Patent Application Titled "Missile Fuse and Method of Supplying Electrical Energy to the Missile Fuse" Published Online (USPTO 20160169650)
By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Energy Weekly News -- According to news reporting originating from Washington, D.C., by VerticalNews journalists, a patent application by the inventors WICH, HARALD (LAUF, DE); HUETTNER, ROBERT (NEETZE, DE), filed on December 22, 2014, was made available online on June 23, 2016.
No assignee for this patent application has been made.
Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: "Field of the Invention
"The invention relates to a fuse of a missile with a power supply system that contains a power supply unit with at least one hot side, at least one cold side and at least one thermo generator disposed between the sides.
"Fuses of large projectiles usually have electrical or electronic components for controlling various processes, e.g. a safety function, an ignition function, a measurement function, such as a distance measurement function and similar. For supplying the electrical elements with operating energy it is known to fit fuses with batteries that provide the necessary operating voltage. Such batteries must, however, be able to be stored over a very long period with absolute reliability, so that very high quality and expensive batteries must be used. Moreover, batteries contain a relatively low ratio of energy content to weight, so that they take up a large amount of space within the fuse.
"In order to solve this problem it is known to fit a fuse with a power supply unit that uses a heat source of the projectile for generating electricity by a thermoelectric effect. Such a fuse is known from published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 3100506 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,029. Forward regions of the projectile, which heat up significantly in flight, are used as the heat surface. Alternatively, the rear region of the projectile heated by the launch or heat from a tracer element is used."
In addition to obtaining background information on this patent application, VerticalNews editors also obtained the inventors' summary information for this patent application: "It is an object of the present invention to specify a fuse of a missile whose electrical elements can be reliably supplied with electricity.
"The object is achieved by a fuse of the above-mentioned type, with which according to the invention the power supply unit contains a pyro unit on its at least one hot side for generating heat by a combustion process.
"The invention starts from the consideration that when using the heat of friction on the front of the missile it takes a while until sufficient heat is available to produce the operating voltage of the electrical element. Moreover, there is a risk that the heat arising from friction is not sufficient depending on the firing situation. With a pyro unit there is sufficient heat for satisfactorily generating electricity very rapidly after ignition. Moreover, pyro units generally contain a very high energy density, so that they can be manufactured very compactly and only need a small installation space in the fuse.
"The missile can be a guided missile with a rocket engine and especially a seeker head or a projectile for firing from a barrel, such as a grenade, an artillery round or similar. The projectile can be a spin-free projectile or a projectile for spinning flight. Self-guiding projectiles with a seeker head and a guidance unit for controlling a flight of the projectile are also advantageous. The power supply system is used to supply electrical elements of the missile with operating energy. The term electrical elements also covers electronic elements. The electrical elements can be elements of a seeker head, a guidance unit and/or of a fuse, wherein advantageously all elements of such a unit are supplied with operating energy from the power supply system.
"The power supply unit is a unit for generating electrical energy from a temperature difference. For this purpose it can comprise one or more thermo generators, each with one or more generator elements. The generator element can e.g. be a Peltier element. A Peltier element contains at least one p-doped and one n-doped, especially square, semiconducting element, wherein the differently doped semiconducting elements are alternately connected above and below by electrically conducting connectors, so that e.g. current flows first through the p-doped and then through the n-doped semiconducting element and so on. A thermo generator generates voltage and current in combination with a load or circuit if there is a temperature difference between the hot side and the cold side. The power supply unit can contain a plurality of hot sides and cold sides, depending on the number of thermo generators present. Here each thermo generator advantageously contains a hot side and a cold side of the power supply unit. If there is a plurality of thermo generators, the same can be electrically connected in series or in parallel. Either together or each on their own, they generate the operating voltage and the operating energy that at least one electrical element of the missile requires for its operation.
