WO1993018364A1

WO1993018364A1 - Process and device for firing caseless ammunition

Info

Publication number: WO1993018364A1
Application number: PCT/EP1993/000532
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joachim Fibranz; Klaus Redecker; Raimund Fritz
Original assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft; Heckler & Koch Gmbh
Priority date: 1992-03-10
Filing date: 1993-03-09
Publication date: 1993-09-16
Also published as: DE4207629A1

Abstract

In the process for firing caseless ammunition from a weapon, especially a hand gun, the igniting effect of an ignited priming charge (46) or a propellant charge in the form of a moulding (12) is reinforced by a booster charge (58). The combustion process of the priming charge (46) and the booster charge (58) and the ignition of the propellant charge (moulding 12) takes place in such a way that the bullet (16) incorporated in the moulding (12) is first moved forward and held in a given position in the barrel transition zone owing to a defined holding force between the bullet (16) and the barrel. The complete combustion of the moulding (12) then generates a suitable gas pressure to overcome the holding forces and to accelerate the gas.

Description

Method and device for firing caseless ammunition

The invention relates to a method for firing caseless ammunition from a weapon, in particular a handgun, and a device for firing caseless ammunition.

In order to reduce the weight of the ammunition, early attempts were made to fire caseless ammunition. In the case of caseless ammunition, the projectile is partially or completely embedded in the propellant material, which is in the form of a compact. In addition to the propellant charge, the caseless ammunition has an ignition charge and a booster charge which increases the ignition effect of the ignition charge on the propellant charge. A certain problem with the firing of caseless ammunition is the defined dam or the defined pressure build-up before the projectile is fired. The same internal ballistic conditions can only be achieved with great difficulty for each shot if, as is customary with caseless ammunition, the gas pressure build-up is accompanied by a forward movement of the projectile and the associated increase in volume in the area between the cartridge chamber and the tube inlet or transition . For the high probability of a weapon being hit, it is imperative that the same internal ballistic conditions are present from shot to shot.

The invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus of the type mentioned, in which there are always defined and reproducible conditions within the cartridge chamber and the tube.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a method for firing caseless ammunition from a handgun in particular, in which a Ignition system is ignited, the ignition system is a propellant charge and the ignition or combustion process of the ignition system and the ignition of the propellant charge are controlled in such a way that the projectile first executes a free flight phase from the cartridge chamber to the tube, then by defined holding forces at a defined point is stopped again in the tube, and the subsequent complete combustion of the propellant charge builds up a gas pressure to overcome the holding forces and to accelerate the projectile in the tube again.

The device according to the invention comprises: a tube, a cartridge chamber and a cartridge body which has an ignition system and a propellant charge, such that the ignition-combustion processes of the ignition system and the ignition of the propellant charge are controlled as follows: the projectile executes a free-flight phase from the cartridge chamber to the pipe, due to defined holding forces, the projectile comes to a standstill at a defined position in the pipe, the subsequent complete combustion of the propellant charge creates a gas pressure to overcome the holding forces and to accelerate the projectile in the pipe again.

With the method according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to avoid the disadvantage mentioned above, ie a defined dam is achieved when the projectile is fired between the cartridge chamber and the weapon barrel by stopping the projectile at a defined point in the barrel or at least almost stopping it, to then be accelerated again and finally fired by the intended full implementation of the propellant charge. The specification of a "defined point" for the standstill or possibly even near-standstill of the projectile in the area of the tube end adjacent to the cartridge chamber is not limited to an exact point in the tube inlet or tube transition, but also includes a certain fluctuation range for this point (stopping point) However, it should be as small as possible in order to achieve the required high accuracy in individual cases. The ignition system can basically be an ignition charge, ie a primer. If necessary, a further ignition charge can be connected downstream to increase the effect on the propellant charge. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, however, it is instead provided that the ignition system consists essentially of an ignition charge and a booster charge, such that the fumes from the ignited ignition charge ignite the booster charge, which in turn increases the ignition effect of the ignition charge on the propellant charge.

