Abstract: A cartridge having an electrothermal ignition device, in which, ignition conduits extend axially through a first propellant-charge powder (4) filling a cartridge sleeve (5), with the conduits essentially comprising an electrical wire (11-13) that is guided axially through a tube (14-16) comprising a second propellant-charge powder. Propellant-charge-powder tubes (14-16) comprising an optically transparent propellant-charge powder are used so that even cartridges (1) having a first propellant-charge powder (4) that is difficult to ignite can be ignited rapidly and reliably, requiring the smallest possible quantity of electrical energy.

Abstract: A propellant system for launching a large-caliber projectile includes a propellant having at least three partial charges. The first partial charge is adapted to acceleration requirements of the projectile; the second partial charge has a higher combustion velocity than that of the first partial charge; and the third partial charge has a lower combustion velocity than that of the first partial charge. The propellant system further includes an electric energy supply and control device connected to the propellant for igniting the propellant. The electric energy supply and control device has a plasma generator for affecting a combustion behavior of the propellant such as to obtain for said first partial charge, after ignition of the propellant, a maximum gas pressure level of always the same magnitude independently from an initial propellant temperature, and to obtain, for the third partial charge, a conversion such as to prolong the maximum gas pressure level in a predeterminable manner.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition includes a combustible case having a length dimension, a rearward end closed by a metal case bottom and a front end; a combustible propellant powder contained in the case; and an electrically insulated high-voltage electrode passing through the case bottom into the case. The electrode has an outer end situated externally of the case and is connectable to a current source and an inner end situated within the case. A current distributor is situated within the case and is electrically connected to the inner end of the electrode. At least three conductor wires are electrically connected to the current distributor and extend at least partially parallel to the length dimension within the case through the propellant powder. An electric contact arrangement is situated within the case in the front end thereof and is secured to the case.

Abstract: An electric contact assembly in combination with a cartridge to be fired from a weapon barrel. The cartridge has a cartridge case including a metal bottom having an externally exposed outer face; and an electronic unit disposed in the cartridge case. The electric contact assembly includes a contact arrangement for establishing an electric connection between the electronic unit and an evaluating and control apparatus situated externally of the cartridge. The contact arrangement includes a contact ring disposed in the case bottom and surrounds the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The contact ring has an outer face which is approximately flush with the outer face of the case bottom. An insulation electrically insulates the contact ring from the case bottom. A magnetic field sensor emits a signal upon closing a breechblock of the weapon in which the cartridge is positioned. A switch is connected between the electronic unit and the contact ring.

Abstract: A weapon system, comprising a fire control system (1) and an ammunition unit (3) that can be fired from a weapon and that has at least one electronic switching device (8) that can be actuated by the fire control system (1). To achieve a constant, secure and simple monitoring of the link between the fire control computer (1) and the electronic switching device (8) to be triggered of the respective ammunition unit (3), a bidirectional data transfer is conducted via the two supply lines (15, 16) that are necessary for the voltage and current supply of the electronic switching device (8) of the respective ammunition unit (3). In the process, data are transmitted from the fire control system (1) to the electronic switching device (8) by a voltage modulation of the supply voltage, and data are transmitted from the switching device (8) to the fire control system (1) by a current modulation of the operating current.

Abstract: A plasma burning device for an electrothermal/chemical gun system includes a case hating a bottom and an interior; plasma material accommodated in the interior; and a high-voltage electrode passing through the case bottom into the case interior. The high-voltage electrode is adapted to cooperate with a gun tube acting as a counter electrode for generating an arc to combust the plasma material. The high-voltage electrode includes a conductor bar adapted to be coupled to a high-voltage source; an insulation surrounding the conductor bar; a conductor sleeve electrically connected to an end of the conductor bar and extending towards the case bottom along a length portion of the conductor bar. The conductor sleeve surrounds the insulation and the conductor bar and has a non-insulated outer surface. Further, an insulating cap is provided which covers the end of the conductor bar.

