EP1291613A1 - Illuminating flare - Google Patents

Abstract

The flare consists of a support base (1) on which is located a tube (3) carrying the flare charge. There is a frame (2) able to be mounted on the support base in two opposite positions. In one position the tube and flare charge are hermetically sealed by a toroidal joint and in the other position it constitutes a handle sleeve for the flare which leaves the cardboard tube with the charge totally free to be seen.

Description

The present invention relates to a new flare, which can be used for rescue purposes, to carry out signals (land / air, sea / air, earth / earth, etc.) and / or for other purposes (for example, shows, lighting, etc.). The rocket according to the invention occupies a minimum space in the transport or storage and it offers, in operational position, services notably superior to conventional flares, which is particularly advantageous in emergency situations, which are the times when this type of rocket is the most used.

The flares used, for example, for the location of people who are lost and who are particularly useful - and for this, abundantly used in maritime rescue, are already well known.

Examples of such flares, which are part of the state current technology, are constituted, among other things, by the Spanish Utility Models U285753 and U1005643, as close precedents, and the Utility Models U219520, U 129269 and U113396, as more distant precedents.

The general structure of conventional flares is consisting of: a metallic tubular body, inside which there is a body cardboard tubular, carrying the load and consumes with it during use of the flare.

The metallic tubular body serves as a handle in rockets manual lighting.

• Le gros volume occupé par les fusées éclairantes dans leur position de stockage ou de transport (autrement dit, lorsque les fusées éclairantes ne sont pas opérationnelles ou utilisées).
• Les limitations fonctionnelles, c'est-à-dire les prestations de la fusée éclairante elle-même, dont la capacité luminique et de signalisation sont légèrement descendantes, à mesure que la charge se consume, étant donné que la charge fumifère/luminique émise doit parcourir tout le corps tubulaire métallique, jusqu'à ce qu'elle atteigne son extrémité, où elle commence à s'étendre et à remplir sa fonction.
• L'utilisation d'un tube métallique entourant la charge lumineuse pyrotechnique réduit le rendement luminique total de la fusée éclairante. C'est-à-dire qu'avec la même quantité de charge pyrotechnique, il y a une plus grande intensité lumineuse avec une enveloppe exclusivement en carton (toujours indispensable pour réguler la vitesse de combustion), logée dans le tube extérieur en acier. Autrement dit, pour une même intensité lumineuse, il faut une moindre quantité de mélange pyrotechnique dans le premier cas (fusée éclairante objet de le l'invention) que dans le second (fusée éclairante conventionnelle). Cette amélioration du rendement peut être de l'ordre de 50%.

There are inseparable problems of this type of flares and which are, among others:

• The large volume occupied by the flares in their storage or transport position (in other words, when the flares are not operational or used).
• The functional limitations, i.e. the benefits of the flare itself, whose luminous and signaling capacity are slightly descending, as the charge is consumed, since the fumigant / luminous charge emitted must traverse the entire metallic tubular body, until it reaches its end, where it begins to expand and fulfill its function.
• The use of a metal tube surrounding the pyrotechnic light charge reduces the total light output of the flare. That is to say that with the same amount of pyrotechnic charge, there is a greater light intensity with an envelope exclusively made of cardboard (always essential to regulate the speed of combustion), housed in the outer steel tube. In other words, for the same light intensity, a lesser amount of pyrotechnic mixture is required in the first case (flare object of the invention) than in the second (conventional flare). This improvement in yield can be of the order of 50%.

The new flare, according to the invention, introduces an idea different from a flare, in which there is no metallic tubular body:

a) une base-support, sur laquelle on a disposé un tube porteur de la charge de la fusée éclairante et se consumant avec elle;

b) une carcasse qui est susceptible d'être montée sur cette base-support dans deux positions antagoniques, grâce à une solution de montage rapide. Dans l'une de ces positions, elle cache hermétiquement cette charge et le tube porteur, lorsque la fusée éclairante n'est pas utilisée et, dans l'autre position, elle constitue un manche-poignée pour la fusée éclairante, laissant le tube de carton avec la charge totalement libre et visible, pour que, lors de l'ignition de la charge fumifère/luminique, l'efficacité opérationnelle maximale soit obtenue.