"The pyro unit is a unit that generates heat by combustion. It is a part of the power supply unit and is advantageously enclosed by a housing of the fuse, especially of the power supply unit, especially on all sides. The pyro unit is predominantly used advantageously, especially exclusively, for generating electricity. It contains a burner element, with e.g. a solid fuel, which releases heat during the combustion process. The pyro unit is implemented such that at least 10%, especially most, of the heat generated in the combustion process is fed to the thermo generator(s) of the power supply unit when operating the fuse.
"In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the power supply unit contains two thermo generators and the pyro unit is disposed between the thermo generators. The thermal energy can be taken off on both sides of the pyro unit for thermoelectric use, so that a good energy yield can be achieved. Advantageously, the thermo generators are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other, wherein the pyro unit can form a plane of symmetry of the two thermo generators relative to each other. By a mirror image disposition on both sides of the pyro unit, a uniform thermal load on the thermo generators can be achieved. The cold sides of the two thermo generators can be turned in opposite directions and each can advantageously be disposed remotely from the pyro unit. In order to achieve a uniform mechanical loading of the thermo generators, the symmetry is oriented perpendicular to the axial direction of the fuse or missile.
"Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the pyro unit contains a burner element that is implemented at least essentially as a planar plate. This enables good heat distribution in the power supply unit to be achieved. The plate is advantageously a circular disc with its central point on the axis of the missile. The burner element can consist of a solid fuel.
"During the combustion process the heat required for generating electricity exists within a very short time. Following the combustion process the pyro unit cools back down, so that the heat is only available for a while. In order to be able to generate electricity for as long as possible, it is advantageous if a heat reservoir is disposed between the at least one thermo generator of the power supply unit and the pyro unit. Heat of combustion can be fed to the heat reservoir, the heat being stored in the heat reservoir and then output again. Depending on the nature of the heat reservoir, a fast or slow heat output can be set, so that the heat output can be adapted to the desired electricity generation time period. The heat reservoir is advantageously a solid state reservoir, which even remains solid in the maximally heated state. A heat reservoir with a thermal capacity in the range of metals is advantageous, wherein a metallic heat reservoir is advantageous, especially at least predominantly of copper, aluminum or steel. The heat reservoir and pyro unit are advantageously disposed relative to each other and dimensioned such that the heat reservoir absorbs the major part of the pyrotechnically generated heat.
"The heat storage can be further improved if two heat reservoirs are disposed on both sides of the pyro unit. A symmetrical arrangement relative to each other is advantageous. Likewise, a plate shape of the heat reservoir is advantageous that especially has a dimension in the thickness direction that is no more than 20% of the dimensions in the two directions perpendicular thereto. The heat reservoir and pyro unit can each be implemented here as a plate and can especially form a sandwich structure.
"In order for a fast start of electricity generation to occur, heat from the combustion process must be rapidly transferred to the at least one thermo generator. Whereas the combustion generally proceeds very rapidly and also the generator element(s) of the thermo generator respond(s) rapidly to heat, the heat transfer through the heat reservoir can take a relatively long time until sufficient heat reaches the thermo generator. In order to reduce the heat transfer time, it is advantageous if the thickness of the heat reservoir varies in the heat propagation direction. The thinner the heat reservoir is, the faster the heat transfer proceeds from its hot side to its cold side. More heat can be stored at the thicker points, however. This enables a good compromise between fast heat transfer and good storage capacity to be achieved. The heat propagation direction here is the direction from the pyro unit to a thermo generator, especially the direction of the shortest distance.
"Advantageously, the heat reservoir is e.g. a plate, especially a metal plate, provided with recesses on its side facing the pyro unit. This enables a good thickness variation of the heat reservoir to be achieved. Advantageously, the recesses reduce a heat transfer path through the heat reservoir by at least 50% relative to an average heat transfer path of a segment of the heat reservoir between the recesses. The heat reservoir in the region of the recesses is thus no more than half as thick as between the recesses in relation to a direct path from the pyro unit to a thermo generator. The recesses can be filled with fuel.
