GB2586946A - Arming device - Google Patents

Abstract

A safe arming unit 10 for an explosive charge (15, fig. 2) comprising a body 30 having first part 20 and a second part 25, the first part 20 can receive an initiator, the second part 25 attachable to an explosive charge (15, fig. 2). The first and second parts are moveable with respect to each other between an unarmed position, in which an initiator cannot initiate the charge, and an armed position in which the initiator can initiate the charge. The parts may be rotatable with respect to each other and may be pivotally connected. The parts may automatically lock in the armed and/or unarmed position. The part connectable to a charge may include a screw thread connection. The part that receives the initiator may include a locking collar 45. An underwater safe arm unit may include the safe arming unit.

Description

ARMING DEVICE

The present invention relates generally to explosive charges and particularly to the arming of explosive charges.

Once armed, charges, such as charges for explosive ordnance disposal, present a danger to operators. The present invention seeks to provide improvements in the safety of arming and deploying explosive charges commonly known as Safe Arming Units (SAUs).

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a safe arming unit for an explosive charge, the unit comprising a body having a first part and a second part, the first part can receive an initiator, the second part is attachable to an explosive charge, the first and second parts are moveable with respect to each other between an unarmed position in which an initiator cannot initiate the charge, to an armed position in which the initiator can initiate the charge.

In some embodiments, for example, the key is that the initiator (for example a detonator) is physically removed/separate from the explosive charge, but by moving it to an armed position the initiator and charge are brought together (for example they become aligned). The initiator may therefore me moved from an out of line to an in line configuration.

In some embodiments the parts are rotatable with respect to each other, for example the parts may be pivotally connected to each other. Other forms of movement, such as twisting, turning or axial displacement may be used in other embodiments.

The present invention also provides a break-action explosive charge arming device, comprising a charge connection part and an initiator receiving part, the parts are hingedly connected to each other, the initiator receiving part can be pivoted with respect to the charge connection part to convert the device between unarmed and armed configurations.

In some embodiments the operation of the device may be reminiscent of a break action shotgun.

In aspects and embodiments of the present invention the parts may automatically lock, or can be locked, in the armed and/or unarmed positions. Unlocking would then be required to move the parts between the positions.

The part that is connectable/attachable to a charge may include a screw thread connection.

The part connectable/attachable to a charge may include a pair of opposed arms between which the part that receives an initiator is pivotally mounted.

The part that receives an initiator may include a locking collar.

The present invention also provides an underwater safe arm unit comprising, consisting of or including a unit or device as described herein. The mechanism of action could be configured, for example, to suit arming by a remote operated vehicle.

The present invention also provides a unit or device as described herein in combination with an explosive initiator and/or an explosive charge.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a safe arming unit generally indicated 10 attached to an explosive charge 15. In Figures 1 and 2 the unit is shown in an unarmed configuration in which the charge could be detonated and in Figures 3 and 4 the unit is shown in an armed configuration in which it could not The unit 10 is shown in more detail in Figures 5 to 14.

The unit 10 comprises an initiator receiving part 20 and a charge connection part 25.

The part 20 comprises a generally cylindrical body 30 having a central orifice 35 running therethrough and being open at both ends. At one end of the body a reduced diameter, screw threaded neck 40 is provided. A separate screw threaded collar 45 is provided 25 and can be screwed onto the neck as shown.

The part 25 comprises a disc-shape base 50. A screw threaded connector 60 depends from the underside of the base. A central orifice 65 extends through the base and connector.

A pair of arms 70, 75 extend from the base and are positioned diametrically opposed to each other. In this embodiment each of the arms has a pin hole 71, 76 towards its free end. The arms are shaped and positioned so that the body 30 can be received between them (like a cradle) and so that when in the armed position the end of the body 30 is adjacent the base 50.

As shown in Figures 15 to 19 a pair of hinge pins 72, 77 are positioned in the holes 71, 76 and this allows the body to rotate between the arms between the armed and unarmed positions.

In use an initiator 80 (in this embodiment a detonator) is pushed into the orifice 35 and to the end of the body. Detonator leads or shocktube 85 extends from the initiator and is used to initiate detonation when required.

The part 25 can be screwed onto the charge 15, which in this embodiment is shown to have a cooperating screw threaded mouth 16. In other embodiments other means of connection (e.g. push-fit, snap-fit, clamps, clips, adhesives) can be provided. The charge container is filled with explosive and in this embodiment the explosive material extends into the mouth so that when the unit is screwed on explosive material will enter the orifice 65.

This means that when the part 20 is rotated into the armed position the detonator 80 is in contact with (or sufficiently close to) to explosive material so that detonation can be initiated. However, if the part 20 is rotated to the unarmed position the detonator is no longer in contact with the explosive material and is therefore no longer able to initiate.

The unit could be used equally with any standard form of initiation including, for example, electric detonators, non-electric (shocktube) detonators, detcord boosters (DCBs) or plain detonators (with safety fuze).

Figures 20 and 21 show safe arming units 110, 210 with an electric detonator and a shocktube (non-electric) detonator.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMSI. A safe arming unit for an explosive charge, the unit comprising a body having a first part and a second part, the first part can receive an initiator, the second part is attachable to an explosive charge, the first and second parts are moveable with respect to each other between an unarmed position in which an initiator cannot initiate the charge, to an armed position in which the initiator can initiate the charge.
2. 2. A unit as claimed in claim I, in which the parts are rotatable with respect to each other.
3. 3. A unit as claimed in clam I or claim 2, in which the parts are pivotally connected to each other.
4. 4. A break-action explosive charge arming device, comprising a charge connection part and an initiator receiving part, the parts are hingedly connected to each other, the initiator receiving part can be pivoted with respect to the charge connection part to convert the device between unarmed and armed configurations.
5. 5. A unit or device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the parts automatically lock, or can be locked, in the armed and/or unarmed positions.
6. 6. A unit or device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the part that is connectable to a charge includes a screw thread connection.
7. 7. A unit or device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the part connectable to a charge includes a pair of opposed arms between which the part that receives an initiator is pivotally mounted.
8. 8. A unit or device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the part that receives an initiator includes a locking collar.
9. 9. An underwater safe arm unit comprising, consisting of or including a unit or device as claimed in any preceding claim.
10. 10. A unit or device as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with an explosive initiator and/or an explosive charge.