Patent Application
20230324159
A munition’s fuze causes the munition to explode. Fuzes often have features to avoid inadvertent detonation. Conventional fired and gun-launched munitions have different arming conditions (called arming environments) than munitions that are not fired or gun-launched, like drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. For example, a fired or gun-launched munition will experience high acceleration causing, for example, a high G-load setback and/or a high spin from spin stabilization. Setback refers to the force a fuzed item experiences after being fired from a weapon, such as a grenade launcher or artillery piece. Spin refers to rotational force experienced by a fuzed item after being fired. Spin is caused by either weapon rifling or from fins on the item as the item travels through the air. Munition that is not fired or gun-launched will not experience those same forces, and thus has a very different arming condition. As a result, conventional fuzes for fired and gun-launched munitions are not effective for use in munitions that are not fired or gun-launched, such as, for example, drones and vertical takeoff and landing munitions that are themselves the munition.
Another problem with fuzes for conventional fired or gun-launched munitions is that they do not permit a fired munition to be returned in an unarmed state; once the munition is fired, it must detonate. It would be desirable if a fuze could allow a munition to arm and then return to a disarmed state without detonation. It would further be desirable if the armed and disarmed munition could be re-armed and detonated after an initial abandoned charging. This would avoid wasting equipment when the decision to engage a target is abandoned.
It would further be desirable if the fuze had redundant safety features and could provide an indication to the user that the munition cannot detonate. It would further be desirable if the fuze had mechanical safety features.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming these and other problems of the prior art.
Embodiments of the present invention address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, by providing methods, systems, and apparatuses related to an arming and disarming munition with redundant safety feature to return munition to a safe, unarmed state. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In an exemplary embodiment, a munition with redundant safety features to return the munition to a safe, unarmed state includes an encasement; an energetic within the encasement; an electronic initiator configured to initiate a detonation of the energetic, wherein the electronic initiator is configured to be discharged to prevent detonation of the energetic; and a mechanical safety assembly configured to be selectively moved from an unarmed position to an armed position, wherein in the armed position the mechanical safety assembly provides a physical barrier between the energetic and the electronic initiator to prevent detonation of the energetic, wherein in the armed position in the mechanical safety assembly provides a pathway between the energetic and the electronic initiator.
In some embodiments, the mechanical safety assembly can further be selectively moved from the armed position to a locked position and from the locked position to the unarmed position, and the mechanical safety assembly further includes a locking assembly configured to provide a physical barrier preventing the mechanical safety assembly from moving from the locked position to the armed position without a manual override. In some embodiments, the munition further includes a coupling piece between the energetic and the electronic initiator, wherein the coupling piece forms therethrough a firing train aperture. In some embodiments, the mechanical safety assembly further includes a slide that can be selected moved in a slide channel from the unarmed position to the armed position, wherein the slide forms within it a slide aperture therethrough; and an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to move the slide from the unarmed position to the armed position, wherein, in the armed position, the slide aperture is aligned with the firing train aperture such that the slide aperture and the firing train aperture form the pathway between the energetic and the electronic initiator, and wherein, in the unarmed position and the locked position, the slide aperture is not aligned with the firing train aperture such that the slide provides a physical barrier between the energetic and the electronic initiator to prevent detonation of the energetic. In some embodiments, in the unarmed position and the armed position, the locking assembly is within a locking space formed within the coupling piece, and in the locked position, the locking assembly is at least partly outside of the locking space such that the locking assembly prevents the mechanical safety assembly from moving from the locked position to the armed position. In some embodiments, the munition further includes a sensor configured to sense when the mechanical safety assembly is in the locked position; and an indicator configured to alert a user that the mechanical safety assembly has at least partially existed the locking space. In some embodiments, the locking assembly includes a locking plunger; and a spring having a first end connected to the locking plunger and a second end connected a wall of the locking space, wherein in the unarmed position and the armed position, the spring is at least partially compressed. In some embodiments, the munition further includes a sensor configured to sense when the locking plunger is at least partly outside of the locking space; and an indicator configured to alert a user when the locking plunger is at least partly outside of the locking space such that the mechanical safety assembly is in the locked position and the munition is safe to handle. In some embodiments, the munition further includes a booster pellet with the slide aperture. In some embodiments, the actuator is configured to move the slide linearly. In some embodiments, the mechanical safety assembly further includes a pin about which the slide can rotate, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the slide about the pin. In some embodiments, the electronic initiator is initiated by one or more of heat, friction, and spark. In some embodiments, the electronic initiator includes a low energy exploding foil initiator (LEEFI) with a flyer.
