A TRAINING HAND-GRENADE

Abstract

A training hand-grenade comprises a housing optionally interconnected with a safety lever for activating the train grenade. The aforesaid train grenade accommodates at least one blast simulator selected from a group consisting of a speaker for generating an acoustical blast imitation, one or more light emitters, a smoke generator and any combination thereof. The train grenade comprises a processor, intercommoned with a power supply and the blast simulator, configured to operate the blast simulator in one of two or more preset modes of operation. Each of the modes of operation is characterized a predefined combination of blast acoustic parameters, and optionally also light and smoke effects.

Claims

1.-46. (canceled)

47. A training hand-grenade (100) comprising a housing (101) optionally interconnected with a safety lever for activating said grenade (102); within said housing accommodated at least one blast simulator selected from a group consisting of a speaker (120) for generating an acoustical blast imitation (10), one or more light emitters (130), a smoke generator (131) and any combination thereof; wherein a processor (150), intercommoned with a power supply (140), and said blast simulator, configured to operate said blast simulator in one of two or more preset modes of operation, each of said modes of operation is characterizing a predefined combination fingerprint of blast acoustic parameters, and optionally also light and smoke effects.

48. The training hand-grenade of claim 47, wherein said blast acoustic parameters are selected from amplitude, frequency, content, duration, peak pressure, rise time, pitch, sone, phon, mel values and explosion profile.

49. The training hand-grenade of claim 47, wherein light effect is selected from a group consisting of light radiant flux (1) and radiation intensity (I) of burning fireball.

50. The training hand grenade of claim 47, wherein said safety lever is either (i) permanently affixed to said housing of said grenade or (ii) detachable or releasably attached from the same.

51. The training hand grenade of claim 47, wherein said speaker is configured to detach from said housing of said grenade after said blast.

52. The training hand grenade of claim 47, wherein said CPU is configured to provide an explosion profile (fingerprint) simulating hand grenades, said hand grenade is selected from the group consisting of fragmentation grenade, smoke grenade, illuminating grenade, high explosive grenade, anti-tank grenade, sting grenade and stun grenade and said explosion profile corresponds to a single, double or multiple ignition grenade.

53. The training hand grenade of claim 47, further comprising a CPU (150) interconnected with a database comprising two or more different combinations (fingerprints) of blast acoustic parameters, and optionally also light and smoke effects; and a selector interconnected with said CPU; wherein said CPU interconnected with signaling modules controlling said speaker generated acoustic phenomena and said light and/or smoke generated emission; and wherein said selector configured to set said blast parameters prior to use.

54. The training hand grenade of claim 53, wherein at least one of said signaling module is provided with a real-time feedback system (200) for obtaining location and blast data, collecting posteriori data, processing said data and resetting said signaling module according to said processed data.

55. The training hand grenade of claim 54, wherein said feedback system comprises a sensor (170) interconnected to CPU (150), a receiving module for receiving input from said sensor, a data analysis module for analyzing said input, and a detonation module for adjusting blast parameters based on real-time feedback (204).

56. The training hand grenade of claim 54, wherein said feedback system is intercommunicable with one member of a group consisting of GPS; cellular tracking modules; Bluetooth tracking system; RFID-containing tracking system; real-time locating systems (RTLS); satellite tracking system; including Active radio frequency identification (Active RFID), Active radio frequency identification—infrared hybrid (Active RFID-IR), Infrared (IR), Optical locating, Low-frequency signpost identification, Semi-active radio frequency identification (semi-active RFID), Passive RFID RTLS locating via Steerable Phased, Array Antennae, Radio beacon, Ultrasound Identification (US-ID), Ultrasonic ranging (US-RTLS), Ultra-wideband (UWB), Wideover-narrow band, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN, Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Clustering in noisy ambience, Bivalent systems; simultaneous localization and mapping systems and any combination thereof.

