Modular charge system

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular charge system device formed of one or more combustible modular cartridges. There is provided a modular charge system comprising a stub primer in a metal stub case, the stub case comprises a first combustible cartridge, which comprises a stub primer, a first propellant in a first cavity, wherein the stub primer is capable in use of igniting the first propellant in the first cavity, and one or more further combustible modular cartridges, each comprising a further cavity, said further cavity comprising, a second propellant material, wherein said further modular cartridges are co- axially stacked on said first combustible cartridge, such that the first propellant causes ignition of all further combustible modular cartridges.

Description

[0001] Modular Charge System

[0002] The invention relates to a charge system, for use as a charge for propelling munitions, more specifically related to the area of modular charge containers.

[0003] According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a modular charge system comprising a stub primer in a metal stub case, the stub case comprises a first combustible cartridge, which comprises a stub primer, a first propellant in a first cavity, wherein the stub primer is capable in use of igniting the first propellant in the first cavity, and one or more further combustible modular cartridges, each comprising a further cavity, said further cavity comprising, a second propellant material, wherein said further modular cartridges are co-axially stacked on said first combustible cartridge, such that the first propellant causes ignition of all further combustible modular cartridges.

[0004] The further combustible modular cartridges may comprise an outer wall to define the further cavity.

[0005] The first combustible modular cartridge and the further combustible modular cartridges may each have a central cavity, to allow flame propagation between stacked adjacent combustible modular cartridges. The central cavity may be defined by an inner wall, such that the propellant may be retained between the inner and outer walls.

[0006] The inner and outer walls may be made from a material that undergoes substantially complete combustion, to leave no residue.

[0007] The further combustible modular cartridges are co-axially stacked on said first combustible modular cartridge, to allow flame propagation through the central cavity. The further combustible modular cartridges may be identical in their energetic output, to allow an end user to easily choose the total energetic output. The use of identical energetic outputs from the portions of propellant material mitigates the risk of selecting the incorrect amount of propellant. The further modular cartridges may each have the same dimensions and may comprise the same mass of energetic material.

[0008] The stub primer is one which only extends a short distance into the first combustible cartridge case. The use of a stub primer may require further energetic material to increase the energetic output to ensure effective take over from the stub primer output to the first propellant. In one arrangement preferably, there is an igniter charge located in the central cavity of the first combustible cartridge. The igniter charge may comprise a pyrotechnic or propellant material, such as, for example gunpowder, to increase the energetic output from the stub primer.

[0009] The use of a conventional central core igniter that extends beyond the first combustible modular cartridge and into the further combustible modular cartridges cannot be used with an autoloader system, as the further combustible modular cartridges cannot be located automatically on the conventional full length core igniter; they have to be manually loaded (ie threaded) axially over the central core igniter.

[0010] The use of a stub igniter, which does not extend beyond the first combustible modular cartridge allows the use of an autoloading system, as the further combustible modular cartridges can be stacked by the loader, without having to thread them over the conventional full length central core igniter

[0011] The stub case is a metallic base, which has a head unit and sides, wherein the sides only extend partially up the length of the first combustible cartridge case. A conventional full length case, would house all of the propellants, and would not allow the use of a modular charge system, that is one where the desired number of modular charges can be selected. The combination of the stub case and the stub primer, allow the use of modular charges, that can be readily used with an autoloader.

[0012] To facilitate the effective take over between the further combustible modular cartridges, each further combustible modular cartridge may comprise at least one further igniter charge in the central cavity, or there may be a further ignitor charge at either end of the further combustible modular cartridge, to facilitate propagation of the flame front along all charges.

[0013] Preferably, the first and / or second propellant may be a granular propellant. The first and second propellant may be independently selected from any known propellant or they may be selected as the same propellant. Preferably all of the further combustible modular cartridges have the same second propellant to ensure that each modular unit is interchangeable.

[0014] The inner wall of the central cavity for the first and / or the further combustible modular cartridges may comprise a combustible material impregnated with an energetic material, such as impregnated cambric material.

