Patent Publication Number: US-2023147155-A1

Title: Launching device and method for assembling projectiles in a launching device

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a modular launching device for launching of projectiles with a propellant charge. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of assembling projectiles in a launching device by using modules. 
     The main principles which are utilized in weapons systems involving the handling of the projectiles and the propellant constitute on the one hand the ammunition in sleeves, when the projectile and the propellant are arranged together in a sleeve, and on the other hand systems where the projectile and the propellant are separate and are arranged together in the launching device. Systems with a sleeve are customarily used when the caliber of the projectile is greater than around 100 mm and a separate projectile and propellant are often used for projectiles with a diameter greater than 100 mm. As an exception, ammunition in a sleeve is also used in systems up to 155 mm. 
     Patent document US 2011/0083548 A1 describes a sleeveless weapons system. This has a projectile chamber and a propellant chamber which are arranged movably with respect to the barrel. The patent document does not show that the projectile is constructed from parts or modules. 
     Patent document U.S. 8,546,736 B2 describes a modular constructed projectile. The modules consist of a payload, a guidance module, and a rear module, for example one comprising a rocket motor. Moreover, the payload module may contain a detonator. The projectile is assembled in advance or by the manufacturer and is arranged as a unit in the launching device. The patent document does not show that the projectile is arranged from parts or modules in the launching device. 
     It is desirable to solve the above identified problem. 
     Other problems which are solved with an aspect of the present invention are those relating to IM (Insensitive Munition) in that the detonator and the projectile body can be kept separate until, or precisely prior to, assembly. Moreover, the problem is solved regarding increased flexibility, since a larger number of configuration possibilities exist if the subsystems are coordinated in connection with, or precisely prior to assembly. Moreover, the problem is solved regarding conventional artillery where the detonator is arranged manually at the projectile or projectile body, since the detonator is arranged automatically at the projectile body in connection with, or precisely prior to assembly. 
     A further purpose of an aspect of the present invention is a modular launching device for launching of projectiles with a propellant charge where the projectile is arranged such that a detonator is arranged at a projectile body in the launching device and assembled together with at least one propellant charge in the launching device. 
     According to further aspects of a modular launching device according to the invention: 
     The detonator is arranged in at least one detonator magazine, arranged at the launching device, and the projectile body is arranged in at least one projectile body magazine, arranged at the launching device, and the detonator is arranged automatically at the projectile body in the launching device. 
     The propellant charge is arranged in at least one propellant charge magazine, arranged at the launching device. 
     The detonator comprises an initiating unit, a safety unit, and an explosive unit, where either 
     the initiating unit is arranged at an assembled safety unit and explosive unit,
 
the explosive unit is arranged at an assembled initiating unit and safety unit,
 
the initiating unit is arranged simultaneously at a safety unit and at an explosive unit.
 
     The initiating unit is arranged in at least one initiating unit magazine, arranged at the launching device, and/or the safety unit is arranged in at least one safety unit magazine, arranged at the launching device, and/or the explosive unit is arranged in at least one explosive unit magazine, arranged at the launching device. 
     The projectile body comprises an enclosing unit and a payload unit, where the payload unit is arranged in at least one payload unit magazine, arranged at the launching device, and where the payload unit is arranged at the enclosing unit, where the enclosing unit is arranged in at least one enclosing unit magazine, arranged at the launching device. 
     The enclosing unit may consist of or comprise a shell made of plastic, composite, metal, or combinations of these. 
     The payload unit consists of or comprises one or more explosive charges, a smoke charge, a flare, and/or a warhead. 
     Moreover, thanks to the present invention an improved method has been created for assembling projectiles in a launching device by using modules, where the following steps are involved: 
     a detonator is arranged at a projectile body automatically in the launching device,
 
the detonator, arranged with the projectile body, is placed in the launching device,
 
a propellant charge is arranged in the launching device.
 
