DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE ABSENCE OF A MECHANICAL BARRIER FOR A MISSILE AND MISSILE COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

A device for detecting the absence of a mechanical barrier for a missile comprises a rod constrained by a first elastic element and a free end capable of coming into contact with the mechanical barrier and a cam constrained by a second elastic element. The rod can assume one or more of the following positions: an initial entry position wherein the rod is held in a stable position between the cam and the mechanical barrier, an extended position wherein the cam moved the rod in the direction of the free end, and a final entry position wherein the rod is acted upon by the first elastic element after the rod has been released by the cam once the rod has completely entered the missile in the final entry position so as to no longer present a danger to its environment or a hindrance to the proper functioning of the missile.

Claims

1. A device for detecting an absence of a mechanical barrier for a missile, the device comprising: at least one rod constrained by a first elastic element and provided with an end referred to as free capable of coming into contact with the mechanical barrier, and at least one cam constrained by a second elastic element, the rod and the cam being configured so that the rod can assume one of the following positions: a position referred to as an initial entry position (P1), wherein the rod is held in a stable position between the cam and the mechanical barrier; a position referred to as an extended position (P2), into which the rod is brought under an action of the cam by a displacement in a direction (E) of a free end, in the absence of the mechanical barrier; and a position referred to as a final entry position (P3), into which the rod is brought under an action of the first elastic element, after release of the displacement of the rod by the cam.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one activatable detection element is configured to be activated when the rod assumes the final entry position (P3).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one activatable detection element is configured to be activated by one of the following elements: the rod; and the cam.

4. The device according to claim 2, further comprising an additional cam, referred to as an auxiliary cam, secured to the cam, wherein the at least one activatable detection element is configured to be activated by the auxiliary cam.

5. The device according to claim 4, further comprising: at least one elastically constrained initiating finger; and an aperture embodied on a peripheral portion of the auxiliary cam, wherein the initiating finger forms part of the at least one activatable detection element, and wherein the initiating finger and the aperture are configured and positioned so that the initiating finger is housed in the aperture when the rod assumes the final entry position (P3).

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one sealing element arranged at the free end of the rod; and a hub comprising a bore capable of receiving the sealing element when the rod assumes the final entry position (P3).

7. A missile (M), comprising at least one device for detecting an absence of a mechanical barrier for the missile (M), each of the at least one device comprising: at least one rod constrained by a first elastic element and provided with an end referred to as free capable of coming into contact with the mechanical barrier, and at least one cam constrained by a second elastic element, the rod and the cam being configured so that the rod can assume one of the following positions: a position referred to as initial entry (P1), wherein the rod is held in a stable position between the cam and the mechanical barrier; a position referred to as extended (P2), into which the rod is brought under an action of the cam by a displacement in a direction (E) of a free end, in the absence of the mechanical barrier; and a position referred to as final entry (P3), into which the rod is brought under an action of the first elastic element, after release of the displacement of the rod by the cam.

8. The missile (M) according to claim 7, wherein the missile (M) comprises a launch tube exit detection device and an initialization chain for a warhead, wherein the launch tube exit detection device corresponds to the at least one device.

9. The missile according to claim 8, wherein an initiating finger is adapted to trigger the initialization chain of the warhead of the missile (M), when it is housed in an aperture of an auxiliary cam.

10. The missile according to claim 7, comprising: at least one holding system, comprising the at least one device; and at least one holding element arranged at the free end of the rod of the at least one device, the at least one holding element being able to come into contact with the mechanical barrier.

11. The missile according to claim 10, wherein the at least one holding system comprises one of the at least one holding element and a plurality of the at least one device, the free end of the rod of each of the at least one device being connected to the holding element.

12. The missile according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of holding systems.

13. The missile according to claim 10, further comprising at least one gorge capable of receiving the at least one holding element when the rod of the at least one device assumes the final entry position (P3).

