NZ732918B2 - Igniter system for hand grenades - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an igniter system for hand grenades with an igniting element (1), which after initiation triggers a delay and safety device, which with a time delay after the initiation fires a detonator (7), which subsequently ignites an ignition booster (8), wherein the delay and safety device comprises a dual safety device of two independent parts. In order that the igniter system according to the invention for hand grenades comprises a purely pyrotechnical igniter system instead of a pyrotechnical-mechanical system, it is proposed that the delay and safety device consists of two pyrotechnic ignition delays with different delay times, that is to say a safety element (3) and a delay element (4), wherein the delay time of the safety element (3) is shorter than the delay time of the delay element (4) and the safety element (3) comprises a timer which carries out ignition after the burning off of a gas charge (9), the gas of which opens blocking elements (5), and the delay element (4) comprises a firing charge, and the firing charge is only in operative connection with the detonator (7) after the opening of the blocking elements (5). This advantageously prevents a premature ignition [of a delay charge] reaching the detonator (i.e. preventing premature detonation of the grenade). evice comprises a dual safety device of two independent parts. In order that the igniter system according to the invention for hand grenades comprises a purely pyrotechnical igniter system instead of a pyrotechnical-mechanical system, it is proposed that the delay and safety device consists of two pyrotechnic ignition delays with different delay times, that is to say a safety element (3) and a delay element (4), wherein the delay time of the safety element (3) is shorter than the delay time of the delay element (4) and the safety element (3) comprises a timer which carries out ignition after the burning off of a gas charge (9), the gas of which opens blocking elements (5), and the delay element (4) comprises a firing charge, and the firing charge is only in operative connection with the detonator (7) after the opening of the blocking elements (5). This advantageously prevents a premature ignition [of a delay charge] reaching the detonator (i.e. preventing premature detonation of the grenade).

Description

Igniter system for hand grenades 1. FIELD OF THE ION The invention relates to an igniter system (also called detonator system herein below) for hand grenades, having an on element which triggers a delay and safety device after initiation, which, with a time delay after the initiation, fires a detonator which then ignites an ignition booster. The detonator has a dual safety device of two independent parts. 2. OUND OF THE INVENTION Known tor systems for hand grenades are ignited in various ways, whether mechanically by a ism similar to a clockwork mechanism, or pyrotechnically by an ignition delay device.

Combinations are also possible. Commonly used detonators are produced by the Diehl and Rheinmetall companies. The Diehl company has a system which includes multiple levels of security. Heat is produced when the ignition delay device burns through. This melts a solder fuse after two seconds. This melt-through enables the detonator to move into the ignition position, and to trigger the explosion within 4 seconds.

Patent nt EP 2 516 958 B1 describes this detonator system in detail. Simpler systems only consist of a conventional on delay device which directly triggers the detonator (see patent documents US 5,196,649 A or EP 0277110 A2). Such systems are cheaper. Mechanical systems are possible in principle, but are relatively expensive to manufacture and problematic in terms of ility over a wide temperature range. If a "mechanical" system is a dud, it may become a mine. The slightly older patent US 3,311,059 A describes such an invention. Efforts have already been made to realize electronic ignition of hand es (see patent US 7,013,809 B1). Such systems, however, have not yet become place, due to the lack of reliability and low market acceptance. The prior art can be described l as follows: ical systems are generally relatively complex, tely safe, and expensive. Electronic systems suffer from a bad reputation due to lack of reliability/safety. As a result, the detonator is usually triggered pyrotechnically or pyrotechnically-mechanically.

Pyrotechnic-mechanical detonators are very safe, and constitute what is likely the current highest level of technology. However, the price is essentially too high ed with simpler solutions, which do not meet safety requirements.

Important challenges which may arise for hand grenade (HG) detonator systems are as follows: - ility - premature ignition - price (an eminent factor) - use in all environments - dangerous goods classification - mass explosion Previous well-secured pyrotechnic-mechanical ignition systems have, due to the fuse that is desoldered by the combustion of the delay element, an element which must perform two functions. The ion of the novel detonator system is to avoid this. A simple, safe, and clear ing principle is desired.

