Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
  • F42B33/00—Manufacture of ammunition; Dismantling of ammunition; Apparatus therefor
  • F42B33/06—Dismantling fuzes, cartridges, projectiles, missiles, rockets or bombs
  • F42B33/065—Dismantling fuzes, cartridges, projectiles, missiles, rockets or bombs by laser means
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
  • F42D—BLASTING
  • F42D5/00—Safety arrangements
  • F42D5/04—Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless
  • F42D5/045—Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means

Definitions

• TITLE OF INVENTION A method and a device for the destzuction of objects or bodies filled with explosives
• the present invention relates to a method and a device for the destruction of objects or bodies filled with explosives, such as shells and other types of warheads, propellant charges, hand grenades, anti- personnel mines etc. BACKGROUND ART
• Objects or bodies filled with explosives of the type under consideration here may be destroyed in that the explosive or bursting charge included therein is first removed by melting, wit the aid of a water jet or by other means, whereafter the thus obtained metal scrap can be reused.
• destruction methods usually take a considerable time and also give, in the form of residual products, large quantities of explosives which, as a result of the remelting and/or water treatment, are often of such poor quality that they cannot be used for their original purpose but must be destroyed in a separate treatment stage.
• the melting of the explosives is a process without its dangers.
• the object of the present invention is to propose as safe and reliable a process as possible and a device adapted thereto for the destruction of such objects or bodies filled with explosives by detonation of the explosive or bursting charges housed therein while collecting the metal scrap thus formed, and employing the possibility of carrying out the entire process under environmentally acceptable conditions including further treatment of the explosive gases then formed.
• destruction of the objects or bodies filled with explosives is effected in that these are detonated while they are in a state of free fall through a bursting chamber adapted for this purpose.
• Initiation of the explosives included in each respective object or body to detonation can then take place either at a distance while the object or body is already in a state of free fall through the bursting chamber, or alternatively with the aid of an initiation charge which includes a time-lag function and which itself is initiated before the free fall is commenced but which, because of its inherent time lag, initiates the main charge only when the explosives-filled object or body has reached the intended position in its free fall inside the bursting chamber.
• Initiation by remote control according to the first alternative may be carried out by means of an energetic radiation aimed towards the explosive charge, such as a pulsed high-energy laser.
• the latter may be aimed directly at the charge surface of a bursting charge or the like with which the original explosives-filled object or body has been supplemented. If the explosives-filled object or body then constitutes a shell or other type of warhead, this bursting charge can, if necessary supplemented with a smaller booster charge, be disposed in the normal fuse aperture of the shell or warhead.
• Another method of initiating the relevant explosive charge while it falls through the bursting chamber is to replace the bursting charge with a corresponding charge including a tear-sensitive charge against which a projectile is fired while it and the charge fall through the chamber.
• the bursting charges can be supplemented with a time-lag function so that a safety hatch has time to be closed after initiation of the bursting charge but before initiation of the main charge.
• a time-lag bursting charge supplemented with a percussion cap initiated by a percussion igniter or the like can be employed.
• the basic principle on which the present invention is based is thus that the explosives packing included in each respective object or body is to be initiated while it is in a state of free fall through the bursting chamber . This gives maximum pulverization of the outer casing of the objects or the bodies simultaneously with a complete destruction of their charges. This relatively fine comminution facilitates continued handling and management of the metal scrap, int. al.
• the explosive charges of the objects or the bodies can be initiated at the right point in their fall trajectory through the bursting chamber. It is further proposed firstly that if initiation is to take place by remote control according to the first alternative above, the energetic radiation or the projectile which is responsible for initiation of the explosive charges must be turned on or alternatively fired only when the object or the body, in its free fall through the chamber, reaches through a predetermined position therein.
• the activation of the energetic radiation or alternatively discharge of the projectile must be controlled either by a measurement system which tracks the fall of the object or the body through the bursting chamber, for example in the form of a measurement laser, microwave transmitter or ultrasonic meter or a system which, by mechanical switches, inductive foils, photo cells or by some other means, ascertains that the object or the body has passed predetermined point in its trajectory.
