US3507219A - Semicombustible ammunition for open chamber breech mechanism - Google Patents

Semicombustible ammunition for open chamber breech mechanism Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3507219A
US3507219A US665136A US3507219DA US3507219A US 3507219 A US3507219 A US 3507219A US 665136 A US665136 A US 665136A US 3507219D A US3507219D A US 3507219DA US 3507219 A US3507219 A US 3507219A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
ammunition
cartridge case
breech
firing
chamber
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US665136A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Dardick
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.)
Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
Tround International Inc
Original Assignee
TRW Inc
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 TRW Inc filed Critical TRW Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3507219A publication Critical patent/US3507219A/en
Assigned to TROUND INTERNATIONAL, INC. reassignment TROUND INTERNATIONAL, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: DARDICK, DAVID
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • F42B5/045—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile of telescopic type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F41—WEAPONS
    • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
    • F41A9/00—Feeding or loading of ammunition; Magazines; Guiding means for the extracting of cartridges
    • F41A9/38—Loading arrangements, i.e. for bringing the ammunition into the firing position
    • F41A9/46—Loading arrangements, i.e. for bringing the ammunition into the firing position the cartridge chamber being formed by two complementary elements, movable one relative to the other for loading
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S102/00—Ammunition and explosives
    • Y10S102/70—Combustilbe cartridge

