WO2008099353A1 - Grenade - Google Patents

Grenade Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008099353A1
WO2008099353A1 PCT/IB2008/050522 IB2008050522W WO2008099353A1 WO 2008099353 A1 WO2008099353 A1 WO 2008099353A1 IB 2008050522 W IB2008050522 W IB 2008050522W WO 2008099353 A1 WO2008099353 A1 WO 2008099353A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
secondary chamber
projectile
grenade
volume
pressure
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2008/050522
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniël Nicolaas Johannes ELS
Original Assignee
Rippel Effect Weapon Systems (Proprietary) Limited
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 Rippel Effect Weapon Systems (Proprietary) Limited filed Critical Rippel Effect Weapon Systems (Proprietary) Limited
Publication of WO2008099353A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008099353A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B8/00—Practice or training ammunition
    • F42B8/12—Projectiles or missiles
    • F42B8/20—Mortar grenades
    • 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
    • F42B5/025—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile characterised by the dimension of the case or the missile
    • 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
    • F42B5/16—Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile characterised by composition or physical dimensions or form of propellant charge, with or without projectile, or powder
    • 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
    • F42B5/26—Cartridge cases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B8/00—Practice or training ammunition
    • F42B8/12—Projectiles or missiles
    • F42B8/18—Rifle grenades

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to a grenade, and in particular to a 40mm grenade which is in use launched from a grenade launcher.
  • the invention is particularly concerned with 40mm grenades operating with a high-low propulsion system.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectionat view of a conventional 40mm grenade 10 which has a cartridge case 12 and a projectile 14 mounted at the leading end of the cartridge case.
  • a percussion cap 18 which, when fired by the firing pin of the grenade launcher, ignites a propeliant charge 20 in a primary or high pressure chamber 22 defined by a chamber wall 24 formed with spaced apart vent holes 26 and lined internally by a thin-wall copper lining 28 The vent holes 26 lead to a secondary or low pressure chamber 30 in the cartridge case
  • the projectile mass is 18Og and the primary chamber pressure is of the order of 130MPa, generated by about 0,35g of Ballistite propeliant.
  • the secondary chamber 30 has a volume of 20,795cm s and the pressure generated therein is of the order of 13MPa
  • the projectile typically has a muzzle velocity, i e. a maximum velocity on leaving the barrel of the grenade launcher, of about 76m/s, giving a maximum range of about 400m It is recognised that there is a need for 40mm grenades launched from grenade launchers to have a substantially greater range, requiring a substantial increase in muzzle velocity This cannot however be achieved simply by substantially increasing the secondary chamber pressure.
  • a 40mm grenade which comprises a cartridge case and a projectile mounted in a leading end of the cartridge case and which operates with a high pressure-low pressure propulsion system to drive the projectile from the cartridge case when the grenade is launched, wherein the secondary chamber of the propulsion system has a volume of at least 35cm 3 and the propellant charge in the primary chamber of the propulsion system is selected to generate a maximum pressure in the secondary chamber not exceeding 16MPa.
  • the secondary chamber has a volume exceeding 38cm ' .
  • the secondary chamber volume is about 41 cm 3 .
  • the maximum secondary chamber pressure be about 15MPa.
  • the mass of the projectile is at least 20Og, and is most preferably about 23Og
  • the parameters are preferably selected such that muzzle velocity of the projectile is in excess of 100m/s, most preferably about 125m/s, such that the maximum range of the projectile is in excess of 700m, preferably about 800m.
  • the propellant charge may for instance be a 1 , 1 g to 1 ,2g charge of Ballistite.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional 40mm grenade
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a 40mm grenade according to the present invention.
  • the 40mm grenade seen in Figure 1 is of conventional type and is described above.
  • the inventor has established, quite surprisingly, that the conventional muzzle velocity of 76m/s for standard 40mm grenades that are currently available can be maintained, with other parameters such as propeliant charge, constant, if the volume of the secondary chamber is increased with a corresponding decrease in the maximum secondary chamber pressure. For instance, the inventor has found through mathematical modelling that if the secondary chamber volume is increased by a factor of about two compared to the secondary chamber volume of an existing, standard -A-
  • the maximum or peak pressure in the secondary chamber is approximately halved compared to the maximum pressure generated in the secondary chamber of the standard grenade
  • the present invention proposes in order to increase the muzzle velocity of the projectile and accordingly to increase the range of the projectile, to increase the volume of the secondary chamber relative to that of the standard grenade and to make use of a secondary chamber pressure which is not substantially greater than that employed in the standard grenade
  • the volume of the secondary chamber 10 is increased from the current, standard value of 20,795cm : to approximately 41 cm 3
  • the peak pressure in the secondary chamber is kept at a value of approximately 15MPa
  • the increase in the volume of the secondary chamber is achieved by lengthening the chamber, and accordingly increasing the overall length of the grenade without any increase in the diameter of the projectile or cartridge case, thereby allowing the grenade to be used in a conventional 40mm grenade launcher
  • the mass of the projectile is increased to a value of at least 20Og, and is most preferably selected to be about 23Og
  • the propellant charge in the primary chamber is increased from the standard value of 0 35g of Ballistite to a value of 1 ,1 mg to 1 ,2mg in order to generate the required secondary chamber pressure of about 15MPa in the larger volume secondary chamber
  • Modelling carried out by the inventor indicates that with these modifications the projectile of a 40mm grenade according to the present invention will have a muzzle velocity exceeding 100m/s and that a preferred muzzle velocity of approximately 125m/s can be obtained At this muzzle velocity, it is expected that the projectile will have a maximum range exceeding 700m and that a maximum range of 800m will be achievable
  • An important advantage of the invention as exemplified above is the substantial increase in the range of the projectile without any appreciable increase in peak secondary chamber pressure