Any technical system—whether mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, thermodynamic, or, as in this case, pyrotechnic—can be equipped with a logical And switch. Of course, combinations of these ing principles are possible. These logical And circuits produce system security. However, they often increase the complexity and hence the price. The novel hand grenade detonator system according to the invention should include a purely pyrotechnic detonator system, instead of a pyrotechnic-mechanical system. 3. SUMMARY OF THE ION In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a detonator system for hand grenades, having an ignition element which after initiation triggers a delay and safety device which in turn fires, with a time delay after the initiation, a detonator which then ignites an ignition booster, wherein the delay and safety device comprises a dual safety device consisting of a chnic safety t and a pyrotechnic delay element which are independent of each other and have different delay times, wherein the delay time of the safety element is shorter than the delay time of the delay element, and wherein the delay element includes a firing charge and the safety element includes a timing composition which, once it has burned out, ignites a gas charge, the gas of which opens at least one blocking element separating the firing charge from the detonator whereby the firing charge only comes in operative connection with the detonator after the opening of the at least one blocking element. The invention thus es a dualprotection pyrotechnic-mechanical detonator system which has a simple, safe, cost-effective, and clear operating principle.

In a preferred embodiment, the timing composition and the gas charge of the safety element are arranged in a safety element chamber, and the timing composition, along with the firing , of the delay t is ed in a delay element chamber, and both rs open into a working chamber to which the detonator is connected, a respective said at least one ng element being arranged, as a valve-like structure—preferably a one-way valve, a flap valve or a bursting disk—between the working chamber and the delay element chamber, and between the working chamber and the detonator, wherein the gas of the gas charge can open the ng elements, but the firing charge and/or the pressure thereof cannot. The spatial tion of the safety element from the delay element—each in a separate chamber—has the advantage that the combustion rate and/or the delay time of both ignition delay devices can be set individually, and therefore the gas charge, ignited by the timing composition, can only actuate the valve-like structure in the working chamber. Only after this actuation are the blocking ts .

As such, the firing charge has a functional connection with the detonator.

Preferably, the ignition element is a primer which can be initiated by a firing pin. Primers are safe, inexpensive, reliable and ready to use in all environments.

So that the ignition element can ignite the safety t and the delay element at the same time, the fire cone of the ignition element preferably leads into a cavity, and the cavity is connected to the safety element chamber and the delay element chamber, wherein a cone which directs the fire cone to the two timing compositions in the two chambers is arranged in the cavity before the two rs.

The lower ends of the safety element and the delay element are each preferably ed with a throttle cup which consists of a cone with individual, uniformly distributed bore holes; or the lower ends are ed with a threaded screw. It can also be contemplated that the timing composition, the gas charge and the firing charge each contain an adhesive, so that the charges can be glued into the cavities of the ignition delay devices. The charges are held in their respective chambers in this way.

In a red embodiment, the blocking element is a bursting disk with predetermined breaking points on one side, or a two-part flap valve made of metal, which consists of two superposed disks. Such blocking elements are inexpensive, block in one direction, and allow opening in another direction without great pressure.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the detonator can slide in a detonator housing from a safety position into a firing position, and can be locked in both ons, wherein the gas generated by the gas charge slides the detonator out of its safety position and into its firing position. This further secures the tor system by spatially separating the detonator in its safety position from the ignition booster so that it cannot ignite the same.

So that the detonator remains in its two positions, it preferably has a bead or a plurality of beads on its outer circumference, which latch(es) into ponding recesses in the housing.

The detonator system can also be r secured by the detonator being able to slide in a detonator housing from a safety position into a firing on, and by a sliding piston being inserted into a bore hole, able to slide from a safety position into a firing position, n the piston supports the detonator via an elbow, and when the piston slides into its firing position, the detonator is likewise slid into its firing position.

In an embodiment with a further additional safeguard of the detonator system, a spring, a safety shutter, and a safety pin are arranged in the cavity, wherein the spring is supported on one side on the cone and on the other side on the safety shutter, and the safety shutter is supported on the safety pin, and when the safety pin is pulled, the spring slides the safety shutter toward the ignition element, and as a result, the ignition delay devices can be d. This means that only after the safety pin is pulled is it at all possible for the ignition delay devices to be ignited.

In a r safeguard arrangement, the ignition element is ed in a cup which is only fixed via a lacquer in a capsule holder, such that if the ignition element is unintentionally ignited, a jacket blowout occurs which prevents ignition of the ignition delay devices.

