US3611936A - Pyrotechnic tracer - Google Patents

Pyrotechnic tracer Download PDF

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US3611936A
US3611936A US885113A US3611936DA US3611936A US 3611936 A US3611936 A US 3611936A US 885113 A US885113 A US 885113A US 3611936D A US3611936D A US 3611936DA US 3611936 A US3611936 A US 3611936A
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tracer
plate
charge
tracer according
casing
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Jean Marie Bouisse
Franck Villey Desmeserets
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
    • F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
    • F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
    • F42B12/382—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type emitting an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser beam or infrared emission
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B33/00—Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a pyrotechnic tracer which can be employed especially for locating and guiding missiles or projectiles of different types.
  • the pyrotechnic tracers which are employed for this purpose usually consist of a canister containing a pyrotechnic compound and an ignition system, the complete assembly being closed by a shutter or obturator which is ejected at the time of firing. Emission of the desired radiation (in the visible, ultraviolet or infrared region) through the orifice which is uncovered by the obturator is caused by combustion of the pyrotechnic compound.
  • Tracers of this type are subject in particular to the following disadvantages:
  • the pyrotechnic charge is thus contained in a cup-shaped container which is provided with vents for the discharge of combustion gases.
  • v.Plate tracers have advantageous properties in comparison with flame tracers, particularly insofar as they permit removal of smoke.
  • the main object ofthe present invention is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above by simple and effective means.
  • a further object of the invention is to permit easy industrial manufacture of the tracerand to improve the operatingconditions of this latter.
  • the tracer having a pyrotechnic charge asdesignedfor locating and guiding different missiles of the type comprising a casing which accommodates the pyrotechnic charge and a plate which covers said charge and serves as a radiation emitter, is characterized in that the pyrotechnic charge comprises a portion which serves to heat the emitting plate to incandescence and a portion which is capable of producing the destruction of said plate as a result of a rise in temperature.
  • the tracer thus has both the properties of a plate tracer and of a flame tracer.
  • the tracer comprises means for carrying out the successive ignition of the two charge portions considered. It is thus possible to obtain the characteristics of a plate tracer during the initial period of operation and then, when the missile has-travelled away from the observer, to obtain the properties of a flame tracer after destruction of the plate since the flame has an apparent surface area which is greater than the plate, thereby facilitating location of the missile.
  • the two portions of the charge are juxtaposed, the first portion being disposed between the second portion and a firing mass, an electric igniter being adapted to penetrate into the firing mass through an opening which is formed in the casing and which also serves as a gas discharge vent.
  • the combustion smoke is thus discharged at a distance from the emitting plate during combustion of the firing mass and o the first portion of the charge.
  • the interfaces of the charges correspond to the combustion fronts whichare formed from the point of ignition.
  • the emitting plate is formed of a metal having a high-melting point such as molybdenum and tungsten and is covered with at least one added layer which modifies its emissive power and is provided one at least part of its surface with a coating which prevents any penetration of moisture.
  • FIG. I is a perspective diagram of the casing prior'to' assembly
  • F IG.'2 is a plan view of the completely assembled tracer
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the'tracer, this view' being taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view on a larger scale
  • FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3.
  • the casing l is preferably formed of thin sheet steel (between three-tenths and eight-tenths of a millimeter in a preferred application of the invention).
  • the internal face of the casing which is intended to accommodate the pyrotechnic compound or compounds is usefullyprovided with a thermal shield in the form of a layer 5 of polyester resin'which is loaded with a refractory oxide powder such as zirconia, .r'nagnesia. It is thus possible by way of example to apply against the internal wall of a casing l constructed-of ordinary.
  • shcetsteel having a thickness of five-tenths or eight-tenths of a millimeter a layer consisting of a mixture which is made up of: a
  • the layer 5 is represented diagrammatically in FIG. I by an array of dots.
  • the ring 3 is pierced by an orifice 6, a panel 7 being mounted above said orifice and provided on. each side with triangular tongues 8.