[0015] The impregnated material will ensure a more complete bum and the enhanced energetic output will assist with the ignition of the second propellant in the further combustible modular cartridges. The use of combustible materials for the inner and outer walls, and the top and bottom discs, such as paper, cardboard, cellulose materials, which are impregnated with energetic ensures that the materials undergo a more complete combustion. This avoids leaving a residue in the barrel, to prevent the need to clean the barrel or remove debris prior to loading a new shell, and new charge device. Only, the stub primer and stub case, will need to be removed after firing the shell.

[0016] The further combustible modular cartridges may comprise outer mating surfaces to provide cooperative engagement with the first combustible modular cartridge and / or between said stacked further combustible modular cartridges. The said first and further modular combustible cartridge may be produced as single units, preferably each modular cartridge is of fixed length and diameter, such that the dimensions are determined depending on the calibre of the weapon and hence the size of the breech it is designed to fit, and the amount and type of energetic material the combustible cartridge is intended to hold.

[0017] A plurality of the further modular combustible cartridges may be stacked one on top the other, to produce a modular charge container device, for use in a breech to project the round or shell.

[0018] The combustible cartridge may be constructed from a rigid and combustible material, such as a cardboard. The use of a rigid material allows the combustible cartridge to be loaded by an autoloader.

[0019] The mating surfaces between stacked combustible cartridges may be provided by co-operatively engaged protrusion and recessed portions, and may be swapped in design to allow a protrusion on the base of the combustible modular cartridge to be slotted into a recess on the top portion of the combustible modular cartridge.

[0020] In a further arrangement both top portion and base portion may comprise an abrasive surface or a surface with raised portions to increase the friction of the two surfaces in order that when a top portion and a base portion are in contact they are sufficiently resilient to movement.

[0021] In a further arrangement subsequent combustible modular cartridges may be joined to adjacent combustible modular cartridges by a releasable means, or reversible locking engagement means, such as, for example a hook and loop arrangement (e.g. Velcro), a stud and latch or a press and lock arrangement. A yet further example may be provided by utilising a bayonet fitting on either the top portion or base portion that would engage with a recessed bar on the top portion or base portion of a connecting combustible modular cartridge.

[0022] The combustible modular cartridge houses a set amount of energetic material; said amount of energetic material may be dependent on the distance required of the propelled munition (e.g. a shell). This amount will relate directly to a designation on the combustible modular cartridge to allow selection for use in an explosive train.

[0023] Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above, or in the following description, drawings or claims.

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the device in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

[0025] Figure 1 shows a modular combustible cartridge assembly with energetic material contained within.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a further modular combustible charge with cambric inner wall.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a further modular combustible charge with two igniter charges.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a further modular combustible charge with igniter charges with a base pad igniter.

[0029] Fig 1 shows a modular charge system 1 comprising a head unit 3 with a stub primer 4 mounted on the base 2 of the head unit. A first modular combustible cartridge 8 is mounted within the head unit 3. The first modular combustible cartridge 8 is a toroid with an outer wall 9 and an inner wall 10. The inner 10 and outer wall 9 are made from a combustible material. The inner wall 10 defines an inner cavity 6a, in which the stub primer 4 is co-axially located. To provide further energetic output an igniter charge 7 may also be located in the in the inner cavity 6a, to improve the take-over from the stub primer 4. The toroid is sealed with a circular combustible disc 13. The circular disc 13 may comprise an aperture, sealed with a thin disc, to allow the combustion products to more easily transfer via the inner cavity 6a, from the first propellant 5 and the stub primer to pass through into the further combustible modular cartridges 11. The inner wall 10, outer wall 9 and combustible disc 13 define a cavity 14 which is filled with a first granular propellant 5a. Further combustible modular cartridges 11 are stacked and co-axially aligned with the first modular cartridge 8. The further combustible modular cartridges 11 are toroidal with an outer wall 15 and an inner wall 16, the toroidal have an upper 19 and lower 18 combustible discs to form a sealed cavity 17, which is filled with a second propellant 5b. The circular disc 18, 19 may comprise an aperture, sealed with a thin disc, to allow the combustion products to more easily transfer via the inner cavity 6b. The combustible modular cartridges 11 are co-operatively engaged to form a stacked co-axial arrangement. The shape and rigidity of the combustible modular cartridge 8, 11 allows for ease of movement, stability of storage and an ability to increase or decrease the number of further combustible modular cartridges 11 depending on the output required.

