Activation unit for explosive masses or explosive bodies

Abstract

An activation unit for explosive masses or explosive bodies includes an ejector tube and high-performance heating elements mounted around the ejector tube, each made of at least one heating wire supplied with electrical power by a control unit. Each heating wire is enclosed in a casing and embedded in a material minimizing heat loss. When the explosive body is passed through the activation unit, the jacket surface of the explosive body contacts the individual elements of the activation unit in a direct or non-contact manner. Thermal energy is transferred to the explosive body by means of the heating wires, and the body ignites at the contact points. A further activation unit includes heating elements in the ejector tube, at least partially fed longitudinally through the ejector tube, made of heating wire clad with CrNi steel and contact plates soldered thereto.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An activation unit for munition-free explosive masses or explosive bodies, wherein the activation unit comprises:
 (a) an ejection tube; and   (b) a plurality of heating elements disposed in the ejection tube and that are longitudinally routed at least partially through the ejection tube, wherein each heating element comprises
 i. a heating wire that is sheathed with CrNi steel; and 
 ii. one or more contact plates that are soldered onto the heating wire. 
   
     
     
         8 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of heating elements are routed along through the entire length of the ejection tube. 
     
     
         9 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ejection tube has a thermal insulation means. 
     
     
         10 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the thermal insulation means is incorporated on an inner surface of the ejection tube between the sheathed heating wires and the ejection tube. 
     
     
         11 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the thermal insulation means is formed by one or more ceramic inlays. 
     
     
         12 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the thermal insulation means is formed by several ceramic inlays. 
     
     
         13 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the ejection tube has a thermal insulation means. 
     
     
         14 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the thermal insulation means is formed by one or more ceramic inlays. 
     
     
         15 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the thermal insulation means is formed by several ceramic inlays. 
     
     
         16 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the thermal insulation means is incorporated on an inner surface of the ejection tube between the sheathed heating wires and the ejection tube. 
     
     
         17 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of heating elements are disposed only in a front part of the ejection tube. 
     
     
         18 . The activation unit as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of heating elements are disposed throughout an entirety of the ejection tube.