  • the panel 7 is intended to be folded back towards the orifice 6 at 7a; the tongues 8 serve as abutment members and the complete assembly constitutes a deflecting shutter.
  • That surface of the panel 7 and of the tongues 8 which is located opposite to the orifice 6 is provided with a hcat resistant coating formed of a mixture of polyester resin and a refractory oxide powder, Said coating being represented diagrammatically in FIG. 1 by an array of dots.
  • the orifice 6 serves both as a lead-in passage for the electric igniter wires 9 and for the discharge of the combustion gases during operation of the tracer.
  • the composite pyrotechnic charge C is set within the casing l and covered by an emitting plate II which is applied against boron 20 parts barium chromate 70 parts magnetic oxide of iron parts
  • This compound in powdered form may be bonded if necessary by a polyester resin or a collodion obtained by dissolving nitrocellulose in suitable solvents.
  • the above compound can be agglomerated by 3 percent polyester resin except in the immediate vicinity of the igniters where it is left in the powdered state without binder.
  • a thin layer of this mixture which is agglomerated with a collodion of nitrocellulose is placed immediately beneath the plate 11 and opposite to the orifice 6 in order that the portion which has been left in the powdered state should be maintained in position.
  • Said plug is then fixed in order to be readily ejectable as a result of overpressure produced by combustion of the charge C.
  • the plug can be fabricated from a sandwichtype material such as paperboard-aluminum-polythene which is simply applied against the internal wall of the ring 3 and maintained in leaktight manner by the polyester-magnesia mixture of the layer 5.
  • a sandwichtype material such as paperboard-aluminum-polythene which is simply applied against the internal wall of the ring 3 and maintained in leaktight manner by the polyester-magnesia mixture of the layer 5.
  • the composition of the portion C can be as follows:
  • polyester binder
  • a cobalt powder is preferably incorporated in the above compound in order to thicken the slag produced by combustion of the pyrotechnic compound or compounds employed and in order to reduce the weight loss of the tracer during combustion.
  • This cobalt powder is mixed in small quantities (usually 2 to 10 percent and advantageously 3 percent in the case of the above example) with the pyrotechnic compound or compounds employed.
  • a portion C which is more highly exothermic than the previous portion and capable at the time of combustion of causing at least partial destruction of the emitting plate 1 l as a result of a rise in temperature.
  • the portion C can be constituted in particular by an exothermic mixture which is known per se and consists of iron, aluminum and iron oxide in proportions which are close to stoichiometric.
  • composition is employed:
  • the plate 11 is advantageously fabricated from a metal having a high melting point such as molybdenum or tungsten.
  • a metal having a high melting point such as molybdenum or tungsten.
  • the thickness of the plate is small (for example between 0.2 and 0.4 mm.) and has in fact a significant effect on the rate at which the compound C heats the plate to incandescence.
  • incandescence is retarded by approximately 5 seconds when the thickness is increased from 0.2 to 0.8 mm.
  • the emissive power of the plate 11 is enhanced by applying to this latter by means of a spray gun either metals and especially iron or oxides, sulfides, carbides, nitrides, silicides and any refractory chemical compounds which have high-emissive power and a liquid phase at atmospheric pressure so that such materials can be applied to the metal plate 11 by means of a spray-jet appliance which is commonly referred to as a plasma-arc torch.
  • a spray-jet appliance which is commonly referred to as a plasma-arc torch.
  • Tracers which can be mentioned by way of example are fitted with a molybdenum plate which is metallized by spray deposition of iron or with a molybdenum plate which is coated with cerium oxide.
  • two different superposed coatings are deposited on the plate 11, the object of the second coating being either to protect the first or to remove part of the radiation emitted by the plate 1 1.
  • the first coating can consist of cerium oxide and the second coating can consist of a layer of stibine (antimony trisulfide).
  • a molybdenum plate is metallized by spraying with iron and the metallized plate is coated with calcium fluoride.
