Method and system for inductive programming of a fuze

Abstract

A method and a system for inductively programming a fuze including at least one target coil arranged in a projectile by a fuze setter including at least one setter coil, the method including i) conveying at least one of a projectile or a fuze setter by an actuator to bring the at least one target coil and the at least one setter coil in an inductive coupling position, ii) programming the fuze by transferring predetermined fuzing data from the at least one setter coil to the at least one target coil, iii) optionally transferring fuzing data from the at least one target coil to the at least one setter coil to confirm correct programming of the fuze has been performed, and iv) retracting at least one of the fuze setter or projectile from the inductive coupling position when the transfer of fuzing data has been completed.

Claims

1. Method of inductively programming a fuze comprising at least one target coil arranged in a projectile by means of a fuze setter comprising at least one setter coil, the method comprising i) conveying at least one of a projectile or a fuze setter by means of actuating means to bring the at least one target coil and the at least one setter coil in an inductive coupling position, ii) programming the fuze by transferring predetermined fuzing data from the at least one setter coil to the at least one target coil, iii) transferring fuzing data from the at least one target coil to the at least one setter coil to confirm correct programming of the fuze has been performed, and iv) retracting at least one of the fuze setter or projectile from the inductive coupling position when the transfer of fuzing data has been completed, wherein the inductive programming is performed in a magazine.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one setter coil transfers electrical energy to the at least one target coil.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the fuze setter and fuze are concentrically positioned in the inductive coupling position.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one setter coil embraces the at least one target coil in the inductive coupling position.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the setter coil is retracted subsequent to completion of transfer of the fuzing data.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means is powered by means of a hydraulic system.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one setter coil and/or target coil is conveyed substantially horizontally to the inductive coupling position.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is positioned in a holder of the magazine prior to and dining programming of fuze and that when the transfer of fuzing data has been completed, the programmed projectile comprising fuze is ejected from the holder.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is positioned with its nose portion horizontally in a horizontal holder in a magazine.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is arranged to monitor conveying of at least one of the fuze setter or the projectile to provide the inductive coupling position.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein a gun computer program monitors the actuating means.

12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the projectile is transported by means of actuating means comprising a guiding arrangement (1) to an inductive coupling position.

13. System for inductively programming a fuze comprising a. a fuze setter comprising at least one setter coil operable to transfer fuzing data to a fuze b. a fuze comprising at least one target coil in a projectile adapted to receive fuzing data from fuze setter and operable to send fuzing data back to the setter coil, c. a magazine provided with at least one bolder for at least one projectile in which fuze setter and fuze are positioned along a common cent line, and d. actuating means operable to convey at least one of fuze setter or fuze to an inductive coupling position.

14. System according to claim 13, wherein fuze setter is conveyable by the actuating means to allow for an inductive coupling with fuze.

15. System according to claim 13, wherein fuze is conveyable by the actuating means to allow for an inductive coupling with fuze setter.

16. System according to claim 13, wherein the actuating means are operable to convey the fuze setter and/or the projectile substantially horizontally to an inductive coupling position.

17. System according to claim 13, wherein the actuating means is a hydraulic, pneumatic or an electrical actuator.

18. Artillery system comprising a system according to claim 13.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side view diagonally from the back of the guiding arrangement and the fuze setter.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the guiding arrangement including the fuze setter facing the projectile.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the guiding arrangement arranged in a magazine comprising an arrangement for feeding projectiles to a position for subsequent programming thereof.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a portion of a magazine comprising the guiding arrangement and a projectile docketed to a fuze setter in an inductive coupling position.

(5) FIG. 5 shows an arrangement similar to FIG. 4 where the fuze setter has been retracted or will be conveyed to an inductive coupling position.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a side view of the guiding arrangement where the projectile and the fuze setter are not positioned in an inductive coupling position.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a side view of the guiding arrangement similar to FIG. 6 where the projectile and the fuze setter are in an inductive coupling mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a side view from the back of a guiding arrangement 1 for substantially horizontal transport of a fuze setter 2 (rear side thereof is shown) being suspended in resilient means 4 attached to holder device 3. Resilient means 4 could for example be different types of springs such as coil springs. The fuze setter 2 is further secured by horizontally arranged resilient means 5 which in turn are fixed to a vertical portion 6 of holder device 3. The vertical portion 6 is fixedly arranged to a co-planar element 9 by bolts 7. Guiding means 8 slidable along rail 10 (shown in FIG. 3) are in turn mechanically connected to element 9 by bolts. Guiding means 8 provide for slidable transport along rail 10. The guiding means 8 may be provided with slots or the like providing for smooth gliding along the rail 10. A lower portion of the guiding arrangement 8 is secured to the magazine safeguarding the fuze setter can be conveyed horizontally to an inductively coupled position. A hydraulic system H powering actuating means 12 for conveying the fuze setter may be provided. The actuating means could for example be a hydraulic cylinder.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the guiding arrangement 1 and the fuze setter 2. The fuze setter 2 is electrically connected via a cable 13 to setter electronics mounted in a setter electronics box (not shown) on the exterior of the magazine housing.

