US3247796A - High pressure sparking device - Google Patents

High pressure sparking device Download PDF

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US3247796A
US3247796A US354181A US35418164A US3247796A US 3247796 A US3247796 A US 3247796A US 354181 A US354181 A US 354181A US 35418164 A US35418164 A US 35418164A US 3247796 A US3247796 A US 3247796A
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sparking
electrical energy
high pressure
cup
primer
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Howard A Kirshner
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42C—AMMUNITION FUZES; ARMING OR SAFETY MEANS THEREFOR
    • F42C19/00—Details of fuzes
    • F42C19/08—Primers; Detonators
    • F42C19/12—Primers; Detonators electric

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a high pressure sparking device and particularly, to a spark igniter capable of withstanding high pressures generated by ignition of fuel or propellant.
  • a principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for producing a spark in a chamber where high pressure will be encountered unattended by the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a high pressure sparking device for use in an electric firing circuit.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an improved round employing an electric sparking device.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the inventive high pressure-sparking device
  • FIG. 2 depicts an electric firing circuit for the inventive device.
  • the invention may be best understood by consideration of an ordinary electric primer cup.
  • a cup has an insulated ring separating the outer cup from a centered electrode, which may take the form of a button or rivet.
  • this insulated ring is coated on the inside of the cup by an electrically conductive material, such as graphite, thereby enabling the primer component to function as a spark plug.
  • an electric firing circuit such as is normally used with electric primers, the modified primer component can produce a spark or flash. Since the primer component is designed to fit into a cartridge caseand since the assembled round withstands gun pressures in normal firings, the inventive sparking device is capable of withstanding the high pressures encountered in electrical firing.
  • the modified device was inserted into the base of a caliber .60 cartridge loaded with solid propellant and a combustible vapor. Closing of the circuit resulted in a successful firing.
  • the caliber .60 cartridge was conventional in structure with the ex- ICC ception of the primer cup and included a cartridge case having a tubular body with abase at one end and a neckeddown portion at the other end. The base defined a primer cup pocket centrally therein for press-fitting of the modified primer cup with its open end inward.
  • solid propellant is herein defined to include solid compositions containing sufficient oxygen within their structure to effect their transformation into gaseous products and which undergo a series of chemical processes, when subjected to a suitable ignition stimulus, to effect conversion into such gaseous products without the addition of oxygen from an external source.
  • solid propellants contemplated are those recited in Solid Propellant Rockets by Clayton Huggett et al., Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. (1960) at page 4.
  • combustible vapor is herein defined to include combustible gas.
  • Illustrative of typical combustible gases contemplated are those recited in Websters New International Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition Unabridged, G.&C. Merriam Company, Springfield, Mass. (1953) at page 1036.
  • primer cup 2 is separated from center electrode 3 by an insulation ring 4.
  • insulation ring 4 A
  • FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the electric firing circuit wherein the invention is employed.
  • a battery 10 or other electric power source creates a potential difference between the plates of capacitor 11.
  • Capacitor 11 is designed to accumulate a suflicient charge to cause the inventive high pressure sparking device 12 to spark when the circuit between capacitor 11' and device 12 is closed, as by throwing switch 13.
  • liquid propellants is herein definedv to include any liquid chemical which is an essential component of the chemical skilled in the art may be able to understand and prac-' tice the same, I state that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is defined in what is claimed.
  • an electric firing system comprising a high pressure sparking device, means for storing electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device, means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means, and selector switch means connected between said device and said storage and supply means for closing a first circuit between said storage and supply means to permit storing of.electri cal energy up to the sparking voltage of said device and alternatively for closing a second circuit between said storage means and said device to permit discharge of stored electrical energy to effect sparking of said device,
  • said device comprises a primar cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
  • a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
  • said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward
  • selector switch means connected between said device and said storage and supply means for closing a first circuit between said storage and supply means to permit storing of electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device and alternatively for closing a second circuit between said storage means and said device to permit discharge of stored electrical energy to effect sparking of said device
  • said device comprises a primer cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an'electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
  • a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
  • said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward
  • spark-sensitive liquid propellant filling the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
  • a cartridge for use in an electric firing system comprising a primar cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
  • a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
  • said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward
  • a cartridge for use in an electric firing system com- 5 prising a primer cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open, cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining at primer cup pocket centrally therein,
  • said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward
  • spark-sensitive liquid propellant filling the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
  • selector switch means connected between said device and said storage and supply means for closing a first circuit between said storage and supply means to permit storing of electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device and alternatively for closing a second circuit between said storage means and said device to permit discharge of stored electrical energy to eifect sparking of said device
  • said device comprises a primer cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
  • a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
  • said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward

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Description

April 26, 1966 H. A. KERSHNER 3,247,76
HIGH PRESSURE SPARKING DEVICE Filed March 23. 1964 g3 if INVENTOR. HOWARD IEKIRSHNER .;/S m. M k
fl la? M i9 l fi ATTORNEYS:
United States Patent 3,247,796 HIGH PRESSURE SPARKING DEVICE Howard A. Kirshner, Levittown, Pa., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed Mar. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 354,181
.10 Claims. (Cl. 102-46) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.
This invention relates to a high pressure sparking device and particularly, to a spark igniter capable of withstanding high pressures generated by ignition of fuel or propellant.
In the past electric firing circuits for small arms and other rounds have utilized conductive primer mixes for initiating propellant. Use of conductive mix primers is attended by the disadvantage of non-isochronic ignition of the propellant bed, thereby limiting the degree of ballistic control available from a given propellant grain design. Isochronic ignition can be achieved if the propellant bed is surrounded by a combustible vapor which is spark ignited. Spark ignition by means of conventional spark plugs was precluded by their inherent inability to withstand the high pressures generated by the subsequent burning of the propellant charge. Further performance of conventional spark plugs is dependent upon the dielectric properties of the medium between the electrodes, said dielectric properties varying with temperature and other conditions.
Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for producing a spark in a chamber where high pressure will be encountered unattended by the foregoing disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a high pressure sparking device for use in an electric firing circuit.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved round employing an electric sparking device.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter in the following disclosure FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the inventive high pressure-sparking device, and
FIG. 2 depicts an electric firing circuit for the inventive device.
The invention may be best understood by consideration of an ordinary electric primer cup. Such a cup has an insulated ring separating the outer cup from a centered electrode, which may take the form of a button or rivet. According to the present invention this insulated ring is coated on the inside of the cup by an electrically conductive material, such as graphite, thereby enabling the primer component to function as a spark plug. Using an electric firing circuit such as is normally used with electric primers, the modified primer component can produce a spark or flash. Since the primer component is designed to fit into a cartridge caseand since the assembled round withstands gun pressures in normal firings, the inventive sparking device is capable of withstanding the high pressures encountered in electrical firing.
In the course of the investigation leading to the present invention, an ordinary unloaded electric primer was employed and the insulated ring was coated on the inside of the cup with ordinary pencil lead. The modified device was inserted into the base of a caliber .60 cartridge loaded with solid propellant and a combustible vapor. Closing of the circuit resulted in a successful firing. The caliber .60 cartridge was conventional in structure with the ex- ICC ception of the primer cup and included a cartridge case having a tubular body with abase at one end and a neckeddown portion at the other end. The base defined a primer cup pocket centrally therein for press-fitting of the modified primer cup with its open end inward. A projectile was press-fitted within the necked-down portion and extended outwardly. The term solid propellant is herein defined to include solid compositions containing sufficient oxygen within their structure to effect their transformation into gaseous products and which undergo a series of chemical processes, when subjected to a suitable ignition stimulus, to effect conversion into such gaseous products without the addition of oxygen from an external source. Illustrative of typical solid propellants contemplated are those recited in Solid Propellant Rockets by Clayton Huggett et al., Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. (1960) at page 4. The term combustible vapor is herein defined to include combustible gas. Illustrative of typical combustible gases contemplated are those recited in Websters New International Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition Unabridged, G.&C. Merriam Company, Springfield, Mass. (1953) at page 1036.
The invention may be more fully understood by recourse to the drawings. In FIG. 1 primer cup 2 is separated from center electrode 3 by an insulation ring 4. A
-ring of graphite 5 acts as a carbon bridge between electrode 3 and the inside of primer cup 2. Since this in effect, permits the device of FIG. 1 to behave like a semiconductor type plug, operation of the device is relatively independent of the environment.
FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the electric firing circuit wherein the invention is employed. A battery 10 or other electric power source creates a potential difference between the plates of capacitor 11. Capacitor 11 is designed to accumulate a suflicient charge to cause the inventive high pressure sparking device 12 to spark when the circuit between capacitor 11' and device 12 is closed, as by throwing switch 13.
It will be further understood that various other changes may be made in the inventive device and the use thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the invention may be employed to initiate spark-sensitive liquid propellants. The term liquid propellants is herein definedv to include any liquid chemical which is an essential component of the chemical skilled in the art may be able to understand and prac-' tice the same, I state that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is defined in what is claimed.