  • a layer 12 having a thickness of 0.] to 0.2 mm. and consisting of cerium oxide,
  • a layer 13 having a thickness of 0.1 mm. and consisting of calcium fluoride or stibine or alternatively consisting of a mixture of 99 percent thoria and 1 percent cerium oxide.
  • the substances employed for the layer 12 have a melting temperature which is higher than that of the plate 11 (2,600" C in the case of molybdenum), an emissive power which is greater than that of the plate 11 (0.32 in the case of molybdenum) and a liquid phase at atmospheric pressure so as to permit their application. Said substances must neither decompose not sublime. For this reason, the white and colored refractory oxides are usually suitable as well as metals having an emissive power which is higher than that of the plate 1! (iron in the case of molybdenum).
  • the layer 13 makes it possible to remove part of the radiation of the layer 12 and is a function of the properties of this latter and of the properties of the detector.
  • At least part of the external surface and the edges of the plate 11 are provided with a coating 16 which prevents any penetration of moisture.
  • the coating 16 is advantageously constituted by a varnish having a base of silicone resins or alternatively of a silicone elastomer.
  • the tracer as thus constituted is fixed on any ballistic missile or the like which is to be detected by visual means.
  • the tracer is placed so that the observer should be permitted to see the flame or the plate with an apparent diameter which is as large as possible.
  • the tracer is placed either behind or at the base of the fins of the missile.
  • the firing mass C burns and then simultaneously transmits the flame along the surface S to the portion C which heats the plate 11 to incandescence.
  • the radiation is excited by the layer 12 and filtered if necessary by the layer 13.
  • the combustion gases are discharged through the orifice 6 and are forced downwards by the panel 7a which serves as a deflector.
  • the panel 7a which serves as a deflector.
  • the solid particles and the gas jet which is discharged through the orifice 6 are prevented from passing between the plate 11 and the detector or observer as this would disturb the detection.
  • the refractory coating which is deposited on the panel 7a prevents destruction of this latter.
  • Afier combustion of the portion C, the portion C of the charge is ignited along the surface S, and the evolution of heat is then such that the plate 11 bursts.
  • the flame is then directly detected by the observer.
  • the tracer behaves in the same manner as a flame tracer.
  • the casing 1 can have any shape other than an oval shape.
  • a tracer having a pyrotechnic charge as designed for locating and guiding missiles of different types comprising a casing which accommodates the pyrotechnic charge and a plate which covers said charge and serves as a radiation emitter, wherein the pyrotechnic charge comprises a portion which serves to heat the emitting plate to incandescence and a portion which is capable of producing the destruction of said plate as a result of a rise in temperature.
  • a tracer according to claim 2 wherein the two portions of the charge are juxtaposed, the first portion being disposed between the second portion and a firing mass.
  • the emitting plate is formed of a metal having a high-melting point such as molybdenum and tungsten.
  • a tracer according to claim 1 wherein the emitting plate is placed on the pyrotechnic charge and applied against said charge by means of tongues which form part of a ring of the casing and are folded back against said plate.
  • a tracer according to claim 13 wherein the internal surface of the casing which is in contact with the pyrotechnic charge is provided with a coating constituted by a resin which is loaded with a refractory product.

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Abstract

A tracer having a pyrotechnic charge as designed for locating and guiding missiles of different types, comprising a casing which accommodates the pyrotechnic charge and a plate covering the charge and serving as a radiation emitter. The pyrotechnic charge comprises a portion which serves to heat the emitting plate to incandescence and a portion which is capable of producing the destruction of said plate as a result of a rise in temperature. The tracer thus has both the properties of a plate tracer and of a flame tracer.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Jean Marie Bouisse Poudrerie Nationale de, Bont de Buis; Franck Villey Desmeserets, Poudrerie Nationale de, St-Chamas, both of France [21] Appl. No. 885,113
[22] Filed Dec. 15, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [54] PYROTECHNIC TRACER 13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.