     According to further aspects of a method for assembling projectiles in a launching device by using modules according to the invention: 
     the detonator is chosen from:
 
an initiating unit arranged in an initiating unit magazine,
 
a safety unit arranged in a safety unit magazine,
 
an explosive unit arranged in an explosive unit magazine,
 
where the initiating unit, safety unit and explosive unit are automatically assembled in the launching device,
 
and the projectile body may comprise:
 
an enclosing unit arranged in an enclosing unit magazine,
 
a payload unit arranged in a payload unit magazine,
 
where the enclosing unit and the payload unit are automatically assembled in the launching device.
 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention shall be described more closely in the following, making reference to the enclosed figures, where: 
         FIG.  1    shows a detonator in a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    shows a detonator divided into subcomponents in a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    shows a projectile body in a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  4    shows a projectile body divided into subcomponents in a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  5    shows an assembled projectile in a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  6    shows a projectile divided into subcomponents in a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention shows a launching device. 
     A launching device, also called a cannon, howitzer, or piece, such as an artillery piece, is intended to fire a projectile by means of a propellant. Preferably, a propellant such as gunpowder is initiated in a portion of the cannon, often a chamber specially adapted for this. Initiation occurs by igniting the propellant, for example using an ignition cartridge or a lighter in an ammunition unit, which is initiated by percussion. Other methods for igniting the propellant may be to ignite the propellant by laser or electrical energy. The propellant burns at a fast rate with much production of gas, which creates a gas pressure in the chamber, driving the projectile out from the barrel of the launching device. The propellant is adapted to generate a constant pressure on the projectile as much as possible during the entire time in the barrel, when the projectile is moving in the barrel, which creates a high velocity of the projectile when the projectile leaves the mouth of the barrel. 
     Projectiles, such as various types of shells, most often contain some form of warhead and some form of detonator which initiates the warhead. The detonator may be of various types, where percussion commonly occurs for projectiles designed to burst on contact with an object, timer fuses where the projectile is designed to burst at a certain predetermined time, and zone fuses where the projectile is designed to burst when an object comes within a certain distance from the projectile. Zone fuses are used preferably when fighting against flying vehicles, while timer fuses and percussion may be used when fighting against a large number of different objects. Advantageously, different types of detonator function are combined in the same detonator, so that if a detonator with zone fuse function does not detect an object the projectile will burst after a certain time, etc. However, the combining of all detonator functions in the same detonator may involve a high cost or complexity, which is not always utilized when fighting against a target object. 
     Warheads preferably contain some form of explosive and some form of fragment-producing casing which encloses the explosive. Moreover, various kinds of steering means, such as fins, can be arranged either in the detonator or in a special subcomponent. 
     Projectiles intended for artillery usually contain a warhead, a shell, and a detonator which is arranged on the shell before the projectile is arranged, or rammed, in the artillery cannon. For safety and logistical reasons, it is preferable for the detonator to not be arranged at the shell until prior to the ramming. In most cases, the detonator is arranged with threads and is screwed to the shell. The detonator may also be programmed, for example, the detonator can be mechanically modified, in that one portion of the detonator is twisted into a certain desired position, or alternatively the detonator can be electrically programmed, such as by contacting of the detonator or with inductive/capacitive programming. 
     An ammunition unit usually contains a propellant, often in the form of gunpowder, a warhead containing an explosive, and a detonator containing a primary explosive to initiate the explosive. The ammunition unit is adapted for long-term storage and is designed to withstand large mechanical stress during transport and so forth. In the event that a component, such as a battery, needs to be replaced in the ammunition unit, extensive measures are required to dismantle the ammunition unit and replace the battery. In the same way, destruction of an ammunition unit entails extensive work with dismantling the various components in the ammunition unit. 
     For example, one commonly occurring manufacturing method is to pour the explosive in the warhead, which means that removal of the explosive is relatively complex. 
     A continuous technological development is occurring for detonators, which often contain electronics. Increased functionality is being constantly developed, and new techniques involving for example GNC systems, new sensor systems and new algorithms, for example ones which employ artificial intelligence, may be implemented in ongoing fashion in detonators. 
     The benefits of arranging the projectiles, made of subcomponents, in the launching device include: 
     The possibility of varying the performance of the projectile by combining different subcomponents prior to the ramming,
 
Improved logistics, by transporting sensitive parts by themselves and less sensitive parts by themselves it is possible to reduce the risks of side damage and accidents,
 
Improved possibility of replacing subcomponents which become too old or are upgraded, without needing to replace an entire ammunition unit or the projectile unit.
 