According to the invention, the ignition system is further preferably ignited when the rear end of the cartridge chamber is closed. While in the case of ammunition with a cartridge case, this or the bottom of the cartridge prevents the combustion gases from escaping to the rear end of the cartridge chamber, when shellless ammunition is fired, the cartridge chamber itself is closed at the rear end, for example by the surrounding wall of the breech of the weapon. The igniting effect of the primer charge is increased by the booster charge, which is ignited by the fumes. The booster charge in turn ignites the propellant charge, the combustion process of the priming and booster charge and the ignition of the propellant charge being controlled according to the invention in such a way that the projectile initially has only a defined distance in its free flight phase, i.e. until (complete) entry into the pipe transition ( the tube end facing the cartridge chamber). In the pipe transition, the projectile is preferably stopped by frictional forces as holding forces, in particular adhesive frictional forces between the projectile jacket and the pipe. When the projectile is stationary in the pipe transition, a gas pressure is built up by the subsequent complete combustion of the propellant charge, which is sufficient to overcome the static friction and accelerate the projectile in the pipe. y

An essential aspect of the method according to the invention can be seen in the temporary standstill of the projectile in the pipe transition at a defined point. It is also crucial that the projectile is held in this state by a defined static friction. It is particularly important that the projectile comes to a standstill with a defined holding force, so that in this phase there is an undisturbed combustion of the propellant charge with an almost constant initial volume with each shot, due to the empty volume of the chamber plus the movement of the projectile until it stops larger volume is formed, can perform. If the gas pressure in this initial volume now rises, the static friction of the projectile is overcome in order to pass into the lower sliding friction. The projectile hurries through the pipe, the propellant charge is burned and the next cartridge can be loaded with automatic handguns.

The defined hold of the projectile in the pipe transition before the actual pressure build-up for firing the projectile creates a defined initial volume and, with a defined holding force, a defined dam for the propellant charge. Overall, there is a defined and reproducible firing sequence with the consequence of a high accuracy of the weapon.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it is further provided that the projectile in its free-flying phase pierces a hollow-conical cap, on which, when it is pierced, friction with the projectile jacket occurs in order to slow the projectile flight. The propellant charge, which is in the form of a compact, has an opening at its front end which is closed by a hollow-conical cap, which is supported on the projectile tip and is fixed to the propellant compact, for example by gluing. A first slowdown of the projectile before it enters the tube transition takes place in the cartridge itself, namely by friction with the bursting hollow-cone-shaped cap. Due to the Ogival form of the Projectile adapted and therefore essentially hollow cone-shaped cap results in significant friction with the shell of the projectile; this friction is a factor to be included in the interior ballistics, which influences the stopping point of the projectile in the tube transition.

The projectile diameter is preferably matched to the dimension of the pipe in the pipe transition in such a way that there is a defined surface friction for braking and stopping the projectile. The pipe transition with the selected surface and material properties is matched to the press-in resistance properties of the projectile.

Due to the ignition of the booster charge and the initiation of the ignition of the propellant charge, an initial gas pressure is built up in the cartridge chamber, and of such a size that the projectile is advanced to the defined point in the tube transition and the subsequent gas pressure, which is characterized by the Volume increase due to this projectile advance and the progressive ignition of the propellant charge is briefly smaller than is necessary to advance the projectile at the defined point in the pipe transition. The initial pressure to complete the free-flight phase of the projectile is determined and applied primarily by the ignition system, ie preferably by the ignition of the ignition charge and the booster charge. In the free-flight phase, the projectile is guided due to the hollow-conical shape of the (plastic) cap. The approach of the projectile in the pipe transition and the temporary standstill of the projectile in the pipe transition are determined by the exact coordination of the dimensions of the pipe transition and the projectile diameter, by the slowing down of the projectile flight when the plastic cap is pierced, by the surface-related braking of the coated or painted projectile in the pipe transition and by setting the initial pressure according to height and pressure build-up through the ignition system. Advantageously, the booster charge is accommodated in a shielding capsule, which is arranged behind the projectile, preferably embedded in the propellant charge, and only releases the booster charge ignition clouds in the opposite direction to the projectile movement. The caseless ammunition to be provided for the method according to the invention is preferably telescopic cartridges in which the projectile is completely embedded in a compact made of propellant charge material. Also embedded in this propellant is the shielding capsule which receives the booster charge and which preferably has the shape of a cup, the bottom of which rests on the floor of the floor. In any case, the shielding capsule releases the hot gases and particles (ignition fumes) that arise when the booster charge is burned in the opposite direction to the projectile movement. The propellant charge is thus ignited only in a limited area. The free-flight phase of the projectile begins at the latest when the propellant charge is initiated.