The invention is further described below with reference a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a hand grenade, with a detonator system ing to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2a shows the detonator system of fig. 1 at activation, Figure 2b shows the detonator approx. 2 seconds after activation, and Figure 2c approx. 4 seconds after activation; Figure 3a shows the upper part and Figure 3b shows the lower part of the detonator system; Figure 4 shows in longitudinal-section a directional cone to direct a fire cone, starting from the ignition t of the grenade of fig. 1, to the two ignition delay devices of the detonator system; Figure 5 shows a lower end of the ignition delay devices which can each be equipped with throttle cups as shown in elevation and plan views; Figures 6a to 6c show different embodiments, in plan and side view, of severable blocking elements separating various chambers of the tor system as illustrated in Fig 1 and 2; Figure 7a shows a stress distribution when pressure is applied on a side of the disc-like blocking elements of fig. 6 on which predetermined breaking points are ed and Figure 7b shows the stress distribution when the pressure is applied on the opposite side; Figures 8a to d show in plan view alternative embodiments to the ng elements of fig. 6a to Figures 9a and 9b show in longitudinal section two stages of ion of an alternate detonator system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and Figures 10a and 10b show in longitudinal n two stages of ion of alternate detonator system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Like numbers refer to the same object in all figures..

Figure 1 shows a detonator system for hand grenades, having an ignition element 1 which triggers a delay and safety device after initiation, which fires a detonator 7 with a time delay after the tion, which then fires an ignition booster 8, wherein the delay and safety device includes a dual safety device of two independent parts. Two chnic ignition delay devices with different delay times are used, specifically a safety element 3 and a delay element 4, wherein the delay of the safety element 3 is r than the delay of the delay element 4, and the safety element 3 includes a timing ition which, once it has burned through, ignites a gas charge 9, the gas of which opens blocking elements 5, and the delay element 4 includes a timing composition and firing charge, and the firing charge is only in ive connection with the detonator 7 after the opening of the blocking elements 5.

The timing composition and the gas charge 9 of the safety element 3 are arranged in a safety element chamber, and the timing composition and the firing charge of the delay element 4 are arranged in a delay element chamber. Both chambers open into a working chamber 34 with which the detonator 7 is connected. A blocking element is arranged, as a valve-like structure 5 - preferably a one-way valve, a flap valve or a bursting disk - n the working r and the delay element chamber, and also between the working chamber and the detonator, wherein the gas of the gas charge 9 can open the blocking elements, but the firing charge and/or the pressure thereof cannot.

The ignition element 1 is a primer which can be initiated by a firing pin 2 (see Figure 2).

The fire cone of the ignition t 1 leads into a cavity 12, and the cavity 12 is connected to the safety element chamber and the delay element chamber, wherein a cone 13 is arranged in the cavity 12 in front of the two chambers, and directs the fire cone into the two chambers and to the two ignition delay devices 3, 4.

The blocking element 5 can be a bursting disk having predetermined breaking points on one side, or the blocking element 5 can be a two-part flap valve 20 made of metal, consisting of two superimposed disks (see Figures 6 to 8).

Figure 2a shows the initiation process. The firing pin 2 is red and is accelerated in the ion of the ignition element 1 (known, for example, from EP 2 516 958 B1). As the ignition chain proceeds further, there is a dual ignition of two pyrotechnic ignition delay devices. A pyrotechnic ignition delay device, namely the safety element 3, requires imately 2-3 s for the ignition gap. This safety element 3 then ignites a small gas charge 9 which has a functional connection to the end thereof ('gas charge' means a gas charge and/or pressure generator). This gas charge 9 tes a gas and therefore a re which opens two blocking devices 5. The delay element—also called an ignition delay device 4—can only act freely on the detonator 7, and therefore on the ignition booster 8, once the one-way valves 5 are opened. The explosion only occurs once this has happened.

Figure 2b shows the process after approx. 2 seconds. The ignition element 1 has been initiated by the firing pin 2, and has therefore ignited both the safety element 3 and the delay element 4.

The safety element 3 has, as shown in Figure 2b, burned h, and has opened the one-way flaps oning as the blocking elements 5. However, the delay element 4 has only partially burned through.

Figure 2c shows the second step, after about 4 seconds. The delay element 4 has burned through, and has created a firing cone 6 which then activates the detonator 7, which then ignites the ignition booster 8.

An essential feature of the invention is that the blocking elements 5 are only opened by the safety element 3 which ignites the small gas charge 9. The delay element 4 and/or its pressure is sized such that it cannot open the blocking elements 5. uction Figures 3a and 3b show the principle of the detonator system ing to the invention. Figure 3a shows the upper part and Figure 3b shows the lower part of the detonator system, also called a detonator. The detonator preferably has a primary jacket 10 with two te tube s 11, each of which contains a separate ignition delay device, particularly the safety element 3 and the delay element 4. The primary jacket 10 is preferably equipped with two ings. The upper is used for fixing the detonator head 30, with the firing pin 2. The lower threading fixes the hand grenade body.