(10) FIG. 3 shows the guiding arrangement 1 comprising guiding means 8 conveying fuze setter 2 along a rail 10 arranged inside the magazine. Thereby, the fuze setter 2 can be transported substantially horizontally along rail 10 to a projectile 110 (not shown) for inductive coupling. Guiding arrangements for transporting a projectile 110 to a fuze setter 2 may also be arranged. Such arrangement may in a similar manner transport the projectile 110 to the fuze setter 2 whereby the projectile 110 is conveyed along a rail 10 so as to arrive at an inductive coupling position. Combined guiding arrangements may also be provided wherein both the projectile 110 and the fuze setter 2 are conveyed to an inductive coupling position. FIG. 3 also illustrates a chain and sprocket 21 for moving projectiles arranged in holders in a magazine and thus for moving a projectile 110, arranged in a holder, to a position for programming.

(11) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a guiding arrangement 1 including the fuze setter 2 and projectile 110 when the fuze setter 2 is arranged to program the fuze of the projectile 110. A first actuator 100 and a second actuator 101 are arranged to move the guiding arrangement 1 by guiding means 8 along a rail 10 (cf. FIG. 2). The fuze setter 2 is coaxially arranged around the fuze of the projectile 110 to be programmed. The holder device 3 and fuze setter 2 are movably arranged relative to the co-planar surface 9 (cf. FIG. 1) to adapt their positions relative to the projectile 110 to be programmed. At the programming position, the fuze setter 2 contacts or is positioned close to the fuze of the projectile 110. In order to control the exact position of the fuze setter 2, especially when approaching and reaching its programming position, at least one sensor is suitably monitoring the fuze setter 2 which when reaching its correct position is brought to a standstill, e.g. by means of a feedback control system of the first actuator and the second actuator to stop the movement when a predetermined pressure is exerted by the fuze setter 2 on the fuze of the projectile 110. When the fuze setter 2 is correctly positioned for programming, programming of the fuze of the projectile 110 is initiated. In the case electrical energy should be supplied to the projectile 110, energy is transferred inductively from the fuze setter 2 to the target coil arranged in the fuze of the projectile 110. The energy received by the target coil is stored in a capacitor or other energy storage component and used to power the electronics of the fuze electronics completely or partly, for example during programming and after programming when the projectile is fired from the gun.

(12) FIG. 5 shows a similar view as FIG. 4 where the setter coil has not yet been inductively coupled to the projectile. When the programming of the fuze of the projectile is completed, the fuze setter 2 is moved from the programming position to its original position. When the information is transferred to the fuze, the fuze confirms or acknowledges that the information has been transferred. The inductive coils arranged in the fuze setter 2 and in the fuze of the projectile communicate reciprocally. A specific transmitter coil and a specific receiver coil may also be arranged in the fuze setter 2 and a specific transmitter coil and a specific receiver coil could be arranged in the fuze of the projectile.

(13) FIGS. 6 and 7 show docketed and undocketed projectiles 110, i.e. in an inductive coupling position. In FIG. 6, the fuze setter 2 is moving towards the projectile 110. The fuze 140 of the projectile 110 is contacting the fuze setter 2 resulting in compression of resilient means 4 consisting of or comprising coil springs. In FIG. 7, resilient means 4 are compressed and the contact switch 130 is activated and the movement of the fuze setter 2 towards the projectile is stopped. The contact switch 130 could be an electromechanical switch or other sensor, such as a capacitive, optical, magnetic or other type of sensor.

(14) When the contact switch 130 is activated, a signal is communicated to the controller of the programming device indicating that programming could begin. Information is electrically communicated to a transmitter coil of the fuze setter 2. The control electronics convert the information to be sent to the projectile fuze to an electrical signal according to specifications of the inductive transmitter coil. When the electrical signal is transmitted to the fuze setter 2, a magnetic field is created in the transmitter coil. The receiver coil located in the projectile fuze 140 detects or receives the magnetic field and the magnetic field induces an electrical current in the receiver coil. The fuze electronics in the projectile detects the electrical current and decodes the information. A product for inductively programming fuzes known in the art is the Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuze Setter (EPIAFS), and known methods for inductive programming of fuzes are known from standard documents such as STANAG-4369 Design Requirements for Inductive Setting of Electronic Projectile Fuzes, and AOP-22 Design Criteria and Test Methods for Inductive Setting of Electronic Projectile Fuzes.