Launcher device and launcher battery

Abstract

A launcher device for launching ammunition or weapons provided with primers, contains a plurality of launch tubes combined so as to form a launcher battery. Each of the launch tubes is loaded with ammunition or a weapon, and each of the launch tubes is closed off by a cover. A device is provided for detecting damage to the covers closing off the launch tubes.

Claims

1. A launcher device for launching ammunition or weapons provided with primers, the launcher device comprising: covers; a plurality of launch tubes combined so as to form a launcher battery, each of said launch tubes is loaded with the ammunition or a weapon, and each of said launch tubes is closed off by one of said covers; and a detector for detecting damage to said covers closing off said launch tubes, said detector being configured for detecting an incidence of light into a respective one of said launch tubes resulting from damage to one of said covers.

2. The launcher device according to claim 1, further comprising a control and/or display device disposed external to said launch tubes; and wherein said detector has sensor elements for detecting the incidence of light, at least one of said sensor elements is disposed in each of said launch tubes, said sensor elements communicate with said control and/or display device.

3. The launcher device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said sensor elements is a photodiode.

4. The launcher device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said sensor elements communicates with said control and/or display device in a wired manner or wirelessly.

5. The launcher device according to claim 4, further comprising a first common connector; further comprising connecting lines; further comprising a further connecting line; further comprising a second connector that is connected to said control and/or display device via said further connecting line; and wherein said at least one sensor element is a wired communicating sensor element and is connected to said first common connector via said connecting lines, said first common connector is able to be connected releasably to said second connector.

6. The launcher device according to claim 5, wherein: said first common connector and said second connector need to be connected manually; or said first common connector and said second connector are able to be connected automatically when said launcher battery is inserted into a battery receptacle.

7. The launcher device according to claim 4, further comprising a transmitter disposed on said launcher battery; and wherein said at least one sensor element is a wirelessly communicating sensor element connected to said transmitter, using said transmitter sensor signals are able to be transmitted to said control and/or display device or a reception device assigned thereto.

8. The launcher device according to claim 2, wherein said control and/or display device which detects or indicates any damage is disposed in a driver's cabin of a vehicle transporting said launcher battery.

9. The launcher device according to claim 1, further comprising a control and/or display device disposed external to said launch tubes; wherein said detector has sensor elements for detecting the incidence of light, at least one of said sensor elements is disposed in each of said launch tubes; and further comprising optical waveguides, one of said optical waveguides is disposed or inserted in each of said launch tubes, said optical waveguide is connected to said at least one sensor element for detecting the incidence of light, said at least one sensor element communicates with said control and/or display device.

10. The launcher device according to claim 9, wherein: each of said optical waveguides is connected to a separate one of said sensor elements; or at least two of said optical waveguides are connected to a common one of said sensor elements; or all of said of said optical waveguides are connected to a common one of said sensor elements.

11. The launcher device according to claim 9, wherein: said launch tubes each have a tube wall; and one of said sensor elements or said optical waveguides is disposed on or in said tube wall.

12. The launcher device according to claim 11, wherein said at least one sensor element or said optical waveguide is disposed adjacent to one of said covers or opens out adjacent to one of said covers.

13. The launcher device according to claim 1, wherein when damage to one of said covers is detected further launching operations are able to be automatically or manually interrupted.

14. A launcher battery for a launcher device, the launcher battery comprising: covers; a plurality of combined launch tubes, each of said launch tubes is loaded with ammunition or a weapon, and each of said launch tubes is closed off by one of said covers; and a detector for detecting damage to said covers closing off said launch tubes, said detector configured for detecting an incidence of light into a respective launch tube of said launch tubes resulting from damage to a respective cover of said covers.

15. The launcher battery according to claim 14, wherein said detector has at least one sensor element for sensing the incidence of light disposed in each of said launch tubes.

16. The launcher battery according to claim 15, wherein said sensor element is a photodiode.

17. The launcher battery according to claim 15, wherein: said launch tubes each have a tube wall; and said sensor element or said optical waveguide is disposed on or in said tube wall.

18. The launcher battery according to claim 17, wherein said sensor element or said optical waveguide is disposed adjacent to said respective cover or opens out adjacent to said respective cover.

19. The launcher battery according to claim 15, further comprising communication means for wired or wireless communication; and wherein said sensor element is assigned said communication means for wired or wireless communication with an external control and/or display device.

20. The launcher battery according to claim 19, further comprising a first common connector; further comprising connecting lines; further comprising a further connecting line; further comprising a second connector that is connected to said control and/or display device via said further connecting line; and wherein said sensor element is a wired communicating sensor element connected to said first common connector via said connecting lines, said first common connector is able to be connected releasably to said second connector.

21. The launcher battery according to claim 20, wherein: said first common connector is configured for manual connection; or said first common connector is configured for automatic connection when inserting the launcher battery into a battery receptacle.

22. The launcher battery according to claim 19, further comprising a transmitter; and wherein said sensor element is a wirelessly communicating sensor element connected to said transmitter, using said transmitter sensor signals are able to be transmitted to said control and/or display device or a reception device assigned thereto.

23. The launcher battery according to claim 14, further comprising an optical waveguide disposed in each of said launch tubes or inserted therein, said optical waveguide is connected to said sensor element detecting the incidence of light.

24. The launcher battery according to claim 23, wherein: each said optical waveguide is connected to a separate said sensor element; or at least two optical waveguides are connected to a common said sensor element; or all said optical waveguides are connected to a common said sensor element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a launcher device according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a launcher battery according to the invention for the launcher device from FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a launch tube with an inserted missile and a detection device arranged thereon;

(4) FIG. 4 is a partial view of the launch tube having a cover arranged thereon and a sensor element integrated on the tube side;

(5) FIG. 5 is a partial view corresponding to FIG. 4, but with an optical waveguide integrated on the tube side;

(6) FIG. 6 is a basic illustration of a launcher battery having sensor elements integrated on the tube side and connecting lines and a common connector device,

(7) FIG. 7 is a basic illustration similar to FIG. 6, but with bundled optical waveguides, an associated sensor element and a connector device; and

(8) FIG. 8 is a side view of a launcher device having integrated launcher batteries and a control and/or display device situated in the driver's cabin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a launcher device 1 according to the invention, having a vehicle 2, in this case a track vehicle, having an receptacle device 3 placed on top thereof for two launcher batteries 4 in the example shown. The launcher battery 4 is shown in an enlarged illustration in FIG. 2. It contains six separate launch tubes 5, which are each equipped with ammunition 6, a missile 7 in the example shown, see for example FIG. 3. The launch tubes 5 are hermetically closed off on both sides by corresponding covers 8, that is to say hermetically sealed, such that the ammunition 6 is protected.

(10) Such a launcher battery 4 is inserted, starting from its rear end 9, into the corresponding receptacle 3 from the front, that is to say coming from the right in FIG. 2, that is to say that, in the inserted position, the covers 8 are exposed above the missiles 7 on the right-hand side, see FIG. 1. Firing is also performed toward this side. That is to say, in the case of launching a missile from one of the launch tubes 5, the missile exits towards the right-hand side. It is necessarily the case here that the discharge jet from the missile 7 strikes the adjacent covers 8 of the launch tubes 5 that have not yet been fired, or churns up the ground surface upon firing, etc. This may lead to a situation whereby one of the hitherto intact covers 8 is damaged thereby, such that firing the missile 7 inserted in this launch tube 5 may become problematic.

(11) For this purpose, according to the invention, each launch tube 5 is provided with a device or detector 10 for detecting damage to the respective cover 8 closing off the launch tube 5 in the firing direction. FIG. 3 illustrates such a launch tube 5 provided with a device 10 in principle. The device 10 is configured to detect any incidence of light into the launch tube 5. Such an incidence of light may only be caused by damage to the cover 8 following previous firing of a missile of the corresponding launcher battery 4. If the device 10 thus detects any incidence of light in the associated launch tube 5, then it may be assumed with certainty that the corresponding cover 8 is damaged, which may then be responded to.

(12) FIG. 4 shows a first exemplary embodiment of such a device 10. What is shown is the launch tube 5 and the cover 8 placed on top thereof, which sits on the launch tube 5 in a hermetically sealed manner. In the tube wall of the launch tube 5, a sensor element 12, containing a photodiode 13 directed towards the inside of the tube, is inserted into a bore 11 adjacent to the cover 8. The sensor element 12 is received in the bore 11 so as to be hermetically tight, that is to say in a manner avoiding any incidence of light. The sensor element 12 is able to be connected to a connector device, not shown in more detail, via a connecting line 14 with an associated connector plug 15, via which connector device wired or wireless communication to a control and/or display device 16 that controls automatic firing operation, for example, and is shown here only by way of example, is then possible.

(13) Even though a connecting plug 15 is shown in FIG. 4, there is also the option of guiding the connecting line 14 to a transmission device 17, shown only in dashed form here, using which transmission device the signal of the sensor element 12 is able to be transmitted wirelessly to the control and/or display device 16. Both a wired and a wireless mode of communication are possible.

(14) FIG. 5 shows one alternative of a corresponding detection device 10. The launch tube 5 and the cover 8 are again shown. The end of an optical waveguide 18 is in this case inserted into a bore 11, which optical waveguide thus protrudes into the inside of the tube with its free end 19. The optical waveguide 18 is in this case coupled to a sensor element 20. Any light received by the optical waveguide 18, which light, as mentioned, is only able to penetrate if the cover 8 is damaged, is thus supplied by the optical waveguide 18 to the sensor element 20, for example again comprising one or more photodiodes. This sensor element 20 may then again be connected via a connecting line 14 to a connecting plug 15 or, as an alternative, as shown in dashed form, to a transmission device 17 for wireless communication to the control and/or display device 16, shown here only by way of example.

