EP0691520B1 - Device for connecting two containers and container therefor - Google Patents

Description

The technical field of the invention is that of containers capable of receiving a propellant charge and more particularly that of the containers used in the large caliber or tank artillery.

In order to adjust the range of the shot, it is often necessary to modify the quantity of powder that is used to launch a projectile.

Modular cylindrical containers have already been defined and produced of combustible material. Thanks to their rigidity, such containers are easier than traditional powder sachets.

In order to reduce the congestion of ammunition inside armored vehicles, it may also be necessary to divide them into two separate parts, one bearing the main propellant charge and the other the projectile and possibly a secondary propellant charge (we will look for example at GB2136929 which describes such ammunition).

In all cases, the problem of the joining of multiple containers.

Indeed it can be useful to accelerate the loading by introducing all the containers in a single maneuver, for example by means of a automatic loading.

It is therefore essential to secure the containers, which gives a certain rigidity during assembly.

In addition it may be necessary to quickly remove the load already introduced in the chamber of a weapon, and this withdrawal is made longer and more delicate by the division of the total load into several burdens.

Patent FR9101499 describes a container connecting device which comprises on the one hand a sliding ring and on the other hand hook-and-loop fastening means arranged on a front face of the container.

Such a device is complex and expensive to manufacture.

In addition it may be necessary, depending on operational needs, to link or not the containers. However, the means proposed by patent FR9101499 do not allow no such choice, the axial connection being in all cases provided by the means hanging.

It may also be necessary to quickly remove the containers in particular to replace the container carrying the ignition system (for example in the event of failure of the ignition system). It is then necessary to facilitate rapid separation of the containers when they are removed from the chamber.

Finally, the means proposed are delicate to implement. Indeed, so that the ring can slide it is necessary that the radial positioning of the two containers be correct. However, the attachment means are active whatever the relative radial position of the two containers. This results in difficulty for position and then join the two containers together.

Patent FR1291315 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, describes a detachable coupling for cartridges explosives, the separation of which is effected by means of a wire or cord which makes it possible to manually compress an internal elastic ring.

Such a device is not satisfactory from an operational point of view because the detachment of the cartridges requires an additional element external to the cartridge (wire or cord). In addition, such a separation is not rapid.

It is the aim of the present invention to propose a device for connecting containers that do not have such drawbacks.

The invention thus provides a container linking device which is simple and cheap. This device ensures easy connection of two front containers their introduction into the chamber of a weapon and a rapid separation of containers without using an additional element, when it is necessary to remove from the room.

The invention also relates to a container which can be made integral another container at one of its front faces, by means of such a connecting device.

The invention can be applied to the production of modular loads as well as loads in at least two loads, one carrying the main load and its igniter tube and the other the projectile (and possibly, but not necessarily, a secondary charge).

The subject of the invention is therefore a device making it possible to join two containers at their front faces and comprising a ring mounted sliding way at the level of a first constriction arranged on a first container and can slide to partially cover a second constriction fitted on a second container, the front end of the ring having an annular spout which ensures axial attachment of the ring on the second container when it comes cover the second constriction, the spout cooperating with a circular redent carried by a ring secured to the second constriction, device characterized in that it includes first means ensuring the detachment of the front end of the ring from the second container when the two containers are placed in a room of a weapon, means which comprise an outer diameter of the ring greater than outer diameter of the container, the ring being liable to deform radially, when it is placed in the chamber of the weapon, so as to adopt a diameter substantially equal to that of the container, this deformation causing the stall of the annular beak of the ring with the circular redent of the ring of the second container when both containers are in place in the gun chamber.

Advantageously, the device comprises second means ensuring the attachment of an internal part of the ring with the second container when the two containers are in the weapon's chamber.

Preferably, the second means of attachment of the internal part of the ring have a fold arranged on the internal surface of the latter and likely to come into abutment on a flange carried by the ring secured to the second shrinking.

