Abstract

The present invention describes a safe-and-arm device, mechanism or assembly (160) for a projectile (100,102) equipped with a second-stage propellant (124). The second-stage propellant (124) is ignited after the projectile has been ejected out from a launcher barrel. A lockpin (190), being urged by a spring (194), is responsive to ignition of the second-stage propellant; after the lockpin (190) and spring (194) sense and respond to the second propulsion, an unbalanced rotor (164) forming part of the safe-and-arm device or assembly (160), is released to rotate from a “safe” state to an “armed” state, as the projectile continues traveling along its trajectory to a target. In one embodiment, the projectile is configured with a 40 mm cartridge containing a first propellant (122). An impact sensor may trigger an electric detonator or a point detonator may trigger a stab detonator to set off explosives disposed in the projectile.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42C 15/192 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier rotatable in a plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile
• F42C 9/02 - Time fuzesCombined time- and percussion- or pressure-actuated fuzesFuzes for timed self-destruction of ammunition the timing being caused by mechanical means
• F42C 15/188 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier
• F42C 15/21 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a securing-pin or latch is removed to arm the fuze, e.g. removed from the firing pin using spring action
• F42C 15/26 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected by inertia means using centrifugal force
• F42C 15/34 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected by a blocking-member in the pyrotechnic or explosive train between primer and main charge

Abstract

b) for assisting a user deploy air burst munition (ABM, 10) from a rifle (20) in an intuitive manner is described. The WPU has a ballistic processor (112), wireless communication channels (120), a vibrator (130), a display (130), a mode button (150) and up/down select buttons (160, 161). After an ABM is selected and loaded into the rifle, and a deployment distance entered in the WPU, the ballistic processor calculates and outputs a time of burst T and barrel angle alpha. The barrel angle alpha is received by a sighting unit (104) and appears as a target marker. Once the rifle is tilted and/or moved so that a centre of the sighting unit coincides with the target marker, the WPU vibrates as a signal to the user to trigger the rifle.

IPC Classes  ?

• F41G 3/06 - Aiming or laying means with rangefinder
• F41G 3/16 - Sighting devices adapted for indirect laying of fire
• F42B 12/34 - Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect expanding before or on impact, i.e. of dumdum or mushroom type

Abstract

The present invention describes an electronic fuze operable to complement a mechanical point impact fuze. The electronic fuze includes a voltage generator circuit, micro-controller, a piezo-electric sensor, a firing circuit and a safety lockout circuit. When a projectile strikes a target at an optimum angle, the mechanical point impact fuze is activated; when the strike angle is oblique, the mechanical point impact fuze may be ineffective but the piezo-electric sensor is operable to trigger the firing circuit. The safety lockout circuit ensures the firing circuit is operative only after a predetermined delay time when an n-channel FET is turned OFF. The micro-controller also generates a TIME-OUT signal, which provides for self-destruction of a projectile that has failed to explode.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42C 1/02 - Impact fuzes, i.e. fuzes actuated only by ammunition impact with firing pin structurally combined with fuze
• F42C 9/16 - Double fuzesMultiple fuzes for self-destruction of ammunition
• F42C 11/00 - Electric fuzes
• F42C 11/02 - Electric fuzes with piezo-crystal
• F42C 15/40 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically
• F42C 15/188 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier

Abstract

The present invention describes an electronic fuze (200) operable to complement a mechanical point impact fuze (101). The electronic fuze (200) includes a voltage generator circuit (210), micro-controller (220), a piezo-electric sensor (262), a firing circuit (280) and a safety lockout circuit (290). When a projectile (50) strikes a target at an optimum angle, the mechanical point impact fuze (101) is activated; when the strike angle is oblique, the mechanical point impact fuze may be ineffective but the piezo-electric sensor (262) is operable to trigger the firing circuit (280). The safety lockout circuit (290) ensures the firing circuit (280) is operative only after a predetermined delay time when an n-channel FET (292) is turned OFF. The micro-controller (220) also generates a TIME-OUT signal, which provides for self-destruction of a projectile that has failed to explode.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42C 1/02 - Impact fuzes, i.e. fuzes actuated only by ammunition impact with firing pin structurally combined with fuze
• F42C 9/16 - Double fuzesMultiple fuzes for self-destruction of ammunition
• F42C 11/00 - Electric fuzes
• F42C 11/02 - Electric fuzes with piezo-crystal
• F42C 15/40 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically
• F42C 15/188 - Arming-means in fuzesSafety means for preventing premature detonation of fuzes or charges wherein a carrier for an element of the pyrotechnic or explosive train is moved using a rotatable carrier

Abstract

The present invention describes methods for programming trigger time of a projectile (60) based on remaining flight time to a target (P) after the projectile (60) is airborne. The actual muzzle (Vo) and flight speeds (V1, V2, etc.) are independently determined and compared to those used by the ballistic computer (30), and a better estimate of trigger time is accordingly used to activate detonation of the projectile (60). In one embodiment, a Kalman algorithm is used to provide a better estimate of the projectile's flight speeds obtained by independent methods to provide the better estimate of the trigger time.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)

Abstract

The present invention provides a self destruction impact fuse for fail-proof detonating a projectile, preferably a low velocity projectile. The present invention further provides a projectile that can be detonated reliably even at low velocity.

IPC Classes  ?

• F42C 9/16 - Double fuzesMultiple fuzes for self-destruction of ammunition