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns 40mm grenades launched from grenade launchers that operate with a high pressure/low pressure propulsion system, and has as its objective the provision of a 40mm grenade that has a greater range than previously known 40mm grenades without any substantial increase in secondary chamber pressure. In accordance with the invention this is achieved by increasing the volume of secondary chamber to at least 35cm3 and selecting the propellant charge in the primary chamber to generate a maximum pressure in the secondary chamber not exceeding 16MPa.

Description

"GRENADE"
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
THIS invention relates to a grenade, and in particular to a 40mm grenade which is in use launched from a grenade launcher. The invention is particularly concerned with 40mm grenades operating with a high-low propulsion system.
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectionat view of a conventional 40mm grenade 10 which has a cartridge case 12 and a projectile 14 mounted at the leading end of the cartridge case. At the rear end 16 of the cartridge case is a percussion cap 18 which, when fired by the firing pin of the grenade launcher, ignites a propeliant charge 20 in a primary or high pressure chamber 22 defined by a chamber wall 24 formed with spaced apart vent holes 26 and lined internally by a thin-wall copper lining 28 The vent holes 26 lead to a secondary or low pressure chamber 30 in the cartridge case
When the propeliant charge is ignited, the very high gas pressure generated in the primary chamber 22 ruptures the copper lining 28 at the holes 26, allowing high pressure gas to enter the larger volume secondary chamber 30. Secondary chamber pressure builds up and drives the projectile 14 out of the cartridge case 12 The projectile is driven through the breech chamber and then into and along the barrel of the grenade launcher.
In a typical case, the projectile mass is 18Og and the primary chamber pressure is of the order of 130MPa, generated by about 0,35g of Ballistite propeliant. The secondary chamber 30 has a volume of 20,795cms and the pressure generated therein is of the order of 13MPa With these parameters, the projectile typically has a muzzle velocity, i e. a maximum velocity on leaving the barrel of the grenade launcher, of about 76m/s, giving a maximum range of about 400m It is recognised that there is a need for 40mm grenades launched from grenade launchers to have a substantially greater range, requiring a substantial increase in muzzle velocity This cannot however be achieved simply by substantially increasing the secondary chamber pressure.
Firstly, a substantial increase in secondary chamber pressure would result in an increase in the mass of the launcher in order to achieve a sufficiently robust construction to withstand the pressure-imposed stresses This would detract from the portability of the grenade launcher.
Secondly, a substantial increase in secondary chamber pressure would increase the recoil force and detract from the ability of the grenade launcher to be fired from the shoulder
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a 40mm grenade which comprises a cartridge case and a projectile mounted in a leading end of the cartridge case and which operates with a high pressure-low pressure propulsion system to drive the projectile from the cartridge case when the grenade is launched, wherein the secondary chamber of the propulsion system has a volume of at least 35cm3 and the propellant charge in the primary chamber of the propulsion system is selected to generate a maximum pressure in the secondary chamber not exceeding 16MPa.
Preferably, the secondary chamber has a volume exceeding 38cm'. Most preferably the secondary chamber volume is about 41 cm3.
It is also preferred that the maximum secondary chamber pressure be about 15MPa.
Preferably also, the mass of the projectile is at least 20Og, and is most preferably about 23Og The parameters are preferably selected such that muzzle velocity of the projectile is in excess of 100m/s, most preferably about 125m/s, such that the maximum range of the projectile is in excess of 700m, preferably about 800m.
The propellant charge may for instance be a 1 , 1 g to 1 ,2g charge of Ballistite.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional 40mm grenade; and
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a 40mm grenade according to the present invention.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
The 40mm grenade seen in Figure 1 is of conventional type and is described above.
The inventor has established, quite surprisingly, that the conventional muzzle velocity of 76m/s for standard 40mm grenades that are currently available can be maintained, with other parameters such as propeliant charge, constant, if the volume of the secondary chamber is increased with a corresponding decrease in the maximum secondary chamber pressure. For instance, the inventor has found through mathematical modelling that if the secondary chamber volume is increased by a factor of about two compared to the secondary chamber volume of an existing, standard -A-
grenade, the maximum or peak pressure in the secondary chamber is approximately halved compared to the maximum pressure generated in the secondary chamber of the standard grenade
On the basis of this finding the present invention proposes in order to increase the muzzle velocity of the projectile and accordingly to increase the range of the projectile, to increase the volume of the secondary chamber relative to that of the standard grenade and to make use of a secondary chamber pressure which is not substantially greater than that employed in the standard grenade
In the example illustrated in Figure 2, the volume of the secondary chamber 10 is increased from the current, standard value of 20,795cm: to approximately 41 cm3 The peak pressure in the secondary chamber is kept at a value of approximately 15MPa The increase in the volume of the secondary chamber is achieved by lengthening the chamber, and accordingly increasing the overall length of the grenade without any increase in the diameter of the projectile or cartridge case, thereby allowing the grenade to be used in a conventional 40mm grenade launcher
The mass of the projectile is increased to a value of at least 20Og, and is most preferably selected to be about 23Og The propellant charge in the primary chamber is increased from the standard value of 0 35g of Ballistite to a value of 1 ,1 mg to 1 ,2mg in order to generate the required secondary chamber pressure of about 15MPa in the larger volume secondary chamber
Modelling carried out by the inventor indicates that with these modifications the projectile of a 40mm grenade according to the present invention will have a muzzle velocity exceeding 100m/s and that a preferred muzzle velocity of approximately 125m/s can be obtained At this muzzle velocity, it is expected that the projectile will have a maximum range exceeding 700m and that a maximum range of 800m will be achievable An important advantage of the invention as exemplified above is the substantial increase in the range of the projectile without any appreciable increase in peak secondary chamber pressure

