US20050132922A1 - Gun ammunition - Google Patents

Gun ammunition Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050132922A1
US20050132922A1 US10/959,430 US95943004A US2005132922A1 US 20050132922 A1 US20050132922 A1 US 20050132922A1 US 95943004 A US95943004 A US 95943004A US 2005132922 A1 US2005132922 A1 US 2005132922A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
ammunition
oxygen
gun
propellant
releasing substance
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/959,430
Inventor
Stefan Thiesen
Dieter Jungbluth
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.)
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Original Assignee
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH filed Critical Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
Assigned to RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH reassignment RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JUNGBLUTH, DIETER, THIESEN, STEFAN
Publication of US20050132922A1 publication Critical patent/US20050132922A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • F42B5/181—Caseless ammunition; Cartridges having combustible cases consisting of a combustible casing wall and a metal base; Connectors therefor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B23/00—Compositions characterised by non-explosive or non-thermic constituents
    • C06B23/02—Compositions characterised by non-explosive or non-thermic constituents for neutralising poisonous gases from explosives produced during blasting
    • 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

  • the invention relates to gun ammunition provided with a propellant charge that can be loaded from a closed ammunition hold into the loading chamber of a gun.
  • a negative oxygen balance frequently occurs during the combustion of high-performance propellant powders, such as the ones used for firing tank ammunition.
  • a negative oxygen balance is when the oxygen contained in the propellant powder is not sufficient for a complete reaction with the propellant powder.
  • the gas clouds contain poisonous gases and in particular carbon monoxide.
  • the poisonous gases in part flow into the crew compartment of the respective combat vehicle when the breech is opened, thus endangering the crew.
  • German Reference DE 20 36 670 A1 discloses the use of liquid oxidizers for increasing the performance of conventional propellant powders with a negative oxygen balance, wherein these oxidizers are melted into thin-walled glass capsules.
  • the glass capsules are embedded in the propellant powder and are influenced by the pressure and/or the temperature developing as a result of the firing such that their content is released for the desired oxidation of the powder clouds.
  • the ammunition being for loading from a closed ammunition hold into the loading chamber of a gun.
  • the ammunition has a tail region and an oxygen-releasing substance arranged in the tail region.
  • the oxygen-releasing substance is for releasing oxygen after ignition of the propellant in the loading chamber of the gun, the release of the oxygen being for oxidizing carbon monoxide that forms during the firing in the loading chamber into carbon dioxide.
  • the invention is based on the idea of arranging an oxygen-releasing substance in the tail region of the ammunition so that, in particular, the carbon monoxide gases that develop after the firing in the area around the breech assembly are oxidized to carbon dioxide and cannot escape into the crew compartment following the opening of the breech.
  • the oxygen-releasing substance preferably is selected such that it releases the oxygen at the latest possible moment to help ensure that the oxidizer has an insignificant influence on the combustion behavior of the propellant powder.
  • the use of this substance should not result in a reduction in performance.
  • the oxygen-releasing substance is preferably positioned between the combustible case and the case bottom and takes the form of a collar.
  • the oxygen-releasing substance according to a different embodiment of the invention for which the ammunition is provided with a centrally installed propellant igniter, takes the form of a ring-shaped element which is arranged on, and encloses the lower portion of, the propellant igniter in the manner of a ring.
  • FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a case bottom region for a cartridge-type gun ammunition according to the invention, for which the oxygen-releasing substance consists of a collar that fits against the case bottom;
  • FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the case bottom region for a cartridge-type gun ammunition according to the invention, for which the oxygen-releasing substance is a ring-shaped element, arranged around the lower portion of a propellant igniter.
  • FIG. 1 shows the bottom region 1 of a cartridge, having a case bottom 2 of metal and a combustible case 3 .
  • the propellant powder 4 within the combustible case 3 can be ignited with a centrally located propellant igniter 5 .
  • a collar 7 that comprises an oxygen-releasing substance is arranged between the case bottom 2 and a cartridge-bottom region 6 of the combustible case 3 .
  • the propellant powder 4 is initially ignited with the propellant igniter 5 , following the firing.
  • the case 3 subsequently burns and sufficiently heats up the collar 7 , so that it begins to release oxygen into the bottom region of cartridge 1 and thus also into the breech area of the gun.
  • FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the invention, for which an oxygen-releasing substance takes the form of a ring-shaped element 8 that is positioned on the bottom part 9 of the propellant igniter, again with reference 5 , and encloses the igniter in the shape of a ring.
  • the loading of the respective cartridge 10 is particularly easy in that case since the ring-shaped element 8 only needs to be fitted onto the propellant igniter 5 .
  • the oxygen-releasing substance for reducing the amount of carbon monoxide can also be used for non-cartridge ammunition.
  • a corresponding module with an oxygen-releasing substance is inserted into the gun loading chamber, following the loading of the final charge module (propellant module), which then releases oxygen, for example after a predetermined gas pressure is reached in the gun barrel.
  • the module can also be provided with one or several ignition channels, for example, such that the ignition of the propellant modules is not impeded in any way.
  • the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment and does not necessarily have to be in the shape of a pin.
  • it can also have a bracket-type design.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