57. The training hand grenade of claim 47, wherein said acoustical phenomena are selected from the group consisting of: amplitude, frequency content, duration, peak pressure, rise time, pitch, sone value and explosion profile.

58. The training hand grenade of claim 47, wherein said grenade comprises at least one first communication module, and is in communication, by means of said module, with at least one second external communication module located in one or more remote locations; said external modules is in communication with one or more of the following: a light emitter, a smoke generator, a speaker and any combination thereof.

59. The training hand grenade of claim 58, wherein said grenade is free of one or more of the following: a light emitter, a smoke generator, a speaker and any combination thereof.

60. The training hand grenade of claim 58, wherein said grenade, when operated under defined terms, do not activate one or more of the following: a light emitter, a smoke generator, a speaker and any combination thereof.

61. A training system comprising the hand grenade as defined in claim 58, wherein the system comprises one or more said training grenades operable within at least one first location; at least one external communication module located in one or more second remote locations.

62. The training system of claim 61, wherein at least one of said grenades located within at least one first location intercommunicates with said at least one external communication module located in one or more second remote locations and with one or more operators located within at least one third remote location.

63. A training system comprising a grenade as defined in claim 47, located within at least one location; said grenade further comprises a wireless communicator which intercommunicates with one or more operators located within another location.

64. The training system as defined in claim 62, wherein at least one of said operators is configured with communication means to operate at least one of said grenades.

65. A method for training a user with hand-grenade (100), comprising: a. providing a training grenade (dummy); b. throwing said dummy, thereby activating a sensor (201) located in connection with the housing of said dummy; c. at time said dummy is static, transmitting input data obtained by said sensor to a receiving module (202); d. analyzing and processing said data in a CPU (203) located with said housing; e. defining the environment surround said dummy; f. setting blast parameters (204); and g. simulating blast of said dummy characterized by environment-related blast parameters (205).

66. A method for training a user with hand-grenade (100), comprising: a. providing a training grenade (dummy); b. proving a CPU (203) within said dummy and intercommuting said CPU with a database comprising two or more different combinations (fingerprints) of blast acoustic parameters, and optionally also light and smoke effects; c. by means of a selector, defining grenade type; d. throwing said dummy, thereby activating a sensor (201) located in connection with the housing of said dummy; e. at time said dummy is static, transmitting input data obtained by said sensor to a receiving module (202); f. analyzing and processing said data by said CPU; g. defining the environment surround said dummy in function of said blast fingerprints parameters (204); and then h. simulating blast of said dummy characterized by environment-related blast parameters (205) so that a specific fingerprint of blast acoustic parameters, and optionally also light and smoke effects is provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates E5 played on the violin; played on the clarinet; F2 played on the bassoon; Bb 3 played on the trumpet, adapted from FIGS. 3.5-3.11 in Lapp, David R. The physics of music and musical instruments. Wright Center for Innovative Science Education, Tufts University, 2003;

[0054] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a few profiles of grenade explosions and blasts thereof; namely grenade explosion sound effects as recorded by the inventors, (1) as disclosed in a first currently available web site https://www.renderhub.com/ardera/grenade-explosion-sound-effect (2) and as disclosed in a second currently available web site https://www.pond5.com/sound-effects/1/grenade/html #2 both sites are incorporated herein as a reference;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a hand grenade;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a block diagram, showing the functional elements of the blast simulator of the dummy of the current invention; and

[0057] FIG. 5 is a flow chart, illustrating the steps of a method for blast simulation based on preset parameters and real-time feedback.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] In the following description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized because structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0059] The term “blast” generally refers to the increased pressure and flow resulting from the deposition of a large amount of energy in a small and very localized volume. In this invention, blast refers to a predefined sound (and other energy discharging profile, such as radiation, light, vibration, explosion, detonation, discharge).

