A device for supplying electric power to the subammunition fuses in a carrier projectile

Abstract

 The object of the invention relates to a device for supplying electric power to the subammunition fuses in a carrier projectile, allowing electrical connections to be established between its projectile fuse, acting as a power supply, and the subammunition fuses, without these connections generating any kind of bond whatsoever that may prevent the ejection and expulsion of the subammunition items from the projectile, because connection between the subammunition fuses is by an interface.

Description

SPECIFICATION

[0001] The object of the invention relates to a device for supplying electric power to the subammunition fuses in a carrier projectile, allowing electrical connections to be established between its carrier projectile fuse, acting as a power supply, and the subammunition fuses, making connection between the subammunition fuses by an interface.

[0002] One of the objectives of subammunition carrier projectiles is to cover an extensive area and avoid having the subammunition items arriving at the target together.

[0003] The better the ejection system and the smaller the extent of bonding of the subammunition items to each other and to the carrier projectile, the easier it will be to attain this objective.

[0004] If the ammunition carries with it an electric or electronic element, for instance the fuse as such, a retarder, and so forth, it will need to be supplied with electric power through connections.

[0005] When the projectile has a single power supply and these connections are made with standard commercial elements, the extent of bonding of the subammunition items to each other and to the projectile is enhanced, thereby hindering ejection and expulsion of the subammunition items, whence the possibilities of the same arriving together at the target is greater.

[0006] The present device to power the subammunition fuses in a carrier projectile is original and differs from existing electrical connection devices or elements, its main advantages being as follows:

When connections are made between the subammunition fuses by an interface, they add no kind of bond whatsoever to either the subammunition items or to their carrier projectile, that may prevent the ejection and expulsion of the subammunition items from the projectile.

[0007] Since the carrier projectile fuse is the powersup- ply, during carriage and storage the electrical circuit will be disabled, for no electric power is generated until after firing.

[0008] Since there is no battery to operate the circuit, no maintenance is required.

[0009] Since this device can withstand powerful acceleration without its power supplying capacity being diminished it can be applied to any kind of subammunition carrier projectile, such as artillery grenades, mortar grenades, rockets and so on.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 

Figure 1. Shows the electric power supplying device mounted upon a triple subammunition column, before firing and before the subammunition is sent off.

Figure 2. Shows this same device with the subammunition separated.

[0011] In order to make it easier to understand, because of the comprehensive field of application of this device, let us consider this description using the device for powering fuses in a triple subammunition column, though the same applies also to a number of multiple subammunition columns.

[0012] This description does not preclude the variability of all such modifications or circumstances as do not alter the essence of the invention, and the same must all be included in the protection being applied for.

[0013] The device for supplying electric power, Fig. 1, essentially comprises a distributor 1, common for the whole device and a column 2 and a contact plate 3, for each subammunition 15.

[0014] The distributor 1 is a printed circuit and works to receive through the leads 5 and distribute to its contactors 6, the electric power received from an outside power supply 4, in our case the carrier projectile fuse.

[0015] In order to avoid outside short-circuits the distributor 1 and the last contact plate 3 are insulated from the decks 7 and 8 through insulating plates 9 and 10.

[0016] The columns 2 allow interface connection between the printed circuit 1 and the contact plates 3.

[0017] The column 2 comprises a body 11 and inside there are as many contactors 12 and flexible conductors 13 joined to one another, as each application may require, generally positive supply, negative supply and short-circuit.

[0018] The contact plate 3 is a printed circuit having contacts 17 on either side, Fig. 2.

[0019] The subammunition 15 fuse 14 is connected to the contact plate 3 joining the feeder cables 16 to the contacts 17.

[0020] The distributor 1 and the contact plates 3 are connected by means of the pressure exerted by the flexible conductors 13 on the contactors 12, supported by the distributor 1 contacts 6 and the contact plates 3 contacts 17.

[0021] In order for contact between the distributor 1 and the contact plates 3 to be maintained at all times, both the columns 2 and their contactors 12 and flexible conductors 13 are designed to withstand without collapsing the strains produced by the firing acceleration and to take up the misalignments that may come about between subammunition items 15 in a same column.

[0022] As all connections between the subammunition 15 fuses take place by an interface, the device causes no additional bonding that might hinder ejection and expulsion of the subammunition items 15, as a result of such electrical connections.

OPERATION

[0023] Before firing takes place and until the subammunition items 15 are sent off, the fuses 14 are communicated to each other and to the distributor 1.

[0024] When firing takes place, the external power supply 4 is set going and the distributor 1 is powered through the feeder cables 5 and distributes the power to its contacts 6.

[0025] Upon distribution of the power received by the distributor 1 to its contacts 6 it is transmitted to the contact plates 3 through the contactors 12 and the flexible conductors 13 in the columns 2.

[0026] Finally, power from the contact plates 3 to the subammunition 15 fuses 14 is sent through the cables 16 joined to the fuses 14 and the contact plates 3.

[0027] As connections between the printed circuit 1 and the contact plates 3 are made only by interface such connections are no hindrance nor a bond for each subammunition 15 and its fuse 14 and contact plate 3 to be sent off from the carrier projectile as easily as they would be if there were no connections.

Claims

1.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, characterised in that it basically comprises a distributor, common for the whole system, and a column and a contact plate for each subammunition, that allow all the subammunition fuses to be connected to an electric power supply.

2.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, as in claim 1, characterised in that the subammunition carrier projectile fuse can be used as an electric power supply.

3.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, as in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that it has a distributor enabling it to distribute the electric power received from the power supply.

4.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, as in claims 1, 2 and 3, characterised in that it has columns allowing the subammunition fuses in a carrier projectile to be connected by an interface.

5.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, as in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterised in that it has flexible conductors and contactors in its columns that hold the subammunition items in contact, even if they are slightly misaligned.

6.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, as in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterised in that it has contactors in its columns allowing subammunition electrical connection by an interface.

7.- A DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER TO THE SUBAMMUNITION FUSES IN A CARRIER PROJECTILE, as in claims 1, 2, 3, ₄, and 6, characterised in that it has contact plates allowing electrical connection of the subammunition fuses by an interface.

Drawing