WEAPON HAVING A DEFLAGRATION IGNITER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A WEAPON

Abstract

A weapon may comprise an explosive charge, an activatable detonation ignition means, an activatable deflagration ignition means, and an ignition device. The ignition device can activate, selectively, the detonation ignition means or the deflagration ignition means. The activated detonation ignition means can cause the explosive charge to detonate. The activated deflagration ignition means can cause the explosive charge to deflagrate. According to one method, the ignition device activates the detonation ignition means, which causes the explosive charge to detonate. If a predetermined event takes place without the explosive charge detonating, the ignition device activates the deflagration ignition means, which causes the explosive charge to deflagrate.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A weapon comprising: an explosive charge; a detonation ignition means that is activatable; an ignition device configured to activate the detonation ignition means upon receipt of a detonation activation command, wherein the detonation ignition means is configured upon activation to cause the explosive charge to detonate; a deflagration ignition means that is activatable, wherein the deflagration ignition means is configured upon activation to cause the explosive charge to deflagrate, wherein the ignition device is configured to selectively activate the detonation ignition means or the deflagration ignition means.

17. The weapon of claim 16 comprising an electronic device and a guidance device, wherein the guidance device is configured to guide combustion gases and/or flames that occur during deflagration of the explosive charge in a direction of the electronic device.

18. The weapon of claim 17 comprising a housing having a first housing part, a second housing part, and a predetermined breaking point, wherein the predetermined breaking point is configured such that deflagration of the explosive charge causes breakage of the predetermined breaking point, wherein following breakage of the predetermined breaking point the first housing part is movable relative to the second housing part, wherein the second housing part is configured such that following movement of the first housing part relative to the second housing part the second housing part acts as a component of the guidance device.

19. The weapon of claim 16 wherein the deflagration ignition means is spaced apart from the detonation ignition means.

20. The weapon of claim 16 comprising a mechanical barrier between the deflagration ignition means and the detonation ignition means, wherein the mechanical barrier is positioned to reduce a risk of the detonation ignition means being activated following activation of the deflagration ignition means.

21. The weapon of claim 16 wherein an activatable common component belongs to both the detonation ignition means and to the deflagration ignition means.

22. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the activatable common component is configured to be operated selectively in a detonation mode or in a deflagration mode, wherein the activatable common component is configured to contribute to detonation of the explosive charge in the detonation mode and configured to contribute to deflagration of the explosive charge in the deflagration mode.

23. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the activatable common component is selectively movable into a detonation position or into a deflagration position, wherein the activatable common component is configured to contribute to detonation of the explosive charge in the detonation position and configured to contribute to deflagration of the explosive charge in the deflagration position.

24. The weapon of claim 21 wherein the activatable common component is a first activatable common component, the weapon comprising a second activatable component that belongs to the detonation ignition means and not the deflagration ignition means, wherein the weapon is configured such that upon activation of the first activatable common component and the second activatable component, the explosive charge detonates, and upon activation of only the first activatable common component and not the second activatable component, the explosive charge deflagrates.

25. The weapon of claim 24 wherein the ignition device is configured to selectively activate the second activatable component and the first activatable common component according to a predefined temporal flow chart and thereby cause the explosive charge to detonate, or activate only the first activatable common component and thereby cause the explosive charge to deflagrate.

26. The weapon of claim 16 wherein the deflagration ignition means is configured as an ignition chain and comprises an ignition initiator charge and a deflagration charge.

27. The weapon of claim 16 configured for underwater deployment.

28. A method for operating a weapon wherein the weapon comprises an explosive charge, a detonation ignition means that is activatable, an ignition device configured to activate the detonation ignition means upon receipt of a detonation activation command, wherein the detonation ignition means is configured upon activation to cause the explosive charge to detonate, a deflagration ignition means that is activatable, the method comprising: activating the deflagration ignition means with the ignition device upon an occurrence of a predetermined event without the explosive charge having been caused to detonate; and causing the explosive charge to deflagrate via the deflagration ignition means upon the activation of the deflagration ignition means.