[52] U.S. Cl l02/37.8, 102/87 [51] lnt.Cl C06d 1/10 [50] Field of Search 102/35, 37.8, 87, 60
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,145,657 8/1964 Shrout et al. l02/37.8 3,354,828 11/1967 Shefler et al l02/37.8 3,399,621 9/1968 Schillreff l02/37.8
Primary ExaminerRobert F. Stahl Att0rney--Young & Thompson rvno'rscnmc moss This invention relates to a pyrotechnic tracer which can be employed especially for locating and guiding missiles or projectiles of different types.
The pyrotechnic tracers which are employed for this purpose usually consist of a canister containing a pyrotechnic compound and an ignition system, the complete assembly being closed by a shutter or obturator which is ejected at the time of firing. Emission of the desired radiation (in the visible, ultraviolet or infrared region) through the orifice which is uncovered by the obturator is caused by combustion of the pyrotechnic compound. Tracers of this type are subject in particular to the following disadvantages:
. .;I. An emission of flames and smoke which can be very substantial.
2. A substantial variation in the weight of the tracer during operation which is liable to result in unbalance.
, i 3. An emission of particles which have been heated to a very high temperature, thereby giving rise to a major disadvantage in the case of missiles which are guided by wires and leading to the ultimate destruction'of these latter.
4. A very appreciable loss of luminosity in the visible or infrared region as soon as the tracer support is in motion with respect to the detector or with respect to the observer during operation of the tracer.
- In order to circumvent the disadvantages attached to pyrotechnic tracers of the aforementioned type or so-called flame tracers, one expedient which has been proposed consists in the use of plate tracers in which a metallic plate is placed directly in contact with the pyrotechnic charge, thereby heating the plate and converting this latter into an emitter which producesthe desired energy radiation.
In this form of construction, the pyrotechnic charge is thus contained in a cup-shaped container which is provided with vents for the discharge of combustion gases.
v.Plate tracers have advantageous properties in comparison with flame tracers, particularly insofar as they permit removal of smoke.
-I:Iowever, as the missile travels away from the observer, the apparent areaof the plate decreases rapidly, the difficulties involved in locating the missile at the end of travel being increased accordingly.
The main object ofthe present invention is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above by simple and effective means. A further object of the invention is to permit easy industrial manufacture of the tracerand to improve the operatingconditions of this latter.
In accordance with the invention, the tracer having a pyrotechnic charge asdesignedfor locating and guiding different missiles, of the type comprising a casing which accommodates the pyrotechnic charge and a plate which covers said charge and serves as a radiation emitter, is characterized in that the pyrotechnic charge comprises a portion which serves to heat the emitting plate to incandescence and a portion which is capable of producing the destruction of said plate as a result of a rise in temperature.
The tracer thus has both the properties of a plate tracer and of a flame tracer.
Preferably, the tracer comprises means for carrying out the successive ignition of the two charge portions considered. It is thus possible to obtain the characteristics of a plate tracer during the initial period of operation and then, when the missile has-travelled away from the observer, to obtain the properties of a flame tracer after destruction of the plate since the flame has an apparent surface area which is greater than the plate, thereby facilitating location of the missile.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two portions of the charge are juxtaposed, the first portion being disposed between the second portion and a firing mass, an electric igniter being adapted to penetrate into the firing mass through an opening which is formed in the casing and which also serves as a gas discharge vent.
The combustion smoke is thus discharged at a distance from the emitting plate during combustion of the firing mass and o the first portion of the charge.
As a preferable feature and in order to permit coherent operation of the tracer, the interfaces of the charges correspond to the combustion fronts whichare formed from the point of ignition.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the emitting plate is formed of a metal having a high-melting point such as molybdenum and tungsten and is covered with at least one added layer which modifies its emissive power and is provided one at least part of its surface with a coating which prevents any penetration of moisture.
Further properties of the invention will become apparent from the description which is given hereinafter.
One advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example and not in any sense by way'lof limitation, and in which:
FIG. I is a perspective diagram of the casing prior'to' assembly;
F IG.'2 is a plan view of the completely assembled tracer;
FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the'tracer, this view' being taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 5;
FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view on a larger scale;
FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3.