     A modular launching device  1  is adapted to fire, or shoot, projectiles  100  with a propellant charge  10 . The propellant charge  10 , which may be gunpowder for example, is burned after being initiated and generates a high pressure, which drives the projectile  100  out from a barrel. The projectile is arranged in the barrel by a process known as ramming. It often happens that a girdle enclosing the projectile is deformed against grooves arranged in the barrel, which hold the projectile in the barrel. The propellant charge  10  is arranged in what is often called the chamber, in which the propellant charge is burned and generates gases, or gunpowder gases, which cause the projectile to move in the barrel. Preferably, a continuous or constant pressure is created in the chamber, which also fills the barrel behind the projectile when it moves toward the mouth of the barrel. A number of technical problems can be solved by arranging the detonator  20  at a projectile body  50  to create a projectile  100  prior to and in close proximity to the ramming. The detonator  20  is advantageously arranged at the projectile body  50  near the ramming, both in terms of time and distance prior to the ramming. 
     The projectile bodies may be arranged in a projectile body magazine  60 , but the projectile bodies or parts of the projectile bodies can also be arranged in multiple magazines which are combined together to form a projectile body in the launching device. Moreover, the detonator can be arranged in a detonator magazine  30 , but the detonator or parts of the detonator can also be arranged in multiple magazines which are combined together to form a detonator in the launching device. Moreover, the detonator can be programmed prior to being arranged at the projectile. 
     The propellant charge  10  can be arranged in a propellant charge magazine  12  and it may consist or comprise for example of modular charges, Uniflex, or another standard propellant charge configuration. Moreover, the chamber can be adapted to the particular propellant charge configuration being used, for example the chamber volume is reduced if a lesser amount or fewer units of propellant charge are being used, and the chamber volume is increased if a larger amount or more units of propellant charge are being used. Increasing and decreasing of the chamber volume may be done by physically altering the volume, but it may also be done in that a certain number of propellant charge units are always loaded in the chamber and therefore depending on the range the propellant charge units are made of several units containing high-energy material and several units which only produce a spacing, such as a metal unit, which is reused after the firing of a projectile. 
     The step involving the assembly of projectiles in a launching device by the use of modules may comprise: 
     a detonator is arranged at a projectile body automatically in the launching device,
 
the detonator, arranged with the projectile body, is rammed in the launching device,
 
a propellant charge is arranged in the launching device, after which the propellant charge is initiated and drives the projectile out from the barrel of the launching device.
 
     The detonator may comprise a selection from among: 
     an initiating unit arranged in an initiating unit magazine,
 
a safety unit arranged in a safety unit magazine,
 
an explosive unit arranged in an explosive unit magazine,
 
where the initiating unit, safety unit and explosive unit are automatically assembled in the launching device,
 
and the projectile body may comprise:
 
an enclosing unit arranged in an enclosing unit magazine,
 
a payload unit arranged in a payload unit magazine,
 
where the enclosing unit and the payload unit are automatically assembled in the launching device.
 
       FIG.  1    shows that a detonator  20  comprises an initiating unit  22 , a safety unit  24  and an explosive unit  26 , also known as the primary explosive. Moreover, the detonator in the embodiment shown is arranged with a threaded connection  25  for arrangement at a projectile body. A threaded connection  25  is commonly used for large-caliber guns, such as artillery cannons, for example for projectiles having a diameter greater than 100 mm. Other ways of arranging the detonator at the projectile bodies can also be employed, such as press-fitting, gluing, soldering, welding, a bayonet connector, or other kinds of locks comprising click locks. 
     The initiating unit  22  contains suitable sensors and/or a computing unit to initiate a bursting, for example by: 
     percussion, i.e., when the projectile strikes the target,
 
delayed percussion, so that initiation occurs a certain time after percussion,
 
after a certain time, also called a timing fuse,
 
proximity to the target, also called a zone fuse,
 
height, initiation at a certain height,
 
other initiation methods.
 
     The safety unit  24 , also called the SAT device, comprises a layout for ensuring the safe initiating of the explosive unit  26 . For example, a SAT device may comprise a safety for transport, a safety for movement in the barrel, and a safety on the trajectory so that the explosive unit is not initiated at the wrong time. The safety unit may be entirely mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic, or a combination of these. For example, the safety unit may comprise latches which require a certain rotation or a certain acceleration before the explosive unit can be initiated. 
     The explosive unit  26  is part of the detonator  20  and contains a high-energy material, or explosive, in order to initiate the warhead or projectile body which is arranged at the detonator  20 . The explosive unit  26  is part of the so-called ignition chain which is initiated in the detonator. The detonator  20  comprises an initiating unit  22 , a safety unit  24 , and an explosive unit  26 , which are arranged relative to each other for example such that: 
     the initiating unit  22  is arranged at an assembled safety unit  24  and explosive unit  26 ,
 
the explosive unit  26  is arranged at an assembled initiating unit  22  and safety unit  24 ,
 
the initiating unit  22  is arranged simultaneously at a safety unit  24  and at an explosive unit  26 .
 
