DE102007022672B3 - Intelligent weapon's i.e. cruise missile, condition monitoring method, involves comparing resulting data of function test of weapon and determining differences and trends in individual data and remaining duration and maintenance requirement - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves producing a condition image of an intelligent weapon (1), where resulting data of a function test of the weapon are stored in a data memory (10). Another condition image of the weapon is produced in a temporal distance to produce a previous condition image, where another resulting data of the test are determined and stored in the memory. The both resulting data are compared, and differences and trends in the individual resulting data are determined. A remaining duration and the maintenance requirement are determined based on results of comparison and determination.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The The present invention relates to a condition monitoring method a smart weapon and a smart weapon.

STATE OF THE ART

During the manufacture of intelligent weapons, for example of cruise missiles, quality checks are carried out all the way to the final product inspection test, during which individual parameters are checked against specified threshold values and to specified tolerances. These predetermined thresholds and tolerances are usually derived from design specifications. Such a final acceptance test is for example in the DE 10 2004 042 990 A1 described.

It However, it happens that the theoretically determined given Thresholds and tolerances are too tolerant. An adaptation of this predetermined thresholds and tolerances to the actual possible manufacturing accuracy during one ongoing production is usually not. Furthermore, will be the results of functional tests of the manufactured series missiles, the both in the inert state, that is without pyrotechnics, as well in the lethal state, that is with pyrotechnics, performed Be not archived to compare with future ones Test data can be used. The resulting measurement data are currently not processed, still structured stored or systematically evaluated to For example, by adjusting thresholds and tolerances can and identify any anomalous or deterioration trends that occur during manufacture.

In a later re-examination of the intelligent weapon, for example, after a maintenance, it is therefore not possible to compare the current state of the weapon with their delivery condition. The EP 0 747 656 A2 shows a structure for checking a smart weapon during maintenance.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

task The present invention is therefore a method for condition monitoring to specify a smart weapon which it during at least a part of the life of the weapon reliably allows to make a statement about the Course of the functionality and the reliability to hit the weapon and so a deployment or maintenance requirement to investigate.

Farther It is an object of the invention, a corresponding intelligent Specify weapon.

The The object concerning the method is solved by the features of the patent claim 1.

• a) Erzeugen eines ersten Zustandsbilds der Waffe während der Fertigung der Waffe, wobei Ergebnisdaten zumindest eines Funktionstests der Waffe ermittelt und in einem Datenspeicher gespeichert werden;
• b) Erzeugen von zumindest einem weiteren Zustandsbild der Waffe in einem zeitlichen Abstand zum Erzeugen eines vorherigen Zustandsbilds, wobei Ergebnisdaten zumindest eines Funktionstests der Waffe ermittelt und in einem Datenspeicher gespeichert werden;
• c) Vergleich der Ergebnisdaten aus Schritt b) mit den Ergebnisdaten aus zumindest einem vorherigen Schritt und Ermittlung von Unterschieden sowie von Trends in den einzelnen Ergebnisdaten;
• d) Entscheidung über die Restnutzungsdauer und das Wartungserfordernis auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse aus Schritt c).

The inventive method for condition monitoring of an intelligent weapon, in particular a cruise missile, has the following steps:

• a) generating a first state image of the weapon during the manufacture of the weapon, wherein result data of at least one functional test of the weapon are determined and stored in a data memory;
• b) generating at least one further state image of the weapon at a time interval for generating a previous state image, wherein result data of at least one functional test of the weapon are determined and stored in a data memory;
• c) comparing the result data from step b) with the result data from at least one previous step and determining differences as well as trends in the individual result data;
• d) decision on remaining useful life and maintenance requirement based on the results of step c).

By This method becomes technical state images at intervals the weapon, for example during production, final acceptance, use and maintenance and saved. This determination of technical state images can in the inert state of the weapon and even in the lethal state of the Weapon done. A comparison of the technical state images Stored data can be both differences, as well as trends in the individual results data, which in turn results in a decision on the remaining useful life and the maintenance requirement can be met. The basis for this Decision is not the observation of individual behavior Parameter of the weapon opposite theoretically set thresholds and / or tolerances, but an observation of individual parameters of the weapon over one longer Period and changes this parameter.