Abstract: A method of coating an inner face of a metal tube with an electrically conducting coating material includes the steps of positioning a wire, made of the coating material, generally axially in an interior of the tube, along the inner face thereof; and passing an electric current pulse of sufficient intensity through the wire to cause an explosive vaporization thereof, whereby particles of the vaporized material impinge on the inner face of the metal tube and form a layer thereon.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating a sensor signal related a track-banking angle of a banked section of track traversed by a train car wherein a track-banking angle value basically is determined from measured values of the rolling angular speed and yaw speed of the car chassis. A track-banking angle (.PHI.g) is determined in an observer unit (2), preferably estimated by use of an inverse gyro system simulation (10) of a measured-value generator (6), and compared, as an estimated track-banking angle (.PHI.gb), to a track-banking angle (.PHI.gs) determined from the transverse acceleration (aq), the yaw speed (.omega.G) and the train speed (v), as information about the track-banking angle (.PHI.g). A resulting difference (.DELTA..PHI.g) is filtered via a regulating circuit formed by a feedback from a comparator (11) to the inverse gyro system simulator (10). This signal, in the form of a track-banking angle (.PHI.b), as the signal representing the real track-banking angle (.PHI.

Abstract: A process and a device for the control and/or regulation of a wagon body tilt system (1) for a railed vehicle, e.g., a train. Limit values with respect to comfort are taken into consideration for this purpose. In an equivalent way, these limit values preset a comfort scale for a rail camber or tilt (.phi..sub.c) as desired tilt values (.phi..sub.desired, .phi..sub.des. Speed, .phi..sub.des. accel.) for the control and/or regulation of a wagon body (2) as relevant value based on the system limits and permit a subsequent regulation within the adjustment system (4) of the wagon body (2) only within these limits. If at least one limit value for comfort and/or parameters describing the system is exceeded, these desired tilt values (.phi..sub.desired, .phi..sub.des. speed, .phi..sub.des. accel.) are then adapted by taking into account this at least one exceeded limit value and are converted to adapted desired tilt values (.phi.'.sub.desired, .phi.'.sub.des. speed, .phi.'.sub.des. accel.

Abstract: A method of destroying hidden land mines includes steps of providing a hole in the ground of a mine-contaminated area; placing into the hole a device which generates a shock wave by wire explosion; connecting the device to a switchable current source; and applying a current pulse from the current source to the device for causing a wire explosion thereof to generate a shock wave in the ground for destroying mines hidden in the area within the effective range of the shock wave. The device has a plastic tube filled with a liquid; a wire passing through the liquid; and electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the tube. The wire is connected to the electrodes, and the electrodes are connectable to a current source for applying a current pulse from the current source to the wire to effect explosion thereof for generating the shock wave.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are provided for breaking up composite material comprised of elastic materials combined with metallic materials. The composite material is placed into an insulated vat holding liquid nitrogen via a transporting device and is positioned below a unipolar electrode arrangement. An energy source generates high-energy pulses that are applied to the composite material by the electrode arrangement. The composite material is torn apart by the high-energy pulses and is separated by a subsequently resulting pressure pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a material disposed inside a metal casing from the metal casing. A composite is provided including the metal casing and the material disposed inside the metal casing. An electrode system distinct from the metal casing is arranged inside a liquid. A high energy pulse is generated on the electrode system through spark discharge in the liquid thereby generating a pressure pulse. The material disposed in the metal casing is separated from the metal casing by effecting an absorption of the pressure pulse by the composite thereby breaking up the material.

