US3673916A - Rifled launching tube - Google Patents

Rifled launching tube Download PDF

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Publication number
US3673916A
US3673916A US828062*A US3673916DA US3673916A US 3673916 A US3673916 A US 3673916A US 3673916D A US3673916D A US 3673916DA US 3673916 A US3673916 A US 3673916A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
launching
launching tube
corrugations
rockets
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
US828062*A
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English (en)
Inventor
Helge Wittholz
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.)
Dynamit Nobel AG
Original Assignee
Dynamit Nobel AG
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 Dynamit Nobel AG filed Critical Dynamit Nobel AG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3673916A publication Critical patent/US3673916A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F41A21/00—Barrels; Gun tubes; Muzzle attachments; Barrel mounting means
    • F41A21/16—Barrels or gun tubes characterised by the shape of the bore
    • F41A21/18—Grooves-Rifling

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A launching tube for rockets and other projectiles, preferably with a hinged tail unit, including means for imparting a rota tional motion to the rocket or projectile as it travels through the tube, which means for imparting rotation are provided in the form of helical grooves adapted to receive mating projeo tions provided on the exterior surface of the rocket or projectile, and further including additional, substantially longitudinally-extending corrugations for imparting rigidity to the launching tube, thus facilitating the construction of the tube from relatively light-weight materials and in the form of relatively thin-walled tubes formed by drawing or extrusion processes.
  • the present invention further contemplates a novel method for producing the rifled launching tube disclosed herein.
  • the present invention pertains to the construction of launching tubes for rockets or other projectiles, preferably of the type having a hinged tail unit.
  • launching tubes for rockets and projectiles of the above-mentioned type also called projector tubes
  • projector tubes are provided with internal grooves extending longitudinally in a helical configuration. These helical grooves function to guide the rockets and projectiles and impart a rotational motion thereto by engaging with projections such as spikes or pins provided on the exterior surface of the projectile.
  • Launching or projector tubes of this sort have conventionally been manufactured by means of a machining process which is relatively expensive and which does not sufficiently preclude the production of inaccurate or defective parts. Additionally, the machining step involved requires that the launching tube be constructed of a relatively large wall thickness, thus resulting in an excessively heavy finished article. Since these launching tubes are generally combined or grouped in racks, the overall weight of the assembled groups of launching tubes is particularly excessive, creating severe problems in handling the racks of launching tubes, particularly when the receiving rackis intended to be transportable, for example, when the racks are intended to be mounted upon mobile vehicles.
  • launching tube constructed to include means for imparting rotation to the rocket or projectile to be fired therefrom, which launching tube is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • a launching tube of the type described above which can be manufactured with a relatively thin wall, thus resulting in a substantial reduction of the weight of the finished part.
  • a launching tube of the type described above which can be constructed in the form of a relatively thin-walled member having a constant wall thickness over the length thereof.
  • a launching tube in the form of a relatively thin-walled pipe having a constant wall thickness and providing, in addition to the helical grooves adapted to receive the projections of the rocket, with additional corrugations or crimping extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tube.
  • a launching tube suitable for the intended pur ose can be manufactured by means of a shaping process, thus eliminating the costly machining or cutting process and realizing a commensurate reduction in cost of material and labor.
  • the provision of the additional corrugations affords a sufficient inherent stability or strength to the launching tube despite the fact that it is constructed from relatively lightweight materials and has a relatively thin wall section.
  • the launching tube constructed in accordance with the present invention is further advantageous in that it can be manufactured with greater certainty of the accuracy of the finished article than the conventional launching tube with the machined grooves. Further, since the launching tube contemplated by the present invention involves considerable reduction in the overall weight of the finished article, a greater number of tubes may be combined for utilization on a mobile vehicle.
  • the launching tube in accordance with the present invention can be constructed in various ways.
  • the diameter of the thin-walled tube can correspond to the diameter of the rocket or projectile to be fired therefrom.
  • the grooves and corrugations, as viewed in cross-section are provided as projections extending radially outwardly from the major diameter of the tube.
  • the diameter of the thin-walled tube can exceed that of the diameter of the projectile to be fired therefrom.
  • the marginal zones of the tube wall which form the grooves, and the corrugations can be provided in the form of projections extending inwardly from the major diameter of the tube up to a surface representing the diameter of the projectile.
  • the thin-walled tube contemplated by the present invention can be produced by drawing or extrusion or like processes.