• a measurement system which tracks the fall of the object or the body through the bursting chamber, for example in the form of a measurement laser, microwave transmitter or ultrasonic meter or a system which, by mechanical switches, inductive foils, photo cells or by some other means, ascertains that the object or the body has passed predetermined point in its trajectory.
• each object or body loaded with explosive be provided, for facilitating initiation of its main charge before being fed to the bursting chamber, with an initiation charge consisting of a booster and a bursting cap open in a direction towards the energetic radiation so that the radiation may act directly on the charge surface of the bursting cap or alternatively if this is to be initiated by means of a projectile, be provided with an upper tear -sensitive charge.
• the initiation charge may often advantageously be placed in that aperture which was previously intended for the standard fuse or the like of the product, where the initiation charge will be in close contact with the main charge.
• the bursting charge may advantageously be provided with a time lag or delay charge which delays main initiation sufficiently to allow a safety hatch or the like to be closed over the inlet opening through which the objects or bodies filled with explosives are inserted into the bursting chamber before their main charges are detonated.
• an inlet opening or window for the energetic radiation or alternatively firing of the above-mentioned projectile use may be made of the same opening as then through which the objects or bodies in question are inserted into the bursting chamber.
• the same opening may also be utilized by measurement devices of the type which follow the fall trajectories of the objects or bodies.
• Pressure-sensitive sensors or the like may also be provided in the bursting chamber and register when a detonation takes place. Such sensors could, in this instance, be utilized for stopping further supply as soon as a dud is ascertained.
• the chamber may, in addition to a closing hatch, also be provided with a number of nozzles disposed around the opening for the supply of compressed air which gives a counterpressure. It could also be possible to provide here a sluice arrangement with a plurality of co-operating hatches.
• Fig. la is a section through a destruction device according to the present invention.
• Fig. lb is a top plan view of the same device;
• Fig. 2a is a section through the bursting chamber included therein, on a larger scale;
• Fig. 2b is a cross-section through the same chamber;
• Fig. 3a and 3b show, on a larger scale, the device for supply of shells to the bursting chamber according to Fig. la;
• Figs. 4a and 4b show the shell holder according to Fig. 3a and 3b in two different positions; and
• Figs. 5a and 5b show a longitudinal section and a top plan view of an initiation charge employed in accordance with the present invention.
• the device according to the present invention illustrated in Figs, la and b displays a bursting chamber 1 consisting of a cylindrical, stone- packed casing wall 2 of steel, a top lid 3 of steel with a central inlet aperture 4, a carrier arm 6 pivotal about a vertical shaft 5 and carrying at each end vertical shell holders 7 and 8, a frame 9 for carrying the shaft 5 and a device 10 for the supply of shells (see Figs. 2 and 2a) to each of the shell holders 7 or 8, depending upon which of the shell holders is located immediately above the loading device 10.
• the arm 6 may be raised and lowered along the shaft 5. other details in respect of the arm 6 and parts co-operating more closely therewith will be described in connection with Figs. 3a and b.
• the figures show that the bottom 11 of the bursting chamber is surrounded by a screening or cleaning channel 12 which slopes towards a discharge opening 13 for discharging the thus created metal scrap.
• a complete production installation according to the present invention further includes spaces for arranging the explosives-filled objects or bodies intended for destruction, in this case in the form of artillery shells, prior to infeed into the device 10 for supply to the shell holders 7 and 8, respectively, means for taking care of the scrap which is discharged through the outlet 13 (this should possibly be subjected to a second inspection combustion before being removed) , means for managing and purifying the explosion gases formed on detonation, and measurement devices and means for the supply of energetic radiation for initiation (these latter will be considered hereinbelow), and finally various auxiliary systems such as compressed air, hydraulics and the like.
• the bursting chamber illustrated in Figs, la and b may be designed in a manner which is illustrated in Figs. 2a and b.
• This consists of a cylindrical outer sheet metal shell 14, an inner rock packing 15 which is kept in place by twin rows of steel baffles 16 and 17 each consisting of vertically disposed flat irons which are turned to face with their one longitudinal edge in towards the interior of the chamber.
• Both the roof and bottom of the chamber, 18 and 19, respectively, are pure metal constructions even if a protective cladding 20 of pebbles, gravel or the like covers the bottom 19. It is this bottom cladding which can be given the configuration 11 illustrated in Fig. la.
