Propellant charge and cannon shell therewith

Abstract

To provide a propellant mechanism that uses one or more shaped charges to provide a focused explosion.SOLUTION: A propellant mechanism 10 for discharging a projectile comprises a propellant 10 with a detonation point 16, at which the propellant is detonated at the detonation point 16, where the detonation point is located at one end in a forward direction closest to a projectile 12, so that detonation proceeds through the propellant in a backwards direction away from the projectile. A reflecting surface 18 is provided on an opposite side of the projectile for reflecting the detonation into the forward direction towards the projectile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a charge for projecting a projectile or the like, and, optionally, to a projectile incorporating such a charge. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the effectiveness of a propellant charge is based on the ability of the propellant charge to detonate at a particular velocity to impart pressure within a chamber, thereby ejecting a projectile associated with the charge.

[0003] Current detonation velocities allow projectiles to be ejected at speeds that are well defined in the art.

[0004] Exceeding these speed limits has proven fruitless, and military engineers have turned to the use of railguns, which use acceleration via magnetic fields aligned along a rail to allow a projectile to exceed speeds possible with explosives.

[0005] Explosive-based propellants can achieve muzzle velocities of around 2.3 km / s or less, but railguns can currently achieve velocities in excess of 3 km / s, even as high as 3.5 km / s, thus providing a large amount of kinetic energy to the projectile. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present embodiment may provide a propulsion mechanism that uses one or more shaped charges to provide a focused detonation. In an alternative aspect, the present embodiment provides a detonation that is retrograde and then reflected back to focus on the projectile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of this embodiment, 1. A propulsion mechanism for launching a projectile, comprising: a forward direction and a first end facing the projectile, and a backward direction and a second end facing away from the projectile; a propellant charge having an initiation point, the propellant charge being detonated at the initiation point, the initiation point being at the first end in the forward direction closest to the projectile such that a detonation travels through the propellant charge in the backward direction away from the projectile; a reflecting surface at the second end facing away from the projectile to reflect the detonation in the forward direction facing the projectile; A propulsion mechanism comprising:

[0008] According to a second aspect of this embodiment, A projectile having a propulsion mechanism for propelling the projectile, a forward direction and a first end in a firing direction, and a backward direction and a second end opposite to the firing direction; a propellant charge having an initiation point, the propellant charge being detonated at the initiation point, the initiation point being at the first end facing the projectile such that a detonation travels through the propellant charge in the backward direction away from the projectile; a reflecting surface at the second end facing away from the projectile to reflect the detonation in the forward direction facing the projectile; A projectile comprising:

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a propulsion mechanism for launching a projectile, comprising the steps of: preparing an explosive; shaping the explosive charge into a hemispherical shape having a rounded first surface and a flat second surface; molding a hollow insert into the rounded first surface; providing an initiator on the second flat surface; placing the shaped explosive charge within a casing; A method is provided that includes:

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a shaped charge comprising the steps of: Defining a desired shape of the shaped charge; building the shaped charge layer by layer using additive manufacture; A method is provided that includes:

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a first end and a second end; a propellant charge having an initiation point, the propellant charge being detonated at the initiation point, the initiation point being at the first end such that a detonation progresses through the propellant charge toward the second end; a reflective surface at the second end for reflecting the detonation back to the first end; a casing extending from the reflective surface opposite the first end to form a projectile; A propulsion mechanism and projectile comprising:

[0012] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and / or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs.Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice or test embodiments of this invention, exemplary methods and / or materials are described below.In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, shall prevail.In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are merely illustrative and are not necessarily intended to be limiting. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is emphasized that the details shown hereinafter, with particular reference to the drawings, are for the purposes of illustration and for the purpose of detailed description of embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, from viewing the description together with the drawings, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the present invention may be practiced. [Figure 1] 1 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional view showing a shaped propellant charge according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a projectile within the barrel of a firearm. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the shaped propellant of FIG. 1 in greater detail. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the shaped propellant charge and casing of FIG. 1 as separate components. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the shaped propellant charge and casing of FIG. 3 mounted together. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a modification of the propulsion mechanism of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a variation in which the propulsion mechanism and casing form the projectile itself, according to a further embodiment of the invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a projectile having a propulsion mechanism integrated into a barrel of a firearm, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a combined projectile having a propulsion mechanism according to the present embodiments, with a front plate between the propellant charge and the projectile. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a composite projectile having a propulsion mechanism according to the present embodiments, without a front plate between the propellant charge and the projectile. [Figure 10] 1 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a shaped charge propellant in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13A-13C illustrate how a propulsion mechanism may be added as an additional element to a projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12A] 13A-13C illustrate how a propulsion mechanism may be added as an additional element to a projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12B] 13A-13C illustrate how a propulsion mechanism may be added as an additional element to a projectile, according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a charge for projecting a projectile or the like.