29. The method of claim 28 comprising dropping or abandoning the weapon, wherein the predetermined event occurs after a predetermined interval of time has elapsed after the dropping or the abandoning of the weapon, wherein the ignition device automatically activates the deflagration ignition means after the predetermined interval of time has elapsed.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the ignition device activates the deflagration ignition means upon receipt of a deflagration activation command.

Description

[0043] The weapon according to the invention is explained in greater detail below with the help of an exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows schematically a weapon with a main explosive charge, a detonation ignition chain, and a spatially completely separate deflagration ignition chain;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment in FIG. 1, wherein the same ignition initiator charge belongs to the detonation ignition chain or the deflagration ignition chain; depending on position;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a further modification of the embodiment in FIG. 1, wherein the entire ignition chain is arranged rotatably and as a detonation ignition chain or as a deflagration ignition chain, depending on position;

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of how the entire control electronics system on board the weapon is intentionally destroyed during deflagration.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment, the invention is used for a weapon in the form of an underwater projectile, e.g. a torpedo, or a guided or unguided missile. This weapon comprises a main explosive charge 101 which is configured in such a manner that it is not accidentally detonated by a vibration, in particular not while the weapon is being transported to a deployment site. An ignition means is therefore needed which is able to bring about an intentional detonation of the main explosive charge 101. According to the solution, the weapon further comprises an ignition means which is able to bring about a deflagration of the main explosive charge 101. The main explosive charge 101 burns away during a deflagration, wherein flames and combustion gases are usually produced without the main explosive charge 101 being detonated.

[0049] The following further components of this weapon are shown schematically in FIG. 1: [0050] a detonation ignition means in the form of a detonation ignition chain 109 which is able to cause detonation of the main explosive charge 101, [0051] a deflagration ignition means in the form of a deflagration ignition chain 119 which is able to cause deflagration of the main explosive charge 101, in which the main explosive charge 101 burns away without being detonated, [0052] an ignition device in the form of an igniter electronic system 111 which is configured as an electronic component on a printed circuit board, and a passive mechanical barrier 123 between the detonation ignition chain 109 and the deflagration ignition chain 119.

[0053] The detonation ignition chain 109 comprises [0054] an ignition initiator charge (detonator) 107, [0055] a stage-1 ignition amplifier charge with the reference number 105, and [0056] a stage-2 ignition amplifier charge with the reference number 103,

[0057] The deflagration ignition chain 119 comprises [0058] an ignition initiator charge (deflagrator) 117 and [0059] a deflagration charge 121.

[0060] The igniter electronic system 111 is able to trigger the detonation ignition chain 109 or the deflagration ignition chain 119 selectively. If the safety release mechanism has been actuated and the release has been effected and the igniter electronic system 111 then receives a detonation activation command and subsequently triggers the detonation ignition chain 109, the following steps are implemented:

[0061] The igniter electronic system 111 activates the ignition initiator charge (detonator) 107. [0062] The activated detonator 107 activates the stage-1 ignition amplifier charge 105.

[0063] The activated stage-1 ignition amplifier charge 105 activates the stage-2 ignition amplifier charge 103. [0064] The activated stage-2 ignition amplifier charge 103 causes the main explosive charge 101 to detonate.

[0065] In one embodiment, a movable metal plate which is not shown prevents the stage-2 ignition amplifier charge 103 from being unintentionally activated. This metal plate interrupts the detonation ignition chain 109. An actuator which is not shown pulls this metal plate to the side as soon as the detonation activation command has been received, as a result of which the detonation ignition chain 109 is closed. This actuator, which is able to pull the metal plate to the side, preferably belongs to the safety release mechanism in the exemplary embodiment. Only when this safety release mechanism has been actuated can the detonation activation command cause the detonation ignition chain 109 to be closed.

[0066] If the igniter electronic system 111 receives a deflagration activation command and actuates the deflagration ignition chain 119 as a result of this or for another reason (see below), the following steps are performed: [0067] The igniter electronic system 111 activates the ignition initiator charge (deflagrator) 117. [0068] The activated deflagrator 117 activates the deflagration charge 121. [0069] The activated deflagration charge 121 causes the main explosive charge 101 to deflagrate.