Gun ammunition having a propellant is provided. The ammunition being for loading from a closed ammunition hold into the loading chamber of a gun. The ammunition has a tail region and an oxygen-releasing substance arranged in the tail region. The oxygen-releasing substance is for releasing oxygen after ignition of the propellant in the loading chamber of the gun, the release of the oxygen being for oxidizing carbon monoxide that forms during the firing in the loading chamber into carbon dioxide.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application claims the priority of German Patent Application, DE 103 47 372.6 filed Oct. 11, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The invention relates to gun ammunition provided with a propellant charge that can be loaded from a closed ammunition hold into the loading chamber of a gun.
  • A negative oxygen balance frequently occurs during the combustion of high-performance propellant powders, such as the ones used for firing tank ammunition. A negative oxygen balance is when the oxygen contained in the propellant powder is not sufficient for a complete reaction with the propellant powder. As a result, the gas clouds contain poisonous gases and in particular carbon monoxide. During a rapid re-loading of the gun, the poisonous gases in part flow into the crew compartment of the respective combat vehicle when the breech is opened, thus endangering the crew.
  • German Reference DE 20 36 670 A1 discloses the use of liquid oxidizers for increasing the performance of conventional propellant powders with a negative oxygen balance, wherein these oxidizers are melted into thin-walled glass capsules. The glass capsules are embedded in the propellant powder and are influenced by the pressure and/or the temperature developing as a result of the firing such that their content is released for the desired oxidation of the powder clouds.
  • However, embedding oxidizers in the propellant powder does not prevent relatively high amounts of carbon monoxide from forming on the cartridge bottom side. This carbon monoxide is then released into the tank crew compartment when the breech of the respective gun is opened.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide gun ammunition of the aforementioned type which, when used as directed, allows only a relatively small amount of carbon monoxide to enter the crew compartment of the combat vehicle, even with high rates of fire.
  • This object is solved by providing gun ammunition having a propellant. The ammunition being for loading from a closed ammunition hold into the loading chamber of a gun. The ammunition has a tail region and an oxygen-releasing substance arranged in the tail region. The oxygen-releasing substance is for releasing oxygen after ignition of the propellant in the loading chamber of the gun, the release of the oxygen being for oxidizing carbon monoxide that forms during the firing in the loading chamber into carbon dioxide.
  • The invention is based on the idea of arranging an oxygen-releasing substance in the tail region of the ammunition so that, in particular, the carbon monoxide gases that develop after the firing in the area around the breech assembly are oxidized to carbon dioxide and cannot escape into the crew compartment following the opening of the breech.
  • The oxygen-releasing substance preferably is selected such that it releases the oxygen at the latest possible moment to help ensure that the oxidizer has an insignificant influence on the combustion behavior of the propellant powder. In particular, the use of this substance should not result in a reduction in performance.
  • With cartridge ammunition in particular, it has proven useful if the oxygen-releasing substance is arranged on the inside, near the case bottom.
  • According to one embodiment of the invention, comprising ammunition with a combustible case, the oxygen-releasing substance is preferably positioned between the combustible case and the case bottom and takes the form of a collar.
  • The oxygen-releasing substance according to a different embodiment of the invention, for which the ammunition is provided with a centrally installed propellant igniter, takes the form of a ring-shaped element which is arranged on, and encloses the lower portion of, the propellant igniter in the manner of a ring.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Further advantages and details of the invention follow from the exemplary embodiments and are explained in the following with the aid of the Figures, in which:
  • FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a case bottom region for a cartridge-type gun ammunition according to the invention, for which the oxygen-releasing substance consists of a collar that fits against the case bottom; and
  • FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the case bottom region for a cartridge-type gun ammunition according to the invention, for which the oxygen-releasing substance is a ring-shaped element, arranged around the lower portion of a propellant igniter.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • FIG. 1 shows the bottom region 1 of a cartridge, having a case bottom 2 of metal and a combustible case 3. The propellant powder 4 within the combustible case 3 can be ignited with a centrally located propellant igniter 5.
  • According to the invention, a collar 7 that comprises an oxygen-releasing substance is arranged between the case bottom 2 and a cartridge-bottom region 6 of the combustible case 3.
  • Thus, if the cartridge 1 is positioned inside a gun barrel (not shown), then the propellant powder 4 is initially ignited with the propellant igniter 5, following the firing. The case 3 subsequently burns and sufficiently heats up the collar 7, so that it begins to release oxygen into the bottom region of cartridge 1 and thus also into the breech area of the gun.
  • FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the invention, for which an oxygen-releasing substance takes the form of a ring-shaped element 8 that is positioned on the bottom part 9 of the propellant igniter, again with reference 5, and encloses the igniter in the shape of a ring. The loading of the respective cartridge 10 is particularly easy in that case since the ring-shaped element 8 only needs to be fitted onto the propellant igniter 5.
  • Of course, the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. For example, the oxygen-releasing substance for reducing the amount of carbon monoxide can also be used for non-cartridge ammunition. In that case, a corresponding module with an oxygen-releasing substance is inserted into the gun loading chamber, following the loading of the final charge module (propellant module), which then releases oxygen, for example after a predetermined gas pressure is reached in the gun barrel. The module can also be provided with one or several ignition channels, for example, such that the ignition of the propellant modules is not impeded in any way.
  • Of course, the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment and does not necessarily have to be in the shape of a pin. For example, it can also have a bracket-type design.
  • It will be apparent, based on this disclosure, to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims (6)