[0030] Figures 2, 3 and 4 show alternative embodiments for the further modular charges 20, 30, 40.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a further modular charge 20, with a combustible outer wall 22, and an inner wall 23 formed from a combustible tube. The inner wall 23 comprises an energetic impregnated layer 25 in the form of a cambric sheet. The cavity 24, is defined by the inner wall 23, outer wall 22, bottom disc 26, and top disc 21 . The top disc 21 and bottom disc 26 is made from a combustible material. The circular discs 21 , 26, may comprise an aperture, sealed with a thin disc 27, to allow the combustion products to more easily transfer via the inner cavity 28. The cavity 24 is filled with a propellant 29.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a further modular charge 30, with a combustible outer wall 32, and an inner wall 33 formed from a combustible tube. The cavity 34, is defined by the inner wall 33, outer wall 32, bottom disc 37 and top disc 31 . The top disc 31 and bottom disc 37 is made from a combustible material. Both the top disc and the bottom disc may have an aperture and thin disc (as shown in figure 2). The cavity is filled with a propellant 39. The inner cavity 36 comprises two igniter charges 35, which are located inside the modular charge, and are located at the top and bottom of the modular charge, in order to improve take-over, i.e. transfer of the energetic output between stacked modular charges.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a further modular charge 40, stacked on the first modular charge 51 , as shown in figure 1 .

[0034] The further modular charge 40, with an outer wall 42 formed from a combustible material, and an inner wall 43 formed from a combustible tube. The cavity 44, is defined by the inner wall 43, outer wall 42, bottom disc 47 and top disc 41. The top disc 41 and bottom disc 47 are made from a combustible material. Both the top disc and the bottom disc may have an aperture and thin disc (as shown in figure 2), to allow propagation of the flame front more readily through the discs. The cavity 44 is filled with a granular propellant 49.

[0035] A full-width base pad ignitor 48, enveloped in a housing 46, is located between the first modular charge 51 and the second modular charge 40. The base pad igniter charge 48 covers the entire diameter of the toroidal device 51 , in order to improve take-over, ie transfer of the energetic output between stacked further modular charges; there may be further base pad ignitors between each stacked further combustible cartridges. Alternatively, the base pad ignitors 48 may be integral within the base and / or top discs of the modular charges.

[0036] The stub igniter 54, can be clearly seen to not protrude beyond the first modular charge 51 , which allows the first modular charge and subsequent further modular charges 40 to be stacked by an autoloader device.

Claims

Claims:1 ) A modular charge system comprising a stub primer in a metal stub case, the stub case comprises a first combustible cartridge, which comprises a stub primer, a first propellant in a first cavity, wherein the stub primer is capable in use of igniting the first propellant in the first cavity, and one or more further combustible modular cartridges, each comprising a further cavity, said further cavity comprising, a second propellant material, wherein said further modular cartridges are co-axially stacked on said first combustible cartridge, such that the first propellant causes ignition of all further combustible modular cartridges.2) A device according to claim 1 , wherein the first combustible modular cartridge and the further combustible modular cartridges each have a central cavity, provided by an inner wall, such that the propellant is contained between the inner and outer walls.3) A device according to claim 2 where the further combustible modular cartridges are co-axially stacked on said first combustible modular cartridge, to allow flame propagation through the central cavity.4) A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further combustible modular cartridges are identical in their energetic output.5) A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is an igniter charge located in the central cavity of the first combustible cartridge.6) A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further combustible modular cartridges comprise a further igniter charge.7) A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and / or second propellant is a granular propellant.8) A device according to claims 2 to 7 wherein the inner wall and / or outer wall of the central cavity comprises a cambric material or a combustible material impregnated with an energetic material.9) A device according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the further combustible modular cartridges comprises mating surfaces to provide cooperative engagement with the first combustible modular cartridge and / or between said stacked further combustible modular cartridges.10) A device according to any preceding claim wherein the one or more combustible modular cartridges are the same dimensions and comprise the same mass of energetic material.

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