EP0475207B1 - Charge modulaire de munition unitaire sans douile - Google Patents

Charge modulaire de munition unitaire sans douile Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0475207B1
EP0475207B1 EP91114546A EP91114546A EP0475207B1 EP 0475207 B1 EP0475207 B1 EP 0475207B1 EP 91114546 A EP91114546 A EP 91114546A EP 91114546 A EP91114546 A EP 91114546A EP 0475207 B1 EP0475207 B1 EP 0475207B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
igniter
module
charge
propellant
grains
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91114546A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0475207A1 (fr
Inventor
Antonio Gonzalez
Henry Hill Raines
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Olin Corp
Original Assignee
Olin Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Olin Corp filed Critical Olin Corp
Publication of EP0475207A1 publication Critical patent/EP0475207A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0475207B1 publication Critical patent/EP0475207B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B5/00—Cartridge ammunition, e.g. separately-loaded propellant charges
    • F42B5/38—Separately-loaded propellant charges, e.g. cartridge bags
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B5/00—Cartridge ammunition, e.g. separately-loaded propellant charges
    • F42B5/02—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile
    • F42B5/16—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile characterised by composition or physical dimensions or form of propellant charge, with or without projectile, or powder
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B5/00—Cartridge ammunition, e.g. separately-loaded propellant charges
    • F42B5/02—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile
    • F42B5/18—Caseless ammunition; Cartridges having combustible cases

