KR20030077415A - System and method for low signature launch of projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for launching a projectile is disclosed. The front and rear plates are coupled to the expansion vessel with a shaft so that as the volume of the expansion vessel increases, the piston moves in opposite directions along the axis. The projectile is arranged to shoot in the desired direction by the operation of the front plate. The two plates are connected to each other by a flexible coupling structure, so that the motion along the axes of the plates is limited.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOW SIGNATURE LAUNCH OF PROJECTILE}

In various tactical situations, and particularly in street fighting, it is of great importance to reduce the identification signal associated with firing a projectile. When firing a projectile from a tube with a rocket motor, the exhaust gas forms a high pressure region, and significant auditory and optical identification signals can be observed. These results make it impossible to fire from cover and make shooters easy to find.

To alleviate such unpleasant problems, a closed firing system has been designed to trap gaseous products by propulsive combustion between two pistons moving in opposite directions within the firing tube. US Pat. No. 3,771,417 to Schnabele et al. And US Pat. No. 3,779,130 to Schnabele disclose a launch system design for a projectile launch known as a double trap piston design. One of the pistons presses and accelerates the projectile in the firing direction, while the other presses the counter-mass until it is discharged backwards. The piston moves until it hits a mechanical stop located at the front and rear ends of the launch tube. Even if the weights of the propelling charges on both sides coincide, the timing at which the two pistons collide with the stop may not coincide, which may result in a reaction that may adversely affect the accuracy and safety of the shooter.

In addition, because momentum is transmitted from the piston to the tube at the end of the stroke, the tube must be designed in a structure that can withstand impact tensile forces, which undoubtedly increases the tube weight.

Alternatively, there may be a need to incorporate a modified braking device such as that disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,148,244 to Schnabele et al., But this device complicates the design and increases its weight. To increase.

The present invention provides a solution for accommodating a high-pressure gaseous product by propulsion combustion without applying an axial load to the launch tube and without generating a reaction force.

According to the invention, the projectile is released from the tube after being pressed by a plate which can act as a piston, while the other piston which can act as a piston presses the counter mass until it is discharged backwards. Counter masses consist of a relatively dense flowable medium. The two end plates are interconnected, and the structure connecting the two end plates stops them immediately after the distance between the plates reaches a predetermined value. In one embodiment, the interconnect structure is a sealed bellows containing gas between two end plates, which does not expose the firing tube to high pressure at all. In another embodiment, the interconnect structure is a multiple rope and the gas is received between the launch tube acting as a pressure vessel and the end plates acting as a piston.

1a shows a firing system according to a first embodiment of the invention before firing a projectile,

1b shows a firing system according to a first embodiment of the invention after firing a projectile;

2a shows a firing system according to a second embodiment of the invention before firing a projectile;

2b shows a firing system according to a second embodiment of the invention after firing a projectile;

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: launch tube 2, 3: cover

4: optical sight 5: launch mechanism

6: cable 7: propellant ignition system

8: propulsion charge 9, 10: piston

11 projectile 12 counter mass

13 connection structure 14 opening

23: bellows

1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the present invention. The firing system preferably consists of a disposable firing tube 1 with removable covers 2, 3 on both ends. To the launch tube 1 an optical sight 4 and a launch mechanism 5 are attached. The output of the launching device (electrical or pyrotechnic) is transmitted to the propellant ignition system 7 via an electrical conductor or pyrotechnic cable [Nonel-type pyrotechnic cord] 6. . The propulsion charge 8 is enclosed between two end plates 9, 10 which act as pistons.

The projectile 11 is located in front of the end plate 9, for example a counter mass 12, which can be a relatively dense flowable medium, is located behind the end plate 10. The two end plates 9, 10 are open connecting structures 13 composed of several strands of rope or cable formed from a high tensile strength material such as high strength steel, or a high strength fiber such as Keblar, or a combination thereof. Interconnected by In the case of nonmetals, the rope or cable may be coated with an insulating material such as rubber. When the shooter activates the launch mechanism 5, a signal is transmitted to the propellant ignition system 7. The propellant charge 8 ignites and combusts to generate a high temperature, high pressure gas. The pressure generated between the end plates acting on the pistons 9, 10 in the launch tube impinges on the piston. The projectile 11 is pressed forward by the end plate 9 and then exits from the tube 1. The counter mass 12 is pushed back by the end plate 10 and disperses when leaving the tube 1.

The structure 13 joining the two end plates stops the plates immediately after the distance between the plates reaches a predetermined value defined by the extended length of the rope. The rope or cable may be the same length or slightly different, and the thickness may also vary. Thus, the stopping of the piston can proceed indefinitely over a certain time interval.

Several openings 14, such as holes or blowouts, may be provided in the piston to facilitate dispersion of the counter mass after projectile firing, and to gradually release the pressure between the end plates.

2A and 2B show a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B are not shown or given reference numerals. See FIG. 1A and 1B where appropriate. The firing system consists of a disposable firing tube 1 with removable covers 2, 3 at both ends. To the launch tube 1 an optical sight 4 and a launch mechanism 5 are attached. The output of the launch mechanism (electric or pyrotechnic) is transmitted to the propellant ignition system 7 via an electrical conductor or pyrotechnic cable [nonnel pyrotechnic cord] 6.

The propelling charge 8 is enclosed between two end plates 9, 10 connected by bellows 23. The two end plates 9, 10 together with the bellows 23 connecting them form a closed structure that serves as a pressure vessel. The bellows is made of, for example, a high tensile strength material such as high strength steel, or a fiber reinforced with high strength fiber such as Kevlar, or a combination thereof. In the case of a nonmetallic material, the bellows may be coated with an insulating material such as rubber. According to the second embodiment, the firing tube 1 is not pressurized, and this feature enables a weight reduction design. The end plates 9, 10 do not act as pistons in this case and no sealing is required between the plates and the firing tube 1.

The projectile 11 is located in front of the end plate 9 and a counter mass 12 composed of a relatively dense flowable medium is located behind the end plate 10. When the shooter activates the launch mechanism, a signal is sent to the propellant ignition system 7. The propellant charge 8 ignites and combusts to generate a high temperature, high pressure gas. The pressure generated in the bellows 23 between the end plates 9, 10 impinges on the end plate. The projectile 11 is pressed forward by the end plate 9 and then exits the tube. The counter mass 12 is pushed back by the end plate 10 and is dispersed when leaving the tube.

The bellows 23 joining the two end plates stops the plates immediately after the distance between the plates reaches a predetermined value defined by the extended length of the bellows. In addition to the bellows connection it will be possible to connect the end plates with some high strength ropes. Thus, the stop of the end plate can proceed abruptly over a certain time interval.

Several openings 14, such as holes or blowouts, may be provided in the piston to facilitate dispersion of the counter mass after projectile firing and to gradually release the pressure between the end plates.

According to the projectile system and method of the present invention, there is an effect of enabling low-identification signal firing of the projectile by accommodating a gaseous product generated by propelled combustion without applying an axial load to the launch tube and generating a reaction force. .

Claims (1)

One or more embodiments of systems and methods for low identification signal firing of a projectile substantially as described herein.