[0060] The terms “hand grenade” and “grenade” interchangeably refer to any type of available small explosive, chemical, or gas bomb that is used at short range. The terms are applicable to any grenade, single, double or multiple ignitions; such as fragmentation (defensive) grenades, illuminating grenades, chemical (e.g., smoke and riot control-) grenades, incendiary, high explosive (offensive) and anti-tank grenades and nonlethal grenades, such as Stun (flashbang) and sting grenades. Each type of grenade is characterized by an individual blast explosion profile. FIG. 2 illustrates different profiles sampled at 44.1 KHz

[0061] The term “dummy” refers hereinafter to a non-lethal hand-grenade configured as a toy or for training, simulation and practicing. In a non-limiting manner,

[0062] The term “feedback loop system” herein in the present invention refers to a system for obtaining data from sensors on the grenade after throwing, processing of the data, followed by setting blast parameters by controller, based on the data.

[0063] The term “sone value” refers hereinafter to how loud the blast is perceived by a person hearing the blast. The sone is defined by both the frequency of the sound, and its intensity (on the decibel scale).

[0064] The term “about” refers hereinafter to a value being lower than or greater than 20% of the defined value.

[0065] Jackson et al. have stated that explosion sound is due to the disturbed of surrounding gas molecules which produces a sound effect when explodes, it will be bound to promote the process when a burst of energy is released, and produces sound. Pyrotechnic sound effects are mainly due to the explosion and intermittent combustion. Velocity of pyrotechnic detonation is faster, explosion sound is more violent and explosive sound has its inherent tone, but according to different types of pyrotechnic, some voices are “sharp” and some are “rounded.” Sound effect of flash blast bomb refers to a large number of gaseous product and heat constraints by the housing when releasing generated by explosion, and occurs the rapid expansion to cause the gas molecules disturbances which produces sound effects. Sound effects of flash bomb blast is related to combustion rate of charge, the charge mass and strength of the housing, See Jackson Jr, B., et al. Substitution of Aluminum for Magnesium as a Fuel in Flares. No. PA-TR-4704, PICATINNY ARSENAL, DOVER NJ. 1975 incorporated herein as a reference.

[0066] The term “acoustic parameters” and “acoustic phenome” thereof interchangeably refer hereinafter in a non-limiting manner to parameters selected from pr (i.e., Peak rarefactional pressure); pc (i.e., Peak compressional pressure); pr.3 (i.e., Derated peak rarefactional pressure); pc.3 (i.e., Derated peak compressional pressure); Isppa (i.e., Spatial-peak pulse-average intensity); Isppa.3 (i.e., Derated spatial-peak pulse-average intensity); MI (i.e., Mechanical index); AWF (i.e., acoustic working frequency); Depth (i.e., Distance to start of pulse); PD (i.e., Pulse duration); PII (i.e., Pulse-intensity integral); PII.3 (i.e., Derated pulse-intensity integral); anther acoustic parameters can be derived from the above, including but not restricted to the following: JOB, namely Output Beam intensity (i.e., Power divided by beam width measured from planar or orthogonal cross scan); Focal volume (i.e., Combination of beam widths from transverse and axial scans); ISPTA, namely Spatial-peak temporal-average intensity (i.e., For a single-element transducer, PII divided by pulse repetition interval); ERA namely effective radiating area (i.e., The area close to the transducer through which most of the acoustic power passes); BNR namely beam non-uniformity ratio (i.e., The ratio of the spatial-peak temporal-average intensity to the spatial-average intensity, averaged over the effective radiating area); amplitude, frequency, content, duration, peak pressure, rise time, pitch, sone, phon, mel values and explosion profile etc.

[0067] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3-4 of the present invention, providing a schematic representation of a dummy training hand-grenade (100). The dummy comprises a housing (101), a safety lever (102), and a blast generator (110). The housing of the dummy shown in FIG. 3 (101), is cylindrical. In other embodiments, the cross-section of the dummy may be conical. As mentioned hereinabove, the shape of the air column and pathway affect the sound emitted during the simulated blast. The safety lever (102) is shown in a closed and open position. In some embodiments of the current invention, the safety lever (102) is detached from the dummy during the simulated blast. In other embodiments, the safety lever is configured to remain attached to the dummy during the simulated blast.