14. The missile according to claim 10, wherein the at least one holding element corresponds to a strip.

15. The missile according to claim 10, wherein the at least one holding element corresponds to a pad.

16. The missile (M) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one device further comprises: an additional cam, referred to as an auxiliary cam, secured to the cam, wherein a detection element is configured to be activated by the auxiliary cam; at least one elastically constrained initiating finger; and an aperture embodied on a peripheral portion of the auxiliary cam, wherein the initiating finger forms part of the detection element, wherein the initiating finger and the aperture are configured and positioned so that the initiating finger is housed in the aperture when the rod assumes the final entry position (P3), wherein at least one activatable detection element is configured to be activated when the rod assumes the final entry position (P3), and wherein an initiating finger is adapted to trigger the initialization chain of the warhead of the missile (M), when it is housed in the aperture of the auxiliary cam.

17. The missile according to claim 8, comprising at least one holding system, wherein the at least one holding system comprises the at least one device and at least one holding element arranged at the free end of the rod of the at least one device, the at least one holding element being able to come into contact with the mechanical barrier.

18. The missile according to claim 9, comprising: at least one holding system comprising the at least one device; and at least one holding element arranged at the free end of the rod of the at least one device, the at least one holding element being able to come into contact with the mechanical barrier.

19. The missile according to claim 11, further comprising at least one gorge capable of receiving the holding element when the rod of the at least one device assumes the final entry position (P3).

20. The missile according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of holding systems.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0034] The figures of the attached drawing will make it clear how the invention can be realized. In these figures, identical references designate the similar elements.

[0035] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a mechanical barrier absence detection device comprising a rod that assumes an initial entry position.

[0036] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the example of the mechanical barrier absence detection device of FIG. 1, in which the rod assumes an extended position.

[0037] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the example of the mechanical barrier absence detection device of FIG. 1, in which the rod assumes a final entry position.

[0038] FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate an example of a mechanical barrier absence detection device comprising a detection element which is an initiating finger, with the rod assuming the initial entry position and the final entry position respectively.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows schematically an example of a mechanical barrier absence detection device comprising a detection element.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically an example of a missile in its launch tube, comprising a device for detecting the absence of mechanical barrier.

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically an example of missile in its launch tube, comprising a holding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The purpose of the device 1, shown schematically in FIG. 1 and used to illustrate the invention, is to detect the absence of a mechanical barrier 2, which may be any solid surface. This device 1 is intended to be installed on a missile M, and in this case the mechanical barrier 2 is preferably the launch tube 16 of said missile M.

[0043] A missile is any self-propelled flying object that can be guided along all or a portion of its trajectory, by self-guidance or remote-controlling, and is capable of carrying at least one warhead, in particular explosive or pyrotechnic. This could include in particular an anti-tank missile, fired from a helicopter or a drone. It can also have a medium-range missile, fired from the ground.

[0044] The device 1 comprises a support element, referred to as hub 3, which comprises, in particular, usual attachment elements (not shown) configured to attach said device 1 to the missile M. The hub 3 may also be attached directly to the warhead of the missile M. This hub 3 is provided with an angled portion 3a comprising at least one aperture suitable for receiving at least one bearing element 4. The latter is intended to receive at least one rod 5, said rod 5 being slidable in said bearing element 4.

[0045] The rod 5 has a longitudinal axis, noted X, and the missile M has a longitudinal axis, noted Y (FIGS. 6 and 7). The device 1 is positioned on the missile M so that the axis X is oriented radially to the axis Y.

[0046] In addition, the rod 5 has two ends: [0047] an end 5a, referred to as free, oriented along the axis X in the direction illustrated by an arrow E in FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular, towards the outside of the missile M and able to come into contact with the mechanical barrier 2; and [0048] an end 5b, oriented along the axis X in the direction illustrated by an arrow I, towards the interior of the missile M.

[0049] In addition, the device 1 also comprises an elastic element 7 intended to elastically constrain the rod 5 relative to the hub 3. For this purpose, the rod 5 comprises a neck 6 at its end 5b. In addition, the angled portion 3a is provided with a flat surface parallel to the neck 6, suitable for receiving the elastic element 7. The elastic element 7 is arranged around the rod 5 in such a way that it rests on the neck 6 on the one hand and on the flat surface of the angled portion 3a on the other hand. The elastic element 7 is thus compressed between the neck 6 and the angled portion 3a. As a result, the rod 5 is elastically constrained in translation along the axis X, with the elastic element 7 exerting a force on said rod 5 in the direction illustrated by the arrow I.