It is characterized by the fact that it consists of:

a) a support base, on which a tube carrying the charge of the flare and having consumed with it has been placed;

b) a carcass which can be mounted on this support base in two antagonistic positions, thanks to a quick mounting solution. In one of these positions, it hermetically hides this charge and the carrier tube, when the flare is not used and, in the other position, it constitutes a handle-handle for the flare, leaving the tube cardboard with the charge completely free and visible, so that, when igniting the smoke / light charge, the maximum operational efficiency is obtained.

Any quick mounting solution between carcass and support base is included in the subject of the Patent, without, however, altering the essence of the invention.

Any solution ensuring airtightness within the defined enclosure between the carcass and the support base, in the mounting position, which hides the load of the flare and the cardboard tube consuming itself with it, is envisaged in the object of the Patent.

The inclusion of an ignition device for the initial ignition of the flare charge (not described or claimed, although necessary and commonly used in all flares) is contemplated in the subject of the invention.

a) Réduction considérable des dimensions et du poids, sans préjudice des prestations: on peut dire qu'elle est "pliable" et qu'elle est stockée "pliée".

b) Augmentation considérable du temps d'utilisation pendant lequel les prestations maximales de la fusée éclairante sont conservées (de fait, la même intensité initiale est maintenue pendant toute la combustion de la fusée éclairante).

c) Simplification constructive notable, avec élimination du tube métallique (existant dans toutes les fusées éclairantes conventionnelles).

d) Amélioration du rendement luminique, qui peut atteindre 50%, ce qui entraíne une diminution importante du coût de l'artifice.

The advantages of this new flare compared to conventional rockets are obvious and immediate. The most important are:

a) Considerable reduction in dimensions and weight, without prejudice to performance: we can say that it is "foldable" and that it is stored "folded".

b) Considerable increase in the time of use during which the maximum performance of the flare is maintained (in fact, the same initial intensity is maintained throughout the combustion of the flare).

c) Significant construction simplification, with elimination of the metal tube (existing in all conventional flares).

d) Improvement of the light output, which can reach 50%, which results in a significant reduction in the cost of the device.

To better understand the object of the present invention, we have shown in the plans a preferred practical embodiment, capable of accessory changes which do not distort the basis.

Figure 1 shows a schematic general view of a new flare, according to the invention, in the closed position (not in use, transport or storage). We have represented a half-section to observe the internal elements component.

Figure 2 shows a schematic general view of a new flare, according to the invention, in the open position (operational or in use).

An example of practical, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is described below.

1.- Base-support.

2.- Carcasse

3.- Tube porteur de la charge

R.- Enceinte fermée

4.- Dispositif pour l'ignition initiale

5.- Solution de montage rapide

6.- Solution d'hermétisation.

List of components:

1.- Base-support.

2.- Carcass

3.- Load carrying tube

R.- Closed enclosure

4.- Device for initial ignition

5.- Quick assembly solution

6.- Hermetization solution.

• La base-support (1) reçoit, dans une disposition fixe et coaxiale avec elle, le tube (3) porteur de la chargeur de la fusée éclairante et un dispositif (4) ― non décrit car étant connu- nécessaire à son ignition initiale.
• La base-support (1) reçoit la carcasse (2), dans l'une ou l'autre position, au choix entre deux positions antagoniques coaxiales avec elle et, respectivement, de transport / stockage ―figure 1- ou opérationnelle d'utilisation ―figure 2-.