[0068] A block diagram showing the functional components of the blast generator (110) is shown in FIG. 4. The blast generator (110) comprises a controller unit (150), a speaker (120), a light generator (130), and a power supply (140). The CPU comprises signaling modules, for controlling the sound and light parameters.

[0069] In some embodiments of the current invention, the blast parameters are preset during manufacture. These blast parameters include intensity, frequency, duration, peak pressure, rise time, pitch, sone value and explosion profile for determining the type of simulated grenade.

[0070] The power supply (140) of the blast generator may consist of a disposable battery, or a rechargeable battery.

[0071] In other embodiments of the current invention, the blast parameters are set prior to use. The blast parameters are set by a selector (160) interconnected to the CPU, as shown in FIG. 4. Setting blast parameters prior to use, enables additional factors affecting the blast to be taken into consideration, such as open/closed space, room size, window size and shape.

[0072] In other embodiments of the present invention a feedback loop system is provided enabling the user to adjust the blast parameters of the dummy grenade according to the type of grenade to be simulated, for example fragmentation grenades or stun grenades, detonating in proximity of open/closed space, room-size, window shape and size, wall type, open field, selected sone value.

[0073] Modules of the feedback loop system include at least one sensor, a module for receiving sensor input, a data processing module for analyzing input, and a detonation module for adjusting blast parameters according to processed input data.

[0074] In other embodiments of the current invention, some of the blast parameters are preset, and other blast parameters are determined based on real-time feedback. Input for the feedback system is obtained from at least one sensor (170) on the dummy, interconnected to the CPU, shown in FIG. 4. A flow chart illustrating the method implementing the real-time feedback system is shown in FIG. 5. The feedback method (200) comprises throwing the dummy (201), activating the sensor. Sensors can be proximity sensors, position sensors, motion sensors, gyroscope sensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors and image sensors. Data from the aforementioned sensors are then transmitted to the CPU (202). The input from the sensor is subsequently processed by the CPU in step (203), and blast parameters determined from sensor input are set in step (204). This is followed by a blast simulation step (205), based on preset blast parameters, and blast parameters determined from sensor input.

[0075] Light

[0076] Radiation mathematical model of pyrotechnic flash are available in the literature, see e.g., Jiao Qing Jie, Ma Wei, Xu You Wen “Study on pyrotechnics light radiation experiment” Beijing Institute of Technology, 2000, 20 (1): 129-132; and Ma, Yongzhong, Zhiwei Ma, and Guangtao Zhu. “Research on Charge Formula Design and Effect of Flash Blast Bomb.” 2016 International Conference on Education, Management and Computer Science. Atlantis Press, 2016, both are incorporated herein as reference. In the following equations, the degree of convergence of the condensed phase particles in a band (λ1˜λ2). F(λ.Math.T) is formula of blackbody radiation function. A is the surface area of the fireball, εΔλ is average emission rate of a condensed phase particles in the wavelength range. Fireball radiation comes mainly from surface radiation of condensed phase particles, so radiant flux of light burning fireball (Φ) is as follows:

Φ=[F.sub.(λ.sub.2.sub..Math.T)−F.sub.(λ.sub.1.sub..Math.Y)].Math.ε.sub.Δλ.Math.A.Math.σ.Math.T.sup.4  Eq. 1

[0077] The radiation intensity (I) of the fireball is as follows

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}I=\frac{\Phi }{4\pi }=\frac{\left[F_{{\lambda }_2.Math.T}-F_{{\lambda }_1.Math.T}\right].Math.\stackrel{\_}{\epsilon }\mathrm{\Delta \lambda }.Math.A.Math.\sigma .Math.T^4}{4\pi }& \mathrm{Eq}.2\end{array}$

[0078] Smoke

[0079] Yngve et al. have underlined that an explosion causes a variety of visual effects in addition to the light refraction by the blast wave. An initial chemical or nuclear reaction often causes a blinding flash of light. Dust clouds are created as the blast wave races across the ground, and massive objects are moved, deformed, or fractured. Hot gases and smoke form a rising fireball that can trigger further combustion or other explosions and scorch surrounding objects, see Yngve, Gary D., James F. O'Brien, and Jessica K. Hodgins. “Animating explosions.” Proceedings of the 27th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniques. ACM Press/Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 2000, incorporated herein as a reference.