ADVANTAGES

For every weapon Thus, a database with measurement and test results is created, the be determined over time on this weapon. The in this Database stored measurement and test data can be prepared if necessary and systematically evaluated to determine, for example, whether the weapon is unchanged is ready for use or whether a performance decrease or other changes have taken place over time.

Especially It is advantageous if the steps b) and c) over the lifetime pass through the weapon several times, in which case in step c) Trend determination based on the current state image and the stored data of previous status pictures takes place.

Farther It is advantageous if the production in step b) continues Status pictures in rotation or event-driven takes place. A regular generation of another Status picture, for example, at one after a certain Due date Performed maintenance become. An event-controlled generation of a further state image can be done, for example, if the weapon after a longer storage period for one Use should be prepared.

Especially advantageous is a development of the method according to the invention, while continuing during at least a period of the life of the weapon continuous monitoring of on the weapon acting exogenous influences, taking measurement results these influences determined and stored in the data memory, and wherein the immediate measurement results and / or the measurement results below consideration their duration of action on the weapon compared with given data and the decision on the remaining useful life and the maintenance requirement also based on this comparison he follows. This advantageous development makes it possible to act on a weapon exogenous influences, for example, at a longer Transporting the weapon into an operational area and - if the weapon is not there was used - from the Field of application back to monitor the depot and to save and to decide on the operational capability of the weapon. This way can be easy and fast be determined whether the weapon during transport or even at a Storage in the field of application influences such as extreme temperatures or shock loads, has been exposed, affecting the reliability of the weapon.

Finally is it is also advantageous if in step a) additionally store error images in the data memory be that while the manufacture of the weapon, especially during their functional tests occurred are. Also in step b) can additionally Error pictures are stored in the data memory during the Life of the intelligent weapon, especially while there incurred functional tests have occurred. Logging such faulty images and possibly also of these faulty images associated remedies, provides a wealth of experience, even years later in the case of troubleshooting with a defective weapon finding and fixing a mistake can accelerate.

A Particularly advantageous embodiment of the method is characterized in that the result data in step a) alternatively or additionally in a central database stored on an external data store with the result data of a plurality of intelligent weapons are stored. hereby becomes the possibility created for a multitude of similar intelligent weapons a central database with measurement and test results as well as possibly also store with faulty images to thereby an overview not just about the result data of a smart weapon, but a series of similar intelligent weapons, a so-called weapon park, to obtain.

Advantageous is also, if this central data storage not only during the Manufacture of the weapon, but - alternatively or additionally - during the Lifetime of the weapon takes place.

Especially It is also advantageous if these are for a variety of similar intelligent weapons collected in the central database be evaluated in such a way that on the basis of in the central Database stored result data of a plurality of intelligent Weapons similar results data of individual weapons each with each other be compared and based on this comparison of the individual Result data empirical thresholds are determined as tolerance limits. In this way, a statistical evaluation of appropriate Measurement and test results of a series of similar intelligent weapons and based on this statistical evaluation can be done empirically an adjustment of the thresholds for tolerances of individual measuring and test values carried out be original theoretically adjust certain thresholds to reality.

The directed to the intelligent weapon task of the present invention is solved by the features of claim 10. The Providing a data store in the intelligent weapon makes it possible starting with the manufacture of the weapon during the life of the weapon Save state parameters as result data of function tests and so a test or test data history for this Create weapon that is always carried by the weapon.

It is also advantageous if the weapon with an external data acquisition device is providable, which can be decoupled from this for the operational use of the weapon and in the coupled state with the data storage of the weapon for Datenü transfer is connected. This data acquisition device need not be attached to the entire life of the weapon on this, but can be attached to the weapon if necessary. Thus, for example, it may be sufficient to store the weapon during the time of depot storage without data acquisition device, and to provide the weapon during transport or during storage in a field of application with the data acquisition device to determine the weapon from outside acting parameters and data storage save.

The Data acquisition device can advantageously sensors for recording the temperature, humidity, vibration loads and / or of impact loads wherein the measurement results provided by these sensors transferred to the data storage for storage and there, for example stored in an event database.