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to ammunition and more particularly to a unitary charge module for separate ammunition used in large caliber artillery.
  • Large caliber gun ammunition (such as is used on naval ships) does not normally have a single, unitary cartridge but instead typically includes two separate components: (a) a projectile and (b) one or more separate bags or containers of propellant.
  • the projectile and the propellant containers are sequentially loaded into the breech of the gun either by hand or automatically.
  • the effective range of the projectile can be selected by the choice of how many bags or containers of propellant are loaded into the gun.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,282,813 discloses a unitary propellant charge formed in a cylindrical shape having a central bore along its axis for propagating a primer flash.
  • the charge contains a priming charge at one end and has an outer coating of a heat shrinkable polyester film such as mylar. This unitary charge is not designed for use where multiple charges are employed.
  • U.S. Patents 4,702,167 and 4,864,932 also disclose a unitary propellant charge having a cylindrical shape with a central bore therethrough.
  • the charge composed of black powder, surrounds a tubular igniter or a stack of self centering rings made of extruded porous nitrocellulose or an admixture of nitrocellulose and a known primer charge such as boron/potassium nitrate powder.
  • the main charge of black powder is contained in an annular envelope which uses the igniter as the inner wall. This arrangement permits stacking without alignment problems and allows variation of the total propellant quantity by loading multiple charges in a gun.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,922,823 discloses an igniter charge for a unitary propellant charge module such as is disclosed in the last described patents in which the igniter is made of a composite of an inner igniter tube and an outer support tube. Both tubes are made of extruded propellant powders and may be separately pressed in a mold to form the tubes. The igniter and support tubes are then adhesively bonded together. Alternatively the two tubes may be coextruded together. The igniter charge is then assembled into an annular main charge container.
  • US-A-3 092 525 discloses a method for preparing a one-piece propellant powder charge wherein granular propellant powder grains are mixed with a plasticizer and pressed until the grains adhere together to form a consolidated body of individual grains.
  • the charges show the burning characteristics of a loose powder. This document describes the preamble of claim 1.
  • a solid compacted igniter charge having a tubular shape is disposed in the central bore.
  • the igniter charge is an annular right circular cylinder also of compacted spherical or spheroidal propellant grains which lines the central bore through the charge module.
  • each of the grains has an unrolled grain diameter of between about 0.51 mm to about 2.54 mm (20 to about 100 mils) in diameter and preferably between about 1.016 mm to about 1.778 mm (40 to about 70 mils) in diameter.
  • a suitable spherical propellant for the igniter is BALL POWDER® model No. WC 615, also available from Olin Corporation.
  • the propellant actually used should be specifically tailored to the specific application on a case by case basis to optimize ignition.
  • the igniter charge propagates the ignition flame front axially at a greater speed than the radial burn rate of the charge so that the entire charge burns symmetrically radially outwardly eliminating major pressure oscillations during ignition of the main propellant charge.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view through a first embodiment of the unitary charge module in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view of the module shown in Figure 1 taken on the line 2-2.
  • Figure 3 is a side partial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a center core igniter for use in the unitary charge module in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the unitary charge module in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a side sectional view of a third alternative embodiment of the unitary charge module in accordance with the invention.
  • a first embodiment of the unitary charge module 10 of the invention has a cylindrical annular main charge body 12 with a center core igniter 13 contained within a two piece combustible case 14 having a top member 16 and a bottom member 18 so shaped so that the top member slides into bottom member 18 to enclose the main charge body 12.
  • the center core igniter 13 forms an inner wall lining a central bore 22 through the main charge 12.
  • the unitary charge module 10 in accordance with the invention is axially and radially symmetrical about its longitudinal axis A so that one or more of the modules may be inserted into the breech of a gun with either end first.
  • This symmetry permits simple, fast handling procedures and eliminates the consequences of misorientation.
  • This symmetry also simplifies multiple charge loading to vary the range of the projectile fired from the gun as well as increased firing rates and reduced barrel wear as will be subsequently described.
  • the main charge 12 is a compacted body of rolled or unrolled spherical or spheroidal propellant powder, preferably BALL POWDER® model No. WC950.
  • the powder has an unrolled grain size of at least 2.54 mm (100 mils) in diameter and is preferably compacted after being softened on the grain surface by soaking the uncompacted grains in a solvent such as butyl acetate sufficient to make the surface of the grains tacky. The grains are then compacted to form the main charge body.
  • the main charge 12 is thus a porous body made of interconnected spheroids of propellant.
  • the interconnected grains may also be made by coating the propellant grains with a surface adhesive prior to compaction thus eliminating the need for a solvent.
  • the grains are preferably between about 3.05 mm and 4.06 mm (120 and 160 mils) in diameter.
  • 3.81 mm (150 mil) grains are preferably compacted to form the unitary charge module intended to be used in the M199 cannon, a 155mm howitzer.
  • Spheroidal propellants such as BALL POWDER® propellant result in much lower gun gas temperatures than comparable conventional propellants such as JA2 and M31A1E1.
  • M31A1E1 powder presently used in the 155mm howitzer, has a flame temperature of about 2700° Kelvin.
  • the BALL POWDER® propellant of the invention having a 3.81 mm (150 mil) grain size also has an average flame temperature of about 2700 Kelvin.