[0080] Upon a blast, a mixture of air and gaseous combustion products is filling the environment. Momentum conservation is enforced by the Euler equations (Navier-Stokes with zero viscosity):

u′=—(u.Math.∇)u−∇p/p+f/ρ  Eq. 3

where u is the fluid velocity, p density, p pressure, f any external forces acting on the fluid, and an overdot denotes differentiation with respect to time. The same grid that holds the fluid's velocity also holds the fluid's temperature. The temperature evolves according to:

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}\stackrel{.}{T}=-\left(u.Math.\nabla \right)T-{c_p\left(\frac{T-T_a}{T_{\max }-T_a}\right)}^4+c_k{\nabla }^{2}T+\frac{1}{{\rho c}_v}\stackrel{.}{H}& \mathrm{Eq}.4\end{array}$

where T denotes the fluid temperature, T.sub.a ambient temperature, T.sub.max the maximum temperature in the environment, and H heat energy transferred into the fluid, and cooling constant c.sub.r; see Bryan E. Feldman, James F. O'Brien, and Okan Arikan. “Animating Suspended Particle Explosions”. In Proceedings of ACM SIGGRAPH 2003, 708-715, August 2003 incorporated herein as a reference.

Example I

[0081] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, schematically illustrates a building 601 near which a dummy according to one embodiment of the invention was thrown (initiated) at position 602. Prior exploding, the dummy locates it position, here, outside and adjacent building 601. As it is an external explosion, it will be directed to mimic a certain explosion fingerprint, optionally combining sound acoustics with light and/or with smoke. In case the dummy comprises a selector, which defines the type of the grenade, e.g., fragmentation grenade, smoke grenade, illuminating grenade, high explosive grenade, anti-tank grenade, sting grenade or stun grenade, and the explosion phenomena will be mimicking an outside explosion of this certain type of grenade, here e.g., a regular-type of fragmentation army grenade (603a); a high explosive fragmentation army grenade (603b); a SWOT-type double ignition grenade (603c), or a small smoke grenade (603d).

Example II

[0082] Reference is still made to FIG. 6, presenting the same dummy grenade (604), operated now within building 601. As the acoustics changes from an open urban field to an indoor urban field, the acoustics dramatically changes and the explosion of aforesaid regular-type fragmentation army grenade (603a) is changes now to fingerprint (605).

Example III

[0083] Reference is still made to FIG. 6, presenting an urban zone 606 having multiple high close-neighboring buildings, some of which are covered with glass windows and/or glass walls. In this seen, the explosion of aforesaid regular-type fragmentation army grenade (603a) now has a new fingerprint which is characterized by a series of two or more dominate echoes, see 608 and 609.

Example IV

[0084] Reference is still made to FIG. 6, presenting a building 601 near which a dummy 610 was thrown. In this embodiment of the invention, dummy 610 either (i) comprises a speaker or (ii) otherwise does not include a speaker. When operated, the grenade locates it position (here, open urban field) and wirelessly signals a remote speaker 611 specifications such as location, type and time so that the speaker emits of blast acoustic parameters 612. A combination is provided in another embodiment of the invention where some of the explosion parameters are provided by dummy (610) and so by the remoted speakers (611), light or smoke generators.

Example V

[0085] Reference is still made to FIG. 6, presenting an open field. Here the explosion provided by the dummy mimicking same regular-type of fragmentation army grenade (603a) is quite different, see 614.

[0086] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.