The ring will include, at a rear part, a shoulder intended to cooperate with a collar arranged on the first constriction in order to achieve a stop axial and will be made of a plastic material of the Polyoxymethylene type or High density polyethylene or polyamide.

The collar will be part of a sub-ring integral with the first constriction, sub-ring on which the ring is slidably mounted.

The sub-ring and / or the ring will be made of a plastic material of the type High density polyethylene or polyamide.

According to a second embodiment, the sub-ring will include a stop annular allowing the axial connection of the ring with the sub-ring in its position advanced, the shoulder of the ring being positioned between the stop and the annular collar.

As a variant, the fold and the collar will each have a conical bearing, the two conical bearings being complementary and intended to cooperate.

The invention also relates to a container, in particular for a propellant charge, intended to be secured to a second container at level of one of its front faces by a securing device, container characterized in that it comprises at least one constriction arranged in the vicinity of the face frontal, constricted intended to receive a ring of external diameter greater than outer diameter of the container and which is liable to deform radially by so as to adopt a diameter substantially equal to that of the container, the ring being sliding rise at the neck, the front end of the ring having a annular spout intended to cooperate with a circular redent arranged on a ring.

The constriction will include a sub-ring intended to receive the ring, sub-ring comprising an annular collar intended to cooperate with a shoulder of the ring.

According to another characteristic, the container comprises at least one constriction fitted in the vicinity of the front face, constricted intended to receive a ring having a circular redent intended to cooperate with an annular spout arranged on a ring carried by the second container.

• la figure 1 représente en coupe partielle et avant leur solidarisation, deux conteneurs selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente en coupe partielle les deux mêmes conteneurs après leur solidarisation,
• la figure 3 représente en coupe partielle les deux mêmes conteneurs après leur mise en place à l'intérieur d'un tube d'une arme,
• la figure 4 représente en coupe partielle les deux mêmes conteneurs lors de la phase de déchargement d'un tube d'une arme,
• la figure 5 représente en coupe partielle les deux mêmes conteneurs en fin de phase de déchargement d'un tube d'une arme,
• la figure 6 représente un conteneur de type modulaire selon l'invention.
• la figure 7 représente en coupe partielle et avant leur solidarisation, deux conteneurs selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description of particular embodiments, description made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents in partial section and before their joining, two containers according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 shows in partial section the same two containers after they have been joined,
• FIG. 3 shows in partial section the same two containers after they have been placed inside a barrel of a weapon,
• FIG. 4 represents in partial section the same two containers during the phase of unloading a barrel of a weapon,
• FIG. 5 represents in partial section the same two containers at the end of the unloading phase of a barrel of a weapon,
• FIG. 6 represents a modular type container according to the invention.
• Figure 7 shows in partial section and before they are joined, two containers according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a first container 1a is intended to be returned secured to a second container 1b at its front face 2a. This last will then be in contact with the front face 2b of the second container.

Each container comprises a cylindrical envelope 3a, 3b produced in a combustible material such as nitrocellulose, cardboard or a mixture cardboard / nitrocellulose.

The envelopes are closed by end caps 4a, 4b which are also made of a combustible material. The caps are made integral envelopes by gluing at the cylindrical surfaces 5a, 5b.

The containers 1a and 1b are shown here partially. They are intended receiving a propellant charge in grains or sticks (not shown).

The container 1b carries at its other end a projectile (not shown) which will be made integral with the envelope 3b by a connecting ring (for example similar to that described by patent FR8712484).

The container carries at its other end a base (not shown) provided with a igniter tube (see for example patent FR9101499 which shows the fixing of such a base on the envelope).

It would also be possible to fix the projectile on the container 1a and the base on container 1b.

The stopper 4b carries a bowl 6 with a frustoconical profile which is placed in the center of the front face 2b.

The stopper carries a bulge 7 with a frustoconical profile which is placed in the center of the front face 2a.

The frustoconical profiles of the bowl 6 and the bulge 7 are complementary and are intended to cooperate with each other to allow a relative radial positioning of the two containers before their assembly.