  • the tube profile on the drawing die and on the extrusion die should be provided with an inclined orientation. Accordingly, the drawing die and the extrusion die are rotatably mounted. During the drawing step, the tool can thus threadedly insert itself into the non-corrugated tube.
  • the tube is thus provided with rifling simultaneously with the drawing step. It is also possible to draw the tube longitudinally with the cross-sectional configuration resulting from the grooves and corrugations and to subsequently impart the rifling to the tube. This mode of operation would advantageously be employed in connection with tubes manufactured by an extrusion process.
  • the tube can be provided with an accumulation of material for forming the grooves in the region where the grooves are to be formed.
  • the wall thickness of the launching tube contemplated by the present invention is thinner by the depth of the grooves, than the wall thickness of the launching tubes in use heretofore.
  • the launching tube constructed in accordance with the present invention can be produced from any suitable material, such as steel, but may also be from a relatively light metal.
  • FIG. 1 represents a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a launching tube constructed according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. I;
  • FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the launching tube according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a launching tube, preferably manufactured by an extrusion process, according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an extruded tube constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. 7.
  • the tube 1 is preferably constructed as a drawn tube, for example of steel, such that the tube includes two longitudinally extending grooves 2 which are engaged by the calibrated projections 3 of the rocket 4, and two additional corrugations 5.
  • the diameter of the launching tube 1 conforms substantially to the diameter of the rocket or projectile 4.
  • the grooves 2 and the corrugations 5, in this embodiment, are formed as radially outwardly extending projections.
  • the grooves and corrugations are oriented in a slightly spiral or helical manner.
  • the wall thickness of the tube 1 is constant over the entire circumference thereof.
  • the tube 6 is constructed with a diameter exceeding the caliber of the rocket or projectile 4.
  • Marginal zones or regions 20 which fonn the grooves 2, as well as the corrugations 7, are provided such that they extend radially inward to the extent that the rocket 4 is guided by zones 2a and corrugations 7.
  • the launching tube has a constant wall thickness when view in cross-section.
  • the grooves and corrugations extend in a slightly spiral or helical manner.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 substantially corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the tube 8 is preferably constructed by extrusion.
  • the corrugations 5 project radially outwardly.
  • the tube is provided with an accumulation of material 9 in the region wherein the grooves 2 are to be formed.
  • the tube 10 has a diameter exceeding that of the rocket 4.
  • the corrugations 7 project radially inwardly.
  • the accumulation of material 11 for the formation of the grooves 2 is provided on the internal surface of the tube 10 such that the racket or projectile is guided only in the region of the guiding grooves 2 and the corrugations 7.
  • a launching tube for rockets or other projectiles of the type having projections extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof; said launching tube comprising helical groove means formed on the internal surface of said tube for imparting rotational motion to rockets passing through said tube, said groove means being positioned and dimensioned for engagement with the projections on said rockets, said launching tube having a relatively thin wall of substantially uniform thickness, and additional reinforcing means in the form of corrugations fomted in the wall of said tube and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of said tube.
  • a launching tube according to claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of said tube is less than the maximum diametric extent of the projections on the rocket, wherein said groove means project outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube for accepu'ng said projections, and wherein said corrugations project radially outwardly from the outer surface of said tube.
  • a launching tube according to claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of said tube exceeds that of the rockets to be fired therefrom, the region of said tube provided with said internal groove means and said corrugations projecting radially inwardly with respect to the internal surface of the tube for guiding the rockets.
  • a launching tube according to claim 1 wherein said launching tube wall is thinner than the depth of the grooves formed therein.
  • a launching tube according to claim 1 wherein the launching tube wall is thinner than the depth of the reinforcing corrugations formed therein.
  • a launching tube according to claim 1 wherein said relatively thin wall of said tube has accumulations of material provided in the regions thereof where the internal groove means are provided for facilitating production of the tube by means of extrusion.
  • a launching tube according to claim 1 wherein said tube is constructed from a relatively light-weight metal.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Metal Extraction Processes (AREA)
  • Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
US828062*A 1968-04-24 1969-04-24 Rifled launching tube Expired - Lifetime US3673916A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19681703248 DE1703248A1 (de) 1968-04-24 1968-04-24 Abschussrohr mit Zwangsrotation fuer Raketen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3673916A true US3673916A (en) 1972-07-04