     The respective parts, initiating unit  22 , a safety unit  24  and an explosive unit  26 , can be arranged separately in order to be arranged together in the launching device  1 . The initiating unit  22  may then be arranged in at least one initiating unit magazine  23 , arranged at the launching device  1 , and the safety unit  24  can be arranged in at least one safety unit magazine  25 , arranged at the launching device  1 , and the explosive unit  26  can be arranged in at least one explosive unit magazine  27 , arranged at the launching device  1 . By separating the different components in different magazines, detonators with different performance and configuration can be arranged together in the launching device when a projectile is to be fired. It may be important to separate the explosive unit  26  from other components, as it may be sensitive to external action. Moreover, the other detonator components become safe to handle if the explosive unit  26  can be separated from the initiating unit  22  and the safety unit  24 . Since the initiating unit  22  often contains electronics, where rapid technological development is occurring, it is relevant to update the initiating unit  22  in pace with technological development. In the event that the initiating unit is integrated with the detonator or with the entire projectile/ammunition unit, a total reconstruction of the detonator/ammunition unit is required, which is both complicated, time-consuming, and costly. If the initiating unit  22  is a separate unit which is arranged at the detonator/projectile in the launching unit when the projectile is to be fired, it becomes much easier to replace the initiating unit  22  and to dismantle and scrap or otherwise recover the initiating unit  22  being replaced. 
       FIG.  2    shows a detonator  20  divided into the free-standing components of an initiating unit  22 , a safety unit  24  and an explosive unit  26 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  2   , the explosive unit  26  is arranged in the safety unit  24 . The initiating unit  22  is arranged at the safety unit  24  for example by a click lock or a threaded coupling, not shown in the figure. 
       FIG.  3    shows a projectile body  50 . A detonator  20  can be arranged at the projectile body  50  in the nose  51  of the projectile body. Preferably, the nose  51  is arranged such that the detonator  20  can initiate a warhead, a pyrotechnical charge, a flare or a smoke device, or another payload arranged in the projectile body  50 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a projectile body  50  which consists of or comprises an enclosing unit  52  and a payload unit  54 , where the payload unit  54  may consist or comprise for example of one or more explosive charges, a smoke charge, a flare, and/or a warhead. The enclosing unit  52  may consist of or comprise a shell or other enclosure made of plastic, composite, metal and/or combinations of these. In the case when the assembled projectile is a projectile with fragmentation effect, the shell is designed with suitable fragments, such as hard metal balls embedded in a metal shell. 
     The payload units  54  can be arranged in at least one payload unit magazine  55  where the payload unit magazine  55  is arranged at the launching device  1  in order to arrange the payload units  54  at the launching device so that the payload units  54  can be arranged at the enclosing units  52  in the launching device  1 . The enclosing units  52  can also be arranged in at least one enclosing unit magazine  53 , where the enclosing unit magazine is arranged at the launching device  1 . 
       FIG.  5    shows a projectile  100  where a detonator  20  is arranged at a projectile body  50 . The projectile  100  is ready to be fired from the launching device  1 . 
       FIG.  6    shows a projectile  100  divided into components according to one embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown comprises an initiating unit  22 , a safety unit  24 , and explosive unit  26 , an enclosing unit  52  and a payload unit  54 . In different embodiments, all or some of the indicated components may be used. Other components, not shown or described in the invention, can also be used, such as modules for steering etc. with fins arranged at both the detonator and at the projectile body. 
     The example of a modular launching system contains projectiles of 40-155 mm caliber containing a variation of detonator designed for percussion, time, or zone fuse function, and a projectile body designed for fragmentation or explosive effect. 
     The invention is not limited to the special embodiments shown, but rather it can be varied in different ways within the scope of the patent claims. 
     It will be evident, for example, that the number, size, material and shape of the parts and elements making up the modular launching system can be adapted according to the projectile(s) or projectile assemblages and other design characteristics of the particular case.