[0070] The deflagration ignition chain 119 may also comprise a movable metal plate which prevents the deflagration charge 121 from being unintentionally activated and which is part of the safety release mechanism,

[0071] The activated deflagration charge 121 produces an adequately high temperature, at least on the side facing the main explosive charge 101. This adequately high temperature causes a deflagration of the main explosive charge 101. An unintentional and therefore unwanted detonation of the main explosive charge 101 is prevented in the exemplary embodiment by the following measures:

[0072] The impulse (the pressure wave) which is produced during activation of the deflagration charge 121 is kept low, [0073] The main explosive charge 101 is only detonated when pressure waves with a sufficiently large impulse occur. [0074] The stage-2 ignition amplifier charge 103 has a more sensitive reaction to impulse waves than the main explosive charge 101. The mechanical barrier 123 prevents an unintentional activation of the stage-2 ignition amplifier charge 103.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment, the weapon is abandoned, for example launched or dropped. A timer switch on board the weapon is activated. As soon as the igniter electronic system 111 receives a detonation activation command, the igniter electronic system 111 activates the detonation ignition chain 109, as a result of which the main explosive charge 101 is caused to detonate. The igniter electronic system 111 automatically activates the deflagration ignition chain 119 when one of the following events has taken place: [0076] A deflagration activation command has been sent to the weapon. [0077] After the timer switch has been started, a predetermined interval has elapsed without the main explosive charge 101 having been caused to detonate or deflagrate, i.e. the igniter electronic system 111 is still intact.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment in FIG. 1. Instead of an ignition initiator charge 107 of the detonation ignition chain 109 and a spatially separate ignition initiator charge of the deflagration ignition chain 119. this modification comprises a single ignition initiator charge 207 which is movably arranged, for example can be turned or displaced linearly. This ignition initiator charge 207 can therefore be moved back and forth between a detonation position and a deflagration position, which is indicated by the double arrow P. The detonation position is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2 and the deflagration position by a continuous line. An actuator which is not shown is able to move the ignition initiator charge 207 back and forth between these two positions. The ignition initiator charge 207 is preferably held in the deflagration position, for example locked there.

[0079] In a further implementation, the ignition initiator charge 207 is initially held in a standby position in which it is spatially remote from the ignition amplifier charge 105 and spatially remote from the deflagration charge 121. The actuator which is not shown is able to move the ignition initiator charge 207 out of the standby position into the detonation position or into the deflagration position, selectively.

[0080] In the detonation position, the ignition initiator charge 207 is connected to the stage-1 ignition amplifier charge 105; in the deflagration position it is connected to the deflagration charge 121. After receiving a corresponding activation command, the igniter electronic system 111 activates the ignition initiator charge 207. Depending on its position, the ignition initiator charge 207 belongs to the detonation ignition chain 109 or to the deflagration ignition chain 119 and triggers a detonation or deflagration of the main explosive charge 101.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows schematically a further modification. In this further modification, an ignition means 213 is rotatably mounted as a whole, namely about a rotational axis D and, for example, about 90 degrees. This rotatably mounted ignition means 213 replaces the detonation ignition chain 109 and the deflagration ignition chain 119 from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and may likewise be configured as an ignition chain. In FIG. 3 the ignition means 213 is shown in a detonation position using a dotted line and in a deflagration position using a continuous line.

[0082] After receiving an activation command, the igniter electronic system 111 activates this ignition means 213. The activated ignition means 213 produces pressure waves and heat. If the ignition means 213 is in the detonation position, the pressure waves reach the main explosive charge 101 and cause it to detonate. If the ignition means 213 is in the deflagration position, on the other hand, the orientation of the ignition means 213 and the mechanical barrier 123 prevent pressure waves from the activated ignition means 213 from reaching the main explosive charge 101, in such a manner that the pressure waves cause the main explosive charge 101 to detonate. It is essentially only the heat that reaches the main explosive charge 101 and causes it to deflagrate. It is possible that before the ignition means 213 turns out of the deflagration position into the detonation position, the mechanical barrier 213 is retracted, in order to allow movement and to ensure that pressure waves actually reach the main explosive charge 101 and bring about the desired detonation. It is possible that this ignition means 213 can, in addition, be selectively activated in a detonation mode or in a deflagration mode.

