Ordnance – Fuse setters – Combined with projecting – launching or releasing devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-21
2001-02-20
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Fuse setters
Combined with projecting, launching or releasing devices
C102S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189430
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a weapon system, having a fire control system and an ammunition unit that can be fired from a weapon of the weapons systems.
For the ammunition identification in such weapon systems, it is known to store ammunition-specific data such as type of ammunition, batch number, date of manufacture, etc. directly in a data memory inside the ammunition (e.g., German published Patent Application No. DE 41 37 819 A1). Following the loading of the respective cartridge into the weapon chamber, these data are read automatically by means of a reading device and are transferred to the fire control system. By taking into account these data, as well as target-specific data, the fire control system subsequently generates directional signals for the aiming device of the weapon and, if necessary, control signals for activating an electronically programmable fuze, installed in the respective cartridge. For this purpose, the fuze has an electronic switching device with a microcontroller, arranged inside the cartridge.
The control signals for known weapon systems are transmitted from the fire control computer to the electronic switching device assigned to the cartridge fuze, either through inductive feeding or through voltage modulation of the supply voltage for the component. In both cases, there is no feedback to the fire control computer to indicate the actual (correct) transmitting of data.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a weapon system that allows a constant, secure monitoring in a simple manner of the link between the fire control computer and the structural components that can be triggered in the respective ammunition unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above object generally is achieved according to the present invention by a weapon system, comprising a fire control system and an ammunition unit that can be fired from a weapon of the weapon system: and wherein: the ammunition unit includes at least one electronic switching device that can be triggered by control signals provided by the fire control system and that contains a microcontroller, with the switching device being connected to an external current/voltage supply unit; a converter is connected between the ammunition unit and the fire control system for, in response to control signals from the fire control system, modulating the supply voltage provided by the supply unit for the electronic switching device with signals corresponding to the control signals from the fire control system, and which corresponding signals can be demodulated by the electronic switching device; the electronic switching device includes a circuit arrangement which, in response to detected control signals from the fire control system, transmits data signals to the fire control system by modulating the supply current for the switching device; and, the converter includes a circuit that detects and demodulates the modulation on the supply current and provides further data signals corresponding thereto to the fire control system.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed and discussed.
Essentially, the invention is based on the idea of having a bidirectional data transmission over the two lines needed for the voltage supply and the current supply of the electronic switching device for the respective ammunition unit. In the process, data are transmitted from the fire control system to the electronic switching device by means a voltage modulation of the supply voltage, and data are transmitted from the switching device to the fire control computer by a current modulation of the operating current.
Such a bidirectional data transmission furthermore permits the continuous monitoring of the operating current and the transmission voltage for a secure detection of interruptions or short circuits in the connecting lines. This is particularly advantageous since the contacting of the ammunition occurs via a mechanical contacting, which can be hindered by vibrations and other interfering factors.
A converter, connected in series between the fire control system and the ammunition unit, is provided for modulating the supply voltage as well as demodulating the operating current. The modulated supply voltage is demodulated inside the ammunition unit and the operating current is then modulated with the aid of interface components and the microcontroller in the electronic switching device.
In that case, the converter and the electronic switching device of the respective ammunition unit operate based on the master-slave principle, wherein the converter assumes the master function.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4774418 (1988-09-01), Kjersem
patent: 5473986 (1995-12-01), Hau
patent: 6085629 (2000-07-01), Thiesen et al.
patent: 2 059 665 (1972-06-01), None
patent: 3443150 (1987-03-01), None
patent: 38 30 903 A1 (1990-03-01), None
patent: 4137819A1 (1993-05-01), None
patent: 0798 535 A1 (1997-10-01), None
Johnson Stephen M.
Kunitz Norman N.
TZN Forschungs-und Entwicklungszentrum
Venable
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