It is to'be understood that the particular indications given in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings are applicable to the case of the structure as herein described but are also suited to any other structures which may be derived therefrom.
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the accompanyingdrawings, it is apparent that the tracer which is contemplated by the invention comprises a casing I having a base 2 surrounded by a ring 3 which is provided with a series of tongues 4.
The casing l is preferably formed of thin sheet steel (between three-tenths and eight-tenths of a millimeter in a preferred application of the invention). The internal face of the casing which is intended to accommodate the pyrotechnic compound or compounds is usefullyprovided with a thermal shield in the form of a layer 5 of polyester resin'which is loaded with a refractory oxide powder such as zirconia, .r'nagnesia. It is thus possible by way of example to apply against the internal wall of a casing l constructed-of ordinary. shcetsteel having a thickness of five-tenths or eight-tenths of a millimeter a layer consisting of a mixture which is made up of: a
parts of prepolymerized liquid polyester 30 parts of powdered magnesia and the catalyst and the resin polymerization accelerator. The layer 5 is represented diagrammatically in FIG. I by an array of dots.
However, it would clearly not constitute any departure from the scope of this invention to employ any other suitable material for the fabrication of the tracer canister such as phenolic compounds, other thermosetting materials, laminated materials or the like.
The ring 3 is pierced by an orifice 6, a panel 7 being mounted above said orifice and provided on. each side with triangular tongues 8. The panel 7 is intended to be folded back towards the orifice 6 at 7a; the tongues 8 serve as abutment members and the complete assembly constitutes a deflecting shutter. That surface of the panel 7 and of the tongues 8 which is located opposite to the orifice 6 is provided with a hcat resistant coating formed of a mixture of polyester resin and a refractory oxide powder, Said coating being represented diagrammatically in FIG. 1 by an array of dots.
As will become apparent hereinafter, the orifice 6 serves both as a lead-in passage for the electric igniter wires 9 and for the discharge of the combustion gases during operation of the tracer.
The composite pyrotechnic charge C is set within the casing l and covered by an emitting plate II which is applied against boron 20 parts barium chromate 70 parts magnetic oxide of iron parts This compound in powdered form may be bonded if necessary by a polyester resin or a collodion obtained by dissolving nitrocellulose in suitable solvents.
For example, the above compound can be agglomerated by 3 percent polyester resin except in the immediate vicinity of the igniters where it is left in the powdered state without binder. However, a thin layer of this mixture which is agglomerated with a collodion of nitrocellulose is placed immediately beneath the plate 11 and opposite to the orifice 6 in order that the portion which has been left in the powdered state should be maintained in position.
The precaution which has just been mentioned becomes unnecessary if the orifice 6 is closed by a plug of thermoplastic material or of aluminum. The igniter wires 9 are thus passed through said plug and the complete assembly is made leaktight, for example by means of a few drops of ethoxyl resin disposed around the igniter wires.
Said plug is then fixed in order to be readily ejectable as a result of overpressure produced by combustion of the charge C.
In particular, the plug can be fabricated from a sandwichtype material such as paperboard-aluminum-polythene which is simply applied against the internal wall of the ring 3 and maintained in leaktight manner by the polyester-magnesia mixture of the layer 5.
b. a portion C which is highly exothermic but the composition of which is established in relation to the nature of the emitting plate 1 1 in order that this latter should not burst as a result of a temperature rise.
For example, in the case of a plate 11 formed of molybdenum, the composition of the portion C can be as follows:
polyester binder.
A cobalt powder is preferably incorporated in the above compound in order to thicken the slag produced by combustion of the pyrotechnic compound or compounds employed and in order to reduce the weight loss of the tracer during combustion. This cobalt powder is mixed in small quantities (usually 2 to 10 percent and advantageously 3 percent in the case of the above example) with the pyrotechnic compound or compounds employed.
c. A portion C which is more highly exothermic than the previous portion and capable at the time of combustion of causing at least partial destruction of the emitting plate 1 l as a result of a rise in temperature.