Abstract: A device for protecting an optical component from a laser beam. The device includes a carrier which is light-pervious in a predetermined spectral range and is positionable in an expected path of a laser beam directed to the optical component; and a metal oxide film applied to the carrier. The film is light-pervious in the same spectral range and is oriented such as to intercept a laser beam directed to the optical component.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously applying a coating to a running web, includes an elastic doctor blade having first and second ends, a frontal ride adapted to be oriented towards the web and a reverse side opposite the frontal aide and adapted to be oriented away from the web. The apparatus further has a clamping device firmly holding the doctor blade by engagement therewith in a zone of the first end. The clamping device positions the doctor blade for contacting the web at the second end along a scraping line. The apparatus also has an inflatable actuator engaging the reverse side of the doctor blade between the clamping device and the first and of the doctor blade. The actuator has a pressurized state in which a surface portion of the actuator is enlarged by an inflating fluid towards the reverse side of the doctor blade for pressing it against the web. A fluid pressure source is connected to the in inflatable actuator.

Abstract: An energy converter for generating high-power pulses includes a housing defining a chamber having an open side; an electrode assembly supported in the chamber; a power supply for applying a voltage to the electrode assembly; a fluid medium accommodated in the housing and being in contact with the electrode assembly for receiving pulses from the electrode assembly; and a diaphragm attached to the housing and closing the open side of the housing for encapsulating the electrode assembly and the fluid medium in the chamber. The diaphragm has an inner surface oriented toward the chamber and is in contact with the fluid medium. The diaphragm further has an outer surface oriented away from the chamber and is arranged for contacting a substance to be comminuted, whereby mechanical pulses transmitted from the fluid medium to the diaphragm are applied by the diaphragm to the substance to be comminuted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the roll angle position of a rotating flying body (2) relative to a fixed station (1) with the aid of a laser (3) light beam (4, 24) emitted by the fixed station (1) and received by the flying body (2). To determine the roll angle position of the flying body located at an arbitrary position within the guide beam (4) precisely and simply, a phase-coded laser light beam (guide beam) is produced with the aid of an optical element, particularly a holographic optical element (6). This guide beam (14) is then decoded in a receiving apparatus (8) of the flying body by means of a further holographic element (11) that is rigidly connected to the flying body (2). The further holographic element (11) is configured such that maximum brightness or intensity only occurs at the receiving detector (13) if it is located parallel to the holographic element (11) on the side of the laser (3), i.e., non-mirror-symmetric information must be impressed upon the guide beam (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for flight path correction of flying bodies, such as projectiles, rockets and the like, with the aid of a laser guide beam, wherein the course of the respective flying body is determined and processed in a measuring apparatus associated with the firing apparatus and containing an optical receiving detector in order to obtain an appropriate correction signal, and wherein the correction signal is then transmitted, through encoding of the laser guide beam, to a receiving apparatus disposed in the tail portion of the flying body. To determine the course of the flying body in a simple manner, both an optical light source for producing a light beam and an optical receiving detector are disposed on the measuring apparatus, and triple reflector or mirror elements, that reflect the incident light beam back in its initial direction independently of the respective angle of incidence, are disposed on the bottom of the flying body or at the ends of the guiding mechanism of the flying body.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously applying a coating to a running web, includes an elastic doctor blade having first and second ends, a frontal side adapted to be oriented towards the web and a reverse side opposite the frontal side and adapted to be oriented away from the web. The apparatus further has a clamping device firmly holding the doctor blade by engagement therewith in a zone of the first end. The clamping device positions the doctor blade for contacting the web at the second end along a scraping line. The apparatus also has an inflatable actuator engaging the reverse side of the doctor blade between the clamping device and the first end of the doctor blade. The actuator has a pressurized state in which a surface portion of the actuator is enlarged by an inflating fluid towards the reverse side of the doctor blade for pressing it against the web. A fluid pressure source is connected to the inflatable actuator.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for flight path correction of one or more projectiles (2-6) with the aid of a guide beam (9), wherein target data, such as speed, range and direction of movement, are continuously acquired in a fire-guidance system associated with the firing device (1), for example, an automatic cannon, and are transmitted to the laser apparatus (21) that produces the guide beam (9), and wherein each projectile includes a receiving apparatus (31) which receives the guide beam (9).

Abstract: A gun barrel has an erosion-reducing, electrically non-conductive lining extending along a length portion of the gun barrel. The lining is made of a polyimide.