US1978146A

US1978146A - Method of charging small caliber high explosive shells

Info

Publication number: US1978146A
Application number: US707389A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schuler Hermann
Original assignee: Rheinische Metallwaaren and Maschinenfabrik AG
Current assignee: Rheinische Metallwaaren and Maschinenfabrik AG
Priority date: 1933-11-06
Filing date: 1934-01-19
Publication date: 1934-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 1951-10-23
Also published as: FR764661A

Description

Oct. 23, 1934. H. SCHULER 1,978,146

METHOD OF CHARGING SMALL CALIBER HIGH EXPLOSIVE SHELLS Filed Jan. 19, 1934 Patented Oct. 23, 1934 METHOD 0F CHARGING SMALL CALIBER HIGH 'EXPLOSIVE SHELLS Hermann Schiller, Dusseldorf, Germany, assignor to Rheinische Metallwaarenund Maschinenfabrick, Dusseldorf-Derendorf, Germany Application January 19, 1934, Serial No. 707,389

In Germany November 6, 1933 3 Claims.

Small caliber high explosive shells of the order of magnitude of 2 to about 4 cm. caliber were formerly charged by inserting an explosive charge in pulverulent form into the cavity of the projectile to be filled, the charge being then pressed firmly under a pressure of about 3000 atm. By this method, however, the walls of the shell may be subjected to excessive strain and, particularly in the case of armour-piercing shells, fine cracks are produced in the interior of the point of the shell which is hollowed out ogive-wise, and these cracks cause the projectile, on striking an armoured target, to become shattered. instead of piercing the armour.

There is another method of charging designed to overcome such drawbacks, according to which the explosive is prepared as a compressed body in a special matrix under high pressure, whereupon it is inserted with the application of slight pressure in the cavity of the projectile lined with a layer of paraffin or wax. The soft intermediate layer compensates for constructional inaccuracies in the dimensions of the cavity of the projectile and in the explosive core. On the other hand, however, in consequence of its low melting point it melts, when the gun is fired, by the heating of the body of the shell and by the passage of the projectile through the barrel and the explosive core swims in a paste or liquid mass. The paraffin, wax or the like may then settle between the fuze and its detonator, thus rendering explosion impossible. Blinds may result on this account and particularly by use of paramn for thereason that, on the generation of intense heat when the shell strikes a hard target, the paraffin suddenly evaporates, producing a high pressure which blows the fuse from the body of the projectile before it has had an opportunity to ignite the charge.

These drawbacks are avoided of the method according to the invention.

According to this method the explosive charge is first of all prepared as a compressed body in a matrix under high pressure, the diameter ofthe said body being less than that of the cavity in the projectile to be filled, but having a somewhat greater length. The body is then, without the use of any intermediate linings, pressed at a pressure of about 400-atm. into the body of the projectile after being heated with it to about 50-60. In order that the explosive core may be firmly fixed in the longitudinal direction of the projectile distance pieces, which may be in the form of cardboard discs with brass covers, are preferably introduced between the core and. the oppositely disposed end surface of the locking screw.

The drawing shows a section of an armourpiercing high explosive shell with base fuze charged by the method according to the invention.

a is the explosive core pressed in a matrix of a smaller diameter than the central bore of the projectile and of greater length, at a pressure of about 3000 atm., the length of the core before being pressed into the bore of the projectile being greater than the length :B. After the explosive core a has been thrust loosely into the bore of the projectile, the projectile and the explosive core are heated to about 5060, and the said core a is compressed at about 400 atm., whereby it is caused to bear tightly against the walls of the projectile. After the detonator b has been inserted, in order to compensate for the space between the bottom of the explosive core a and the base fuze screw 0, there is inserted a suitable number of thin, perforated cardboard discs (1 and a brass closing disc e, which is pressed tightly against the explosive core a by the base fuze screw 0, a space y being allowed for still further pressure to be exerted by the screw 0 on the discs and thus the firm positioning of the explosive core is ensured.

I claim 1. A method of charging high explosive shells which comprises the steps of molding the explosive charge in a matrix under high pressure to a compressed body having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cavity of the shell to be filled and somewhat longer than the length of the cavity to be filled, heating the shell and the charge body and pressing the charge body into the cavity of the shell whereby the explosive body bears tightly against the sides of the cavity of the shell, and closing the end of the cavity.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the temperature of the heating step ranges between 50-60 C. and the pressure of the pressing step approximates 400 atm.

3. A method of charging high explosive shells which comprises the steps of molding the explosive charge in a matrix under high pressure to a compressed body having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cavity of the shell to be filled and somewhat longer than the length of the cavity to be filled, pressing the charge body into the cavity of the shell to be filled to force the explosive body tightly against the sides of the cavity of the shell, and closing the end of the cavity.

HERMANN SCHULER.