In an exemplary embodiment, an initiator with redundant safety features for used in a munition includes an electronic initiator configured to initiate a detonation of an energetic, wherein the electronic initiator is configured to be discharged to prevent detonation of the energetic; a coupling piece configured to be placed between an energetic and an electronic initiator, wherein the coupling piece forms therethrough a firing train aperture; and a mechanical safety assembly configured to be placed between the electronic initiator and the coupling piece, wherein the mechanical safety assembly can be selectively moved from an unarmed position to an armed position, wherein in the unarmed position the mechanical safety assembly provides a physical barrier between the energetic and the electronic initiator to prevent detonation of the energetic, wherein in the armed position in the mechanical safety assembly provides a pathway between the energetic and the electronic initiator.
In some embodiments, the mechanical safety assembly further includes a slide that can be selected moved in a slide channel from the unarmed position to the armed position, wherein the slide forms within it a slide aperture therethrough; and an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to move the slide from the unarmed position to the armed position, wherein, in the armed position, the slide aperture is aligned with the firing train aperture such that the slide aperture and the firing train aperture form the pathway between the energetic and the electronic initiator, and wherein, in the unarmed position, the slide aperture is not aligned with the firing train aperture such that the slide provides a physical barrier between the energetic and the electronic initiator to prevent detonation of the energetic. In some embodiments, the mechanical safety assembly can further be selectively moved from the armed position to a locked position and from the locked position to the unarmed position, and the mechanical safety assembly further includes a locking assembly configured to provide a physical barrier preventing the mechanical safety assembly from moving from the locked position to the armed position without a manual override. In some embodiments, wherein in the unarmed position and the armed position, the locking assembly is within a locking space formed within the coupling piece; wherein in the locked position, the locking assembly is at least partly outside of the locking space and at least partly within the slide channel such that the locking assembly prevents the mechanical safety assembly from moving from the locked position to the armed position. In some embodiments, the locking assembly includes a locking plunger; and a spring having a first end connected to the locking plunger and a second end connected a wall of the locking space, wherein in the unarmed position and the armed position, the spring is at least partially compressed.
In an exemplary embodiment, a method of returning a munition in an armed state to an unarmed state includes providing a munition in an unlocked unarmed state; arming the munition; unarming the munition; locking the munition in a locked unarmed state; overriding the locked unarmed state of the munition; returning the munition to the unlocked unarmed state; and arming the munition.
In some embodiments, the method further includes detonating the munition.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an arming and disarming munition with redundant safety feature to return munition to a safe, unarmed state. The munition includes two safety features: an electronic safe and arm device (ESAD) and an electromechnical safe and arm device (EMS). The ESAD may contain a capacitor bank that can be charged to arm the munition. Bleeding the capacitor bank will render the munition incapable of self-ignition and safe for an use to handle. The EMS may contain a slide with a slide hole. Moving the slide hole out of line with the firing train will render the munition incapable of self-ignition and safe for a user to handle.
The arming and disarming munition disclosed herein has several advantages. For example, this configuration permits the munition to be armed for detonation and safely returned to a disarmed state rather than detonating. Later, the munition may be rearmed. In other words, if a target is identified and the munition is armed, the target may be abandoned, and the munition may return to a disarmed state without detonated. This avoids wasting equipment when a target is abandoned. For another example, the EMS may further include a lock plunger to prevent the slide hole from realigning with the firing train. This provides a tactile indication that the munition is safe for a user to handle and can be connected to a sensor to indicate its status to a user. The additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detonation of the main energetic 102 is initiated by an initiator. In some embodiments, the initiator is an electronic safe and arm device (ESAD) 103. The ESAD 103 may be controlled by a processor. The ESAD 103 may comprise a capacitor bank that, when charged, charges the ESAD 103 and makes it sensitive to the detonation method. The ESAD 103 may contain a low energy exploding foil initiator (LEEFI) to initiate the detonation. A LEEFI operates by turning a piece of material, usually copper, into a plasma gas. The plasma gas accelerates a flyer, which is typically a plastic material. The flyer travels at a high velocity and impacts an explosive. The high velocity impact will initiate the explosive. The detonation of the ESAD 103 will detonate a main energetic 102 inside the frag body 101, causing an explosion. In another embodiment, the ESAD 103 may detonate a booster pellet, which in turn will detonate the main energetic 102. The ESAD 103 may be capable of providing to the user feedback indicating its arming status.