Advantageous is also when the weapon has a computer that stored the Measurement results of the sensors as part of a system test of the weapon evaluates a decision about usability and / or the remaining useful life of the weapon. This computer can for example, be the central weapon computer.

advantageously, The computer determines the number of measurements based on the stored measurement results Sensors and / or the stored state parameters a probability of failure the weapon, with this probability of failure or one of them deduced "GO / NOGO" decision the weapon or displayed on a test device connected to the weapon becomes.

The Data acquisition device thus detects the weapon acting Environmental influences, the evaluation of these stored environmental influences, but also the stored in the weapon state parameters on the previous lifetime of the weapon is performed by the weapon's own computer and from this computer, the remaining useful life and / or the Failure probability of the weapon is determined and reproduced.

It is achieved both by the method of the present invention, as also by the intelligent weapon of the invention a closed Information chain to create a weapon over the entire life cycle of the weapon, thus from the development over the Production and storage right up to use, extensive information weapon-ready and for Evaluations regarding the availability and the residual life of the weapon provides. Such a closed information chain allows on easy way a lifecycle ammunition management.

The The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to FIG closer to the drawing explains; in this, the single figure shows a schematic representation the data flow in the inventive method with an inventive intelligent Weapon.

PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 schematically illustrates the data flow in carrying out the method according to the invention with an intelligent weapon according to the invention. The intelligent weapon 1 is formed in the embodiment as a cruise missile, the on-board data storage 10 having. The data store 10 is with an onboard computer 12 , for example the weapon control computer. An external data output device 14 , which may be formed for example by a printer, a screen or a portable computer, is to the on-board computer 12 connected.

Furthermore, the intelligent weapon 1 with an external data acquisition device 2 Mistake. The data acquisition device 2 has several sensors 20 . 21 . 22 on, which detect the temperature, humidity and vibration loads and shock loads to which the weapon 1 is exposed. The ones from the sensors 20 . 21 . 22 delivered measurement data are sent via a data line 23 to the on-board data storage 10 the weapon 1 delivered and stored there.

The data acquisition device 2 is under opening of the data line 23 from the weapon 1 decoupled and will only on demand on the weapon 1 appropriate. This can be the case, for example, if the weapon 1 transported or stored outside a weapons depot. Then from the sensors of the data acquisition device to the intelligent weapon 1 detected environmental influences and stored in the data memory 12 the weapon 1 stored.

In the production phase or immediately after the production phase of the weapon 1 in the 1 denoted by the reference "P" and symbolically through the box 3 In the case of production-accompanying tests, data supplied by corresponding test equipment (not shown) are stored in the on-board data memory 10 the weapon 1 saved what by the arrow 30 is symbolized. These data include the results of a manufacturing functional test (FFT) on the inert weapon 1 That is, in the state in which the weapon is not yet provided with pyrotechnics. This manufacturing functional test includes tests performed on a factory test equipment (FTE), the results of a self-test sequence, and the results of a bump test sequence. The FTE tests are carried out on a test bench where the intelligent weapon is tested in the inert state. In this case, for example, the time, duration and amplitude of ignition pulses, voltages, currents, flow of the coolant (eg argon) and the engine speed of the engine blown with compressed air are determined as measured data. Furthermore, in the production phase P, results of a production final acceptance test (FET) on the lethal missile, that is to say on the missile provided with pyrotechnics, are stored in the data memory 10 the weapon 1 stored. Finally, the data from a sporadic Final Ground Test (FGT) is sent to the on-board data store 10 the weapon 1 and / or to an external central data store 5 passed and stored there.

In addition to the above-mentioned test data from the production phase, data of defect images that occurred during the production or the production accompanying or concluding tests have occurred as a defect image record in the data memory 10 the weapon 1 filed, what by the arrow 32 is symbolized. As a supplement to the error image data record can also be data on troubleshooting performed in the data memory 10 be filed.

In this way, a detailed data history on the production process of the weapon 1 in the data store 10 the weapon created.

If the weapon 1 From the manufacturer to the customer has been delivered, it will be necessary on certain occasions to perform maintenance on the weapon. Such maintenance may also include hardware and software upgrades, including status images of the weapon 1 determined and in the data memory 10 be stored.