1. Gun ammunition having a propellant, the ammunition being for loading from a closed ammunition hold into the loading chamber of a gun, the ammunition comprising:
a tail region; and
an oxygen-releasing substance arranged in the tail region,
wherein the oxygen-releasing substance is for releasing oxygen after ignition of the propellant in the loading chamber of the gun, the release of the oxygen being for oxidizing carbon monoxide that forms during the firing in the loading chamber into carbon dioxide.
2. The gun ammunition according to claim 1, wherein the ammunition is a cartridge-type ammunition having a case bottom, and
the oxygen-releasing substance is arranged on an inside of the case bottom.
3. The gun ammunition according to claim 2, wherein the ammunition has a combustible case, and
the oxygen-releasing substance is arranged outside of the combustible case.
4. The gun ammunition according to claim 3, wherein the oxygen-releasing substance is arranged between the combustible case and the case bottom of the ammunition.
5. The gun ammunition according to claim 4, wherein the oxygen-releasing substance takes the form of a collar arranged between the case bottom and the combustible case.
6. The gun ammunition according to claim 2, wherein the ammunition has a centrally positioned propellant igniter, and
the oxygen-releasing substance is a ring-shaped element which is arranged on a lower part of the propellant igniter and encloses the lower part of the propellant igniter in the manner of a ring.
US10/959,430 2003-10-11 2004-10-07 Gun ammunition Abandoned US20050132922A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10347372.6 2003-10-11
DE10347372A DE10347372A1 (en) 2003-10-11 2003-10-11 gun ammunition

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050132922A1 true US20050132922A1 (en) 2005-06-23

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Family Applications (1)

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US10/959,430 Abandoned US20050132922A1 (en) 2003-10-11 2004-10-07 Gun ammunition

