EP0754288B1 - Large-calibre ammunition container - Google Patents

Description

The technical field of the present invention is that of containers for large caliber ammunition.

Large caliber ammunition is characterized by a significant bulk because their mass is high (15 to 30 kg) and their significant length (1 to 2 m). This ammunition consists of a projectile and propellant charge contained in a shell fuel or not crimped on the projectile. Projectiles can be arrow projectiles, shell projectiles, incendiary projectiles, training explosives, etc. We can imagine that this ammunition is awkward to handle and must be protected. Current protections generally consist of containers incorporating means for wedging the ammunition and ideal for everyday handling.

As an indication, one can refer to Patents FR-A-1 601 106, FR-A-2 597 075, FR-A-2 477 698, FR-A-2 369 180, FR-A-2 685 469, which describe such containers. However, they present the serious disadvantage of not protecting the ammunition during stresses This problem must be solved with due regard to the transport conditions for dangerous goods. We will note in particular that patent FR-A-1 601 106 describes a container intended for fix the orientation and the location of the forces so that the crimping of the socket is protected. We offer a number of wedges arranged at the centers of gravity of the components of the ammunition. No blockage in translation of the projectile is provided and it it is not possible to subject the munition to stresses severe.

Wooden containers offer no watertightness and do not provide no cushioning at fall. Metal containers do not offer almost no fall amortization; this is all the more penalizing that the internal volumes are more and more restricted in due to external dimensional constraints related to transport and to the palletizing system and therefore strongly limit the volumes available for cushioning materials. In addition, they require paint and do not rule out the possibility of corrosion. The plastic containers offer good performance when the loads remain moderate as for example the case from a fall of 2.10 m in height at temperatures ranging from - 40 to + 63 ° C. Generally for this height, the performance of the ammunition is kept in its entirety by a material container plastic.

But, when the stresses are more severe for example during from a drop of 12 m for temperatures ranging from - 40 to + 60 ° C, we frequently sees a significant initiation rate, which is not not admissible for user safety.

Patent EP-0164150 only describes a protective envelope for ammunition for immediate use or to be incorporated into a overpack container and not a full container. It's about here to immobilize the case to prevent the projectile from entering in loading. The envelope is in the form of two half-shells following the outline of the projectile which must be immobilized one in relation to the other. The ammunition thus protected cannot be severely stressed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a container protecting an ammunition against severe stress and prohibiting any accidental initiation thereof.

• une enveloppe interne délimitant des moyens de blocage en translation du projectile de la munition par rapport à une douille renfermant le chargement de la munition et des moyens de blocage appliqués au niveau du culot de la munition, lesdits moyens de blocage assurant une immobilisation suivant les trois axes de la munition dans l'enveloppe interne, et présentant à une extrémité une partie externe tronconique et à l'autre extrémité une partie cylindrique prolongée par une base radiale,
• une cale de tête disposée dans l'enveloppe externe, munie d'un évidement délimitant un profil interne tronconique épousant le profil externe de l'enveloppe interne,
• au moins une cale latérale disposée entre les enveloppes interne et externe, et
• une cale de fond disposée dans l'enveloppe externe appliquée contre la base radiale de l'enveloppe interne, comprimée contre celle-ci par le capuchon.

The subject of the invention is therefore a container for large caliber ammunition of the type consisting of an external envelope closed by a cap, characterized in that it comprises:

• an internal envelope delimiting means for blocking the projectile of the ammunition in translation relative to a socket containing the loading of the ammunition and blocking means applied at the level of the base of the ammunition, said blocking means ensuring immobilization according to the three axes of the munition in the internal envelope, and having at one end a frustoconical external part and at the other end a cylindrical part extended by a radial base,
• a head wedge disposed in the outer envelope, provided with a recess defining a frustoconical internal profile matching the external profile of the internal envelope,
• at least one lateral wedge disposed between the internal and external envelopes, and
• a bottom wedge disposed in the outer casing applied against the radial base of the inner casing, compressed against the latter by the cap.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the head block comprises a cylindrical internal profile extending the frustoconical profile internal.

Applied to arrow munitions, the means of blocking in translation, according to a characteristic of the invention consist of a first blocking means of the translation of the ammunition projectile with respect to to the cartridge case containing the charge of the ammunition and a second means for blocking the translation of the loading with respect to the projectile. Said means of blocking are also constituted by staves circular bearing on the projectile on the one hand and on the load envelope on the other hand, for example, and circular spans are delimited by folds of the inner envelope itself which is made up of two half-shells joined by connecting means, by example.

Applied to hollow charge ammunition, the means for blocking the translation of the projectile by relative to the socket are constituted by a scope attachment cooperating with the flange of the projectile and the internal envelope is provided with two bearing surfaces bearing on the projectile near the end of the case.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the means of connection are constituted by a latching means arranged at the level of the body of the internal envelope and by a sleeper arranged in the vicinity of the radial base, and the latching means is constituted by a claw delimited by extensions of the wall of the two half-shells, the latter each having a rim support along their junction line.

Finally, according to another characteristic of the invention, the internal envelope is made up of injected polyamide, reinforced with glass fibers and presents cutouts of material.

A very first advantage of the invention lies in perfect timing of the ammunition at its constituents themselves.

Another advantage is that the ammunition is locked in an envelope at which are applied the timing means.

Another advantage is that all the parts making up the container are made by extrusion-blowing and / or injection operations.

• de verrouiller les parties déformables de la munition afin d'empêcher tout mouvement relatif risquant d'endommager ou d'initier les parties pyrotechniques sensibles,
• d'assurer l'amortissement quelle que soit la position de la chute en trois étapes :
• 1) par la structure de l'enveloppe extérieure : dimensionnement approprié du corps et de la poignée du couvercle, avec une absence de tout contact avec l'enveloppe interne,
• 2) par les calages internes réalisés dans un matériau cellulaire dont la densité et la géométrie permet la deuxième phase d'amortissement, la première phase ayant quasiment atteint son maximum,
• 3) par les coquilles de verrouillage réalisées en polymère renforcé dont le dimensionnement de la structure de type squelette permet de résister tout en complétant l'absorption du choc et donc l'amortissement final,
• de garantir les fonctions citées ci-avant dans les limites extrêmes de dispersion, de fabrication de la munition, ceci sans aucune reprise d'usinage, d'intervention ni même de système de réglage de rattrapage de jeu. Ceci est assuré par le concept des coquilles dans la zone concernant le verrouillage du culot ; un ensemble de gorges constituant une zone de verrouillage variable permet lors de la fermeture de la grenouillère d'assurer le verrouillage final quelle que soit la longueur de la munition,
• de permettre en utilisation tactique et logistique une extraction de la munition dans un temps très court (moins de 10 s) ceci sans aucun outil et sans dépalettiser.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to:

• to lock the deformable parts of the ammunition in order to prevent any relative movement which could damage or initiate the sensitive pyrotechnic parts,
• ensure amortization regardless of the position of the fall in three stages:
• 1) by the structure of the external envelope: appropriate sizing of the body and of the handle of the cover, with no contact with the internal envelope,
• 2) by the internal wedges produced in a cellular material whose density and geometry allows the second damping phase, the first phase having almost reached its maximum,
• 3) by the locking shells made of reinforced polymer, the dimensioning of the skeleton-type structure makes it possible to resist while completing the absorption of the shock and therefore the final damping,
• to guarantee the functions mentioned above within the extreme limits of dispersion, manufacture of the ammunition, this without any resumption of machining, intervention or even of system of adjustment of correction of play. This is ensured by the concept of shells in the area for locking the base; a set of grooves constituting a variable locking zone makes it possible, when the latch is closed, to ensure final locking whatever the length of the munition,
• to allow in tactical and logistic use an extraction of the ammunition in a very short time (less than 10 s) this without any tool and without depalletizing.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une munition flèche dans son conteneur,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une munition à charge creuse dans son conteneur,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale montrant les moyens d'encliquetage, et
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale montrant une structure particulière du conteneur interne,
• la figure 5 montre les moyens de verrouillage au niveau du culot de la munition,
• la figure 6 est une vue éclatée montrant la munition emballée.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the additional description which follows of embodiments given by way of illustration in relation to drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a boom munition in its container,
• FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of a hollow charge munition in its container,
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the latching means, and
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a particular structure of the internal container,
• FIG. 5 shows the locking means at the level of the base of the ammunition,
• Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the packaged ammunition.

