Device for monitoring an ignition device

Abstract

A monitoring device and system are provided for monitoring normal sequence of an initiation. The device includes at least one sensor in a region of an explosive charge and/or in a region of at least one ignition device for the explosive charge of the munitions system, and also a control device for evaluating output signals of the sensor with the control device connected to at least one ignition device in a controlling manner on a basis of the evaluation. At least one sensor is arranged at an output of a first ignition device for subdetonative initiation of the explosive charge. The control device is connected to a further ignition device and enables or inhibits it on a basis of a signal supplied by the sensor and assessed in the control device, and at least one sensor is designed for sensing pressure, temperature, light, electrical current or changing of mechanical states.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring initiation of a munitions system, the device comprising: at least one sensor in a region of a first ignition device for an explosive charge of the munitions system, and a control device for evaluating output signals of the at least one sensor, the control device being connected to the first ignition device in a controlling manner based on an evaluation by the control device, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged at an output of the first ignition device for subdetonative initiation of the explosive charge, wherein the control device is connected to a second ignition device and is configured to enable or to inhibit the second ignition device based on a signal supplied by the at least one sensor evaluated in the control device, wherein the at least one sensor is designed for sensing pressure, temperature, light, electrical current, or a changing of mechanical states, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged in, or in a vicinity of, a venting channel, wherein the venting channel is arranged between the first ignition device for the subdetonative initiation into an open environment to provide pressure relief, and wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect physical effects of the subdetonative initiation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the control device acts on ignition circuits for the subdetonative initiation and detonative initiation.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect environmental conditions, and wherein the inhibiting or enabling signal can be corrected based on the environmental conditions detected.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a high-voltage circuit for the second ignition device is only armed and supplied with voltage and/or enabled for ignition after sensing that the subdetonative initiation has commenced via the at least one sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein detection of subdetonative initiation is selectable for the control device as a basic setting or an ignition circuit can always be chosen first for the subdetonative initiation irrespective of a selected mode of action of the munitions system.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the control device is connected to at least two high-voltage ignition circuits and/or at least two ignition devices are present.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the control device is connected to a high-voltage ignition circuit for the first ignition device for initiation of the subdetonative initiation and then, in a master-slave arrangement, a high-voltage ignition circuit for the second ignition device is subsequently switched for a detonative initiation.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein a shock absorbing barrier is arranged between the first ignition device and the second ignition device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature probe.

10. A device for monitoring initiation of a munitions system, the device comprising: at least one sensor in a region of a first ignition device for an explosive charge of the munitions system, and a control device for evaluating output signals of the at least one sensor, the control device being connected to the first ignition device in a controlling manner based on an evaluation of an output of the at least one sensor by the control device, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged at an output of the first ignition device for subdetonative initiation of the explosive charge, wherein the control device is connected to a second ignition device and is configured to enable or to inhibit the second ignition device based on a signal supplied by the at least one sensor evaluated in the control device, wherein the at least one sensor is designed for sensing pressure, temperature, light, electrical current, or a changing of mechanical states, and wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect physical effects of subdetonative initiation of the explosive charge.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the control device acts on ignition circuits for the subdetonative initiation and detonative initiation.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect environmental conditions, and wherein the inhibiting or enabling signal can be corrected based on the environmental conditions detected.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein a high-voltage circuit for the second ignition device is only armed and supplied with voltage and/or enabled for ignition after sensing that the subdetonative initiation has commenced via the at least one sensor.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein detection of subdetonative initiation is selectable for the control device as a basic setting or an ignition circuit can always be chosen first for the subdetonative initiation irrespective of a selected mode of action of the munitions system.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the control device is connected to at least two high-voltage ignition circuits and/or at least two ignition devices are present.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the control device is connected to a high-voltage ignition circuit for the first ignition device for initiation of the subdetonative initiation and then, in a master-slave arrangement, a high-voltage ignition circuit for the second ignition device is subsequently switched for a detonative initiation.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein a shock absorbing barrier is between the first ignition device and the second ignition device.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature probe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure herein is presented in the figures of the drawing and is described in more detail below. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device according to the disclosure herein;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a possible arrangement of the subassemblies in the region of the ignition devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) In FIG. 1, a block diagram of the device according to the disclosure herein is represented in a schematically simplified form. A high-voltage system part HS-NT supplies not only the control device ZS-ST for the ignition system, but also both ignition systems ZS-A and ZS-B, the EFIs EFI and the ignition chains ZK-A and ZK-B.

(5) The control device ZS-ST performs various tasks in the sense of safe ignition triggering or reducing the risks in the event of a malfunction in the subdetonative initiation of the explosive charge.

(6) On the one hand, the time-controlled distribution of electrical energy in the form of low voltage and high voltage for supplying the subassemblies is carried out here. On the other hand, control signals are sent from here to all of the subassemblies involved and the responses received from them are evaluated.

(7) In the control device ZS-ST, the output signal of the sensor ZK-A-U that monitors the function of the first ignition chain ZK-A is evaluated. Only when the satisfactory function of this ignition chain is confirmed does the control device generate an enabling signal for the further ignition system ZS-B and the further ignition chain ZK-B. If one of the subassemblies fails with a malfunction, the detonative initiation of the explosive charge is consequently prevented.

(8) The diagram in FIG. 2 represents in a greatly simplified form the locational position of the subassemblies in one possible embodiment of an ignition system according to the disclosure herein. In the central region of the approximately cylindrical overall arrangement are the already mentioned subassemblies of the ignition devices. The power supply HS-NT can be seen on the right; alongside is the control device ZS-ST. Further to the left, following one after the other, are the various intensity stages of the two ignition chains. On the far left, the explosive charge would be placed, but is not shown.

(9) To relieve the pressure during the initiation, arranged around the centrally arranged subassemblies are venting channels, which on the right-hand side discharge into the open environment. Placed there by way of example was the sensor ZS-A-U which detects the proper functioning of the ignition chain ZK-A and reports this to the control unit ZS-ST. Only then are the second ignition system ZS-B and the associated ignition chain ZK-B enabled.

(10) While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a, an or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

(11) TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF DESIGNATIONS Designation Description ZK-A-U Monitoring of the first ignition chain (watchdog) ZS-ST Control device of ignition system HS-NT High-voltage system part ZS-A First ignition system (master) ZS-B Further ignition system (slave) ZK-A First ignition chain (master) ZK-B Further ignition chain (slave) EFI Exploding Foil Initiator