I claim: 1. In an electric firing system comprising a high pressure sparking device, means for storing electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device, means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means, and selector switch means connected between said device and said storage and supply means for closing a first circuit between said storage and supply means to permit storing of.electri cal energy up to the sparking voltage of said device and alternatively for closing a second circuit between said storage means and said device to permit discharge of stored electrical energy to effect sparking of said device,
the improvement wherein said device comprises a primar cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward,
a projectile press-fitted within said necked-down portion and extending therefrom, and
solid propellant granules bathed in combustible vapor filling the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
2. An electric firing system according to claim 1 wherein said primer cup body and electrode are linked by a Weakly conductive bridge of graphite particles within said cup.
3. In an electric firing system comprising a high pressure sparking device,
means for storing electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device,
means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means, and
selector switch means connected between said device and said storage and supply means for closing a first circuit between said storage and supply means to permit storing of electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device and alternatively for closing a second circuit between said storage means and said device to permit discharge of stored electrical energy to effect sparking of said device,
the improvement wherein said device comprises a primer cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an'electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward,
a projectile press-fitted within said necked-down portion and extending therefrom, and
spark-sensitive liquid propellant filling the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
4. An electric firing system according to claim 3 wherein said primer cup body and electrode are linked by a weakly conductive bridge of graphite particles within said case.
5. A cartridge for use in an electric firing system comprising a primar cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward,
a projectile press-fitted within said necked-down portion and extending therefrom, and
solid propellant granules bathed in combustible vapor filling the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
6. A cartridge according to claim 5 wherein said primer cup body and electrode are linked by a weakly conductive bridge of graphite particles within said case.
7. A cartridge for use in an electric firing system com- 5 prising a primer cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open, cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining at primer cup pocket centrally therein,
said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward,
a projectile press-fitted within said necked-down portion and extending therefrom, and
spark-sensitive liquid propellant filling the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
3. A cartridge according to claim 7 wherein said primer cup body and electrode are linked by a weakly conductive bridge of graphite particles Within said case.
9. In an electric firing system comprising a high pressure sparking device,
means for storing electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device,
means for supplying electrical energy to said storage means, and
selector switch means connected between said device and said storage and supply means for closing a first circuit between said storage and supply means to permit storing of electrical energy up to the sparking voltage of said device and alternatively for closing a second circuit between said storage means and said device to permit discharge of stored electrical energy to eifect sparking of said device,
the improvement wherein said device comprises a primer cup having a hollow, cylindrical body separated by insulation means from an electrode forming a closure at one end thereof, the other end of said body being open,
a cartridge case having a tubular body with a base at one end and a necked-down portion at the other end, said base defining a primer cup pocket centrally therein,
said primer cup being press-fitted within said pocket with its open end inward,
a projectile press-fitted within said necked-down portion and extending therefrom, and
a spark-sensitive propellant within the void enclosed by said case, said void being free from any priming composition.
10. A cartridge according to claim 9 wherein said primer cup body and electrode are linked by a weakly conductive bridge of graphite particles within said case.
References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 39,542 8/1863 Beardslee 102-28 319,628 6/1885 Russell 102-46 1,229,049 6/1917 Dissinger 102 38 1,704,302 3/1929 Ruhlemann 10270.2 2,918,871 12/1959 Taylor 102-46 X 2,960,032 11/1960 Sahlin 102-46 OTHER REFERENCES Internal Ballistics of Solid-Fuel Rockets, first edition, 0 McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1950, page 4 (required).
BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. R. F. STAHL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN AN ELECTRIC FIRING SYSTEM COMPRISING A HIGH PRESSURE SPARKING DEVICE, MEANS FOR STORING ELECTRICAL ENERGY UP TO THE SPARKING VOLTAGE OF SAID DEVICE, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO SAID STORAGE MEANS, AND SELECTOR SWITCH MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID DEVICE AND SAID STORAGE AND SUPPLY MEANS FOR CLOSING A FIRST CIRCUIT BETWEEN SAID STORAGE AND SUPPLY MEANS TO PERMIT STORING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY UP TO THE SPARKING VOLTAGE OF SAID DEVICE AND ALTERNATIVELY FOR CLOSING A SECOND CIRCUIT BETWEEN SAID STORAGE MEANS AND SAID DEVICE TO PERMIT DISCHARGE OF STORED ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO EFFECT SPARKING OF SAID DEVICE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID DEVICE COMPRISES.
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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3457726A (en) * 1966-07-26 1969-07-29 Thomson Houston Comp Francaise Incrementally controllable-thrust propulsion device
US3610153A (en) * 1969-01-08 1971-10-05 Us Army Self-contained delay squib
US4170922A (en) * 1977-09-16 1979-10-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Ignitor
EP1036298A1 (en) * 1997-12-11 2000-09-20 Remington Arms Company, Inc. Electric primer