• the discharge channel 12 is also to be found on the figures.
• a pull-open door 21 is also intimated on Figs. 2a and 2b.
• a shell g is also intimated detonating within the chamber.
• Figs. 3a and 3b as well as 4a and 4b where this is shown on a larger scale.
• the carrier arm 6 is shown with its journalling point for the shaft 5.
• the carrier arm is vertically displaceable along this shaft.
• the shell holders 7 and 8 will be able to be moved down into and lifted out of adapted guide sleeves 23 and 24, respectively, which define the positions thereof in relation to the infeed device 10 and the upper infeed opening 4 and 22, respectively, of the bursting chamber 1.
• the shell holders 7 and 8, respectively are, as is apparent from Fig. 3b, pivotally suspended and may thereby pivot in two planes. This entails that their direction and alignment are wholly determined by the guide sleeves 23 and 24, respectively. These are also axially displaceable and resiliently suspended in outer sleeves 25 and 26, respectively. This is to eliminate jerks from the system.
• the bursting chamber aperture 22 may further be covered by a displaceable safety hatch 27.
• Both of the shell holders 7 and 8 are provided with centred axial windows 28 which, in the illustrated example (see Fig. 4a) , are also protected by a displaceable clear plastic foil 38 which ensures that there is always free vision through each respective window.
• the shell holders 7 and 8, respectively, are further provided each with their hydraulically or pneumatically governed clamping tooth 29 or the like for fixedly holding the shells.
• a shell G prepared for destruction is fed with its bursting fuse aperture facing upwards by the device 10 into one of the shell holders 7 and 8, while this is located in its end position in the guide sleeve 23.
• the shell is locked in this position by its locking or clamping tooth 29.
• the beam 6 is raised vertically along the shaft 5 so that the shell holder runs free from the guide sleeve 23, whereafter the beam or arm is swung half a revolution and the shell holder is passed down into the guide sleeve 24 disposed over the aperture 22.
• the hatch 27 is opened and the measurement laser 30 is activated, whereafter the locking tooth 29 is released and the shell G begins to fall through the chamber 1 along its centreline.
• the measurement laser follows the fall of the shell and, at a predetermined point above the floor of the bursting chamber 1, the measurement laser initiates a pulsed high-power laser via an adapted control system, the high-power laser being reflected via the mirror 31 down directly into the bursting cap 35 (see Fig. 5a and 5b) disposed in the fuse aperture of the shell and whose pyrotechnical delay charge is initiated. While this burns, the shell G moves a further distance and, at the same time, the hatch 27 illustrated in Figs. 3a and 4a and 4b, respectively, is closed at the same time as the pulsed high-power laser is deactivated.
• the bursting cap initiates the booster 33 and the main charge is detonated while the shell G is still in a state of free fall. During this time, the second shell holder is fed with a new shell. Blasting gases possibly penetrating out through the closed hatch 27 are blown off by compressed air .
• initiation charge illustrated in Figs. 5a and 5b This is thus intended to be placed in the fuse aperture of the shell G.
• the bursting cap includes a pyrotechnical short time delay charge which affords time to close the hatch 27 in the manner described above before detonation takes place, which is advantageous not only from the point of view of the environment but also as regards protection of the more sensitive parts (such as the laser etc.) of the installation.
• the booster illustrated in Figs. 5a and b is provided with two rows of resilient legs or antennae 37 and 38, respectively which make it possible to centre the booster in shells of different diameters on the fuse threads included therein and, at the same time, ensure that the bursting charge is axially directed in the longitudinal direction of the fuse aperture.
• the above described example concerns in the first instance the alternative employing energetic radiation as initiation medium, but the illustrated device may also be utilized relatively unchanged in the alternative employing a projectile as initiation means but, in such an event, the mirror and the pulsed high-power laser are replaced by a discharge device which discharges projectiles accurately centred with the fall trajectory of the shell G.
• a corresponding installation could also be employed in the alternative using initiation before commencement of the free fall in that the bursting cap 35 is, in addition to a time-lag charge, also provided with an upper percussion cap which is initiated by a percussion igniter placed in the same position as the window 28 and actuating the percussion cap immediately before the clamping tooth 29 releases its grip.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
• Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
• Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)

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Cited By (9)

Citations (3)

• 1993
  • 1993-04-08 SE SE9301176A patent/SE501138C2/sv unknown
• 1994
  • 1994-03-24 WO PCT/SE1994/000262 patent/WO1994024513A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

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