IP Library Granted Patent US 7,044,045
Granted Patent B2
US 7,044,045 · App. 10/785,910 · Granted May 16, 2006

Method for programming the shattering of projectiles and tube weapon with programming system

Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,044,045
App. No.
10/785,910
Granted
May 16, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for programming the shattering of projectiles (G) and a weapon ( 12 ) with a programming system ( 14, 16, 18 ). The projectiles are intended to destroy a target (Z) at which they are fired along heavily curved trajectories and are detonated at shattering points near the target. The longitudinal distance (x Z ) of the target from the weapon is measured and the elevation (λ) is adjusted for which a known muzzle velocity (v 0 ( 0 )) and a longitudinal distance of the shattering point at a predetermined optimal height (y*) are taken into consideration. The actual muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)) is determined and a calculation for the programming is carried out in which the actual muzzle velocity is taken into account and the optimal height of the shattering point is held constant. The corresponding programming is transmitted to the projectiles. The weapon has an associated programming system for correspondingly programming the projectiles. The programming system has v 0 -measuring means ( 14 ) for determining the actual muzzle velocity, and computer means ( 16 ) for calculating the programming of the projectiles, as well as transmitting means for transmitting the programming to the projectiles.

Claims (30)

1. A method for programming the shattering of projectiles (G), which are intended for the destruction of a target (Z) and are to be shot from the tube ( 13 ) of a weapon ( 12 ) along a strongly curved trajectory (g, g*) to detonate at a shattering point (Q*) in the neighborhood of the target (Z), wherein

a distance measurement for determining the longitudinal distance (x Z ) of the target (Z) from the weapon ( 12 ) is carried out,

the tube ( 13 ) is adjusted to a suitable elevation (λ),

taking into consideration a predetermined muzzle velocity (v 0 ( 0 )) of the projectiles (G) and the longitudinal distance (x Z ) of the target (Z) from the weapon ( 12 ) as well as

maintaining an optimal height (y*) of the shattering point (Q*) above the target (Z)

an actual muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)) of the projectiles (G) is determined,

a calculation for the programming is carried out

taking into consideration the actual muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)) and

under the condition of maintaining the optimal height (y*) of the shattering point (Q*) above the target (Z), and

the programming is transmitted to the involved projectiles (G).

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein for the calculation of the programming of the projectile (G) is carried out by

a preliminary calculation taking into consideration the predetermined muzzle velocity (v 0 ( 0 )) and

an ultimate calculation taking into account the actual muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)).

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the projectiles (G) have a descent angle relative to the horizontal which exceeds the range of 5°.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the flight paths (g, g*) of the projectiles (G) lie in the lower angle group.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the projectiles (G) are shot individually or in series.

6. A weapon ( 12 ) with a tube ( 13 ) for the shooting of projectiles (G) along heavily curved trajectories (g, g*) and with a programming system ( 14 , 16 , 18 ) for so programming the projectiles (G) that they detonate in flight at a shattering point (Q*) to destroy a target (Z) which is spaced from the weapon ( 12 ) by a longitudinal distance (x Z ), which programming system includes:

v 0 measuring means ( 14 ) for determining the actual muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)) of the projectiles (G),

computer means ( 16 ) for calculating the programming of the projectiles (G)

taking into consideration a predetermined muzzle velocity (v 0 ( 0 )) of the projectiles (G) and the longitudinal distance (x Z ) of the target (Z) from the weapon ( 12 ), and

maintaining the optimal height (y*) of the shattering point (Q*) above the target (Z), and

taking into consideration the measured muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)) of projectile (G), as well as

transmission means ( 18 ) for transmitting the programming to the projectiles (G).

7. A weapon ( 12 ) with a programming system ( 14 , 16 , 18 ) according to claim 6 , wherein the computer means ( 16 ) are constructed to,

carry out a precalculation taking into the account the predetermined muzzle velocity (v 0 ( 0 )),

carry out an ultimate calculation taking into account the actual muzzle velocity (v 0 (eff)), and wherein

the computer means ( 16 ) has associated storage means for storing the results of the precalculation up to the ultimate calculation.

8. A weapon ( 12 ) with a programming system ( 14 , 16 , 18 ) according to claim 6 wherein the projectiles (G) are so constructed and fireable that their descent angle relative to the horizontal exceeds the range of 5°.

9. A weapon ( 12 ) with a programming system ( 14 , 16 , 18 ) according to claim 6 wherein the projectiles (G) are fireable along trajectories (g, g*) which lie in the lower angle group.

10. A weapon ( 12 ) with a programming system ( 14 , 16 , 18 ) according to claim 6 wherein the weapon ( 12 ) is so constructed that the projectiles (G) are fireable individually or in series.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2004
From: ETTMULLER, PETER; MUNZEL, KLAUS
To: OERLIKON CONTRAVES PYROTEC AG
Reel/Frame 015020/0320 →
Priority Claims (1)
CH 2003 02/03 · Feb 26, 2003 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050126380A1 · Jun 16, 2005