(15) In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, a plurality of optical waveguides 18 open out on the sensor element 20. Each launch tube 5 is assigned a separate optical waveguide 18, that is to say, in this configuration, the optical waveguides 18 of all six, for example, launch tubes 5 of a launcher battery 4 are guided in bundled form to a common sensor element 20. The sensor element is configured such that it is able to exactly resolve the optical waveguide 18 from which the signal comes, that is to say which launch tube 5 is associated. The resolution on the side of the sensor element 20 or else also on the side of the control and/or display device 16 is in this case such that it is able to be detected which launch tube 5 was fired, that is to say which one is missing the cover 8, and which one has not yet been fired. Since the sensor elements 12 respectively naturally deliver a light signal through the optical waveguides 18 after firing has taken place, the sensor signal is thereby able to be suppressed, and only the signals of launch tubes 5 that have not yet been fired may be taken into account. If an incidence of light is detected in relation to a launch tube 5 that has not yet been fired, then damage is again able to be detected with certainty.

(16) FIG. 6 shows a basic illustration of the launcher battery 4 containing three launch tubes 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it should be assumed that each launch tube 5 is provided with a sensor element 12, that is to say a separate photodiode or the like, wherein the respective sensor element 12 is connected to a respective connecting plug 15 via a connecting line 14. The connecting plugs 15 in this exemplary embodiment are plugged in, in bundled form, to a connector device 21. The connector device 21 then serves as an interface for connecting a further connecting line 22, which is routed by way of example to the control and/or display device 16. It is thus provided as a pure connecting line for communicating the corresponding sensor signals. As an alternative, shown in dashed form, it is possible to integrate a transmission device 17 into the connector device 21, by way of which it is possible to achieve wireless communication to the control and/or display device 16.

(17) FIG. 7 shows the configuration of an alternative launcher battery 4, again containing three launch tubes 5, each of which is hermetically closed off by the covers 8. In this configuration, an optical waveguide 18 is in each case inserted into the launch tube 5. The optical waveguides 18 are bundled and open out in a common coupling or plug connector 23 that is connected to a connector device 21. The sensor element 20, which performs the corresponding signal detection and possibly also resolution and assignment to the individual launch tubes 5, is associated here. A connecting line 22 again goes away from the connector device 21, via which connecting line the connection to the control and/or display device 16 is created. In this case too, as an alternative, indicated in dashed form, it is possible to integrate a transmission device for wirelessly communicating the corresponding sensor signals detected, or else also resolved and assigned in a manner specific to the tube, by the sensor element 20 to the control and/or display device 16.

(18) Lastly, FIG. 8 shows a basic illustration of a launcher device 1, in which, again by way of example, two launcher batteries 4, in this case each containing four launch tubes 5, are received in the receptacle 3. The launch tubes 5 are all equipped with the corresponding devices 10 for detecting cover damage. In the launcher batteries 4 according to FIG. 8, a corresponding connector device 21 is in each case provided on the battery side, which connector devices are connected to a second connector device 27, provided on the receptacle 3 and containing for example the actual evaluation electronics, via corresponding connecting lines 26. A further connecting line 28 goes from the second connector device 27 to the control and/or display device 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this further connecting line is received in the driver's cabin 24, in which a person P for example operating the launcher device 1 is sitting. The person P sitting in the driver's cabin 24 may for example be supplied with an optical signal display on the corresponding display device, which signal display indicates any damage, or which signal display also permanently indicates the functionality of the launcher batteries 4, or the like. The control and/or display device 16 may in this case itself be capable of automatically intervening in the launcher operation in the case of detected damage detection and thus to interrupt said operation, that is to say that the control and/or display device 16 is either additionally configured to control the entire launcher operation, or it communicates with a corresponding control device that performs this.

(19) As illustrated by the arrow I, a preferably wireless communication connection to an external control station 25 is also possible, at which control station optical signal inspection on a corresponding display is possible, for example. Corresponding signal detection may also thereby be performed from an external site.

(20) The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: 1 Launcher device 2 Vehicle 3 Receptacle device 4 Launcher battery 5 Launch tube 6 Ammunition 7 Missile 8 Cover 9 Rear end 10 Device or Detector 11 Bore 12 Sensor element 13 Photodiode 14 Connecting line 15 Connector plug 16 Display device 17 Transmission device 18 Optical waveguide 19 Free end 20 Sensor element 21 Connector device 22 Connecting line 23 Plug connector 24 Driver's cabin 25 Control station 26 Connecting line 27 Connector device 28 Connecting line P Person I Arrow