In some embodiments, the ESAD 103 may comprise additional sensors that permit the munition to detonate based on sensed conditions. For example, a charged ESAD 103 may be designed for proximity, sensor fuzed, impact, and timed self-destruction detonation. In an embodiment, the ESAD 103 may comprise an accelerometer such that the munition is set to detonate when it experiences the acceleration change caused by impact. Further, the ESAD 103 could be set to detonate based on a time delay. For example, the ESAD 103 may be designed to detonate several milliseconds after impact. For another example, the ESAD 103 may comprise a proximity sensor.
The ESAD 103 may include a resistance bleed-down on the LEEFI. When the firing capacitor of an ESAD 103 is bled down after losing power feed, it discharges at a designed rate to render the unit unable to function. The bleed down time may be, for example, 30 seconds. Feedback of this status can be sent back to the user for their awareness.
Other initiators are possible, as long as the energetic is sensitive to the initiation. Some energetics may be initiated by heat, friction, or spark. In some embodiments, an electronic detonator is used instead of an ESAD 103. Electronic detonator produces an arc that arcs out to an explosive that is sensitive to heat, causing an explosion.
In this embodiment, the firing train 107 between the ESAD 103 and the main energetic 102 is disrupted by the EMS 106 (“out of line”). The EMS 106 may comprise an ESAD 103, a slide 108, an electric actuator to move the slide 108, and a lock plunger 109 with a spring 110. The slide 108 has a hole 111 extending through it. In some embodiments, the slide hole 111 may comprise a booster pellet.
The electric actuator may be a drive motor 112 configured to move the slide 108. The drive motor 112 may be a ball screw driven actuator. This mechanism has several advantages, both mechanically and safety related. The nature of the ball screw means that all positions are “locked” i.e. they can’t move without the ball screw rotating. This helps maintain positional integrity during both flight and impact actuation. Use of a positive actuator (instead of a spring) is a more affirmative method of position control of components. They are also light weight. In another embodiment, the electric actuator may be a solenoid and springs that, together, can operate to move the slide.
When the slide hole 111 is aligned with the firing train 107, the firing train 107 is “in line” and the main energetic 102 may detonate if the initiator fired. In some embodiments, when the ESAD 103 is charged and receives a signal to fire, a LEEFI of the ESAD 103 will initiate detonation of the main energetic 102 or, if applicable, the booster pellet. The LEEFI has a foil that, upon firing, will travel (“fly”) towards the main energetic 102. The impact of the foil initiates detonation of the main energetic 102.When the slide hole 111 is not aligned with the firing train 107 (“out of line”), the main energetic 102 will not detonate; rather, if the initiator is fired, it will fire into the slide (“self-dudding”). In other words, the initiator will start the firing train, propagating to the main energetic 102, unless blocked by the slide 108.
In some embodiments, the EMS 106 may be capable of three positions: a disarm position, an arm position, and a lock position.
In some embodiments, the arming and disarming munition 10 will also include electrical switches or sensors that sense whether or not the lock plunger 109 is compressed. If the lock plunger 109 is depressed, the electrical switch or sensor will indicate to the user that the arming and disarming munition 10 is safe to handle because EMS 106 is disrupting the firing train 107 to prevent the main energetic 102 from detonating.
As describe above, the lock plunger 109 may be depressed by the use of a small insert tool (e.g., an ice pick) through a hole in the arming and disarming munition 10.
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The true scope and spirit of the present disclosure is indicated by the following claims. The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various features. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure that are within known or customary practice in the art to which these teachings pertain. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
Variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. It will be readily understood that various features of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” et cetera). While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups.
As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/324,477 titled Arming and Disarming Munition with Redundant Safety Feature to Return Munition to a Safe, Unarmed State filed Mar. 28, 2022, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63324477 | Mar 2022 | US |