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to so-called open chamber breech mechanisms and, more particularly, to novel semicombustible ammunition for such breech mechanisms.
  • the present semicombustible ammunition has both weapon and non-weapon applications.
  • the ammunition will contain both a projectile and a propellant charge, while in other applications, the ammunition will contain only a propellant charge.
  • the term ammunition as used in this disclosure is intended to encompass both projectile-type ammunition, i.e. ammunition including both a projectile and a propellant charge, and projectileless ammunition, i.e. ammunition containing only a propellant charge.
  • an open chamber breech mechanism is characterized by a breech frame containing a rotary carrier or cylinder with one or more firing chambers which open laterally through the circumference of the cylinder.
  • the cylinder is driven in rotation or oscillation to sequentially locate each firing chamber in an ammunition infeed position wherein the chamber is disposed for lateral infeed movement of an ammunition round into the chamber through an ammunition infeed opening in the frame, a firing position wherein the firing chamber is closed by the frame and the breech mechanism is conditioned for firing the round in the chamber, and an ejection position wherein the firing chamber is disposed for lateral ejection of the spent cartridge case from the chamber after firing through an ejection opening in the frame.
  • the sealing technique disclosed in the application utilizes caseless ammunition including a shaped propellant charge which is totally combustible and separate obturator means on the breech mechanism for sealing the leakage interfaces of the mechanism.
  • the sealing technique disclosed in the prior art patents employs cased ammunition including a yieldable noncombustible cartridge case, typically constructed of a noncombustible plastic, which contains a propellant charge and is expanded or deformed into sealing contact with the walls of the firing chamber and the breech frames by internal propellant gas pressure to seal the breech interfaces.
  • a particularly unique feature of the breech mechanisms and ammunition disclosed in the patents resides in the complementary, generally triangular shape of the ammunition cartridge case and breech firing chamber which permits the cartridge case to deform, without rupture, into sealing contact With the firing chamber and breech frame walls during firing.
  • This triangular shape of the firing chamber and ammunition has certain other highly important advantages which are fully explained in the patents, and thus need not betreated in detail here. Sufi'ice it to say that among the foremost of these advantages are automatic orientation of each ammunition round in the firing chamber, prevention of jamming of the round between the breech frame and cylinder during rotation of the cylinder to and from firing position, and unrestricted lateral infeed movement of the round into and lateral ejection of its spent cartridge case from the firing chamber.
  • the prior caseless ammunition eliminates the problem of spent cartridge case disposal, maximizes propellant mass, and minimizes ammunition cost.
  • the prior cased ammunition accomplishes breech interface sealing with maximum simplicity and minimum cost, is capable of more severe handling during storage, shipment, and firing and is better adapted for use in automatic weapons.
  • the present invention provides novel semicombustible ammunition for open chamber breech mechanisms of the character described which is superior to both the cased and caseless open chamber ammunition discussed above.
  • present ammunition possesses most if not all of the advantages of the prior cased ammunition, particularly simplified breech interface sealing and severe handling capability, and approximates to a high degree the advantages of the prior caseless ammunition, particularly increased propellant mass, simplified spent cartridge case disposal, and reduced ammunition cost.
  • the invention provides semicombustible ammunition having a yieldable non-combustible cartridge case of the usual generally triangular shape in cross-section containing a propellant charge.
  • the cartridge case is characterized by apex wall sections which extend lengthwise of the case along its longitudinal apex edges and by laterally presented side openings in the regions between the adjacent apex wall sections.
  • This skeletonized cartridge case serves the same functions as the cartridge case of the prior cased open chamber ammunition, to wit, protection of the contained propellant charge during handling and sealing of the breech interfaces during firing.
  • the side openings in the cartridge case serve a two-fold function. First, these openings minimize the total volume of material in the cartridge case and hence the non-combustible mass of the ammunition round. This reduction of the non-combustible mass reduces the ammunition cost and simplifies disposal of the spent cartridge case. Secondly, the openings in the cartridge case provide increased propellant space in the case and thus permit containment of maximum propellant mass.
  • the present semicombustible open chamber ammunition has both weapon and non-wea on applications and may contain both a projectile and a propellant charge, or merely a propellant charge, depending upon the particular application of the ammunition. Attention is also directed to the fact that the aforementioned prior art patents disclose two different generally triangular ammunition shapes for open chamber breech mechanisms. It will become evident as the description proceeds that the present semicombustible ammunition may utilize either of these shapes. Accordingly, it will be understood that the expression generally triangular shape employed in the ensuing description is intended to encompass both of the ammunition shapes disclosed in the patents as well as all other similar ammunition shapes. However, the preferred ammunition shape is the generally equilateral triangular round or tround shape disclosed in the majority of the patents. For this reason, the present invention will be disclosed in connection with ammunition of this latter shape.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open chamber gun embodying a typical open chamber breech mechanism and of a present semicombustible ammunition round to be fired in the gun;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged front end view of the ammunition round
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear end view of the ammunition round
  • FIG. 4 is enlarged side elevation of the open chamber gun in FIG. 1 with parts sectioned for clarity of illustration and showing an ammunition round in firing position in the gun;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the ammunition round With parts sectioned for clarity of illustration;
  • FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a section taken on line 88 in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 9 is an elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows on line 9-9 in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 10 is a section through a modified semicombustible ammunition round according to the invention.
  • Round 10 includes a yieldable non-combustible cartridge case 12 containing a propellant charge 14, and igniter or primer 16, and a projectile 18.
  • the round is intended to be fired in a conventional open chamber gun, such as the gun 19 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Since the gun 19 is conventional and forms no part of the present invention, a detailed description of the same is unnecessary.
  • the gun has an open chamber breech mechanism 20 including a generally fiat rectangular breech frame 22 having a chamber 24 open ing laterally through opposite sides of the frame.
  • Firing chamber 28 extends longitudinally of the cylinder and opens laterally through the circumference of the cylinder and longitudinally through the ends of the cylinder.
  • Cylinder 26 is rotatable in the breech frame 22 to locate its firing chamber 28 in an ammunition infeed position (FIG. 1) wherein the firing chamber 28 registers with one open side of the chamber 24 to permit initial lateral infeed movement of a round 10 into the firing chamber, a firing position (FIG.