[0050] The device 1 also comprises at least one cam 8, pivotally connected to the hub 3. This cam 8 is torsionally constrained with respect to the hub 3 by an elastic element 9, shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The elastic element 9 is configured to exert a torque on the cam 8, oriented in the direction indicated by an arrow R in FIG. 2. In addition, the cam 8 has a free end 8a which is adapted to come into contact with the end 5b of the rod 5. The dimensions and the shape of the cam 8 are such that the surface 8a of said cam 8 comes into contacts with the surface of the end 5b of the rod 5 when the cam 8 pivots about its axis in the direction of the arrow R. The cam 8 is thus configured to exert a force on the rod 5 in the direction illustrated by the arrow E.

[0051] The hub 3 also comprises a protruding element forming a stop 10 (FIGS. 1 and 3). In addition, the cam 8 is equipped with a protruding element 8b adapted to come into contact with the stop 10 when the cam 8 pivots about its axis in the direction indicated by the arrow R. The shape 8b is configured on the cam 8 such that said cam 8 is rotationally locked by the stop 10 when it assumes a position described below.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the device 1 is intended to detect the exit of the missile M from the launch tube 16. The method for detecting the exit of the missile M from the launch tube 16 is implemented in three steps, with different elements of the device 1, in particular the rod 5 and the cam 8, taking a given position for each of these steps. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate, respectively, the three given positions P1, P2 and P3 in succession.

[0053] In position P1, referred to as initial entry position shown in FIG. 1, the missile M is installed in the launch tube 16. The rod 5, pushed by the cam 8, is in contact with the mechanical barrier 2, namely the inner wall 16a of the launch tube 16. In this position, the rod 5 is elastically constrained by the elastic element 7 in the direction illustrated by the arrow I, and by the elastic element 9, via the cam 8, in the direction illustrated by the arrow E. However, the elastic element 9 is configured to exert a greater force on the rod 5 via the cam 8 than the elastic element 7 exerts on the rod 5. The rod 5 is thus forced against the mechanical barrier 2 and takes up a stable position between the cam 8 and the mechanical barrier 2.

[0054] In the position P2, referred to as the extended position and shown in FIG. 2, at least one portion of the missile M comprising the device 1 has just been propelled out of the launch tube 16. There is therefore a relative displacement of the missile M with respect to the launch tube 16, as illustrated by an arrow D. The launch tube 16 is shown dashed in FIG. 2 to indicate that it is not in the same plane as the rest of FIG. 2. The rod 5 is therefore no longer in contact with the mechanical barrier 2. The mechanical barrier 2 no longer blocks the rod 5 in translation, and the cam 8 therefore forces the displacement of said rod 5 in the direction illustrated by the arrow E, by pivoting around its axis in the direction illustrated by the arrow R.

[0055] Once the cam 8 has pushed the rod 5 into position P2, said cam 8 continues to pivot until it reaches the stop 10. However, the cam 8 is configured to release the translation of the rod 5 after said cam 8 has pivot in the direction of the arrow R, beyond the position P2. As the rod 5 is no longer subjected to the force of the cam 8, the elastic element 7 forces said rod 5 to displace in the direction illustrated by the arrow I. The rod 5 then enters the missile M completely, and is brought to the position P3, referred to as final entry position, shown in FIG. 3.

[0056] In this position P3, the rod 5 does not protrude outwards from the missile M and does not present any hindrance. Furthermore, a device 1 as described above does not eject any parts during its use, as the rod 5 is retracted into the missile M after the latter has exited the launch tube 16.

[0057] Furthermore, said device 1 is autonomous, as it does not require the use of an energy source such as a power supply or a pyrotechnic device. Only the mechanical energy supplied by the elastic elements 7 and 9 is necessary to set in motion the various elements of the device 1 that generate the retraction of the rod 5.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, shown in more detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the device 1 comprises an additional cam, referred to as auxiliary cam 12. This auxiliary cam 12 is secured to the cam 8, for example via an axle, and is therefore able to pivot relative to the hub 3 with said cam 8.