The portion C can be constituted in particular by an exothermic mixture which is known per se and consists of iron, aluminum and iron oxide in proportions which are close to stoichiometric.
In another example, the following composition is employed:
powdered aluminum 80 parts anhydrous calcium sulfate 130 parts, this compound being made more highly flammable if so required by adding a small quantity of powdered magnesium.
Advantageous results have thus been obtained by means of the following mixture:
anhydrous calcium sulfate 136 parts aluminum 54 parts magnesium 5 parts The interfaces S and S which delimit the portions C,, C,, C of the charge C are advantageously disposed along the contours of the combustion fronts of the portions considered at a given instant in order that ignition of the portion C, should take place simultaneously along the surface 12 and similarly in the case of the portion C So far as the emitting plate 11 is concerned, a special structure is provided.
The plate 11 is advantageously fabricated from a metal having a high melting point such as molybdenum or tungsten. In order to permit a very rapid temperature rise, the thickness of the plate is small (for example between 0.2 and 0.4 mm.) and has in fact a significant effect on the rate at which the compound C heats the plate to incandescence. Thus, in the case of a plate formed of molybdenum, incandescence is retarded by approximately 5 seconds when the thickness is increased from 0.2 to 0.8 mm.
In a preferred embodiment, the emissive power of the plate 11 is enhanced by applying to this latter by means of a spray gun either metals and especially iron or oxides, sulfides, carbides, nitrides, silicides and any refractory chemical compounds which have high-emissive power and a liquid phase at atmospheric pressure so that such materials can be applied to the metal plate 11 by means of a spray-jet appliance which is commonly referred to as a plasma-arc torch. Tracers which can be mentioned by way of example are fitted with a molybdenum plate which is metallized by spray deposition of iron or with a molybdenum plate which is coated with cerium oxide.
in an advantageous embodiment, two different superposed coatings are deposited on the plate 11, the object of the second coating being either to protect the first or to remove part of the radiation emitted by the plate 1 1.
By way of nonlimitative example, the first coating can consist of cerium oxide and the second coating can consist of a layer of stibine (antimony trisulfide). In another embodiment, a molybdenum plate is metallized by spraying with iron and the metallized plate is coated with calcium fluoride. Thus, good results have been obtained by means of a composite coating as illustrated in FIG. 4 and having the following composition:
a layer 12 having a thickness of 0.] to 0.2 mm. and consisting of cerium oxide,
a layer 13 having a thickness of 0.1 mm. and consisting of calcium fluoride or stibine or alternatively consisting of a mixture of 99 percent thoria and 1 percent cerium oxide.
The substances employed for the layer 12 have a melting temperature which is higher than that of the plate 11 (2,600" C in the case of molybdenum), an emissive power which is greater than that of the plate 11 (0.32 in the case of molybdenum) and a liquid phase at atmospheric pressure so as to permit their application. Said substances must neither decompose not sublime. For this reason, the white and colored refractory oxides are usually suitable as well as metals having an emissive power which is higher than that of the plate 1! (iron in the case of molybdenum). The layer 13 makes it possible to remove part of the radiation of the layer 12 and is a function of the properties of this latter and of the properties of the detector.
In another arrangement of the invention, at least part of the external surface and the edges of the plate 11 are provided with a coating 16 which prevents any penetration of moisture.
By way of example, the coating 16 is advantageously constituted by a varnish having a base of silicone resins or alternatively of a silicone elastomer.
it is apparent that the emitting plate ll which is pretreated is placed on the charge C and fixed in position by folding back the tongues 4.
The tracer as thus constituted is fixed on any ballistic missile or the like which is to be detected by visual means. The tracer is placed so that the observer should be permitted to see the flame or the plate with an apparent diameter which is as large as possible. As a rule, the tracer is placed either behind or at the base of the fins of the missile.