[0015] The propellant for the projectile detonates behind the projectile and is then reflected back to the projectile. The predetermined geometry of the cavity may accelerate the detonation wave. The cavity faces the source of the detonation. For example, the cavity may be a cone whose longitudinal axis passes through the apex of the cone and intersects at the origin of the detonation.

[0016] Before describing at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of elements and / or methods set forth in the following description and / or illustrated in the drawings and / or examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a propulsion mechanism 10 and projectile inside the barrel of a firearm 14.

[0018] The propulsion mechanism 10 detonates to generate a pressure wave in the direction of the projectile, causing the projectile to be ejected from the barrel of a gun or the like.

[0019] The propellant mechanism 10 is loaded with an explosive which is detonated from an initiation point 16. The initiation point is on the side facing the projectile and the propellant is initiated at the end of the projectile. The detonation travels through the propellant in a backward direction away from the projectile 12 until it strikes a reflective surface 18 at the far end opposite the projectile. The reflective surface then reflects the detonation wave back in a forward direction towards the projectile.

[0020] The reflective surface 18 may be shaped to more precisely focus the detonation towards the projectile. In one embodiment, the reflective surface may include a cavity 20 of a predetermined geometric shape. The cavity may face the initiation point 16 in one embodiment. The cavity may be any suitable shape, and in one example, is a cone. Each of the cones may have an apex 22 and a longitudinal axis passing through the apex. In one embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the various cones intersect at the initiation point 16.

[0021] It should be noted that the radius and overall shape of the cavity, as well as the depth towards the apex, are all variables that can be altered to achieve a particular level of pressure wave output. The various cavities may be different shapes and oriented in different directions, and different shapes of the various cavities may produce propellants with non-uniform profiles.

[0022] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates in more detail the structure of the propulsion mechanism 10 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the reflective surface 18 may be comprised of a parabolic base 30 from which the cavity 20 extends. The hollow portion may simply be an insert into the explosive body used to make the propellant charge, but in embodiments may be lined with a structural material. Structural materials suitable for this use may include plastics, metals, particularly metal foils, as well as paper and cardboard. In many applications of shaped charges, metal is used in the lining to provide spalling. However, spalling is not required for the propellant charge.

[0023] In an embodiment, the hollow portion may be filled with a filler material. The filler material may be any inert material. As mentioned above, a possible shape of the cavity may be a cone shape, in an embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the cone passing through the apex all points towards the detonation point.

[0024] Upon detonation, the detonation wave returns from the detonation point to the paraboloid where it is reflected as a focused beam. The result is a reflected and focused thrust to eject the projectile from the gun. The hollow portion may serve to further focus, direct and accelerate the beam. By making the beam more focused, the amount of energy lost to the sides is reduced.

[0025] Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4, which are two simplified diagrams showing the propellant charge 10 of Figures 1 and 2 together with a casing 40. The casing 40 has a body 42 with a hollow section 44 that fits the propellant charge 10. A plate 46 at the front of the casing facing the projectile is optional. In general, the front plate may function to increase the pressure until it is strong enough to break the casing and then escape with a more dramatic effect. The rear of the casing opposite the projectile may have sufficient mass to cause preferential pressure release in the forward direction, i.e., pressure is released in the forward direction to launch the projectile and recoil in the rearward direction. As shown in Figure 3, the casing is detached from the projectile. The propellant charge and the projectile can thus be selected separately. Propellant charges of different powers can thus be selected to give different ranges or different penetrating powers. A detonation signal is sent by wire 48 through a hole 50 in the plate 46 to the detonation point at the front of the propellant charge. A wire receives a trigger signal from the rear of the casing at 52 .

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a complete casing 40 with propellant and projectile within the gun.

[0027] Reference is now made to Figure 5, which is a simplified diagram of the casing 40 as described above. In the front plate 46, the thickness of the plate is reduced in a central region around a hole 50. The thinner portion breaks preferentially over the remainder of the plate upon detonation, further focusing the blast wave toward the central axis of the projectile.

[0028] Reference is now made to Figure 6, which is a simplified diagram of a variation of this embodiment in which the propellant charge and casing structure form the projectile itself, and in which there is no separate projectile.

[0029] In FIG. 6, a projectile containing a propellant mechanism for firing the projectile is shown as 70. As previously described, the structure includes a shaped charge propellant mechanism 10 and a casing 40. In this case, the barrel 14 includes a fixed mass 72 on the propellant side of the combined projectile 70. The propellant detonation is initiated from the flat side of the propellant charge as previously described, and the detonation wave travels toward the paraboloid 44, where it is reflected back until it strikes the surface of the mass 72. This results in the casing 40 being ejected from the gun at high velocity. The casing can optionally include a payload such as a warhead (not shown). In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the trigger mechanism 52 may be located as shown, or may be at the front or side of the combined projectile 70.

[0030] Other parts are the same as those in FIGS.

