Abstract:
This is an improved battlefield simulation support system, possessing a series of adapters that permit the simulation support system to fire a variety of cartridges with varying electrical and control characteristics. The adapters can be mated with a main body that accepts control inputs and distributes them to a plurality of firing mechanisms.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application 61/669,123, filed Jul. 9, 2012, which is included here by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the fields of battlefield simulation equipment, electronic battlefield simulators, and electronic control of explosive devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the field of battlefield simulation, prior art systems ignite energetic, explosive cartridges containing gunpowder or other explosives to creating non-lethal concussions, with or without smoke, that are used in training situations. 
         [0004]    Said cartridges may have a plurality of functions and triggering mechanisms. Functions include loud noise, colored smoke or other visual warnings, and other unique features. 
         [0005]    The cartridges are ignited via electrical excitation The type of excitation varies depending on the cartridge type that is used. 
         [0006]    While cartridges may have different attributes, such as noise level, smoke level, and light output, the attributes still share common means of ignition, to avoid duplicative separate trigger mechanisms. 
         [0007]    Presently, said cartridges are not of a common construction, requiring different equipment to ignite different classes of cartridges. The difference is primarily one of an electrical nature. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides adaptation such that an existing trigger box can be used with a cartridge not designed or capable of being ignited by said un-assisted trigger box. 
         [0009]    Typical Commercially available systems are comprised of a trigger control unit, which contains the necessary controls to the operator to provide the proper sequence and means to trigger the pyrotechnic display desired. The trigger box also provides the required electrical or electronic controls to provide the proper safety measures and power output to trigger the energetic cartridge which resides in a holder which can safely contain the cartridge through the firing sequence. 
         [0010]    Various configurations of these trigger/cartridge holding systems can be made. Some can be remotely fired via external triggers, others can use proximity or electric ‘eye’, wireless and other radio controlled means. Yet others can be networked together. 
         [0011]    Common to these platforms is the use of energetic material, usually made of some form of gunpowder but not restricted to such, that is in a self-contained cartridge for safe handling and loading. 
         [0012]    These cartridges have further safety measures to contain an internal fuse mechanism that requires purposeful application of external power, such that casual contact with the cartridge does not ignite them. Not all cartridges have the same type of fuse and therefore various cartridges may require various means to ignite. In addition, cartridges may be of different sizes, shapes and electrical connection means. 
         [0013]    Adaptation may extend beyond just pyrotechnic cartridges. The addition of light emission or sound reproduction could be realized by using the same means of adaptation and the use of alternate electronic circuits, mechanical sirens, electronic file playback, smoke generators, pressurized gas controlled release. 
       Types of Existing Cartridge Excitations on the Market Today: 
     Amperage Based: 
       [0014]    Cartridge types, such as M30 have an internal fuse that requires amperage to ignite at a low voltage, typically 12 volts. 
       High Voltage Based: 
       [0015]    Cartridge types such as M34 are available and require a high voltage trigger, usually in excess of 15 Kv, to ignite. Although such high voltages are required, the trigger control units typically run off of a 12 volt source. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention is an adapter that can be connected to an existing battlefield simulation system. The purpose of the present invention is to provide both mechanical and electrical conversion such that a foreign cartridge not designed to be used by a particular trigger system can be placed in the adapter and the adapter will accept the existing trigger system signals and provide a secure mounting and electrical conversion to ignite the foreign cartridge. 
         [0017]    The present invention is a self-contained adapter that can be fired without any further conversion, control or signaling by simply applying power. 
         [0018]    The present invention allows adapters that do the same function to be mounted or placed near one another. 
         [0019]    The present invention allows a single unit capable of holding multiple cartridges that can be fired simply by applying power. 