Axial openings 22a and 22b are arranged at the front faces 2a and 2b of the containers. These openings facilitate the transmission of flame from one container to another when igniting the propellant charge. They are obstructed, in a known manner, for example by means of combustible sheets (not shown).

The end caps 4a and 4b each carry a constriction 8a, 8b, the maximum diameter D1 is about 10 mm less than the outer diameter D2 of the container, the diameter D2 of the container corresponding substantially to the diameter internal chamber of a weapon in which it will be placed.

The constriction 8a of the container carries it a sub-ring 9 fixed for example by collage. This sub-ring is made of plastic, for example of the type High density polyethylene or polyamide.

The sub-ring 9 carries on its external cylindrical surface 10 an annular collar 11.

A ring 12 is slidably mounted on the sub-ring 9. It is also made of plastic such as Polyoxymethylene or Polyethylene High density or polyamide. It has a shoulder 14 arranged at the level a rear part 13 and a fold 16 at an internal surface and on the side of a front end 15.

The shoulder 14 and the fold 16 have a diameter greater than the external diameter 10 of the sub-ring 9, which allows the sliding of the ring on the sub-ring.

The shoulder 14 is intended to abut on the annular collar 11 so as to limit the axial displacement of the ring 12 relative to the sub-ring 9.

From the mounting point of view, the ring 12 is put in place by elasticity on the sub-ring before gluing the latter on the neck 8a. Thus the ring 12 cannot plus be separated from container 1a, which avoids its loss and simplifies logistics. We may provide, in order to facilitate the positioning of the ring on the sub-ring, a mounting chamfer on the rear face of the shoulder 14 of the ring and on the face front of the annular collar 11 of the sub-ring.

The ring 12 has an outer bead 17 of diameter D3 which is greater the container diameter D2 of the order of 2 to 3 mm.

The ring also has, at its front end 15, a spout ring finger 18.

The container 1b carries on its neck 8b a ring 19 fixed for example by collage. This ring is also made of plastic, for example of the type High density polyethylene or polyamide.

The ring 19 carries a circular redent 20 intended to cooperate with the spout annular 18 of the ring 12. It also includes a flange 21 intended to cooperate with the fold back 16 of the ring 12.

FIG. 2 represents the two containers 1a and 1b assembled by the ring 12.

The two containers were brought into contact with each other at their front faces 2a, 2b. The bowl 6 and the bulge 7 then ensure the alignment of the containers and thus constitute means ensuring good radial positioning of the two containers.

Once the two containers are positioned relative to each other, we do slide the ring 12 on the sub-ring 9 so as to bring it into contact with the ring 19. A slight forcing allows the annular beak 18 to be hooked to the circular redent 20, which ensures the securing of the two containers.

The shoulder 14 of the ring 12 then finds itself in abutment against the collar annular 11 of the sub-ring 9. The collar 11 thus ensures the axial immobilization of the containers 1A and 1b when the spout 18 of the ring 12 is hooked to the circular redent 20 of ring 19.

The dimensions of the ring, the sub-ring and the ring will be defined from so that this axial immobilization can be achieved. So when the containers are in contact at their front faces and that the spout 18 is attached to the redent 20, the shoulder 14 abuts against the collar 11.

The collar 21 has an external diameter substantially smaller than the diameter outer 10 of the sub-ring 9 so as not to interfere with the fold 16 during the translation of the ring 12.

The material of the ring, the sub-ring and the ring fragments when igniting the propellant charge under the effect of gas pressure. In order to facilitate fragmentation we can provide areas of weakness, obtained by example by localized heating or machining.

The use of plastics to make rings, sub-rings and rings allows to define containers whose connection is extremely rigid.

FIG. 3 represents the two containers 1a and 1b assembled by the ring 12 and placed inside a tube 23 of a weapon.

When loading the two containers 1a and 1b inside a chamber 24 of tube 23 along arrow C, ring 12, which has a diameter in the rest position D3 greater than the diameter D2 of the containers, deforms radially so elastic in order to adopt the internal diameter of the chamber 24.