Apart from a seal, the propellant material forms the outer jacket of the caseless ammunition. In order to protect the propellant charge material against accidental ignition due to external heat, a flame retardant and high temperature resistant material is used as the propellant charge material (so-called HITP material - High Ignition Temperature Propellant).

The projectile jacket is preferably provided with a projectile varnish. The projectile preferably also has a plated steel jacket. Finally, the projectile is preferably given an elongated ogival shape in its front half, the projectile casing being constricted in its rear, essentially cylindrical half, in order to reduce the size of the contact area between the projectile casing and the inner pipe surface. In particular, the Flux sizes reduced to fluctuations in static friction due to changed projectile jacket surfaces, which is why the static friction forces fluctuate very little. Thus, the stopping point of the projectile in the pipe transition (press-in depth of the projectile in the pipe) fluctuates very little from shot to shot and can be regarded as essentially constant and unchanged.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. In detail show:

1 shows a longitudinal section through a caseless cartridge body with a projectile shown in half section,

Fig. 2 shows the pressure-time curve between the ignition of the charge of the cartridge body according to Fig. 1 and the exit of the gun barrel through the projectile in a handgun, and

Fig. 3 to 7 show a schematic representation of the components of the cartridge chamber and the barrel of a weapon to illustrate the firing sequence at the times ti-tc marked in FIG. 2.

1 shows a longitudinal section through a cartridge body 10 for caseless ammunition which is fired according to the method according to the invention. The cartridge body 10 has a press body 12 made of propellant charge material with a square cross section. The propellant charge has an ignition temperature of approx. 260 ° C. The pressing body 12 is sealed against weather influences, which is indicated at 14. The pressing body 12 receives a projectile 16 which has a projectile core 18 and a projectile jacket 20. The floor 16 has an elongated ogival shape; only the projectile tail (see section 22 of projectile 16) lies against the inside of the wall of the pressing body 12. The shell 20 t? has in its section on the pressing body 12

Constriction 23 on. This constriction 23 reduces the sliding friction of the projectile 16 in the tube. The projectile 16 is accommodated in a projectile receiving space 24, which is closed by a plastic cap 30 at the front end 28 of the pressing body 12 in the direction of flight 26. The plastic cap 30 is glued to the inner surface of the pressing body wall; the adhesive layer is indicated at 32 in FIG. 1. The plastic cap 30 has a hollow conical shape in cross section, the cone tip 34 abutting the projectile tip 36.

In the area of the rear end 38 of the pressing body 12, a receiving space 40 is arranged in the latter, into which an ignition cap 42 is inserted. The priming cap 42 has a protective cap 44 and an ignition charge 46. The protective cap 44 forms, together with the end face of the pressing body 12, the rear end 38 of the cartridge body 10. The space 40 communicates with an axial space 50 of the pressing body 12 via an axial through bore 48. A cup-shaped copper cap 52 is inserted into the space 50, the bottom 54 of which rests on the floor 56. A reinforcing charge 58 is located in the copper cap 52. The protective cap 44, preferably made of HITP, has an essentially U-shaped cross section, i.e. is designed as a cup in which the ignition charge 44 is accommodated. The compositions for both this charge and booster charge 58 are known and not the subject of the invention.