  • breech frame firing strap 30 closes the open side of the firing chamber to condition the breech mechanism for firing the round, and a cartridge case ejection position wherein the firing chamber registers with one open side of the chamber 24 to permit lateral ejection of the spent cartridge case after firing.
  • the open front end of the firing chamber 28 registers with a bore 32 extending through a barrel 34 secured to the front end of the breech frame, and the open rear end of the firing chamber registers with a firing mechanism or pin 36 which slides in and is sealed to the rear end of the frame.
  • the breech cylinder 26 is rotated to infeed, firing, and ejection positions by means of a shaft 38 extending rotatably through the rear end of the breech frame.
  • a characteristic feature of open chamber breech mechanisms of the kind illustrated resides in the generally triangular shape of the firing chamber 28 in transverse cross-section.
  • the inner wall of the breech frame firing strap 30 and the side walls of the firing chamber define included angles of 60 each and are cylindrically curved to the same radius as the circumference of the cylinder 26.
  • the illustrated firing chamber when in firing position, has the generally equilateral triangular round shape in transverse cross-section, referred to earlier.
  • Cartridge case 12 includes substantially parallel, generally triangular front and rear end walls 40 and 42, respectively, integrally joined by longitudinal apex wall sections 44 which extend between corresponding apices of the end walls, along the three longitudinal apex edges of the case. In the regions between the adjacent apex wall sections 44 are laterally presented openings 46 in the sides of the cartridge case.
  • each side of the cartridge case contains a single opening 46 of recetangular shape which extends the full length of the case between its end walls 40, 42.
  • the apex wall sections 44 are essentially relatively slender ribs of generally uniform cross-section from end to end. The two exposed faces of each wall section or rib 44 are flush with the corresponding edge surfaces of the end walls 40, 42.
  • the cartridge case 12 has the same triangular round shape in cross-section as the firing chamber 28 in the breech mechanism 20.
  • edge surfaces of the cartridge case end walls 40, 42 and the corresponding side faces of the apex wall sections or ribs 44 are cylindrically curved to the same radius of curvature as the side walls of the firing chamber and hence to the same radius of curvature as the circumference of the cylinder 26 and the inner wall of the breech frame firing strap 30. Accordingly, when the round is positioned in the firing chamber, the exposed edge surfaces and side faces of the cartridge case end walls and ribs are substantially flush with the circumference of the cylinder.
  • the projectile 18 of the illustrated ammunition round 10 is positioned on the central axis 48 of the cartridge case 12. Extending through the front end of wall 40 of the case, on the axis 48, is a bore 50 which receives the nose of the projectile.
  • a plastic obturating sleeve 52 surrounds the projectile and has its forward end secured within the bore 50 to provide an effective gas seal between the projectile and the front cartridge case wall 40.
  • the propellant charge 14 of the round comprises a solid propellant which fills the interior space of the cartridge case 12 and encapsulates the propectile 18 and its obturating sleeve 52.
  • the propellant also fills the side openings 46 in the cartridge case in such a way that the propellant surfaces which are exposed through these openings are flush with the outer surfaces of the case.
  • the primer 16 for igniting the propellant is fixed within an opening in the rear case end wall 42.
  • the cartridge case openings 46 serve the beneficial purposes referred to earlier.
  • these openings minimize the total volume of material in the cartridge case 12 and, thereby, the mass of non-combustible material of round 10. This reduction in the non-combustible mass, in turn, reduces the weight and cost of the cartridge case and simplifies disposal of the spent case after firing.
  • the spent cartridge case may be conveniently disposed of by grinding the same to a powder.
  • the openings 46 maximize the effective propellant space in the cartridge case and thereby permit containment of a greater mass of propellant.
  • the cartridge case itself reinforces and protects the propellant and conditions the round for more severe handling than an uncased open chamber round. In this regard, for example, it is worthy of note that the present ammunition may be fired in an automatic gun.
  • the present semicombustible round 10 is fired in the usual way in the open chamber breech mechanism 20.
  • the breech carrier or cylinder 26 is first rotated to infeed position (FIG. 1) and the round is inserted laterally into the firing chamber 28.
  • the cylinder is then rotated to firing position (FIG. 4) and the propellant 14 in the round is ignited by driving the firing pin 36 inwardly against the primer 16.
  • the high pressure gas generated by the burning propellant drives the projectile 18 forwardly from its obturator sleeve 52 and through the gun bore 32.
  • a major problem encountered in open chamber breech mechanisms of this type involves sealing the interfaces of the mechanism against propellant gas leakage during firing.
  • this sealing function is accomplished by the skeletonized case 12 of the ammunition round 10.
  • the resulting propellant gas pressure urges or deforms the front and rear end walls 40, 42 of the case longitudinally of the firing chamber into sealing contact with the confronting front and rear walls 54, 56 of the frame chamber 24 to seal the leakage interfaces between these walls and the adjacent ends of the breech cylinder 26.
  • the propellant gas pressure also urges or deforms the two outer apex wall sections or ribs 44 of the cartridge case laterally against the side walls of the firing chamber and outwardly against the confronting surface of the breech frame firing strap 30 to seal the leakage interfaces between the strap and the circumference of the cylinder.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a modified semicombustible round 10a according to the invention which contains a loose grain propellant charge 14a.
  • the openings 46a in the cartridge case 12a are sealed by combustible cover means 58a to prevent loss of the loose propellant grains through the openings.
  • the particular cover means illustrated comprises a sleeve which fits snugly within and is adhesively bonded or otherwise secured to the cartridge case.
  • the cover means may com-prise individual sheets which extend across the cartridge case openings and are secured to the case about their respective openings.
  • the combustible cover means may consist of any suitable combustible material of sufficient strength to contain the propellant.
  • the cover means will comprise a molded or woven propellant material.
  • non-weapon applications are stud drivers, nail drivers, stake drivers, slaughter guns, cable splicers, oil well perforators, open chamber solid or liquid propellant pulse engines for space ship attitude control, and in general, a pressurized gas source or generator for any purpose.
  • the present ammunition will contain both a projectile and a propellant charge while in other applications, the ammunition will contain only a propellant charge. Attention is also directed to the fact that while the present ammunition has been disclosed in connection with a simplified open chamber breech mechanism, the amunition may be fired in any of the prior art open chamber breech mechanisms of the class described.
  • said cartridge case having three convex sides, three longitudinal apex edges, and an interior propellant chamber which opens laterally to the exterior of said cartridge case through an opening in each of said convex sides;
  • said openings being located within the central regions of said convex sides between the ends and said apex edges of said cartridge case to provide a one-piece skeleton cartridge case structure having generally triangular round front and rear plastic end walls and longitudinal plastic sealing ribs integrally joined at their ends to said end Walls and extending between 7 said end walls along the apices of said cartridge case, whereby said ribs form apex edges;
  • said cartridge case having front and rear end wall openings