At the time of ignition, the firing mass C burns and then simultaneously transmits the flame along the surface S to the portion C which heats the plate 11 to incandescence. The radiation is excited by the layer 12 and filtered if necessary by the layer 13.
The combustion gases are discharged through the orifice 6 and are forced downwards by the panel 7a which serves as a deflector. By virtue of said panel, the solid particles and the gas jet which is discharged through the orifice 6 are prevented from passing between the plate 11 and the detector or observer as this would disturb the detection. The refractory coating which is deposited on the panel 7a prevents destruction of this latter.
Afier combustion of the portion C,, the portion C of the charge is ignited along the surface S, and the evolution of heat is then such that the plate 11 bursts. The flame is then directly detected by the observer. The tracer behaves in the same manner as a flame tracer.
It is apparent that the invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinabove described and that many alternative forms can be contemplated.
Thus, the casing 1 can have any shape other than an oval shape.
Moreover, in order to facilitate destruction of the plate 11, provision can be made for a variable thickness in which that portion of the plate which has the smallest thickness is located opposite to the portion C, of the charge C.
What we claim is:
l. A tracer having a pyrotechnic charge as designed for locating and guiding missiles of different types, comprising a casing which accommodates the pyrotechnic charge and a plate which covers said charge and serves as a radiation emitter, wherein the pyrotechnic charge comprises a portion which serves to heat the emitting plate to incandescence and a portion which is capable of producing the destruction of said plate as a result of a rise in temperature.
2. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein said tracer comprises means for carrying out the successive ignition of the two charge portions considered.
3. A tracer according to claim 2, wherein the two portions of the charge are juxtaposed, the first portion being disposed between the second portion and a firing mass.
4. A tracer according to claim 3, wherein the casing is adapted to carry an electric igniter which terminates in the firing mass.
5. A tracer according to claim 4, wherein the electric igniter is adapted to penetrate into the firing mass through an opening which is formed in the casing and which also serves as a gas discharge vent.
6. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the interfaces of the charges correspond to the combustion fronts which are formed from the point of ignition after a predetermined time interval.
7. A tracer according to claim I, wherein at least part of the charge contains cobalt powder in order to thicken the slag.
8. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is formed of a metal having a high-melting point such as molybdenum and tungsten.
9. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is provided with at least one coating for modifying the emissive power thereof.
10. A tracer according to claim 9, wherein the emitting plate is provided with two superposed coatings, the first coating being intended to increase the emissive power of said plate and the second coating being intended to perform the function of an optical filter.
11. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is provided on at least part of its surface with a coating which prevents any penetration of moisture.
12. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is placed on the pyrotechnic charge and applied against said charge by means of tongues which form part of a ring of the casing and are folded back against said plate.
13. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the casing which is in contact with the pyrotechnic charge is provided with a coating constituted by a resin which is loaded with a refractory product.

Claims (13)

1. A tracer having a pyrotechnic charge as designed for locating and guiding missiles of different types, comprising a casing which accommodates the pyrotechnic charge and a plate which covers said charge and serves as a radiation emitter, wherein the pyrotechnic charge comprises a portion which serves to heat the emitting plate to incandescence and a portion which is capable of producing the destruction of said plate as a result of a rise in temperature.
2. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein said tracer comprises means for carrying out the successive ignition of the two charge portions considered.
3. A tracer according to claim 2, wherein the two portions of the charge are juxtaposed, the first portion being disposed between the second portion and a firing mass.
4. A tracer according to claim 3, wherein the casing is adapted to carry an electric igniter which terminates in the firing mass.
5. A tracer according to claim 4, wherein the electric igniter is adapted to penetrate into the firing mass through an opening which is formed in the casing and which also serves as a gas discharge vent.
6. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the interfaces of the charges correspond to the combustion fronts which are formed from the point of ignition after a predetermined time interval.
7. A tracer accorDing to claim 1, wherein at least part of the charge contains cobalt powder in order to thicken the slag.
8. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is formed of a metal having a high-melting point such as molybdenum and tungsten.
9. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is provided with at least one coating for modifying the emissive power thereof.
10. A tracer according to claim 9, wherein the emitting plate is provided with two superposed coatings, the first coating being intended to increase the emissive power of said plate and the second coating being intended to perform the function of an optical filter.
11. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is provided on at least part of its surface with a coating which prevents any penetration of moisture.
12. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the emitting plate is placed on the pyrotechnic charge and applied against said charge by means of tongues which form part of a ring of the casing and are folded back against said plate.
13. A tracer according to claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the casing which is in contact with the pyrotechnic charge is provided with a coating constituted by a resin which is loaded with a refractory product.
US885113A 1969-12-15 1969-12-15 Pyrotechnic tracer Expired - Lifetime US3611936A (en)

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2306423A1 (en) * 1975-03-29 1976-10-29 Dynamit Nobel Ag INFRARED RADIATION TRANSMITTERS
US4838167A (en) * 1973-11-30 1989-06-13 Firma Buck Kg Method and device for protection of targets against approaching projectiles, which projectiles are provided with infrared-sensitive target finders
US5811724A (en) * 1997-09-09 1998-09-22 Primex Technologies, Inc. Infrared tracer for ammunition
US7191558B1 (en) * 2004-11-10 2007-03-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Dynamic process for enhancing the wear resistance of ferrous articles
US20180156589A1 (en) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-07 Battelle Memorial Institute Self-glowing materials and tracer ammunition
CN110325814A (en) * 2016-12-01 2019-10-11 巴泰勒纪念研究所 Self-luminescent material, tracer ammunition and lighting device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3145657A (en) * 1962-10-09 1964-08-25 Aeronca Mfg Corp Missile assembly
US3354828A (en) * 1965-09-23 1967-11-28 Shefler Sydney Emergency light unit
US3399621A (en) * 1968-01-05 1968-09-03 George H. Schillreff Underwater flare

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3145657A (en) * 1962-10-09 1964-08-25 Aeronca Mfg Corp Missile assembly
US3354828A (en) * 1965-09-23 1967-11-28 Shefler Sydney Emergency light unit
US3399621A (en) * 1968-01-05 1968-09-03 George H. Schillreff Underwater flare

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4838167A (en) * 1973-11-30 1989-06-13 Firma Buck Kg Method and device for protection of targets against approaching projectiles, which projectiles are provided with infrared-sensitive target finders
FR2306423A1 (en) * 1975-03-29 1976-10-29 Dynamit Nobel Ag INFRARED RADIATION TRANSMITTERS
US5811724A (en) * 1997-09-09 1998-09-22 Primex Technologies, Inc. Infrared tracer for ammunition
WO1999012871A1 (en) * 1997-09-09 1999-03-18 Primex Technologies, Inc. Infrared tracer for ammunition
US7191558B1 (en) * 2004-11-10 2007-03-20 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Dynamic process for enhancing the wear resistance of ferrous articles
US7669358B1 (en) * 2004-11-10 2010-03-02 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Dynamic process for enhancing the wear resistance of ferrous articles
US20180156589A1 (en) * 2016-12-01 2018-06-07 Battelle Memorial Institute Self-glowing materials and tracer ammunition
CN110325814A (en) * 2016-12-01 2019-10-11 巴泰勒纪念研究所 Self-luminescent material, tracer ammunition and lighting device
US10557696B2 (en) * 2016-12-01 2020-02-11 Battelle Memorial Institute Self-glowing materials and tracer ammunition
US11105598B2 (en) * 2016-12-01 2021-08-31 Battelle Memorial Institute Self-glowing materials and tracer ammunition
CN110325814B (en) * 2016-12-01 2022-07-22 巴泰勒纪念研究所 Self-luminous material, tracer ammunition and lighting device
US11624595B2 (en) 2016-12-01 2023-04-11 Battelle Memorial Institute Self-glowing materials and tracer ammunition

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