"In order to achieve a rapid heat transfer from the heat reservoir to the at least one thermo generator and hence a rapid supply of power to the electrical elements of the fuse, it is proposed that the generator elements of the at least one thermo generator are disposed in zones opposite the recesses on the heat reservoir. Arranging a generator element in the region of a zone opposite a recess in the heat reservoir makes a faster heat transfer to the generator element possible. If the generator elements are Peltier elements, it is also possible to set or dispose the recesses in the heat reservoir such that they lie on the side facing the pyro unit such that the respective opposing zones are each between the p-doped semiconducting element and the n-doped semiconducting element of a Peltier element, especially centrally between them.
"On the one hand it is advantageous to dimension a heat reservoir to be as small as possible in order to save space and weight in the fuse. On the other hand, the heat reservoir must be able to store sufficient energy so that electrical energy can be generated during a targeted time period. The hotter the heat reservoir is heated up to, the greater is the stored quantity of heat. An upper temperature limit is, however, determined by the generator element(s) of the thermo generator that is or are damaged above a temperature limit. With generator elements soldered using soft solder, such temperature limits are generally about 200.degree. C. In order to achieve good heat storage, it is however proposed that the pyro unit and the heat reservoir are dimensioned such that the heat reservoir is at least briefly heated to above a melting temperature of solder, e.g. to at least 300.degree. C. on its cold side after ignition of the pyro unit in normal operation. The generator elements can briefly withstand such a temperature, so that brief overheating of the generator element is acceptable. Solder between a generator element and an element connected to the same, e.g. an electrical connector or a different mounting structure, can melt, but this can be tolerated following launching or during the flight if the generator element is otherwise mounted, e.g. by clamping between two elements. In this respect it is advantageous with regard to the generation of as much electrical energy as possible if the pyro unit and the heat reservoir are dimensioned such that the heat reservoir is at least briefly heated up on its cold side to a temperature at which a solder joint on a generator element melts after ignition of the pyro unit in normal operation. The cold side is facing a thermo generator. The temperature or the specific value of 300.degree. C. is to be understood to occur where the thermo generator is in direct contact with the heat reservoir, so that the heat reservoir is heated up to the temperature or to 300.degree. C.
"Generator elements, such as e.g. Peltier elements, are usually disposed between electrical connectors on both sides, each being soldered to the corresponding generator element. In the case of Peltier elements, the p-doped and n-doped semiconducting elements of a Peltier element are connected together on one side by an electrical connector and on the other side the n-doped semiconducting element is connected to the p-doped semiconducting element of the next Peltier element by an electrical connector and so on, so that current flows successively through the p-doped and n-doped semiconducting elements of the first Peltier element and then of the next Peltier element. At a temperature significantly above 200.degree. C., the solder melts and the thermo generator breaks down. In order to keep the generator elements stable in place between the electrical connectors even in the event of brief overheating, it is proposed that they are clamped on both sides between the electrical connectors. By means of pressure on a generator element on both sides, the generator element can remain positioned in a stable manner in the event of brief melting of the joining solder. There is still a sufficient holding effect for this by means of the pressure.
"During firing a projectile is subjected to an acceleration of a multiple of 10,000 g. Accelerations of up to 100,000 g are possible. Suitable shock testing of the fuse is to be provided. In order to counteract a defect of the power supply unit, it is proposed that the at least one thermo generator contains one or more generator elements that is or are embedded in a mounting structure with a holding material. The holding material can be synthetic resin or a different plastic that is electrically insulating. The mounting structure can contain two mounting plates that hold the generator elements on both sides.
"When operating the power supply unit this absorbs a great deal of heat as a result of the combustion process. This also passes to the at least one cold side, so that a temperature difference may be too small and too rapid for adequate current or voltage generation to occur. In order to counteract such heating up of the cold side, it is advantageous to dispose a cold reservoir on the at least one cold side. This is advantageously made of the same material as the heat reservoir, e.g. of copper. A good heat output from the cold reservoir can be achieved if the same is especially directly disposed on a metallic outer missile wall. The cold reservoir can retain coldness for a relatively long period and the current generation process can remain maintained for a long time.