[0059] Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the device 1 comprises a detection element 26, and an initiating finger 13 with longitudinal axis Z which forms part of this detection element 26. The initiating finger 13 is housed in a blind hole 22, said hole 22 being embodied into the hub 3. This hole 22 is formed and located such that the aperture 22a (or mouth) of the blind hole 22 faces a peripheral surface 12a of the auxiliary cam 12. Furthermore, an elastic element 21, for example a compression spring, is positioned at the bottom of the hole 22 so as to exert a force on the end of the initiating finger 13, in the direction from the bottom of the hole 22 towards the aperture 22a of said hole 22. In this way, the initiating finger 13 is elastically constrained by the elastic element 21 against the peripheral surface 12a of the auxiliary cam 12.

[0060] Furthermore, the auxiliary cam 12 comprises an aperture 23, for example also a blind hole, on the peripheral surface 12a. This aperture 23 is shaped and located so that its mouth 23a faces the aperture 22a so that the aperture 23 is able to receive the initiating finger 13, when the auxiliary cam 12 pivots in the direction illustrated by the arrow R and takes a given position. This given position corresponds to the situation where the elements of the device 1 assume the position P3 when the missile M is extended from the launch tube 16.

[0061] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the missile M is provided with a warhead 17 and an initialization chain 18 of said warhead 17, shown in FIG. 6. The initiating finger 13 is configured to be able to trigger the initialization chain 18 when it slides into the aperture 23.

[0062] With the initiating finger 13, the device 1 is able to trigger the initialization chain 18 of a warhead 17 of a missile M in case the mechanical barrier 2 is absent.

[0063] Furthermore, the production of the initiating finger 13, as described above, has the advantage of allowing a high degree of flexibility in the positioning of said initiating finger 13 with respect to the auxiliary cam 12. Indeed, the initiating finger 13 can assume a plurality of angular positions around the axis of rotation of the auxiliary cam 12. The plane of the initiating finger 13, defined by the axes X and Z, may also take on a plurality of angular orientations with respect to the plane orthogonal to the axis Y of the missile M. Indeed, depending on the position and the orientation of the initiating finger 13, the shape of the auxiliary cam 12 may be configured so that the peripheral surface 12a faces the initiating finger 13. Furthermore, instead of being made in a simple cylindrical shape, as shown in the example of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the auxiliary cam 12 can be realized with a shape of a truncated cone and thus allow the initiating finger 13 to be oriented at a given angle relative to the plane orthogonal to the axis Y.

[0064] Such a flexibility in the positioning of the initiating finger 13, which corresponds to a means of detecting the absence of a mechanical barrier, allows the implementation of the device 1 on a wide range of missiles. This flexibility also allows a greater freedom in the arrangement of the warhead or warheads 17 (FIG. 6) and their initialization chain 18 (FIG. 6) on the missile M.

[0065] In a particular embodiment, as an alternative to the previous embodiment, the detection element 26 comprises a detection means 11 shown very schematically in FIG. 5. The detection means 11 is activatable and is configured to emit a signal S when the elements of the device 1 assume the position P3. The signal S may correspond, in particular, to a mechanical command capable of triggering an initialization chain for a warhead, or the deflection of elements of the missile M, such as usual wing elements or deflectors (or even the closing of an electrical circuit due to the rotation of the cam 8 or the translation of the finger 5).

[0066] In a first embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, the detection element 26 is configured to be activated by the rod 5 when the latter assumes the position P3. The rod 5 is, for example, provided with a protruding portion or an insert (not shown in FIG. 5) capable of activating the detection element 26.

[0067] In a second embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, the detection element 26 is configured to be activated by the cam 8 when the rod 5 assumes the position P3. The cam 8 is, for example, provided with a protruding portion or an aperture located on its periphery (such as, in particular, the aperture 23 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) capable of activating the detection element 26.

[0068] Furthermore, in a third embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, the detection element 26 is configured to be activated by the auxiliary cam 12 when the latter assumes the position P3. The auxiliary cam 12 is, for example, provided with a protruding portion or an aperture located on its periphery, such as the aperture 23 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, suitable for activating the detection element 26.

[0069] The detection element 26, whether in the embodiment with the initiating finger 13 associated with the aperture 23 or in the more general embodiment of the detection means 11, has the advantage of decoupling the (possible) motions of the detection element 26 from (possible) parasitic motions of the mechanical barrier 2. This is because the mechanical barrier 2 can, for example, transmit vibrations or shocks to the rod 5 when the missile M is mounted in the launch tube 16. These motions are only transmitted to the cam 8 (and possibly to the auxiliary cam 12), but not to the detection element 26 (such as the initiating finger 13). This has the effect of preventing, in particular, damage to the detection element 26, or false detection by the latter and thus (in the extreme case) an untimely triggering of the warhead 17 of the missile M.