On the basis of the pressure-time curve according to FIG. 2 and the FIGS. 3 to 7, the method for firing caseless ammunition is described below, the cartridge body of which is shown in FIG. 1. The weapon depiction in FIGS. 3 to 7 is purely schematic; For the sake of simplicity, details that are not necessary for the description of the shooting sequence, such as the firing pin mechanism, are not shown. At time t ^ the cartridge body 10 is in the

Cartridge chamber 60. The firing pin has not yet hit that

Primer at the rear end 38 of the cartridge body 10 acted. This state is shown in Fig. 3.

At time t2 (FIG. 4), the firing pin or another deformation or frictional force acts on the primer 42 and its organ applying the primer charge 46 to the primer, so that the primer charge 46 ignites and burns. The hot combustion gases and particles of the ignition charge 46 pass through the through hole 48 to the booster charge 58, which is then ignited. The ignition effect of the ignition charge 46 on the propellant charge compact 12 is increased by the ignition of the booster charge 58. The gas pressure built up by the combustion of the booster charge 58 and by the start of the ignition of the propellant charge of the compact 12 is so great that the projectile 16 is set in motion. It pierces the plastic cap 30 and enters the end 62 of the tube 64 facing the cartridge chamber 60. The pipe inlet end 62 is also referred to as a pipe transition. Due to friction, the projectile 16 comes to a standstill in the tube transition 62. This situation, which corresponds to the time t in FIG. 2, is shown graphically in FIG. 5. As indicated in Fig. 5, the interior of the compact 12 is filled with combustion gases at time t3, while the compact 12 itself or at least its vast majority is still unburned.

When the floor 16 is stationary, a gas pressure builds up in the cartridge chamber 60, which exerts such a force on the floor 16 that it is set in motion against the static friction force. At time t ^ the entire compact, which consists of propellant charge material, is burned; the floor 16 is no longer located at the pipe transition 62, but has already been advanced within the pipe 64 (see FIG. 6). The entire area between the rear end of the cartridge chamber 60 and the floor of the floor is filled with combustion gas under high pressure.

At time t ^ (see FIG. 7), the projectile 16 just leaves the tube 64; the remaining combustion gas pressure in the cartridge chamber 60 and tube 64 is used to automatically reload the next cartridge body 10.

Claims

Claims:

1. Method for firing caseless ammunition from a weapon, in particular a handgun, in which

an ignition system (46, 58) is ignited, the ignited ignition system (46, 58) ignites a propellant charge (pressing body 12), and the ignition or combustion processes of the ignition system (46, 58) and the ignition of the propellant charge (pressing body 12) controlled in such a way that the projectile (16) first performs a free-flight phase from the cartridge chamber (60) to the tube (64), then is stopped again by defined holding forces at a defined point in the tube (64), and by the subsequent combustion of the

Propellant charge (pressing body 12) a gas pressure for

Overcoming the holding forces and, again

Accelerating the projectile (16) in the tube (64) is built up.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ignition system (46, 58) has an ignition charge (46) and a booster charge (58) such that the fumes of the ignited ignition charge (46) ignite the booster charge (58) in turn, the ignition effect of the ignition charge (46) on the propellant charge (pressing body 12) is increased.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the ignition system (46, 58) is ignited at the end of the rear end of the cartridge chamber (60). ti-

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that frictional forces are used as holding forces, in particular half-frictional forces between the Geschoß¬ jacket (20) and the tube (64) in the tube transition (62).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projectile (16) in its free flight

• phase pierces a hollow-cone-shaped cap (30) on which friction with the projectile jacket (20) occurs when the projectile is pierced in order to slow the projectile (16).