The maintenance and repair works several times over the life of the weapon 1 may be required are in the figure by the box 4 symbolized and referred to as maintenance / repair phase with "W / R".

During such maintenance work or repair work on the weapon, an initial check-up is carried out before work is started. Likewise, a final test is carried out after completion of the maintenance or repair work. The results of the input analysis and the final test are also stored as data in the data memory 10 the weapon 1 written by the arrow 40 is symbolized.

During the maintenance / repair phase, data from the ingress detection, ie an ingress test, a manufacturing inertial test (FFT) on the inert missile and a final production test (FET) on the lethal missile as in the production phase P are performed and the corresponding data is stored in the data memory 10 the weapon 1 stored.

Eventually, what will be done by the arrow 42 is symbolized, including errors that are recorded during maintenance or repair, as well as data on appropriate troubleshooting in the data memory 10 stored.

Furthermore, data relating to performed hardware or software upgrades in the data memory 10 be filed. Also outside of the manufacturer of the weapon 1 performed maintenance or repair can function checks, for example, in the ammunition depot, or before or after a transport of the weapon 1 be performed. The result data determined during these function checks are also stored in the data memory 10 stored.

In the manner described above, a closed chain of information about test and test results during the production phase and during the entire useful life of the weapon is formed, in the case of the external to the weapon 1 exerted influence parameters are recorded. This closed information chain consists of the aforementioned data, stored in a database in the data store 10 the weapon 1 are filed together. On the basis of this data can then by means of an on-board computer 12 expiring program 13 a very accurate condition check of the weapon 1 what is done in the data storage 12 stored data via a data line 11 to the computer 12 be handed over. By means of the symbolically shown in the figure as a box program 13 A wide variety of evaluations and analyzes can be carried out to create a weapons-specific status screen. The program 13 Delivered results are sent via another data line 15 to the display device 14 to hand over.

By means of the method and the intelligent weapon according to the invention, it is possible to quickly and easily determine the functional state of the intelligent weapon. This may, for example, at the request of a user before the expiry of the warranty period or before a possible Resale of the weapon 1 respectively. Furthermore, feature checks can be performed before and after a hardware or software update to the weapon 1 is made.

Finally, it is also possible to select missiles before conducting a shooting campaign. In this case, the performance level of the missile determined by a functional check can be determined 1 and the age of the missile 1 and any deviations of the actual state from the delivery state serve as selection criteria.

Also, by means of the method according to the invention after a transport of the weapon 1 be checked if the weapon 1 damaged during transport. Finally, it is also possible, designed as a cruise missile intelligent weapon 1 to check their operability, if this has been brought in the meantime in an inert state, for example, to be used for flying flights, and has been restored to the lethal state after completion of the flying wings.

Of others can with the method according to the invention feasible condition monitoring or condition checks are performed, if the gun after a long transport, For example, in a field of application in which it does not use has been re-stored in a depot.

The connection of the data acquisition device, also referred to as CV data box 2 can, as shown in the figure, by means of the data line 23 but it is also possible to use the sensors 20 . 21 . 22 the data acquisition device 2 to communicate with the data memory by means of a wireless connection.

Become determined by the method according to the invention result data of individual intelligent weapons 1 a weapons park of similar weapons in a weapons park database in an external, centralized data store 5 summarized, so can the condition monitoring of individual intelligent weapons 1 The entire weapons park can also be monitored and statistical evaluations can be used to determine new, more precise assessment parameters for the individual state variables.

Is the weapon 1 as in the example described, with an on-board data memory 10 equipped, the data stored therein can be read out and into the external, central data memory 5 be taken over. By means of a to the external, central data memory 5 connected computer 6 , evaluations can be one of a variety of similar weapons 1 existing arms parks. The external central data store 5 and the external computer 6 may be formed by an external computer, such as a portable computer. By means of this external computer 6 and the external central database 5 can also use intelligent weapons that are not equipped with an on-board data store 10 and / or one in the on-board computer 12 expiring evaluation program 13 be analyzed with regard to their usability or their remaining service life or other weapon-typical parameters.