Claims

1
A 40mm grenade which comprises a cartridge case and a projectile mounted in a leading end of the cartridge case and which operates with a high pressure-low pressure propulsion system to drive the projectile from the cartridge case when the grenade is launched, wherein the secondary chamber of the propulsion system has a volume of at least 35cm3 and the propellant charge in the primary chamber of the propulsion system is selected to generate a maximum pressure in the secondary chamber not exceeding 16MPa
2
A 40mm grenade according to claim 1 wherein the secondary chamber has a volume exceeding 38cm '
3
A 40mm grenade according to claim 2 wherein the secondary chamber has a volume of about 41 cm5
4
A 40mm grenade according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the volume of the secondary chamber and the propellant charge are selected such that the maximum pressure generated in the secondary chamber is about 15MPa
5
A 40mm grenade according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mass of the projectile is at least 20Og 6
A 40mm grenade according to claim 5 wherein the mass of the projectile is about 23Og
7
A 40mm grenade according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the propellant charge comprises 1 , 1 g to 1 ,2g charge of Balhstite
8
A 40mm grenade according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the volume of the secondary chamber the propellant charge and the mass of the projectile are selected such that the muzzle velocity of the projectile is in excess of 100m s
9
A 40mm grenade according to claim 8 wherein the volume of the secondary chamber the propellant charge and the mass of the projectile are selected such that the muzzle velocity of the projectile is about 125m/s
10
A 40mm grenade according to any one claims 1 to 7 wherein the volume of the secondary chamber the propellant charge and the mass of the projectile are selected such that the maximum range of the projectile is in excess of 700m
1 1
A 40mm grenade according to claim 10 wherein the volume of the secondary chamber the propellant charge and the mass of the projectile are selected such that the maximum range of the projectile is about 800m
PCT/IB2008/050522 2007-02-14 2008-02-13 Grenade WO2008099353A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200701316 2007-02-14
ZA2007/01316 2007-02-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008099353A1 true WO2008099353A1 (en) 2008-08-21