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
US665136A 1967-09-01 1967-09-01 Semicombustible ammunition for open chamber breech mechanism Expired - Lifetime US3507219A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66513667A 1967-09-01 1967-09-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3507219A true US3507219A (en) 1970-04-21

Family

ID=24668869

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US665136A Expired - Lifetime US3507219A (en) 1967-09-01 1967-09-01 Semicombustible ammunition for open chamber breech mechanism

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3507219A (xx)
BE (1) BE720215A (xx)
CH (1) CH491355A (xx)
DE (1) DE1728018C3 (xx)
ES (1) ES357765A1 (xx)
FR (1) FR1603739A (xx)
GB (1) GB1247872A (xx)
IL (1) IL30604A0 (xx)
SE (1) SE352949B (xx)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3687077A (en) * 1970-01-22 1972-08-29 Hughes Tool Co Fully telescoped caseless cartridge
JPS509176A (xx) * 1973-05-14 1975-01-30
US5063851A (en) * 1975-10-28 1991-11-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Expendable breech gun round
US8763508B2 (en) 2009-07-22 2014-07-01 Prometheus Solutions, Inc. High attrition, rapid dispersal X 8 (H.A.R.D. 8) extreme rate of fire weapon system
CN104014798A (zh) * 2014-05-19 2014-09-03 陕西华夏粉末冶金有限责任公司 一种石油射孔弹粉末冶金易碎弹壳的制备方法
US8898947B2 (en) 2012-09-17 2014-12-02 Open Chamber Systems, Llc Open chamber mechanism
RU2594264C2 (ru) * 2014-01-09 2016-08-10 Николай Евгеньевич Староверов Оружейный комплекс с боеприпасом /варианты/

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102010017876A1 (de) 2010-04-21 2011-10-27 Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Gmbh Gurtsystem und Mehrlaufwaffe

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US702208A (en) * 1902-02-25 1902-06-10 William Everton Hayner Cartridge.
US1808877A (en) * 1929-12-21 1931-06-09 Cecil G Young Propellant charge for projectiles and method of forming the same
US2423453A (en) * 1942-05-13 1947-07-08 James V Howe Projectile
US2535624A (en) * 1944-03-29 1950-12-26 Burney Charles Dennistoun Cartridge case for ammunition
US2996988A (en) * 1958-03-04 1961-08-22 Hughes Tool Company Aircraft D Cartridge for firearms having sideloaded firing chambers
US3212440A (en) * 1964-02-10 1965-10-19 Joseph B Quinlan Molded caseless small arms ammunition
US3304867A (en) * 1965-02-10 1967-02-21 Isidore G Nadel Solid propellants in textile form