"Alternatively, it is possible to directly use the outer missile wall as a cold reservoir. In this respect the cold side is then directly disposed on the outer missile wall. For this purpose it is advantageous if the outer missile wall is implemented thicker in the region of the cold side than in the surroundings.
"In order to enable very fast electricity generation it is advantageous if the fuel of the pyro unit has a short burn time. A maximum of 2% of the time for which the power supply unit provides electricity for the operation of electrical elements of the fuse is advantageous.
"The ignition of the pyro unit advantageously takes place mechanically, because generally there is no electrical energy available, e.g. for a glow wire. Reliable mechanical ignition can be achieved if the pyro unit contains an igniter that is provided for piercing ignition when the projectile is fired. For this purpose the igniter advantageously has an ignition charge that is ignited by a piercing element. For its part the ignition charge ignites a burner element of the pyro unit. For ignition of the ignition charge the piercing element can be accelerated by the firing acceleration on the ignition charge and ignites the charge when it impinges, e.g. by friction or impact. In order to prevent unwanted impingement of the piercing element on the ignition charge, the element is advantageously secured with a locking element or holding element. This is advantageously implemented such that it is torn off by the firing acceleration during firing, i.e. with a typical firing acceleration profile for the projectile, and so the piercing element is released for acceleration onto the ignition charge.
"Rapid burning of the burner element can be achieved if the element is ignited from the center. For this purpose an ignition firing of the ignition charge is directed towards the center of the burner element. However, with such an ignition approach a relatively large construction is disadvantageous because the ignition charge has to be positioned above or below the burner element. The space can be kept small if radial ignition of the burner element takes place, i.e. radially from the outside. For this purpose the igniter is advantageously provided for radial ignition of the pyro element.
"In order to achieve mechanical ignition reliably, it is also advantageous if the ignition of the pyro element takes place using axial ignition acceleration of a piercing element. Here the piercing direction can deviate from the ignition direction. A change of direction of the ignition firing can be achieved by a channel with a diversion that deflects the ignition firing from an axial direction into a radial direction. Alternatively, the ignition charge already has a radial ignition direction, even if it was ignited by an axial impact.
"The invention is also aimed at a method for supplying electrical elements of a fuse of a missile with electrical energy, with which at least one hot side of a power supply unit of a power supply system is heated, at least one thermo generator of the power supply unit is generating electricity and the same is fed to the electrical elements.
"In order to enable rapid and reliable electricity generation, it is proposed that according to the invention a combustion process of a pyro unit of the power supply unit is initiated for heating the at least one hot side.
"The previous description of advantageous configurations of the invention contains numerous features that are sometimes reproduced as a combination of several features in the individual dependent claims. The features can, however, also be advantageously considered individually and can be combined to form other useful combinations. In particular, the features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention in accordance with the independent claims.
"The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above and the manner in which they are achieved are clearly and unambiguously understandable in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in detail in connection with the figures. The exemplary embodiments are used to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combination of features stated therein, nor in relation to functional features. Moreover, features of any exemplary embodiment suitable for this can also be explicitly considered in isolation, removed from an exemplary embodiment, introduced into a different exemplary embodiment as an extension thereof and/or combined with any one of the claims.
"Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
"Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a missile fuse and a method of supplying electrical energy to the missile fuse, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
"The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
"FIG. 1 is an illustration of an artillery shell with a schematically illustrated fuse with a power supply system according to the invention;
"FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, side view of the power supply system;
"FIG. 3 is an illustration showing an igniter next to the power supply system from FIG. 2;
"FIG. 4 is an illustration of an alternative igniter; and
"FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a section of another projectile."
For more information, see this patent application: WICH, HARALD; HUETTNER, ROBERT. Missile Fuse and Method of Supplying Electrical Energy to the Missile Fuse. Filed December 22, 2014 and posted June 23, 2016. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=4797&p=96&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=20160616.PD.&OS=PD/20160616&RS=PD/20160616
Keywords for this news article include: Energy, Patents, Electricity Generation.
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