[0083] FIG. 4a) shows by way of example a weapon in the form of a missile 205 in which the invention is implemented. This missile 205 comprises a rear housing part 209 and a front housing part 211 which has a smaller dimension than the rear housing part 209 in the longitudinal direction of the missile 205. A mechanical connection part 203 between the two housing parts 211 and 209 is configured as a predetermined breaking point. The rear housing part 209 includes the main explosive charge 101, the detonation ignition chain 109, the deflagration ignition chain 119, and control electronics system 201 with the igniter electronics system 111. The control electronics system 201 is arranged between the main explosive charge 101 and the front housing part 211,

[0084] In the situation shown in FIG. 4 b) the deflagration ignition chain 119 has been activated.

[0085] The main explosive charge 101 is thereby caused to deflagrate, which is indicated in FIG. 4c).

[0086] During deflagration, the control electronics system 201 of the missile 205 should also be completely destroyed. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which no special means is required in order to guarantee this. Instead, the combustion gases and the flames which occur during deflagration of the main explosive charge 101 in the rear housing part 209 cause the complete destruction of the control electronics system 201. During the deflagration there is a rapid increase in pressure and heat inside the housing 209, 211 of the missile 205, as a result of which a high excess pressure is created. Because the connection part 203 is configured as a predetermined breaking point between the two housing parts 209 and 211, this connection part 203 breaks during the deflagration, and the front housing part 209 is turned away or blasted away from the rear housing part 211, as is indicated in FIG. 4c). This produces a large opening at the end of the rear housing part 211 which points to the control electronics system 201. In this way, the rear housing part 211 becomes a tubular guidance device for the combustion gases and flames which occur during the deflagration. These combustion gases and flames are channeled forwards to the control electronics system 201 and destroy it completely. The embodiment with the predetermined breaking point 203 prevents the unwanted scenario whereby the rapid increase in pressure and heat rip open an opening in the housing 209, 211 at an unforeseeable point and the excess pressure is reduced through this opening without the control electronics system 201 having been completely destroyed,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0087] 101 Main explosive charge, is caused either to detonate by the detonation ignition chain 109 or to deflagrate by the deflagration ignition chain 119

[0088] 103 Stage-2 ignition amplifier charge of he detonation ignition chain 09

[0089] 105 Stage-1 ignition amplifier charge of the detonation ignition chain 109

[0090] 107 Ignition initiator charge (detonator) of he detonation ignition chain 109

[0091] 109 Detonation ignition chain, comprises the ignition initiator charge 107, the stage-1 ignition amplifier charge 105, and the stage-2 ignition amplifier charge 103

[0092] 111 Ignition electronics system, in one embodiment selectively triggers either the detonation ignition chain 109 or the deflagration ignition chain 119 and in another embodiment the ignition means 213

[0093] 117 Ignition initiator charge (deflagrator) of the deflagration ignition chain 119

[0094] 119 Deflagration ignition chain, comprises the ignition initiator charge 117 and the deflagration charge 121

[0095] 121 Deflagration charge of the deflagration ignition chain 119

[0096] 123 Mechanical barrier between the detonation ignition chain 109 and the deflagration ignition chain 119

[0097] 201 Control electronics system of the missile 205, arranged between the main explosive charge 101 and the front housing part 211, comprises the igniter electronic system 111, is destroyed during the detonation and deflagration of the main explosive charge 101

[0098] 203 Mechanical connection part between the rear housing part 209 and the front housing part 211, configured as a predetermined breaking point

[0099] 205 Missile (rocket), comprises the two housing parts 209 and 211, the main explosive charge 101, the detonation ignition chain 109, the deflagration ignition chain 119, and the control electronics system 201

[0100] 207 Ignition initiator charge, belongs either to the detonation ignition chain or the deflagration ignition chain, depending on position

[0101] 209 Rear housing part of the missile 205, includes the main explosive charge 101, the detonation ignition chain 109, the deflagration ignition chain 119, and the control electronics system 201

[0102] 211 Front housing part of the missile 205, connected to the rear housing part in the connection part 203

[0103] 213 Rotatably mounted ignition means, acts as a detonation ignition means or deflagration ignition means, depending on the position

[0104] D Rotational axis about which the ignition means 213 can be turned