  • the BALL POWDER® propellant has a burn rate deterrent outer layer.
  • the top and bottom container members 16 and 18 are formed from conventional combustible case materials such as cellulose fibers impregnated with nitrocellulose and a resin binder.
  • the members may be overlapping as shown in Figure 1 or may be butt joined. In the latter case they would by joined with a suitable combustible adhesive. These members provide moisture protection and abrasion protection during handling and field storage of the unitary charge module.
  • the center core igniter 13 is a tubular solid body 20 also formed of compressed spherical or spheroidal or oblate spheroidal propellant powder having an unrolled grain size of between about 0.51 mm (20 mils) to less than about 2.54 mm (100 mils) and more preferably between about 1.016 mm to about 1.778 mm (40 to about 70 mils).
  • the tubular body 20 is thus a porous body made of interconnected spheroids of propellant.
  • the propellant in the center core igniter 13 preferably is an undeterred spherical or spheroidal propellant so that the primer flash is propagated almost instantaneously along the igniter length.
  • the tubular body 20 may be adhesively or frictionally fit within the bore 22 through the main charge 12.
  • a central passage 23 through the center core igniter body 20 directs passage of the primer flame front (not shown) upon ignition. This passage may be clear or may be used to contain strands of ignition materials such as benite.
  • the solid igniter body 20 is formed in the same manner as the main charge body 12 by the addition of a solventless binder (adhesive) or a solvent such as butyl acetate to the uncompressed grains. In either case, the coated grains become tacky. They are then compressed to form the solid igniter body 20 and the excess solvent is removed.
  • a solventless binder adheresive
  • a solvent such as butyl acetate a solvent such as butyl acetate
  • the container members 16 and 18 are not structurally required for the unitary charge module in accordance with the invention.
  • the main charge 12 is a solid body which is self supporting.
  • the compressed BALL POWDER® propellant of the main charge 12 retains its granular character however, and, upon ignition, deflagrates as a loose powder.
  • a second embodiment of the unitary charge module of the invention may simply comprise a main charge 12 containing a center core igniter 13 without the casing 14.
  • abrasion and moisture protection may be provided by a thin coating 30 of mylar, lacquer, rubber, a polyurethane system, or other combustible material applied after the compressed body is formed and the excess solvent removed.
  • the coating if applied as a liquid, dries to form a protective film on the exterior of the main charge.
  • a similar protective coating 32 may be applied to the inside and or outside surface of the center core igniter 13 prior to its installation into the bore 22 in the main charge 12.
  • This coating 32 may also include burn rate modifiers to tailor the overall burn rate to a specific gun's requirements.
  • the igniter 24 includes a sleeve 26 of combustible case material around the tubular body 20 of the igniter.
  • the sleeve has a plurality of apertures 28 along its length to direct the ignition flame into the main charge.
  • a plurality of benite strands 29 are centrally disposed in the central bore 23 through the tubular body 20.
  • the tubular body 20 of both the center core igniters 13 and 24 and the main charge 12 are formed by the same general process.
  • the rolled (oblate spheroidal) or unrolled (spherical or spheroidal) propellant grains are coated with a nitrocellulose solvent such as butyl acetate.
  • a nitrocellulose solvent such as butyl acetate.
  • Butyl acetate has been found to be the preferred solvent.
  • other similar solvents may be used such as ethyl acetate or acetone.
  • the solvent diffuses into the surface of the grains.
  • the grains can then be conditioned at a temperature of between about 1.67°C to 10.0°C (35° to 50° Fahrenheit) to prevent excessive solvent migration.
  • the propellant grains are then reconditioned to about 21.1°C (70°F) and compressed in a mold to form the cylindrical shape of the main charge 12 or the center core igniter body 20. Finally, the excess solvent is then driven off.
  • the module 40 is a right circular cylindrical main charge body 42 made of compacted BALL POWDER® propellant.
  • the body 42 has a central through bore 44 along its longitudinal axis.
  • This through bore 44 has a constricted central portion 46 between two opposite end portions 48 and 50.
  • the end portions 48 and 50 each have a greater radius than the central portion 46 to accomodate an igniter support tube 52 and an igniter ring 54 at the outer ends of the bore 44.
  • the igniter support tubes 52 and the igniter rings 54 have outer diameters sized to snugly fit into the end portions 48 and 50 of the through bore 44 and have inner diameters preferably matching the diameter of the constricted central portion 46 of the main charge body 42.
  • the main charge body 42 is encased preferably by a moisture proof outer composite casing 56 made of combustible fibers.
  • the central bore 44 is similarly lined with an inner channel casing 58.
  • the casing 56 and liner 58 provide moisture and abrasion protection during module handling.
  • the casing and liner may also be applied as a liquid or shrink-wrap coating and thus may be very thin and light weight.
  • the main charge is formed as above described in the previous embodiments and also preferably utilizes BALL POWDER® propellant grains having an unrolled grain size of about 3.81 mm (150 mils).
  • the igniter support tubes 52 are made of compacted BALL POWDER® propellant having a grain size between about 1.016 mm and 1.778 mm (40 and 70 mils) and are also formed as previously described.
  • the igniter support tubes thus extend only partially along the through bore 44. This arrangement provides an alternative way to vary the ignition rate of the propellant in the main charge by varying the surface area of the main charge directly exposed to the ignition flame front.
  • the length of the ignition support tubes can be chosen so as to optimize the ignition geometry within the module.
  • the ignition rings 54 at each end of the central bore 44 are preferably formed of compressed fine grain undeterred spherical or spheroidal or oblate spheroidal propellant or black powder so as to couple the initial primer flash rapidly into the igniter support tube. This arrangement increases the module to module ignition sensitivity.