The deformation of the ring causes the recess of the spout 18 with the redent circular 20 then a slight retreat of the ring with respect to the containers until the fold 16 comes substantially into abutment against the collar 21.

The dimensions of the ring will be defined so that the deformation of this by reducing its external diameter D3 can ensure the release of the attachment of the spout 18 with the redent 20 and the advance of the fold 16 in the vicinity of the flange 21.

FIG. 4 represents the two containers 1a and 1b during the phase of unloading.

• On retire le conteneur la suivant la flèche DC, ce qui amène le collet 11 de la sous-bague 9 en butée contre l'épaulement 14 de la bague. Le repli 16 de la bague étant en appui contre la collerette 21 de l'anneau 19, le conteneur 1b est donc solidarisé axialement et entraíné à la suite du conteneur 1a.

It may be necessary to quickly remove the charge already introduced into the chamber of a weapon. This unloading is then carried out as follows:

• The container is removed along the arrow DC, which brings the collar 11 of the sub-ring 9 into abutment against the shoulder 14 of the ring. The fold 16 of the ring being in abutment against the collar 21 of the ring 19, the container 1b is therefore secured axially and driven following the container 1a.

Thus the two containers can be removed together in a single operation.

FIG. 5 represents the two containers 1a and 1b at the end of the phase of unloading.

At the outlet of the tube 23, when the tensile force on the container ceases, the container 1b due to its inertia continues its movement towards the container la, thus releasing the ring 12 which returns to its initial high position thanks to its elasticity remanent by releasing the fold 16 of the flange 21. This allows a separation automatic of the two containers without requiring manual intervention.

The two containers are thus removed from the barrel barrel chamber in one single operation and end up not being interdependent of each other, which allows a faster maneuvering, for example in the event of the exchange of only one of the containers or return to storage position after non-use.

FIG. 6 represents a modular type container according to the invention. This container made of combustible material is intended to be assembled with other completely identical containers in order to constitute a load artillery propellant.

It consists of a combustible envelope 3, closed at one end by a plug 4a which carries a first constriction 8a and at the other end by a plug 4b carrying a second constriction 8b.

The first constriction 8a carries a sub-ring 9 and a ring 12. The second constricted 8b carries a ring 19.

It would obviously be possible to define a modular container whose faces frontal would include radial positioning means constituted by a bowl or bulge.

The envelope would then be closed at its ends by plugs 4a, 4b of the type of those shown in Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the containers described above, the envelope cylindrical was closed by two fuel caps carrying a neck. He will be as a variant, it is possible to produce at least one stopper from a single piece with the envelope. We proceed for this to a shaping of the envelope in a suitable mold. This avoids a delicate fixing operation by gluing the cap on the envelope.

It will also be possible to make plastic plugs and forming a single piece with the ring or the sub-ring. It is enough to define this variant to take again the figures already described and to consider on these figures that plug and ring or plug and sub-ring constitute one and the same room.

In order to facilitate the fragmentation of such plastic plugs, we may provide weakening zones on the latter, obtained for example by localized heating or by machining.

Figure 7 shows two containers according to a second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the sub-ring 9 has on its cylindrical surface outer 10 and near the collar 11, an annular stop 25.

The stop 25 allows the axial retention of the ring 12 when the latter is in advanced position, the shoulder 14 of the ring having been received between the collar 11 and the stop 25.

The stop 25 has a chamfer at its rear part which facilitates the passage of the ring 12. The ring can also carry a complementary chamfer (not shown) on the front part of the shoulder 14.

Such an embodiment has the advantage of being able to be used in a automatic loading device without requiring prior assembly of the two containers, only the translation of the ring 12 is necessary in the advanced position. In effect, the ring being in its advanced position, the container is placed in the automatic loading followed by container 1b. The ring 12 cannot move back thanks to the stop 25, the container 1b is automatically secured to the container by hooking the spout 18 of the ring 12 on the redent 20 of the ring 19.

