechblock component travels from the cocked position into the firing position (during this process the cartridge is simultaneously shifted into the cartridge chamber), the soft magnetic yoke and the magnets come into a position in which they coincide and as a result of this a change in the magnetic flux occurs in the soft magnetic yoke that induces a voltage in the coils. This voltage pulse (an attenuated oscillation) is fed by way of a rectifier circuit arrangement to the capacitor and charges the latter. For the purposes of the ignition, the energy stored in the capacitor is discharged to the primary coil by way of an electronic switch. In this connection, an alternating magnetic field in turn develops that is coupled into the inductive igniter of the cartridge; the process of igniting the cartridge is triggered. The weapon breechblock component travels back again. The process begins anew (for example in the case of continuous fire or a burst of fire).
If the weapon is to be activated for the first delivery of a shot, the weapon breechblock component is brought, with the aid of a suitable device (for example a loading lever), into the starting position (it is then in the cocked position). If a shot is to be discharged, the weapon breechblock component is moved forwards by way of the trigger and a corresponding mechanism; the functional sequence is in accordance with the process described.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2459854 (1949-01-01), Swift, Jr.
patent: 3038384 (1962-06-01), Gaugler
patent: 3651736 (1972-03-01), Ingram
patent: 4653211 (1987-03-01), Brede et al.
patent: 235010 (1987-09-01), None

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