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US702208A (en) * 1902-02-25 1902-06-10 William Everton Hayner Cartridge.
US1808877A (en) * 1929-12-21 1931-06-09 Cecil G Young Propellant charge for projectiles and method of forming the same
US2423453A (en) * 1942-05-13 1947-07-08 James V Howe Projectile
US2535624A (en) * 1944-03-29 1950-12-26 Burney Charles Dennistoun Cartridge case for ammunition
US2996988A (en) * 1958-03-04 1961-08-22 Hughes Tool Company Aircraft D Cartridge for firearms having sideloaded firing chambers
US3212440A (en) * 1964-02-10 1965-10-19 Joseph B Quinlan Molded caseless small arms ammunition
US3304867A (en) * 1965-02-10 1967-02-21 Isidore G Nadel Solid propellants in textile form

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3687077A (en) * 1970-01-22 1972-08-29 Hughes Tool Co Fully telescoped caseless cartridge
JPS509176A (xx) * 1973-05-14 1975-01-30
JPS5435353B2 (xx) * 1973-05-14 1979-11-01
US5063851A (en) * 1975-10-28 1991-11-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Expendable breech gun round
US8763508B2 (en) 2009-07-22 2014-07-01 Prometheus Solutions, Inc. High attrition, rapid dispersal X 8 (H.A.R.D. 8) extreme rate of fire weapon system
US8898947B2 (en) 2012-09-17 2014-12-02 Open Chamber Systems, Llc Open chamber mechanism
US9163900B2 (en) 2012-09-17 2015-10-20 Open Chamber Systems, Llc Open chamber ammunition
RU2594264C2 (ru) * 2014-01-09 2016-08-10 Николай Евгеньевич Староверов Оружейный комплекс с боеприпасом /варианты/
CN104014798A (zh) * 2014-05-19 2014-09-03 陕西华夏粉末冶金有限责任公司 一种石油射孔弹粉末冶金易碎弹壳的制备方法
CN104014798B (zh) * 2014-05-19 2017-01-18 陕西华夏粉末冶金有限责任公司 一种石油射孔弹粉末冶金易碎弹壳的制备方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1728018C3 (de) 1974-03-14
SE352949B (xx) 1973-01-15
GB1247872A (en) 1971-09-29
ES357765A1 (es) 1970-03-16
BE720215A (xx) 1969-02-03
DE1728018B2 (de) 1973-08-16
CH491355A (fr) 1970-05-31
DE1728018A1 (de) 1972-03-30
FR1603739A (xx) 1971-05-24
IL30604A0 (en) 1969-04-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4686905A (en) Cartridge for frangible projectile
US5086703A (en) Universal projectile ammunition
US3482516A (en) Caseless cartridges having the projectile housed in the propellant charge
US4478150A (en) Cartridge with elastic pusher cup
US3696749A (en) Expendable case with vented base cap
WO1999015850A3 (en) Semiautomatic pocket gun and ammunition
US3507219A (en) Semicombustible ammunition for open chamber breech mechanism
EP0328015A3 (en) Cased telescoped ammunition round
US4694755A (en) Shell for firing practice
CA1332321C (en) Cased telescoped ammunition having features augmenting cartridge case dimensional recovery by case skin tube
US5179250A (en) Segmented cartridge assembly
US1257126A (en) Explosive projectile.
US20040231219A1 (en) Barrel assembly with tubular projectiles for firearms
US3855931A (en) Salvo ammunition for multiple bore open chamber gun
US4936220A (en) Solid propellant-carrying caboted projectile
US3064381A (en) Combination firearm and grenade
EP0108276B1 (en) Wad for shotgun cartridge ammunition
EP0328006A3 (en) Cased telescoped ammunition round
US3568599A (en) Ammunition improvements to permit firing of a conventional closed chamber cartridge in an open chamber breech mechanism
US3289584A (en) Mortar ammunition
US4014263A (en) Caseless projectile
US2818811A (en) Ammunition
US3720169A (en) Incendiary projectile for smooth bore special purpose individual weapon
RU93035625A (ru) Патрон
US3459098A (en) Weapon