Family

ID=5688344

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US828062*A Expired - Lifetime US3673916A (en) 1968-04-24 1969-04-24 Rifled launching tube

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3673916A (de)
BE (1) BE731803A (de)
CA (1) CA932570A (de)
DE (1) DE1703248A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2006839A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1264858A (de)
NL (1) NL6905452A (de)
NO (1) NO123598B (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4022053A (en) * 1975-09-30 1977-05-10 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Projectile guide track
US4646618A (en) * 1982-04-05 1987-03-03 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft Launching tube for missiles
US5686686A (en) * 1996-01-25 1997-11-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Hand emplaced underwater mine penetration system
USD426611S (en) * 1999-06-04 2000-06-13 Small Arms Mfg. Co., Inc. Gun barrel
US6324780B1 (en) 1999-07-09 2001-12-04 E.R. Shaw, Inc. Fluted gun barrel
US6851347B1 (en) 2003-06-05 2005-02-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Multi-lobed buoyant launch capsule
US20100307045A1 (en) * 2007-11-02 2010-12-09 Transmission Systems Limited Projectile Weapons
US20190077503A1 (en) * 2017-09-11 2019-03-14 Defendtex Pty Ltd Unmanned aerial vehicle
US20200003514A1 (en) * 2018-07-02 2020-01-02 Gog Paintball, S.A. Barrel with rifling and method for forming
US11262156B2 (en) * 2019-06-17 2022-03-01 Carl E Caudle Air gun for conventional metal-jacket bullets

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4022053A (en) * 1975-09-30 1977-05-10 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Projectile guide track
US4646618A (en) * 1982-04-05 1987-03-03 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft Launching tube for missiles
US4790970A (en) * 1982-04-05 1988-12-13 Dynamit Nobel Ag Process for the manufacture of a launching tube for missiles
US5686686A (en) * 1996-01-25 1997-11-11 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Hand emplaced underwater mine penetration system
USD426611S (en) * 1999-06-04 2000-06-13 Small Arms Mfg. Co., Inc. Gun barrel
US6324780B1 (en) 1999-07-09 2001-12-04 E.R. Shaw, Inc. Fluted gun barrel
US6851347B1 (en) 2003-06-05 2005-02-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Multi-lobed buoyant launch capsule
US20100307045A1 (en) * 2007-11-02 2010-12-09 Transmission Systems Limited Projectile Weapons
US8291632B2 (en) * 2007-11-02 2012-10-23 Transmission Systems Limited Projectile weapons
US20190077503A1 (en) * 2017-09-11 2019-03-14 Defendtex Pty Ltd Unmanned aerial vehicle
US11040772B2 (en) * 2017-09-11 2021-06-22 Defendtex Pty Ltd Unmanned aerial vehicle
US20200003514A1 (en) * 2018-07-02 2020-01-02 Gog Paintball, S.A. Barrel with rifling and method for forming
US10890399B2 (en) * 2018-07-02 2021-01-12 Gog Paintball, S.A. Barrel with rifling and method for forming
US11262156B2 (en) * 2019-06-17 2022-03-01 Carl E Caudle Air gun for conventional metal-jacket bullets

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE731803A (de) 1969-10-01
FR2006839A1 (de) 1970-01-02
CA932570A (en) 1973-08-28
GB1264858A (de) 1972-02-23
DE1703248A1 (de) 1971-12-09
NL6905452A (de) 1969-10-28
NO123598B (de) 1971-12-13

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