In the new rocket, according to the invention, which is composed of the listed elements:

• The support base (1) receives, in a fixed and coaxial arrangement with it, the tube (3) carrying the charger of the flare and a device (4) - not described as being known - necessary for its initial ignition.
• The support base (1) receives the carcass (2), in one or the other position, with the choice between two antagonistic positions coaxial with it and, respectively, of transport / storage ―figure 1- or operational of use 2-figure 2-.

In the transport / storage position ―figure 1-, the carcass (2) defines with the support base (1) a closed enclosure (R), hermetic thanks to the means (6), in which the tube (3) carrying the load of the flare and its ignition device (4) is closed and isolated.

In the operational position ―figure 2-, the carcass (2) constitutes a handle-handle for the user of the flare, which fully retains its characteristic benefits throughout the combustion (given the non-existence metal tube or equivalent limiting obstacle).

a) La base-support (1) et la carcasse (2) sont en plastique.

b) Le tube (3) porteur de la charge est en carton.

c) La solution de montage rapide (5) entre la base-support (1) et la carcasse (2) est constituée par deux filets mâles (Sa), (5b) antagoniques sur le corps-base (1) et par un filet femelle (5c) sur la carcasse (2) qui se vissera sur l'un ou l'autre de ceux-ci (Sa), (5b) en fonction de l'utilisation ou non de la fusée éclairante.

d) La solution d'hermétisation (6) entre le corps-base (1) et la carcasse (2) en position "pliée" (de transport ou de stockage) est constituée par un joint torique disposé sur le corps-base (1) et où prend appui "à fond" la carcasse (2).

For the achievement shown:

a) The support base (1) and the frame (2) are made of plastic.

b) The load carrying tube (3) is made of cardboard.

c) The quick mounting solution (5) between the support base (1) and the carcass (2) consists of two male threads (Sa), (5b) antagonized on the base body (1) and by a thread female (5c) on the carcass (2) which will be screwed on one or the other of these (Sa), (5b) depending on the use or not of the flare.

d) The sealing solution (6) between the base body (1) and the carcass (2) in the "folded" position (transport or storage) consists of an O-ring placed on the base body (1 ) and where the carcass (2) rests "fully".

a) Par exemple, en installant un ou plusieurs joints toriques dans d'autres zones de confluence entre la carcasse (2) et le corps-base (1), de sorte que la carcasse demeure "adossée" à ce(s) joint(s) torique(s).

b) Par exemple, en faisant un montage "à baïonnette" entre le corps-base (1) et la carcasse (2).

No other constructive and / or technically equivalent solution enabling the same airtightness (6) and rapid assembly (5) purposes to be ensured:

a) For example, by installing one or more O-rings in other zones of confluence between the carcass (2) and the base-body (1), so that the carcass remains "attached" to this joint (s) ( s) toric (s).

b) For example, by making a "bayonet" mounting between the base body (1) and the carcass (2).

Claims (4)

New flare, characterized by the fact that it includes: a) a support base, on which is placed a tube carrying the load of the flare and consumable with it; b) a carcass which, being capable of being mounted on this support base in two antagonistic positions thanks to a quick mounting solution, in one of the positions hermetically hides this charge and the carrier tube, when the flare does not is not used and, in the other position, constitutes a handle-handle for the flare, leaving the cardboard tube with the charge completely free and visible, so that, when igniting the fumigant / luminous charge, maximum operational efficiency and a significant improvement in its light output are obtained. New flare, according to the preceding claim, is characterized by the fact that, in particular, the support base and the carcass are made of plastic and the load carrying tube made of cardboard. New flare, according to the first claim, is characterized by the fact that, in particular, the quick mounting solution between body-base and carcass is constituted by two threads shaped antagonically in the base body, on one of which is a conjugated net, shaped in the carcass. New flare, according to the preceding claims, is characterized by the fact that, in particular, the sealing solution between the body-base and the carcass is constituted by an O-ring, placed on the base body and on which fully abuts the carcass in its folded position, which hides the carrier tube of the charge.

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