[0070] In another embodiment, in addition to the previous embodiments and shown in the examples of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the angled portion 3a of the hub 3 comprises a bore 14 on its face oriented in the direction illustrated by the arrow E. In addition, the rod 5 is provided, at its free end 5a, with a sealing element 15, for example an O-ring. The bore 14 is configured to accommodate the sealing element 15. Thus, when the rod 5 assumes the position P3, the sealing element 15 is housed in the bore 14.

[0071] The sealing element 15 thus prevents liquid or dust from entering the missile M. This embodiment also allows to dampen any possible rebound of the rod 5, during the retraction, and also to limit the vibrations of said rod 5 when it is in position P3.

[0072] The device 1, as described above, is thus intended to be mounted on a missile M. In this case, the device 1 is preferably a device for detecting the exit of the missile 1 from its launch tube 16. It may also be a device for detecting the absence of another element, in particular a support, for example a rail intended to receive or carry the missile M while awaiting its firing.

[0073] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two examples of a weapon system 25. The weapon system 25 comprises the missile M equipped with at least one device 1, the launch tube 16, and all usual means of propulsion and launch of such a missile M, said usual means not being shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0074] The examples in FIGS. 6 and 7 show, respectively, two particular embodiments of a weapon system 25 provided with the missile M

[0075] In the first embodiment, illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, the weapon system 25 thus comprises, in particular, the missile M equipped with a device 1, as well as the warhead 17 and the initialization chain 18 capable of triggering said warhead 17.

[0076] When the missile M is propelled out of the launch tube 16, various elements of the device 1 assume the position P3, as described above, and activate the detection element 26 (not shown in FIG. 6). The element 11 in turn activates the initialization chain 18, thereby initiating the warhead 17 of the missile M.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the initiating finger 13 (not shown in FIG. 6) forms part of the detection element 26. In this case, the initialization chain 18 of the warhead 17 of the missile M is activated by the initiating finger 13 (which operates as described above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0078] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, as an alternative or in addition to said first embodiment, which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 7, the weapon system 25 comprises, in particular, a missile M equipped with a holding system 24. This holding system 24 comprises at least one device 1, and at least one holding element 19 arranged at the end 5a of the rod 5 and capable of coming into contact with the inner wall 16a of the launch tube 16.

[0079] When the missile M is installed in the launch tube 16, the holding element 19 is pressed against the inner wall 16a of the launch tube 16. As soon as the missile M is propelled out of the launch tube 16, various elements of the device 1 assume the position P3. The rod 5 then enters the missile M completely, taking the holding element 19 with it.

[0080] In a particular embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the holding element 19 corresponds to a strip. By strip is meant a longitudinal element capable of coming into contact with the inner wall 16a of the launch tube 16 for the purpose of doing a functional action for the missile M, such as a guiding action during the propulsion of said missile M. For example, the inner wall 16a of the launch tube 16 may be provided with usual support or guiding elements such as grooves, tongues, or guiding fingers, suitable for receiving the strip to form a guiding system.

[0081] Preferably, the holding system 24 comprises a plurality of holding elements 19 distributed for example around the external face of the missile M. Thus, the holding system 24 can guide the missile M out of the launch tube 16 during the propulsion phase, and the holding element or elements 19 are retracted into the missile M after said missile M exits said launch tube 16.

[0082] Furthermore, for each holding element 19, the missile M is provided, on its peripheral surface, with a gorge 20 suitable for receiving said holding element 19 so that the latter does not protrude from said missile M in the retracted position.

[0083] The missile M thus has a retractable holding system 24 in the gorge 20 when said missile M is extended from the launch tube 16, and comprising no protruding element likely to represent a hindrance to the proper operation of said missile M.

[0084] In another particular embodiment (not shown) of the above embodiment, the holding element corresponds to a pad. A pad is defined as one or more elements of variable shape and size, generally made of elastic material, intended, in particular, to hold the missile M or a portion of the missile M in place in a damped manner, and thus to protect it from shocks. Such a holding system corresponds to a damping system and is retractable, in the same way as in the previous embodiment.