Claims (16)

  1. Module unitaire (10 ; 40) de charge de matière propulsive destiné à être utilisé dans des munitions séparées comprenant un corps plein et poreux d'une charge cohérente (12 ; 42), formé de grains de matière propulsive sphériques ou sphéroïdaux tassés et interconnectés,
       caractérisé en ce que chacun des grains du corps de la charge a un diamètre de grain non roulé d'au moins 2,54 mm (100 mil) et le corps de la charge (12 ; 42) , après allumage, brûle symétriquement en direction radiale vers l'extérieur depuis un trou axial central (22 ; 44) qui le traverse en donnant une température moyenne du gaz inférieure à 2 000 K.
  2. Module (10 ; 40) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le corps de la charge (12, 42) a une forme de cylindre de section droite circulaire symétrique autour du trou axial central (22 ; 44) qui le traverse.
  3. Module (10 ; 40) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en outre par une charge solide et tassée (20, 54) d'allumeur disposée dans le trou (22 ; 44), caractérisé en ce que la charge d'allumeur est un cylindre annulaire de section droite circulaire formé de grains sphériques ou sphéroïdaux tassés de matière propulsive, chacun des grains de la charge d'allumeur ayant un diamètre de grain non roulé compris entre environ 0,51 mm (20 mil) et moins de 2,54 mm (100 mil).
  4. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé par une douille combustible (17 ; 56) entourant le corps (12 ; 42).
  5. Module (10 ; 40) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la douille (14) est formée d'un récipient en deux parties (16, 18).
  6. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le diamètre des grains du corps de la charge, à l'état non roulé, est compris entre 3,05 et 4,06 mm (120 à 160 mil).
  7. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le diamètre des grains non roulés de la charge d'allumeur est compris entre environ 1,016 et 1,778 mm (40 à 70 mil).
  8. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 7, caractérisé en ce que le corps d'allumeur (20) possède un manchon externe (26) formé d'un matériau de fibres combustibles placé autour du corps d'allumeur, le manchon ayant plusieurs orifices (28) qui le traversent.
  9. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 8, caractérisé en outre par plusieurs brins (29) d'allumeur placés à l'intérieur du corps tubulaire d'allumeur (20).
  10. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 5 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le récipient de la douille est un revêtement (30) appliqué à l'extérieur de la charge (12, 42).
  11. Module (10 ; 40) selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que le revêtement (30) appartient au système des polyuréthannes.
  12. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 11, caractérisé en ce que le corps d'allumeur (20) a un revêtement externe (32) d'un matériau de protection contre l'humidité.
  13. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 12, caractérisé en outre par au moins un anneau (54) d'allumeur disposé axialement près du corps d'allumeur dans le trou.
  14. Module (10 ; 40) selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en outre par une paire d'anneaux (54) d'allumeur placés aux extrémités opposées du trou central (44).
  15. Module (10 ; 40) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, caractérisé en ce que le trou (44) a une partie médiane rétrécie (46) de diamètre uniforme de façon générale, séparant deux parties d'extrémité (48, 50) de plus grand diamètre, chacune des parties d'extrémité logeant et retenant un corps tubulaire d'allumeur (20) adjacent à la partie médiane (46) et un anneau d'allumeur (54) adjacent au corps d'allumeur.
  16. Module (10 ; 40) selon la revendication 15, caractérisé en ce que l'anneau d'allumeur (54) et le corps d'allumeur (20) ont chacun un diamètre interne correspondant approximativement au diamètre de la partie médiane rétrécie (46).
EP91114546A 1990-08-30 1991-08-29 Charge modulaire de munition unitaire sans douile Expired - Lifetime EP0475207B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US57505790A 1990-08-30 1990-08-30
US575057 1990-08-30