The external central data store 5 can via data lines 30 ' . 32 ' . 40 ' . 42 ' and 23 ' with the on-board data storage 10 be connected. Here are the data connections 30 ' . 32 ' . 40 ' . 42 ' and 23 ' symbolic of corresponding data connections between the on-board data memory 10 and the external data store 5 , Of course, the corresponding data from the on-board data memory via a single physical data line in the manner known to those skilled in the external data memory 5 be transmitted.

If the weapon 1 no on-board data storage 10 owns, which are done by the arrows 30 . 40 symbolized transfers of the result data as well as the arrows 32 . 42 Symbolized transfers of error image data directly into the external, central data memory 5 , whereby of course also identification data of the intelligent weapon 1 to this result data or error image data in the external, central data memory 5 be stored. The external central data store 5 in this case takes over the storage of the various data records. The identification data of the weapon 1 Incidentally, they are also stored in the central data memory 5 captured when the data from the on-board data store 10 in the external data memory 5 be transmitted.

Is the weapon 1 not with an on-board data store 10 provided in the data acquisition device 2 recorded sensor data also directly into the external, central data memory 5 are read in, with data for the assignment of the corresponding weapon 1 in the data store 5 be stored.

The one in the external computer 6 ongoing results are delivered via the data line 15 ' to the data output device 14 to hand over.

• – es wird die automatische Auswertung der Ergebnisdaten erleichtert;
• – die Anpassung von Schwellenwerten und Toleranzen an praktisch-realistische Werte erhält eine begründbare Grundlage;
• – Auffälligkeiten sind einfach zu identifizieren, wenn signifikante Abweichungen von bislang ermittelten Mittelwerten einzelner Ergebnisdaten auftreten, sodass beispielsweise wegdriftende Baugruppen erkannt werden können;
• – die Fehlersuche bei einer Wartung oder Reparatur wird effizienter, da auf bereits bekannte Fehlerbilder, die im Datenspeicher abgelegt sind, zugegriffen werden kann;
• – für jede intelligente Waffe 1 wird zum Zeitpunkt der Auslieferung an den Nutzer, d. h. am Ende der Produktionsphase P, ein technisches Zustandsbild festgehalten, das während der Nutzung der Waffe 1 als Referenz dienen kann.

By applying the method according to the invention in the production phase, the following advantages result:

• - it facilitates the automatic evaluation of the result data;
• - the adaptation of thresholds and tolerances to practically-realistic values is given a justifiable basis;
• - abnormalities are easy to identify if significant deviations from previously determined averages of individual result data occur, so that, for example, drifting assemblies can be detected;
• Troubleshooting maintenance or repair becomes more efficient by allowing access to already known error images stored in the data memory;
• - for every intelligent weapon 1 At the time of delivery to the user, ie at the end of the production phase P, a technical status picture is recorded during use of the weapon 1 can serve as a reference.

• – eine fehlerhafte Handhabung der Waffe 1 durch den Kunden bei Lagerung und/oder Transport kann durch Analyse der Messwerte der externen Datenerfassungseinrichtung 2 und durch den Vergleich mit dem Auslieferungszustand erkannt werden;
• – Alterungseffekte können rechtzeitig vor dem Einsatz der Waffe 1 oder vor einer Schießkampagne erkannt werden;
• – eine Leistungsabnahme kann rechtzeitig vor dem Einsatz oder vor einer Schießkampagne erkannt werden, wodurch das Risiko einer Missions-Nichterfüllung oder von Kollateralschäden deutlich reduziert wird;
• – die Auswahl einzelner Waffen 1 nach bestimmten Leistungskriterien wird ermöglicht;
• – die Fehlersuche wird durch die Möglichkeit des Zugriffs auf bereits bekannte, abgespeicherte Fehlerbilder effizienter;
• – ein eventuelles Service-Erfordernis kann rechtzeitig erkannt werden.