[0031] Figure 7 is a semi-transparent view of a projectile 80 from any of Figures 1-7 in a gun barrel 14, ready to be fired. The gun may be a disposable gun, and the casing 40 may be incorporated into the gun barrel. Such a gun may be used to launch the projectile 80 into trajectory.

[0032] Reference is now made to Figures 8 and 9, which show a modification of the projectile of Figure 1, in which a propellant casing 40, distinct from the shell casing 102, is incorporated into the projectile 100 projectile body. In Figure 8, a front plate 46 is included, in Figure 9, the front plate is absent.

[0033] As mentioned above, the projectile may include a warhead (not shown), and variations may include multiple warheads, or projectile components, fragments, or submunitions.

[0034] Reference is now made to Figure 10, which is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a propulsion mechanism according to the present embodiment for launching a projectile. In box 110, an explosive charge is obtained. In box 112, the explosive charge is molded into a hemispherical shape having a rounded first surface and a flat second surface. In box 114, a hollow insert is molded into the rounded first surface.

[0035] A detonator may then be placed on a flat surface (Box 115). A shaped charge is placed within the casing to provide the detonation mechanism in Box 116. Note that detonation may be direct or via a secondary charge.

[0036] The molding of the explosive charge and then the molding of the hollow section insert may be done in a single casting or molding process, or the hemisphere may be cast or molded and the insert may be machined, or the hemisphere may be machined and the insert may also be machined.

[0037] In a variant of the manufacturing process, 3D printing or additive manufacturing may be used to provide layer-by-layer manufacturing of the shaped charge. In this case, if an inkjet method is used, the temperature in the inkjet nozzle may be controlled so that it does not reach the detonation temperature of the explosive. The temperature of the nozzle itself may be controlled so that the detonation droplets do not solidify and congeal the jet. In addition, at a preset time or after a given amount of printing, the nozzle may be purged, for example with a jet of air, so that explosive residue does not coat the inside of the nozzle. The printing area may also be surrounded by a shield to keep explosive residue contained within the printing area.

[0038] 3D printing of the present embodiment can be used not only to create shaped charges of the present embodiment, but anywhere a specific geometry of an explosive is required.

[0039] Reference is now made to figures 11 and 12, which show a projectile 200 with a propulsion mechanism 202 according to this embodiment fixed around its sides. The propulsion mechanism may be fixed to the projectile via a hinge 204. By being able to tilt the propulsion mechanisms two purposes may be achieved. Firstly, by tilting some of the propulsion mechanisms and not others, directionality may be provided. Secondly, by tilting all the propulsion mechanisms in the same way, the total power may be varied and therefore deformations reduced.

[0040] As is known in the art of additive manufacturing, wax support structures can be used to enable complex geometric shapes.

[0041] The words "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "having" and their conjugations mean "including but not limited to."

[0042] The term "consisting of" means "including and limited to."

[0043] The term "consisting essentially of" means that a composition, method, or structure may include additional ingredients, steps, and / or moieties, provided that the additional ingredients, steps, and / or moieties do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method, or structure.

[0044] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0045] It should be understood that certain features of the invention that are described for clarity in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in a single embodiment in any combination of those features, and that the description herein should be construed as if such an embodiment were explicitly described herein. Conversely, features of the invention that are described for brevity in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination, or with respect to other described embodiments as appropriate. The description herein should be construed as if such separate embodiments, subcombinations, and modified embodiments were explicitly described herein. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments should not be construed as essential to the particular embodiment, unless the particular embodiment is inoperable without that element.

[0046] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

[0047] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, and patent application was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.Also, to the extent that section headings are used, they should not necessarily be construed as limiting.In addition, the priority documents of this application, if any, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. 1. A method of manufacturing a propulsion mechanism for launching a projectile, comprising the steps of: preparing an explosive; shaping the explosive charge into a hemispherical shape having a rounded first surface and a flat second surface; molding a hollow insert into the rounded first surface; providing an initiator on the second flat surface; placing the shaped explosive charge within a casing; The method includes:

2. At least one of the steps of forming the explosive charge and forming the hollow section insert includes casting. The method of claim 1.

3. At least one of the steps of forming the explosive charge and forming the hollow section insert includes machining. The method of claim 1.

4. At least one of the steps of forming the explosive charge and forming the hollow section insert comprises additive manufacture; The method of claim 1.

5. 1. A method for producing a shaped charge, comprising the steps of: defining a desired shape of the shaped charge; building the shaped charge layer by layer using additive manufacture; The method includes:

6. a first end and a second end; a propellant charge having an initiation point, the propellant charge being detonated at the initiation point, the initiation point being at the first end such that a detonation progresses through the propellant charge toward the second end; a reflective surface at the second end for reflecting the detonation back to the first end; a casing extending from the reflective surface opposite the first end to form a projectile; A propulsion mechanism and a projectile.

7. The projectile is configured for firing in a direction opposite the first end.

7. The propulsion mechanism and projectile of claim 6.

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