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EP0475207A1 EP0475207A1 (fr) 1992-03-18
EP0475207B1 true EP0475207B1 (fr) 1995-08-09

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DE (1) DE69111944T2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2710976B1 (fr) * 1993-10-05 1995-11-17 Poudres & Explosifs Ste Nale Eléments de conteneurs combustibles pour munitions d'artillerie, procédé de fabrication et utilisation de tels éléments.
FR2725510B1 (fr) * 1994-10-06 1997-01-24 Giat Ind Sa Etui pour un chargement propulsif
FR2736425B1 (fr) * 1995-07-07 1997-08-29 Giat Ind Sa Conteneur combustible de charge propulsive pour une munition d'artillerie de campagne
FR2737002B1 (fr) * 1995-07-20 1997-08-29 Giat Ind Sa Systeme d'allumage d'une charge propulsive, notamment pour munition d'artillerie de campagne, et son procede de fabrication
DE19806388A1 (de) * 1997-03-07 1998-09-10 Dynamit Nobel Ag Zündmittelelement mit Schutzlack
FR2781879A1 (fr) * 1998-07-30 2000-02-04 Giat Ind Sa Element de charge propulsive et son procede de fabrication
SE9804400L (sv) * 1998-12-18 2000-02-14 Bofors Ab Sätt att vid initiering av artilleridrivkrutladdningar bestående av ett flertal efter varandra anordnade drivkrutsmoduler åstadkomma en jämn övertändning mellan dessa samt i enlighet med sättet utformade drivkrutsmoduler och kompletta laddningar
US6343552B1 (en) * 2000-06-06 2002-02-05 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Solvent application system
FR2926133B1 (fr) * 2008-01-09 2010-01-22 France Cheddite Procede de fabrication de cylindres pour douille de cartouche et composition.
DE102010045383B4 (de) * 2010-09-14 2014-01-16 Diehl Bgt Defence Gmbh & Co. Kg Treibladungskörper
RU2707830C2 (ru) * 2018-04-26 2019-11-29 Акционерное общество "Уральский завод транспортного машиностроения" Артиллерийский выстрел раздельного заряжания с переменным метательным зарядом

Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3092525A (en) * 1960-09-30 1963-06-04 Olin Mathieson Method of producing unitary nitrocellulose grains capable of fragmentation under primer blast to original granules

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US2405104A (en) * 1941-08-07 1946-07-30 William E Mydans Ordnance powder bag
DE1244632B (de) * 1958-03-04 1967-07-13 Olin Mathieson Verfahren zur Herstellung von gerundeten Treibpulverkoernchen aus Nitrocellulose
US3191535A (en) * 1959-05-25 1965-06-29 Dow Chemical Co Solid cellular metallic propellants
US4092189A (en) * 1977-08-01 1978-05-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army High rate propellant
FR2518736B1 (fr) * 1981-12-17 1986-09-26 Poudres & Explosifs Ste Nale Chargements mixtes pour munitions avec douille constitues de poudre propulsive agglomeree et de poudre propulsive en grains
US4841863A (en) * 1985-04-19 1989-06-27 Olin Corporation Saboted, light armour penetrator round with improved powder mix
DE3730530A1 (de) * 1987-09-11 1989-03-23 Rheinmetall Gmbh Anzuenduebertragungsladung fuer eine treibladung

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3092525A (en) * 1960-09-30 1963-06-04 Olin Mathieson Method of producing unitary nitrocellulose grains capable of fragmentation under primer blast to original granules

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69111944D1 (de) 1995-09-14
EP0475207A1 (fr) 1992-03-18
DE69111944T2 (de) 1996-04-18

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