During the use phase of the intelligent weapon, the following advantages result:

• - incorrect handling of the weapon 1 by the customer during storage and / or transport, by analyzing the measured values of the external data acquisition device 2 and be recognized by the comparison with the delivery condition;
• - Aging effects can be timely before using the weapon 1 or be detected before a shooting campaign;
• - a performance decrease can be detected in good time before deployment or before a shooting campaign, significantly reducing the risk of mission failure or collateral damage;
• - the selection of individual weapons 1 according to certain performance criteria is made possible;
• - The troubleshooting is more efficient by the possibility of accessing already known, stored error images;
• - A possible service requirement can be detected in good time.

reference numeral in the claims, The description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

1

weapon

2

Data acquisition device

3

production phase

4

Maintenance / repair phase

5

external, central data storage

6

external computer

10

data storage

11

data line

12

Computer / data storage

13

program

14

Data output means

15

data line

15 '

data line

20

sensor

21

sensor

22

sensor

23

data line

23 '

data line

30

transfer the result data in the production phase

30 '

data line

32

transfer the defect image data in the production phase

32 '

data line

40

transfer the result data in the maintenance / repair phase

40 '

data line

42

transfer the error image data in the maintenance / repair phase

42 '

data line

Claims (14)

Method for monitoring the status of an intelligent weapon ( 1 ), in particular a cruise missile, comprising the steps of: a) generating a first state image of the weapon ( 1 ) during the production of the weapon, whereby result data of at least one functional test of the weapon is determined and stored in a data memory ( 10 ) get saved; b) generating at least one further state image of the weapon ( 1 ) at a time interval for generating a previous state image, wherein result data of at least one functional test of the weapon ( 1 ) and stored in a data memory ( 10 ) get saved; c) comparing the result data from step b) with the result data from at least one previous step and determining differences as well as trends in the individual result data; d) decision on remaining useful life and maintenance requirement based on the results of step c). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the steps b) and c) over the life of the weapon ( 1 ) are traversed several times, in which case in step c) the trend is determined on the basis of the current state image and the stored data of previous state images. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that in step b) taking place generating further state images regular or event-driven takes place. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized That during at least a further period of the life of the weapon ( 1 ) a continuous monitoring of exogenous influences acting on the weapon takes place, wherein measurement results of these influences are determined and stored in the data memory ( 10 ) are stored; and - that the immediate measurement results and / or the measurement results, taking into account their duration of action on the weapon ( 1 ) are compared with given data and - that the decision on the remaining useful life and the maintenance requirement also takes place on the basis of this comparison. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in step a) additionally defect images during the manufacture of the weapon ( 1 ), especially during bump tests, data storage ( 10 ) get saved. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in step b) additionally defect images during the lifetime of the weapon ( 1 ), in particular during the functional tests, occur, are stored in the data memory. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the result data in step a) alternatively or additionally in a central database on an external data memory ( 5 ), in which central database the result data of a plurality of intelligent weapons ( 1 ) get saved. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the result data in step b) alternatively or additionally in a central database on an external data memory ( 5 ), in which central database the result data of a plurality of intelligent weapons ( 1 ) get saved. Method according to Claim 7 or 8, in which, based on the result data stored in the central database, a plurality of intelligent weapons ( 1 ) similar results data of individual weapons are each compared with each other and wherein on the basis of this comparison of the individual result data empirical thresholds are determined as tolerance limits. Intelligent weapon, in particular cruise missile, with a data memory ( 5 ; 10 ), in which state parameters determined during manufacture are stored as result data of a functional test and which is designed to be used during the life of the weapon ( 1 ) store further state parameters. Intelligent weapon according to claim 10, characterized in that the weapon ( 1 ) with an external data acquisition device ( 2 ) that can be used for the operational use of the weapon ( 1 ) is decoupled from this, and with the data memory ( 5 ; 10 ) is connected to the data transmission. Intelligent weapon according to claim 11, characterized in that the data acquisition device ( 2 ) Sensors ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) for detecting the temperature, the humidity, vibration loads and / or shock loads and that the measurement results of the sensors ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) to the data memory ( 5 ; 10 ) are transferred for storage. Intelligent weapon according to claim 12, characterized in that the weapon ( 1 ) a computer ( 12 ), which stores the stored measurement results of the sensors ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) as part of a system test of the weapon ( 1 ) and thereby a decision on the usability and / or the remaining useful life of the weapon ( 1 ) meets. Intelligent weapon according to claim 13, characterized in that the computer ( 12 ) based on the stored measurement results of the sensors ( 20 . 21 . 22 ) and / or the stored state parameter a probability of failure of the weapon ( 1 ).