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US39542A (en) * 1863-08-18 Improvement in f
US319628A (en) * 1885-06-09 samuel eussell
US1229049A (en) * 1916-08-12 1917-06-05 Edward S Dissinger Explosive shell.
US1704302A (en) * 1927-04-27 1929-03-05 Rheinische Metallw & Maschf Electric percussion fuse
US2918871A (en) * 1953-08-04 1959-12-29 Beckman Instruments Inc Electrical detonator
US2960032A (en) * 1955-12-13 1960-11-15 Remington Arms Co Inc Electric primer

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US39542A (en) * 1863-08-18 Improvement in f
US319628A (en) * 1885-06-09 samuel eussell
US1229049A (en) * 1916-08-12 1917-06-05 Edward S Dissinger Explosive shell.
US1704302A (en) * 1927-04-27 1929-03-05 Rheinische Metallw & Maschf Electric percussion fuse
US2918871A (en) * 1953-08-04 1959-12-29 Beckman Instruments Inc Electrical detonator
US2960032A (en) * 1955-12-13 1960-11-15 Remington Arms Co Inc Electric primer

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3457726A (en) * 1966-07-26 1969-07-29 Thomson Houston Comp Francaise Incrementally controllable-thrust propulsion device
US3610153A (en) * 1969-01-08 1971-10-05 Us Army Self-contained delay squib
US4170922A (en) * 1977-09-16 1979-10-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Ignitor
EP1036298A1 (en) * 1997-12-11 2000-09-20 Remington Arms Company, Inc. Electric primer
EP1036298A4 (en) * 1997-12-11 2003-06-18 Ra Brands Llc Electric primer

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