In Figure 1, there is shown in half higher the section of the container according to the invention and in lower half a view of the inner envelope alone integrated in the external envelope. Ammunition 1 represented in this figure is of the arrow type, that is to say that it consists of a projectile in the form a bar or boom 2 secured to a shoe 3, a socket 4 fuel or not containing a load propulsion. The socket is terminated by a base 5. A Large caliber ammunition of this type, 120 mm for example, has a mass of about 20 kg and according to the invention we want prohibit any translation of the projectile relative to the loading, because it was found that it is this displacement which caused an untimely initiation of the ammunition.

According to the invention, an envelope is provided internal 6 housed in an external envelope 7. This last one is quite classic and has two operating handles 8 and 9 at each end, one cap 10 screwed externally to the wall of the envelope between which an O-ring 11 is placed sealing. The internal envelope 6 consists of polyamide reinforced by glass fibers and is made by injection. In this way, one can use a thin skeleton, about 5 mm thick, resistant and damping. The internal envelope 6 is profiled so to delimit at its wall a first bearing 12 in circular support on shoe 3, so as to prevent any translation of the projectile towards the socket 4 containing the load, constituting the first means of blockage when the ammunition falls on the side of the base 5. The internal envelope 6 has a second profile 13 in support circular on the front end of the socket 4, prohibiting any translation of this socket containing loading towards projectile 2, constituting the second blocking means when the ammunition falls on the side of the projectile.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the internal envelope 6 conforms to the general shape of ammunition 1 and has a side projectile a frusto-conical part 14 extended forwards by a cylindrical part 15a bearing on a washer 16 centering with respect to the bar 2 and towards the rear by a tubular part 15b. This front end 15a is open and surrounds the tip of the bar to achieve a additional protection thereof. The internal envelope 6 also comprises at the base 5 a bearing surface consisting of one or more staves 17. At the level of this end, the envelope 6 is extended by a wall radial 18 serving as the background.

The inner envelope 6 can be produced under the shape of two half-shells joined by means of link constituted at the median level for example by a snap-fastening and a latch 19 attached to a ledge of the wall 18.

The internal envelope 6 thus produced ensures a immobilization of the ammunition in three directions prohibiting any translation of any of its constituents compared to others. This envelope contributes to most of the performance during falls security testing. The lower part of the figure shows different cutouts 21 of material in the envelope internal.

The internal envelope 6 is itself immobilized following the three directions relative to the envelope external 7 by a head block 22, a lateral block 23 and a bottom block 24. The head block 22 is engaged in outer shell 7 with a tight fit and present an axial recess defining a frustoconical internal profile 25 cooperating with the frustoconical part 14 of the envelope internal, and a substantially cylindrical profile 26 receiving with a very large clearance the cylindrical part 15 of the outer envelope.

Wedge 23 is applied against the part substantially cylindrical of the inner envelope 6 and is intended to prohibit any movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between the two envelopes. She is arranged in the figure in the vicinity of the base 5 of the ammunition. The bottom wedge 24 is applied against the wall 18 of the envelope 6 and realizes, following its compression by the cap 10, blocking the ammunition along the longitudinal axis. The three wedges 22, 23 and 24 thus designed in turn achieve blocking according to the three directions of the inner envelope 6 with respect to the outer casing 7, preventing any direct contact between the two envelopes.

In Figure 2, there is shown the section of a container according to the invention applied to ammunition of the type hollow charge. Ammunition 50 shown in this figure consists of a projectile 51 with a hollow charge, a socket 52, combustible or not, containing a load propulsion. The socket 52 is terminated by a base 53. A Large caliber ammunition of this type, 120 mm for example, has a mass of 25 kg and, according to the invention, we want prohibit any translation of the projectile relative to the initiation pyrotechnic system because it has been found that it is this displacement which causes an initiation untimely ammunition.

According to the invention, provision is made, as above, half-shells 54 housed in an external envelope 55. The latter is fully functional and includes two operating handles 56 and 57 at each end, one cover 58 screwed externally to the wall of the casing 55 between which an O-ring 59 is placed sealing. The half-shells 54 consist of reinforced technopolymer. In this way, we can realize a thin skeleton about a few mm thick, depending on the ammunition, resistant and shock absorbing. Half shells 54 are profiled so as to delimit at level of their wall a first attachment surface 60 on the flange 61 of the shell so as to prohibit any translation of the projectile 51 towards the socket 52 containing loading, constituting a first blocking means when the ammunition falls on the side of the base 53 or on the side of the projectile 51.

In Figure 3, there is shown, in a section cross-section, an embodiment of the first means of connection of the two half-shells. It consists of a snap-fit lip 40 delimited by the same wall of the two half shells. Each half-shell 6a or 6b includes on one side a lug 40a delimited by a semi-cylindrical part 41 and a substantially flat portion 42 and the other a claw 43 delimited by an extension 44 of the wall constituting the lip proper. In hanging the claw 43 on the lug 40, the connection of the two half-shells 6a and 6b at their level front part. The flat part 42 defines a space free 40b allowing manual decoupling of the two half-shells 6a and 6b.

As previously indicated, the two half-shells 6a and 6b are each provided with a flange 45 or 46 as shown in Figure 4. The two flanges 45 and 46 are provided at the substantially cylindrical part 15b of the envelope 6 and ensure a frank contact of the two half-shells.

Figure 5 shows in more detail the latch 19 constituting a second means of connecting the two half-shells 6a and 6b. To this end, each half-shell 6a and 6b has at its wall 18 a extension 47a or 47b projecting from each of which is made a groove 48. The groove 48 of the half-shell 6a, receives for example one end of the collar 49 of the sleeper, while the groove 48 of the half-shell 6b receives a bar 50.

By operating the bar 50, we block the latch 19 at the base 18. The two half-shells 6a and 6b are therefore kept firmly linked between them by the two connecting means illustrated by Figures 3 and 5.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a outer casing 7 of a well known type. This is produced in the form of an extruded body blown in viscoelastic material with high damping property very high molecular weight polyethylene type (500,000). This body has flanges B1 and B2 to ensure its packaging on pallets without any other device.

Ammunition 4 thus protected withstands falls 12m providing maximum safety cushioning. Tests carried out between - 40 and + 60 ° C at heights 12 m drop did not reveal any initiation or no disorganization of the ammunition for falls, side base or projectile, or flat.

In Figure 6, we see that the half-shells 54 conform to the general shape of the ammunition and present projectile side a frustoconical part 62 extended by a cylindrical part 63. Each half-shell is provided with a hanging groove 64 delimited by two spans 64a and 64b between the end of the projectile and the end of the socket 52 constituting a second means of attachment and blocking. These half-shells 54 also have at the level of the base 53 a bearing surface constituted by one or several spans 65. At this end, each half-shell is extended by a radial wall 66.

We can carry out the assembly of these half-shells 54 by connecting means formed at the median level for example by a latching lip 67 and a latch 68 attached to a rim of the wall 65.

The half-shells 54 thus produced provide a immobilization in three directions of ammunition 50 prohibiting any translation of any of its constituents with respect to it. This envelope contributes to most of the performance during falls security testing. The lower part of Figure 2 shows different cutouts 69 of material, constituting a light, resistant and shock-absorbing "skeleton" structure in the inner envelope.