This detonator system requires two pyrotechnic ignition delay devices, n the safety element 3 ultimately generates pressure, and the delay element 4 ultimately generates a jet of fire and/or a fire cone 6. The two ignition delay devices 3, 4 are preferably ignited via a common on element 1, for example a primer. The cavity 12 (see also Figure 2) between the ignition element 1 and the ignition delay device is equipped with a cone 13 to direct the fire cone 6, starting from the ignition element 1, to the two ignition delay devices.

Figure 4 shows this cone 13 in a cross-section of the primary jacket 10.

The two on delay devices 3, 4 have different designs to achieve different delay times. The ignition delay devices can have ent lengths and be filled with the same timing composition mixture, or different timing composition mixtures can be used, having the same charge length.

The on delay devices are also designed to have different effects. The end of the safety element 3 which will initiate pressure is equipped with a gas charge 9 - that is, with a pyrotechnic system with low sparking but rapid burning - preferably an explosive propellant. The end of the on delay device which will ultimately fire the detonator 7 - that is, the delay element 4 - is exposed to a charge, which, specifically, ejects fire (a firing charge). The addition of a metal such as zirconium, um, magnesium, nickel is preferred in this case.

The lower ends of the ignition delay devices can each be equipped with throttle cups 14 (see Figure 5). The throttle cup 14 serves to trate the jet of fire and to hold the charge. The throttle cup 14 consists, in a preferred embodiment, of a cone 16 with individual, evenly distributed bore holes 17. The le cup 14 has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the tube system 11. To fix the ignition delay device in place, instead of a throttle cup 14, it is possible to use just one threaded screw 15 into which are incorporated the pipe system or the ignition delay devices (see s 3a, 3b).

The g mechanism and/or the one-way valves and/or the blocking elements 5 are a critical assembly. Figures 6a to 6c show ent embodiments of the blocking elements 5. The safety element 3, which generates the pressure, is responsible for the opening of the blocking elements , functioning as valve-like structures. The blocking elements 5 are preferably a thin bursting disk or a y valve. In this case, it is required that the safety element 3 can open the blocking ts, but the delay element 4 is not able to open the blocking elements. The bursting disks and/or the one-way flaps of the blocking elements 5 are preferably constructed of a single piece which has three to eight segments 18. Figure 6a shows a bursting disk and/or the one-way flap of the blocking device 5, with three segments 18. Figure 6b has 4 segments, and Figure 6c has 6 segments. Figure 6d shows a section h the bursting disk and/or the one-way flap. The grooves 19 represent the predetermined breaking points; see Figure 6d. In the direction of the ured e, the bursting disk is only able, due to the resulting stress concentration, to oppose a significantly lower pressure (see Figure 7). Figure 7a shows the stress distribution when the pressure comes from the side on which ermined breaking points 19 are arranged.

Figure 7b shows the stress distribution when the pressure comes from the te side, on which there are no predetermined breaking points 19.

In another case, the blocking element 5 can also be constructed as a two-part flap valve 20 (Figures 8a to 8d). This flap valve 20 has two superposed disks made of a metal. The flap mechanism only ons in one direction, due to a retaining arm 22. The effect in this case is the same as that of the bursting disk; however, a considerably smaller amount of force is needed to open this type of valve. The flap mechanism can be realized with a -part or multi-part flap. Figure 8a shows a -leaf flap valve 20 with two flaps 21. Figures 8b and 8c show two disks of a flap valve 20 according to the invention; these are superimposed as shown in Figure 8d.

The different ignition delay devices, in connection with the opening mechanism, enable the realization of a detonator system which satisfies safety standards. If a delay system is not working properly, detonation does not occur.

Further development, detonator safety Another level of safety can be realized by the detonator 7 remaining in the original position remote from the ignition booster 8. When the opening mechanism—for example, the one-way valve 5—is activated, the residual pressure fixes the detonator 7 to the ignition booster 8 with a closure, thereby moving it into the ignition position. The closure should preferably be designed as a snap e. Bayonet closures and frictional fasteners can also be contemplated.

Figure 9a shows the detonator in its safety position—i.e., the unarmed ng position. The detonator 7 is arranged spaced apart from the ignition r 8. Figure 9b shows the detonator in its ignition position. The gas generated by the safety element 3 has opened the bursting disk 23, and has pushed the tor 7 from its safety position into the firing position. In the safety position, the safety shutter 24 covers the parallel ignition delay device. If the safety pin 25 is pulled due to the triggering of the firing pin, the safety shutter 24 biased by the spring 26 can shoot up, thereby making possible the ignition of both ignition delay devices. The safety on the detonator is implemented by a simple click system, for example. When the bursting disk 23 opens, the detonator 7 is also pushed by the pressure into the ignition on—i.e. the armed position.