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US (1) US20050132922A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1522818A1 (en)
DE (1) DE10347372A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8300022B2 (en) 2009-01-09 2012-10-30 International Business Machines Corporation Dynamically reconfigurable touch screen displays
US20190204056A1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2019-07-04 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method Of Making Polymer Ammunition Cartridge Having A Two-Piece Primer Insert

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2665751C1 (en) * 2017-04-03 2018-09-04 Владимир Иванович Михайленко Caseless cartridge

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2129875A (en) * 1935-05-25 1938-09-13 Rost Helge Ammunition and firearm
US4213392A (en) * 1972-01-28 1980-07-22 Hubert Usel Electrically ignitable cartridge-less bullet
US4709636A (en) * 1983-09-21 1987-12-01 Rheinmetall Gmbh Propellant charge casing
US5544587A (en) * 1993-12-13 1996-08-13 Rheinmetall Industrie Gmbh Cannon ammunition having combustible cartridge case
US5765923A (en) * 1992-06-05 1998-06-16 Sunburst Excavation, Inc. Cartridge for generating high-pressure gases in a drill hole
US6087986A (en) * 1996-09-18 2000-07-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Adaptive array antenna used in multi-carrier wave radio communications
US6115426A (en) * 1996-11-22 2000-09-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho Adaptive communication apparatus

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2036670A1 (en) 1970-07-23 1977-01-20 Schaberger & Co Gmbh Josef Encapsulated liquid oxidant e.g. tetranitro methane - for incorporation in gun powder propellant charges of bullets, shells to secure oxygen balancing
DE3927400A1 (en) * 1989-08-19 1991-02-21 Rheinmetall Gmbh Combustible propellant charge case - made of plastics shrink-foil contg. pyrotechnic mixt.

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2129875A (en) * 1935-05-25 1938-09-13 Rost Helge Ammunition and firearm
US4213392A (en) * 1972-01-28 1980-07-22 Hubert Usel Electrically ignitable cartridge-less bullet
US4709636A (en) * 1983-09-21 1987-12-01 Rheinmetall Gmbh Propellant charge casing
US5765923A (en) * 1992-06-05 1998-06-16 Sunburst Excavation, Inc. Cartridge for generating high-pressure gases in a drill hole
US5544587A (en) * 1993-12-13 1996-08-13 Rheinmetall Industrie Gmbh Cannon ammunition having combustible cartridge case
US6087986A (en) * 1996-09-18 2000-07-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Adaptive array antenna used in multi-carrier wave radio communications
US6115426A (en) * 1996-11-22 2000-09-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho Adaptive communication apparatus

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8300022B2 (en) 2009-01-09 2012-10-30 International Business Machines Corporation Dynamically reconfigurable touch screen displays
US20190204056A1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2019-07-04 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method Of Making Polymer Ammunition Cartridge Having A Two-Piece Primer Insert
US20190212117A1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2019-07-11 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method Of Making Polymer Ammunition Cartridge Having A Two-Piece Primer Insert
US20190242682A1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2019-08-08 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method of Making Polymer Ammunition Cartridge Having a Two-Piece Primer Insert
US20190242683A1 (en) * 2016-03-09 2019-08-08 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method of Making Polymer Ammunition Cartridge Having a Two-Piece Primer Insert
US11098990B2 (en) * 2016-03-09 2021-08-24 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method of making polymer ammunition cartridge having a two-piece primer insert
US11098993B2 (en) * 2016-03-09 2021-08-24 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method of making polymer ammunition cartridge having a two-piece primer insert
US11098991B2 (en) * 2016-03-09 2021-08-24 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method of making polymer ammunition cartridge having a two-piece primer insert
US11098992B2 (en) * 2016-03-09 2021-08-24 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Method of making polymer ammunition cartridge having a two-piece primer insert
US11448490B2 (en) * 2016-03-09 2022-09-20 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Two-piece primer insert for polymer ammunition
US11448489B2 (en) * 2016-03-09 2022-09-20 True Velocity Ip Holdings, Llc Two-piece primer insert for polymer ammunition

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1522818A1 (en) 2005-04-13
DE10347372A1 (en) 2005-06-09

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THIESEN, STEFAN;JUNGBLUTH, DIETER;REEL/FRAME:015874/0466;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040916 TO 20040921

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION