WO2009106693A1

WO2009106693A1 - Arrangement for supporting shell into weapon barrel, support element, and method

Info

Publication number: WO2009106693A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/050167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kari REUNAMÄKI
Original assignee: Patria Land & Armament Oy
Priority date: 2008-02-28
Filing date: 2009-02-27
Publication date: 2009-09-03
Also published as: FI20085180A0; FI20085180L

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon. The arrangement comprises a shell (1) and a support element (8) to be fastened to a shell tail, the support elementcom- prising firing means (9) for firing the actual primer (5) of the shell. The arrangement is characterized in that the firing means (9) of the support element comprise a power source (90), which is arranged to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell as a result of astimulusapplied to its structure. In addition, the invention relates to a support elementand a method for sup- porting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon.

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR SUPPORTING SHELL INTO WEAPON BARREL, SUPPORT ELEMENT, AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for supporting a shell, such as a mortar shell, into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon, the arrangement comprising a support element to be fastened to a mortar shell tail, the element comprising means for fastening the support element to the mortar shell tail, and firing means for firing the actual primer of the mortar shell for firing the mortar shell.

[0002] The invention further relates to a support element to be fastened to a shell, and a method for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon, comprising means for fastening a support element to a mortar shell tail and firing means in the support element for firing the actual primer of a shell, such as a mortar shell, for firing the mortar shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Mortars are nowadays mounted on movable bases, allowing them to be moved from one place to another and, on the other hand, allowing them to be rapidly moved from the emplacement. A problem in such solutions is the ability of said base, i.e. vehicle, to defend itself against possible attacks, and the use thereof for destroying close-range targets on the ground. A moving base provided with a heavy shell mortar is normally unable to carry heavy defensive facilities in addition to the shell mortar, instead, it is at most provided with a heavy machine gun or corresponding lighter armature. In such a situation, the vehicle needs to be able to use the mortar for also firing horizontally or below it, for which normal shells and shell mortars are not suited. A shell inside a normal mortar having a smooth barrel is able to move when the shell mortar is oriented in the horizontal direction or below it in the barrel in such a manner that it either falls from the barrel or moves to such an extent that the shell does not go off.

[0004] A problem with such weapons is that they may only be used for firing certain kinds of shells, because the firing system therein is not necessarily suited for firing some other kind of shell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved arrangement, support element and method so as to make a shell of a mortar stay at the right position in the barrel of a breech-loading mortar with a sufficient certainty and operate reliably and safely also when different types of shells are fired.

[0006] The arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the shell may be fastened to the shell tail by a support element comprising a power source, which is, as a result of a stimulus applied to its structure, arranged to generate electric current for the electric primer of the shell.

[0007] The support element according to the invention is characterized in that the support element comprises a power source, which is activated by a stimulus applied to its structure.

[0008] The method according to the invention is characterized by using a support element in the fastening, the power source of the support element being activated by a stimulus applied to its structure.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] The essential idea of the invention is that the support element employs a power source, which is arranged to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell as a result of a stimulus applied to the power source. The shell is fired by applying a stimulus to the power source, which will be activated and will supply the electric primer of the shell with current.

[0011] The stimulus of the invention may be a stimulus applied to the structure of the power source and focused by the firing pin of the weapon on the back surface of the support element positioned into the barrel of the weapon. The power source may be located in a protected space in the support element, and the form and intensity of the stimulus applied to the power source may be limited in a predetermined manner.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, the power source is selected and arranged at the support element so that a stimulus altering the structure of the power source may be applied thereto. A stimulus altering the structure refers in this context to a stimulus that makes the power source produce electric current. The power source may in this case be connected to the electric primer of the shell directly and without separate switch arrangements. [0013] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the power source is selected and arranged at the support element so that energy of impact applied by the firing pin of the weapon to the support element is applied to the power source, whereupon the power source, such as a battery, starts to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell.

[0014] According to a third embodiment of the invention, the power source is selected and arranged at the support element so that energy of impact applied by the firing pin of the weapon to the support element is applied to the power source via an intermediary firing pin. Known intermediary firing pins can be utilized herein but the impact is applied, instead of the primer, to the power source of the invention, which is activated to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell.

[0015] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the power source is selected and arranged at the support element so that energy of impact applied by the firing pin of the weapon to the support element is applied directly to the power source. No separate intermediate firing pins are needed here, and the structure is simple and it is possible to arrange it in a small space. The power source is preferably positioned on the central axis of the shell, whereupon the firing pin of the weapon may apply energy directly to the power source.

[0016] A power source, such as a battery, may comprise a first mixture of substances and a second mixture of substances, separated from one another by a separation part and causing, when blended together, a chemical reaction acting as a source of electric current, the separation part being arranged to be broken as a result of a stimulus applied to the power source. The battery of the invention is not a conventional battery used in consumer electronics, but a battery where the internal resistance in the initial state is infinite and the power source is activated by a stimulus so that the internal resistance diminishes essentially. In other words, the electric circuit is closed as a result of a stimulus in the power source.

[0017] The power source may be a battery, in which the separation part is arranged as a closed container containing a first substance, which container, when it breaks, causes a chemical reaction with another substance outside it. The material of the separation part of the power source may be glass, for instance, or some other similar material that breaks into pieces as a result of an impact or a corresponding stimulus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] The invention will now be described in greater detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1a schematically shows a mortar shell, which is supported into the barrel of a weapon by means of an arrangement of the invention,

Figure 1 b shows a back view of the arrangement of Figure 1 a,

Figure 2a schematically shows a side view in partial section of an embodiment of the arrangement of the invention,

Figure 2b schematically shows a support element of Figure 2a directly from above,

Figure 2c schematically shows a shell of Figure 2a directly from behind,

Figure 3a shows a side view in partial section of the firing of a mortar shell fastened to the support element of Figure 2a,

Figure 3b schematically shows an embodiment of the support element directly from above,

Figure 4 schematically shows a side view in partial section of a second embodiment of the arrangement of the invention, and

Figure 5 schematically shows a side view in partial section of a third embodiment of the arrangement of the invention.

[0019] In the figures, some embodiments of the invention are shown in a simplified manner for the sake of clarity. In the figures, like parts are denoted with like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In Figure 1 a, a mortar shell 1 is arranged in a breech-loading weapon barrel 2. The weapon may be a shell mortar having a substantially smooth inner surface of the barrel 2. The rear part of the mortar shell 1 comprises a tail tube 3 and a tail. The tail comprises one or typically a plurality of control fins 4 for affecting the trajectory of the mortar shell 1. The details of the structure of the mortar shell 1 may deviate from the structure shown in the figure. For the sake of clarity, the lock of the weapon and the other details thereof are not shown. A support element 8 according to the invention is fastened to the tail for keeping the mortar shell 1 in position in the barrel 2 until it is fired. A rim flange 87 in the support element 8 prevents the mortar shell 1 from shifting forward in the barrel 2 when the barrel 2 is oriented horizontally or even if the barrel 2 points downward. Furthermore, the back surface of the weapon barrel 2 may be provided with a groove or a recess into which the rim flange 87 belonging to the support element 8 may settle when the mortar shell 1 provided with the support element 8 is loaded into the barrel. The support element 8 is dimensioned to endure, not only the load caused by the mass of the mortar shell 1 , but also any forces caused by vibration and accelerations.

[0021] Figure 1 b shows a back view of the support element 8 arranged into the barrel of the weapon according to Figure 1a. In the middle of the support element 8 are firing means 9 for firing the actual primer of the mortar shell.

[0022] In the following, the structure of the arrangement and support element of the invention will be described with reference to Figures 2a to 5.

[0023] Figure 2a shows a support element 8 to be fastened to the mortar shell 1 . In the middle of the support element are fastening means 80 extending from the upper surface of the firing means 9 in the direction of the mortar shell 1 so that they settle between the control fins 4 of the mortar shell 1 on top of the tail tube 3. It is clear that the shell may be fastened in various ways in the invention. The fastening may also be carried out, for instance, such that the fastening means 80 are fastened to the control fins 4 of the mortar shell 1 , and not to the tail tube 3. In the present invention, the purpose of the fastening is to keep the mortar shell 1 and the support element 8 attached to one another so that the firing means 9 of the support element 8 stay in contact with the electric primer 5 of the shell.

[0024] The support element 8 comprises an end 86, a rim jacket 88 and a rim flange 87. The rim jacket 88 in the support element 8 is dimensioned in such a manner that at least part of the mortar shell tail is able to settle therein. In addition, in the middle of the support element 8 are firing means 9 for firing the actual electric primer 5 of the mortar shell 1.

[0025] In this embodiment, the firing means 9 in the support element 8 comprise an intermediary firing pin 96 and a power source 90. Connected to the intermediary firing pin is a locking member 97, which prevents the intermediary firing pin 96 from moving but yields, after the firing pin has struck the support element, in such a manner that the intermediary firing pin 96 is able to strike the power source 90. The power source 90 comprises a first mixture of substances 91 and a second mixture of substances 92, which are separated from one another by a separation part 93.

[0026] Figures 2b and 2c illustrate positions of connectors in the support element 8 and the mortar shell 1. In Figure 2b, current conductors and connectors 94 and 95 are provided in the support element 8 in such a manner that the contact with the electric primer 5 and the mainline 51 thereof shown in Figure 2c is established when the support element 8 is being fastened. The connector 95 of the electric primer is here in the middle of the support element 8 and the connector 94 of the mainline of the electric primer is on the outer circumference in the vicinity of the fastening means 80.

[0027] Figure 2c shows a back view of the mortar shell 1. The mortar shell comprises control fins 4. The electric primer 5 is disposed on the central axis of the back surface of the mortar shell tail tube. The mainline 51 of the electric primer is circular. Thus, the connection is implemented between the connector 94 in the support element and the mainline 51 in the shell independently of the axial position of the mortar shell. This is advantageous in solutions in which the shell is fastened to the support element by twisting the parts with respect to one another.

[0028] Figure 3a illustrates the firing of the mortar shell fastened to the support element according to Figure 2a. The mortar shell 1 is fastened to the support element 8 in such a manner that the power source 90 is in connection with the electric primer 5 of the mortar shell via connectors.

[0029] The firing pin 10 of the weapon has pushed the intermediary firing pin 96 towards the power source 90. The locking member 97 in connection with the intermediary firing pin has broken or bent under the force of the firing pin so that the intermediary firing pin 96 has been able to strike the power source 90. The separation part 93 of the power source has broken and the mixtures of substances 91 and 92 (shown in Figure 2a) cause, when blended together, a chemical reaction acting as a source of electric current. The electric circuit is closed and the electric current produced by the power source 90 is led to the electric primer 5, which ignites and fires the shell sufficiently rapidly. The time needed for firing the shell varies according to the power source, but may be approximately 200 to 300 ms, for example.

[0030] In Figure 3b, the connectors 94 and 95 are provided in the support element 8 in such a manner that the contact with the electric primer 5 and the mainline 51 thereof shown in Figure 3a is established when the support element 8 is fastened. The connector 95 of the electric primer is here in the middle of the support element 8 and the connector 94 of the mainline of the electric primer is arranged circularly on the outer circumference in the vicinity of the fastening means 80.

[0031] Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the support element according to the invention. Here, the support element 8 can be fastened by twisting the mortar shell and the support element with respect to one another. On the outer surface of the tail tube 3 of the mortar shell there are threads, which are threaded to the threads on the inner surface 81 of the fastening member 80 of the support element 8.

[0032] The separation part 93 in the power source 90 is arranged as a closed container containing the first mixture of substances 91 , which container, when it breaks, causes a chemical reaction with another mixture of substances 92 outside it.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the support element according to the invention. It illustrates a solution, which employs no intermediate firing pin. The firing pin of the weapon protrudes through the back surface of the support element or pushes the back surface forward towards the mortar shell so that a stimulus is applied to the power source 90.

[0034] On the back surface 86 of the support element 8 is a locking member 97, which yields, after the firing pin has struck the support element 8, in such a manner that the firing pin is able to strike the power source 90. The locking member may be constructed in such a manner that blows, fallings, etc. do not cause the shell to go off. The operation of the locking member 97 may also be affected by varying the wall thickness of the base of the support element 8. In this embodiment, the firing means may be arranged in a smaller space. In addition, the number of the necessary parts becomes smaller.

[0035] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. Consequently, the invention and its embodiments are not restricted to the above examples, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An arrangement for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech- loading weapon, the arrangement comprising a shell (1) and a support element (8) to be fastened to a shell tail, the element comprising firing means (9) for firing the actual primer (5) of the shell, characterized in that the firing means (9) of the support element comprise a power source (90), which is arranged to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell as a result of a stimulus applied to its structure.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim ^ characterized in that the power source is arranged to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell as a result of a stimulus altering the structure of the power source.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that power source is arranged to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell as a result of a mechanical impact of the power source.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim ^ characterized in that the power source (90) comprises a first mixture of substances (91) and a second mixture of substances (92), separated from one another by a separation part (93) and causing, when blended together, a chemical reaction acting as a source of electric current, the separation part (93) being arranged to be broken as a result of a stimulus applied to the structure of the power source.

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the power source (90) is a battery, in which the separation part (93) is arranged as a closed container containing the first mixture of substances (91), which container, when it breaks, causes a chemical reaction with the second mixture of substances (92) outside it.

6. A support element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (8) further comprises an intermediary firing pin, which is arranged to transmit mechanical impact produced by the firing pin against the power source (90).

7. A support element as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the intermediary firing pin comprises a mechanical safety part.

8. A support element for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon, the support element comprising firing means (9) for firing the actual primer (5) of the shell (1 ) for firing the shell, ch a racterized in that the firing means comprise a power source (90), which is activated by a stimulus applied to its structure.

9. A method for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon, the method comprising fastening a support element to a shell (1) tail, the element comprising firing means (9) for firing the actual primer (5) of the shell (1 ) for firing the shell, the method being ch a racterized by using a support element (8) in the fastening, the support element comprising a power source, which is activated by a stimulus applied to its structure.