The half-shells 54 are themselves immobilized following the three directions relative to the envelope external 55 by a head block 69, a bottom block 70 and a cover wedge 71. The head wedge 69 is engaged in the outer casing 55 with a tight fit and has an axial recess 72 defining an internal profile frustoconical cooperating with the frustoconical part 62 of half-shells and a substantially cylindrical recess receiving with a very large clearance the cylindrical part of the nose of half shells. The two envelopes only show then no point of contact between them.

Wedge 70 is applied against the extreme part substantially cylindrical 63 of the half-shells and is intended to prohibit any movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between the two internal envelopes 54 and external 55. It is arranged in FIG. 6 in the vicinity of the base 53 of the ammunition. The cover wedge 71 is applied against the base 65 of the half-shells 54 and contributes with the cover 73 to blocking the ammunition 50 along the longitudinal axis. The three wedges 69, 70 and 71 thus designed in turn achieve blocking according to the three directions of the half-shells 54 with respect to the outer envelope 55.

The container according to the invention makes it possible to avoid ammunition initiations for fall heights of around 12 m, in a temperature range from -40 to + 60 ° C.

Claims (13)

1. A container for large calibre munitions of the type constituted by an outer envelope (7) closed by a cap (10), characterised in that it comprises :

   an inner envelope (6, 54) demarcating means (12, 13, 60, 64) to prevent the translation of the projectile (2, 51) of the munition (1, 50) with respect to a case (4, 52) enclosing the munition load and blocking means (19) applied to the base (5) of the munition (1, 50), the said locking means providing immobilization along the three axes of the munition (1, 50) in the inner envelope, and which has a tapered outer part (14, 62) on one end and a cylindrical part (15, 63) extended by a radial bottom (18) on the other,

   a head wedge (22, 60) placed in the outer envelope (7, 55), fitted with a recess demarcating a tapered inner profile (25) which matches the outer profile of the inner envelope (6, 62),

   a side wedge (23, 70) placed between the inner (6, 54) and outer (7, 55) envelopes, and

   a bottom wedge (24, 71) applied against the radial bottom (18, 66) of the inner envelope (6, 63), compressed by the cap (10, 58).
2. A container according to Claim 1, characterised in that the head wedge (22) has a cylindrical inner profile (26, 72) extending the inner tapered profile (25).
3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2 applied to a fin-stabilized munition, characterised in that the means to prevent translation are composed of a first means (12) to prevent the translation of the projectile (2) of the munition (1) with respect to the case (4) enclosing the load and a second means (13)) to prevent translation of the case (4) with respect to the projectile (2).
4. A container according to Claim 3, characterised in that the blocking means (12, 13) are also constituted by circular supports bearing firstly on the projectile (2) and secondly on the case (4) enclosing the load.
5. A container according to Claim 4, characterised in that the circular supports are marked out by folds of the inner envelope (6) itself.
6. A container according to Claim 1 or 2, applied to a shaped charge munition, characterised in that the means to prevent the translation of the projectile (51) with respect to the case (52) are composed of a hooking support (60) working in conjunction with the flange (61) of the projectile.
7. A container according to Claim 6, characterised in that the inner envelope (54) is fitted with two supports (64a, 64b) bearing on the projectile (51) in the vicinity of the end of the case (52).
8. A container according to any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the inner envelope (6) is formed of two half-shells (6a, 6b) joined together by linking means.
9. A container according to Claim 8, characterised in that the linking means are composed of a snap-locking means placed on the body of the inner envelope (6) and by a frog latch (19) placed in the vicinity of the radial bottom (18).
10. A container according to Claim 9, characterised in that the snap-locking means are constituted by a claw (43) marked out by extensions (44) to the wall of the two half-shells 6a, 6b).
11. A container according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the two half-shells (6a, 6b) each have a bearing rim (45, 46) along their join line.
12. A container according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that the inner envelope (6) is composed of injection-moulded polyamide, reinforced by glass fibres.
13. A container according to any one of the above Claims, characterised in that the inner envelope (6) has cut-outs (21) of a material.

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