The collar 21 of the ring 19 has, in this second embodiment, a conical bearing 26 complementary to a conical bearing 27 produced at the level back of the fold 16 of the ring 12.

The two complementary conical bearings 26 and 27 improve the holding mechanics of the fold back link 16 / flange 21 when removing the containers. They maintain the connection during removal as long as the tractive effort is effective.

Of course, as a variant, it is possible to provide for the first mode of embodiment, a flange 21 and a fold 16 each having a conical bearing complementary 26, 27, as it is also possible to provide no scope conical for the second embodiment of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A device enabling two containers (1a, 1b) to be made integral with one another by their front faces (2a, 2b) and comprising a ring (12) mounted sliding on a first necking (8a) arranged on a first container (1a) and able to slide in order to partially cover a second necking (8b) arranged on a second container (1b), the front end of the ring comprising a ring-shaped lip (18) which ensures the axial hooking of the ring on the second container when the former covers the second necking, the lip cooperating with a circular cusp (20) carried by a ring (19) integral with the second necking, a device characterised in that it comprises first means to ensure the unhooking of the front end of the ring from the second container when the two containers are installed in a chamber (24) of a weapon, means which comprise an external diametre (D3) of the ring (12) which is greater than the external diametre (D2) of the container, the ring being likely to radially deform when it is placed in the weapon chamber so as to take on a diametre which is roughly equal to that of the container, this deformation causing the ring-shaped lip (18) of the ring to become unhooked from the circular cusp (20) of the ring (19) of the second container when the two containers are installed in the weapon chamber.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises second means to ensure the hooking of an inner part of the ring with the second container when the two containers are in the weapon chamber.
3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the second hooking means of the inner part of the ring comprise a fold (16) arranged on the inner surface of the ring and likely to come to stop against a collar (21) carried by the ring (19) integral with the second necking.
4. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the ring (12) comprises, on a rear part, a shoulder (14) designed to cooperate with a flange (11) arranged on the first necking in order to provide an axial stop.
5. A device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the flange (11) forms part of an under-ring (9) integral with the first necking (8a), an under-ring upon which the ring (12) is mounted sliding.
6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the ring (12) is made of a plastic material of the Polyoxymethylene or High Density Polyethylene or Polyamide type.
7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the under-ring (9) and / or the ring (19) are made of a plastic material of the High Density Polyethylene or Polyamide type.
8. A device according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the under-ring (9) comprises a ring-shaped stop (25) providing the axial link of the ring (12) with the under-ring (9) in its forward position, the shoulder (14) of the ring being positioned between the stop (25) and the ring-shaped flange (11).
9. A device according to any one of Claims 3 to 8, characterised in that the fold (16) and the collar (21) each have a tapered seat (26, 27), the two tapered seats being matching and designed to cooperate with each other.
10. A container, in particular for a propelling charge, designed to be made integral with a second container by one of its front faces (2a, 2b) by means of a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, a container characterised in that it comprises at least one necking arranged near its front face, a necking designed to accommodate a ring (12) having an external diametre (D3) greater than the external diametre (D2) of the container and which is likely to radially deform so as to take on a diametre which is roughly equal to that of the container, the ring being mounted sliding on a necking, the front end of the ring comprising a ring-shaped lip (18) designed to cooperate with a circular cusp (20) arranged on a ring (19) carried by a second container.
11. A container according to Claim 10 characterised in that the necking comprises an under-ring (9) designed to accommodate the ring (12), an under-ring comprising a ring-shaped flange (11) designed to cooperate with a should (14) of the ring.
12. A container, in particular for a propelling charge, designed to be made integral with a second container by one of its front faces (2a, 2b) by a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, a container characterised in that it comprises at least one necking arranged near the front face, a necking designed to accommodate a ring (19) having a circular cusp (20) designed to cooperate with a ring-shaped lip (18) arranged on a ring (12) carried by the second container.

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