The present invention relates to a device for a proximity-fuzed unit of ammunition that can fly towards a target and during the approach to the target the proximity fuze function effects or causes a voltage pulse pattern that is dependent on objects such as a buildings, trees, main battle tanks, etc that are adjacent to the flight path of the ammunition unit on its way to the target. The voltage pulse pattern forms the basis for the actuation of at least one triggering device incorporated in the ammunition unit.
The engagement of different types of target by proximity-fuzed ammunition units that are launchable by using, for example, a manportable or deployable launcher weapon is already known. The proximity fuze means that the target can be detected along the forwards directed flight path of the ammunition unit, and that burst or actuation of the ammunition unit can be effected at the least in close proximity to the target.
There is a need, however, to be able to avoid undesired actuation of the ammunition unit. Such actuation can arise because an object of a different type can be near the flight path of the ammunition unit on its way to the target. This problem can be resolved by the use of timing circuits that prevent actuation of the ammunition unit during a specific initial part of its flight path so that, for example, when launching from a launch pad or equivalent the undesired actuation of the ammunition unit near the launch site is prevented. Even such an arrangement can give rise to shortcomings in the precision that is often desired during the bombardment or engagement in question.
There is thus a desire to achieve more precision in an engagement, i.e. attain a burst adjacent to or in targets in question in the various engagement situations, despite the fact that the environment may include objects that can actuate the triggering functions. Reference can hereby be made to close combat in urban areas where, for example, it is desired to achieve a burst in a building, block or street corner behind, etc, that is further away than the intermediate buildings, streets, corners, etc in relation to the deployment position. The objective of the present invention is to resolve this problem among other things.
As claimed in the present invention a certain programming function shall exist, and it is vital that this programming function can be made effective so that its operation, servicing, etc can meet the requirements for technical simplicity and safety that are associated with weapon-fired ammunition in general and with ammunition units of this category in particular. There is even a requirement for rapid re-programming functions. The present invention is envisaged to resolve these problems too.
The main characteristic features for a device of the type initially mentioned are considered to be, among other things, that each triggering device incorporated or the electrical circuit or circuits interacting with each triggering device is/are arranged to sense a voltage or amplitude value adjacent to a trailing edge of a pulse incorporated in the pattern or of a pattern forming pulse. The present invention is also characterised by the fact that it is possible to predetermine the number of pulses that shall exist in the pattern. Depending on the number of pulses selected, each electrical circuit thereby causes or effects the actuation of the triggering devices involved.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention mean that in the case with the triggering function calculated on the basis of the number of pulses, the electrical circuit or circuits is/are arranged to effect or cause triggering/actuation/burst of the ammunition unit either at the leading edge or trailing edge of the last pulse in the predetermined number of pulses in the pulse pattern. In the case with the triggering function calculated on the basis of the number of pulses the electrical circuit or circuits can alternatively be arranged to effect or cause triggering/actuation/burst of the ammunition unit after a specific predetermined duration after the first edge occurs in the last pulse. A first electrical circuit in one embodiment can be arranged to effect a sense signal in the sensor when the voltage amplitude falls from a maximum value to a predetermined lower value that can be integral, or to which it can be programmed, in the circuit concerned. In the case utilising counting of a predetermined number of pulses, the number of pulses can be set via a programming device on the proximity fuze or ammunition unit. The programming device can thereby consist of a rotary switch in the front parts of the ammunition unit. Setting or programming can also be actuated electrically or optically.
The ammunition unit thereby becomes beneficial to use in various contexts, such as in the case where the ammunition unit in question is assigned a flight path extending along two or more blocks or collections of buildings in a built-up area (town, village, etc) with houses and/or buildings with intervening open spaces consisting of streets, alleys, etc. The houses or buildings in question thereby cause the said pulses in the pattern, and the intervening spaces cause the pulse intervals with low voltage values in the pattern. Engagements in other situations can also be effectively accomplished. Reference is hereby made to the subsequent patent claims and the examples disclosed in the description.
The above proposals enable a number of advantages. The ammunition unit does not need to be basically re-configured since already well known, proven components can be used which enables the prerequisites for use from the financial aspect, among other things. The ammunition unit can be rapidly re-programmed for different firing or engagement situations, and the ammunition units can exhibit conventional external designs and thus do not need to be extra equipped.
A currently proposed embodiment of a device displaying characteristics that are significant for the present invention is described below with reference to the appended
Number 1 in
In the Figures the sensing lobes are designated 4, 4′ and the ammunition unit 1 in question is approaching a target, and in the flight path of the said ammunition unit there is an object, e.g. in the form of a house wall 8, in the vicinity of which the target can be located (see
In accordance with the proximity fuze function a voltage pulse pattern is generated via the sensing of sensing lobes 4, 4′. The voltage pulse pattern in question can, in accordance with
In
In accordance with the above it shall be possible to use electrical time circuits to sense the voltage values in question of the leading or trailing edge of each pulse. In this case a first electrical circuit is used as illustrated in
The present invention is not limited to the design examples described above, but can be subjected to modifications within the framework of the subsequent Patent claims and the invention concept.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
0002482 | Jul 2000 | SE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/SE01/01407 | 6/20/2001 | WO | 00 | 7/28/2003 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO02/03020 | 1/10/2002 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3793958 | Holt et al. | Feb 1974 | A |
3978797 | Harrington et al. | Sep 1976 | A |
4015530 | Dick | Apr 1977 | A |
4098191 | Bagwell et al. | Jul 1978 | A |
4185559 | Little | Jan 1980 | A |
4936216 | Skagerlund | Jun 1990 | A |
4951901 | Dunne | Aug 1990 | A |
5277114 | Witt | Jan 1994 | A |
5693906 | Van Sloun | Dec 1997 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2133514 | Jul 1984 | GB |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040237825 A1 | Dec 2004 | US |