         [0020]    The present invention provides a means to attach various cartridges to an existing system which was not originally designed for said cartridge, and safely ignite them using the existing equipment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1 : Profiles of native cartridge and foreign cartridges. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2 : Cross-section of a native cartridge contained in a native holder and with integrated base unit attachment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3 : Cross-section of IMGO holder and base unit attachment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4 : Top view of cavity with further example of possible high voltage separation considerations and possible electrical connections. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5 : Block diagram with one embodiment of conversion electronics. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6A . Side Perspective view of preferred embodiment 
           [0027]      FIG. 6B . Top Perspective view of preferred embodiment 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The present invention is a self-contained adapter, which can hold multiple signaling cartridges, utilizing existing trigger signals. With or without any further power source or controls, the present invention is able to regenerate the incoming trigger signal and convert it to be able to fire a foreign cartridge. In  FIG. 1 , native cartridge  100  is one for which the original trigger mechanism was designed. N represents the diameter of the native cartridge. Y  200  and X  300  indicate differences in the diameter of the foreign cartridges. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an example of a native cartridge  100  contained in a native holder  101  and with integrated base unit attachment  102 . This diagram shows one example of how an existing system is constructed. The entire native holder  101 , 102  attaches to the native base  103 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is an example of the preferred embodiment holder and base unit attachment. This diagram shows an outline of the adapter  301 ,  302  containing a foreign cartridge  300  and how it attaches to the native base unit  103 . Item  400  shows the unique cavity for housing the electrical conversion circuits which can also contain high voltage separation considerations. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows cavity  400  with further example of possible high voltage separation considerations and possible electrical connections. Items  401  and  402  show possible high voltage feed with item  402  showing a metal, carbon or other conductive core surrounded by  401  insulating ring. There are both electrical and mechanical considerations in providing a universal adapter that can provide attachment to an existing system both electrically and/or mechanically. The present invention&#39;s attachment means can be made to physically accept the mounting provisions of existing firing mechanisms or stand-alone as an adjunct to the same via an adapter plate. 
         [0032]    There are electronic incompatibilities among the firing fuses of various cartridges, as discussed above, and the present invention has self-contained electronic circuitry that converts the incoming fuse firing energy to the proper form to support the particular cartridge being utilized. These electronics are housed in the present invention&#39;s main body section. 
         [0033]    A simple example of such conversion is shown in  FIG. 5 . Note that once again, specific electronic elements are implemented to support such conversion and as such are or may be different for the various types fuses used in the cartridge. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the preferred method of conversion electronics  403  containing physical electrical connection and optional input filtering. Item  404  is an internal oscillator with adjustment controls  405  set at manufacturing time to optimize the power use feeding high current drive circuits  406  with voltage protection means driving high voltage transformer  407  with secondary output feeding high voltage isolator  402 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a typical assembled invention. The assembly is comprised of an adapter plate  601 , an inspection port above the adapter plate  601 , and above the external electrical connection  604 . The inspection plate  603  covering the inspection port is held with 4 small screws. 
         [0036]    The cartridge holder body  606  sits above the main body  607 , which contains two side clamps  608 . There are a plurality of cartridge slots  610  within the holder body  606  to accommodate a variety of cartridges. The cartridge holder  609  covers the holder body  606 . The figure is a single example of many possible adapters. 
         [0037]    Other physical considerations include the cartridge containment and holder. The present invention must be able to physically accommodate the types of cartridges to be used and must also be able to provide electrical connections to them. The present invention provides this feature by having removable cartridge holders which can be replaced by various other holders, each specifically designed for the desired cartridge. 
         [0038]    To aid in the adaptation of the various cartridge holders, an intermediary plate can be utilized to accommodate differences such as height, width as well as to provide a means to hold electrical connections between the cartridge holder and the main body section of the present invention. 
         [0039]    Electrical connection are made via the external electrical connector  604  provided on the sides of the device&#39;s main body  607 , as in  FIG. 6 . These connections can be further modified by using one of a plurality of connectors or an electrical converter cable that provides translation from the device connector to the target cartridge. 
         [0040]    The present invention is a self-contained adapter which fits in form to an existing fixture, utilizes existing trigger signals, and without any further power source or controls, is able to regenerate the incoming trigger signal and convert it to be able to fire a foreign cartridge. 
         [0041]    As an optional additional embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use an additional local power source that connects to the invention, and then the invention would use the trigger from the current device to fire. The present invention would be connected to the existing firing system. This would cover those circumstances where the current firing system would not be able to provide enough energy to fire a foreign cartridge, and this method would allow users to do so. 
         [0042]    As another optional embodiment, using the external power adaptation provided by the present invention, a trigger signal designed for firing a single or fixed number of cartridges could be expanded to provide for the firing of a virtually unlimited number of cartridges off of that same trigger. 
         [0043]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.