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Country Status (1)

Country Link
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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7987790B1 (en) 2003-03-18 2011-08-02 Scarr Kimball R Ring airfoil glider expendable cartridge and glider launching method
US8065961B1 (en) 2007-09-18 2011-11-29 Kimball Rustin Scarr Less lethal ammunition
WO2013010675A1 (en) 2011-07-21 2013-01-24 Diehl Bgt Defence Gmbh & Co. Kg Cartridge ammunition
US8511232B2 (en) 2010-06-10 2013-08-20 Kimball Rustin Scarr Multifire less lethal munitions
WO2014012616A1 (en) * 2012-07-14 2014-01-23 Diehl Bgt Defence Gmbh & Co. Kg Grenade, in particular 40 mm grenade
RU2506529C1 (en) * 2012-11-13 2014-02-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Конструкторское бюро приборостроения" Cartridge
US8661983B1 (en) 2007-07-26 2014-03-04 Kimball Rustin Scarr Ring airfoil glider with augmented stability
CN103712518A (en) * 2013-12-10 2014-04-09 山西北方晋东化工有限公司 Mechanical fire extinguishing bullet firing device launching under low chamber pressure

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3726218A (en) * 1971-02-02 1973-04-10 Us Army Low velocity cartridge having total propellant ignition
US20040237827A1 (en) * 2000-09-28 2004-12-02 Smalley Robert B. Firearm cartridge and case-less chamber
US20060011090A1 (en) * 2004-04-09 2006-01-19 Pepperball Technologies, Inc., A Delaware Corporation Primer launched projectile systems
WO2006092637A2 (en) * 2005-03-03 2006-09-08 Hellenic Defence Systems S.A. Grenade, 40mm x 53. high velocity, dual purpose

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3726218A (en) * 1971-02-02 1973-04-10 Us Army Low velocity cartridge having total propellant ignition
US20040237827A1 (en) * 2000-09-28 2004-12-02 Smalley Robert B. Firearm cartridge and case-less chamber
US20060011090A1 (en) * 2004-04-09 2006-01-19 Pepperball Technologies, Inc., A Delaware Corporation Primer launched projectile systems
WO2006092637A2 (en) * 2005-03-03 2006-09-08 Hellenic Defence Systems S.A. Grenade, 40mm x 53. high velocity, dual purpose

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8327768B2 (en) 2003-03-18 2012-12-11 Kimball Rustin Scarr Ring airfoil glider expendable cartridge and glider launching method
US7987790B1 (en) 2003-03-18 2011-08-02 Scarr Kimball R Ring airfoil glider expendable cartridge and glider launching method
US9404721B2 (en) 2007-07-26 2016-08-02 Kimball Rustin Scarr Ring airfoil glider with augmented stability
US10890422B2 (en) 2007-07-26 2021-01-12 Scarr Research and Development Co., LLC Ring airfoil glider with augmented stability
US8661983B1 (en) 2007-07-26 2014-03-04 Kimball Rustin Scarr Ring airfoil glider with augmented stability
US8065961B1 (en) 2007-09-18 2011-11-29 Kimball Rustin Scarr Less lethal ammunition
US8528481B2 (en) 2007-09-18 2013-09-10 Kimball Rustin Scarr Less lethal ammunition
US8511232B2 (en) 2010-06-10 2013-08-20 Kimball Rustin Scarr Multifire less lethal munitions
WO2013010675A1 (en) 2011-07-21 2013-01-24 Diehl Bgt Defence Gmbh & Co. Kg Cartridge ammunition
WO2014012616A1 (en) * 2012-07-14 2014-01-23 Diehl Bgt Defence Gmbh & Co. Kg Grenade, in particular 40 mm grenade
EP2872850B1 (en) 2012-07-14 2016-09-21 Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co.KG Grenade, in particular 40 mm grenade
AU2013292784B2 (en) * 2012-07-14 2017-04-13 Diehl Defence Gmbh & Co. Kg Grenade, in particular 40 mm grenade
RU2506529C1 (en) * 2012-11-13 2014-02-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Конструкторское бюро приборостроения" Cartridge
CN103712518A (en) * 2013-12-10 2014-04-09 山西北方晋东化工有限公司 Mechanical fire extinguishing bullet firing device launching under low chamber pressure

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