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the projectile diameter is matched to the dimension of the tube (64) in the tube transition (62) such that a defined surface friction for braking and stopping the projectile (16) is given.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized ge indicates that an initial gas pressure in the cartridge bearing (60) is built up by the ignition of the booster charge (58) and by the initiation of the ignition of the propellant charge (pressing body 12) , which is chosen so large that the projectile (16) is advanced to the defined point in the tube transition (62), and that the subsequent gas pressure resulting from the volume increase due to this projectile movement and the further ignition of the propellant charge (pressing body 12) is smaller than that required to advance the projectile (16) out of the defined location in the tube transition (62).

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized ge indicates that the booster charge (58) is housed in a shielding capsule (52), which is located behind the projectile (16) preferably adjacent to this in the propellant charge (pressing body "12) is arranged embedded and the ignition clouds of the booster charge (58) only in opposite to the projectile movement (26)

Direction.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the projectile (16) is arranged within a press body (12) made of propellant charge material, which to the tube transition (62) by a on the projectile tip (36) supported hollow cone-shaped cap (30) is closed.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the shielding capsule (52) has the shape of a cup, the bottom (54) of which rests on the floor (56).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the propellant material is flame retardant and high temperature resistant.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the projectile jacket (20) is provided with a Geschoß¬ lubricating varnish for influencing the surface friction.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the projectile (16) has a plated steel jacket (20).

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the projectile (16) has an oval shape with a constriction (23) in the rear half of the projectile jacket.

15. Device, in particular handgun, for firing caseless ammunition with

a tube (64), a cartridge chamber (60) and a cartridge body (10) which is an ignition system (46, 58) and a propellant charge (press body 12), such that the ignition or combustion processes of the ignition system (46, 58) and the ignition of the propellant charge (press body 12) are controlled as follows: the projectile (16 ) performs a free flight phase from the cartridge chamber (60) to the tube (64), - - due to defined holding forces, the projectile (16) comes to a standstill at a defined point in the tube (64), due to the subsequent complete combustion of the propellant charge ( Press body 12) creates a gas pressure to overcome the holding forces and to accelerate the projectile in the tube again.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the ignition system (46, 58) has an ignition charge (46) and a pyrotechnically downstream boost charge (58).

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the holding forces by frictional forces, in particular static friction, between the Geschoß¬ jacket (20) and the tube (64) in the tube transition (62) are realized.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the cartridge body (10) has a hollow cone-shaped cap (30) which is pierced by the projectile (16) in its free flight phase and by friction with the projectile jacket (20) the projectile (16) slowed down.

19. Device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the projectile diameter is matched to the dimension of the tube (64) in the tube transition (62) such that a defined surface friction for braking and stopping the projectile (16) is given.

20. Device according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that such a large initial gas pressure is created by the ignition of the reinforcement (58) and by the initiation of ignition of the propellant charge (pressing body 12) that the projectile (16) up to the defined point in the pipe transition (62) and that the subsequent gas pressure resulting from the increase in volume due to this projectile advance and the further ignition of the propellant charge (pressing body 12) is briefly lower than for the advance of the projectile (16) the defined point in the pipe transition (62) is required.

21. Device according to one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the booster charge (58) is accommodated in a shielding capsule (52) which is arranged behind the projectile (16), preferably adjacent to the projectile in the propellant charge (pressing body 12) and only releases the firing swaths in the opposite direction to the projectile movement (26).

22. Device according to one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that the projectile (16) is arranged within a compression body (12) made of propellant charge material, which is towards the tube transition (62) by a hollow cone-shaped cap supported on the projectile tip (36) (30) is closed.

23. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that the shielding capsule (52) has the shape of a cup, the bottom (54) of which rests on the floor (56).

24. Device according to one of claims 15 to 23, characterized in that the propellant material is flame retardant and resistant to high temperatures. left

25. Device according to one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that the projectile jacket (20) for influencing the surface friction is provided with a Geschoß¬ lubricating varnish.

26. Device according to one of claims 15 to 25, characterized in that the projectile (16) has a clad steel jacket (20).

27. The device according to one of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that the projectile (16) has an oval shape with a constriction 23 in the rear half of the shell jacket.