The detonator 7 need only be ed slightly for this purpose.

Figure 10a shows a safeguard in the case of an unintended ignition of the ignition element. The ignition element 1 is positioned in a cup 33 which is only fixed in the detonator and/or in the capsule holder 31 via a lacquer. Therefore, in the safety position, the on element 1 is only secured with a lacquer, which is also called a ring joint lacquer 32. The cup 33 is not fixed in the capsule holder 31 with a press fit. As a result, a jacket blowout occurs if the ignition element 1 is ignited in the safety position. The on delay devices 3, 4 are therefore not ignited.

Figure 10b shows the tor according to Figure 10a, in the ignition position. The pressure initiated by the safety element 3 has opened the bursting disks and/or blocking elements 5, and brought the detonator 7 into the firing position in which it rests against the ignition booster 8.

Claims (16)

Claims

1. A detonator system for hand grenades, having an ignition element which after initiation rs a delay and safety device which fires, with a delay after the initiation, a detonator which in turn subsequently fires an ignition booster, wherein the delay and safety device comprises a dual safety device consisting of two pyrotechnic ignition delay s, namely a safety element and a delay element which are independent of each other and have different delay times, wherein the delay time of the safety element is shorter than the delay time of the delay element, and wherein the delay element includes a firing charge and the safety element includes a timing composition which, once it has burned through, ignites a gas charge, the gas of which opens at least one blocking element ting the firing charge from the tor whereby the firing charge only comes in operative connection with the detonator after the opening of the at least one blocking element.

2. The detonator system according to claim 1, wherein the timing composition and the gas charge of the safety element are arranged in a safety element chamber, and the timing composition and the firing charge of the delay t are arranged in a delay t chamber.

3. The detonator system of claim 2, wherein the safety element chamber and the delay element chamber open into a working chamber to which the detonator is ted.

4. The detonator system of claim 3, wherein the at least one blocking element comprises one of a valve-like ure, a one-way valve, a flap valve, or a bursting disk structure, and wherein one said blocking element is located between the working chamber and the delay t chamber, and one said blocking element is located between the working chamber and the detonator.

5. The detonator system of any one of claims 2 to 4, n the gas of the gas charge is devised to open the at least one blocking element whereas the firing charge and/or pressure generated during ignition of the firing charge cannot open the at least one ng element.

6. The detonator system according to any one of claim 2 to 5, wherein the ignition element is a primer arranged to be initiated by a firing pin.

7. The detonator system according to any one of claim 2 to 6, wherein the ignition element is arranged such that a fire cone of the ignition element leads into a cavity connected with the safety element chamber and the delay t chamber, wherein a cone is arranged in the cavity in front of the safety t and delay element rs such as to direct the fire cone into the two rs and to the two pyrotechnic ignition delay devices.

8. The detonator system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the safety element and the delay element have lower ends, each of which are equipped with a throttle cup consisting of a cone with individual, evenly distributed bore holes

9. The detonator system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the safety element and the delay element have lower ends, each of which are equipped with a threaded screw.

10. The detonator system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one blocking element is one of a bursting disk with predetermined breaking points on one side and a two-part flap valve made of metal and consisting of two superimposed disks.

11. The detonator system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the detonator is arranged for sliding in a detonator housing from a safety position into a firing position.

12. The detonator system of claim 11, n the detonator is locked in both the safety and firing positions, and wherein the gas generated by the gas charge slides the detonator out of the safety position and into the firing position.

13. The detonator system of claim 12, wherein one or more beads is/are arranged on an outer ference of the detonator and latch(es) into corresponding es in the housing.

14. The detonator system of claim 11, wherein a sliding piston is ed into a bore hole of the detonator housing and arranged for sliding from the safety position into the firing position, wherein the piston supports the detonator via an elbow (29), and when the piston slides into the firing position, the tor is likewise pushed into the firing position.

15. The detonator system according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein a , a safety shutter and a safety pin are arranged in the cavity, wherein the spring is supported on one side on the cone and on the other side on the safety shutter, and the safety shutter is supported on the safety pin in such manner that when the safety pin is pulled, the spring slides the safety shutter toward the ignition element, thereby enabling ignition of the ignition delay device .

16. The detonator system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the ignition element is arranged in a cup which is only fixed via a lacquer in a capsule holder in such manner that if the ignition element is unintentionally ignited, a jacket blowout occurs which prevents ignition of the ignition delay devices. WO 91988