Universal stabilizer for ammunition

Abstract

The invention relates to a universal stabilizer for ammunition, which can be used as a stabilizer for various mortar, artillery, grenade launcher rounds, and aerial bombs, intended to stabilize their flight during launch and along the trajectory until impact with the target. The stabilizer (1) consists of a cylindrical body (2), with fins (6) of oval or spherical shape located at the rear part, and with openings (4) along the cylindrical part of the body (2). Inside the body (2), a primary ignition charge is installed, and a steel body (8) is mounted at the front part of the cylindrical body (2). The front part of the body (2) has a section with external threads, through which it is fixed to the body of the ammunition (10). Along the cylindrical part of the body (2) of the stabilizer (1), there are multiple openings (4) designed for igniting the additional charges by the propellant gases of the primary charge.

Description

UNIVERSAL STABILIZER FOR AMMUNITIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a universal stabilizer for ammunition, more specifically to the design of stabilizers, which are components in various types of mortar, artillery, grenade launcher shells, and aerial bombs intended to stabilize their flight during the shot and along the trajectory until they reach the target.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Patent publication 67497 - Republic of Bulgaria, describes a 60mm shell with a fragmentation mine designed for firing from 60mm COMMANDO-type mortars. This shell is intended to engage enemy personnel located in the open, in field-type shelters, behind fences, or on building roofs. The mentioned 60mm shell with a fragmentation mine consists of a mine containing a body with a centering thickening, behind which there is an annular channel where an obturator is located. A detonator is mounted at the front of the mine, and a stabilizer block is fixed at the rear. The stabilizer block consists of a tube-shaped element, preferably made of aluminum alloy, with holes where fins made of light material, such as plastic, are mounted.

[0003] A drawback of the described fragmentation mine design, particularly the stabilizer block, is that during firing from a mortar, the mine is subjected to high pressure from the propellant gases of the primary and additional charges, as well as oscillating movements in the barrel and during the mine’s launch. Under these conditions, the stabilizer block's design does not meet strength requirements, leading to potential damage to the stabilizer block while still in the mortar tube, which negatively affects the mine’s ballistic and tactical characteristics during flight.

[0004] Patent publication US P 7,262,394 describes a ballistic projectile with a disclosed annular tail section that facilitates the maneuverability of the projectile. This tail section includes an annular element, formed as a solid cylindrical wall, and at least one rod attached to the rear of the projectile and the ring of the tail section. The rod determines the adjustable length, and a control device, connected to at least one rod, regulates the length, allowing for maneuvering during the projectile’s flight.The tail may include generally radially oriented panels and may also feature a second ring attached to the panels and their distal ends, making the annular elements coaxial. Once the projectile is fired, the ring retracts to provide aerodynamic stability, which can be measured by a guidance sensor in electronic communication with the control device, enabling length adjustment of at least one rod.

[0005] Patent publication US 3,023,704 relates to muzzle-loaded ammunition, such as smoothbore mortars. For the ammunition to be easily loaded and smoothly slide down the barrel, a relatively large clearance between the largest diameter of the ammunition and the barrel wall is necessary. This clearance results in the loss of propellant energy during firing, as a certain amount of expanding gases escapes through the gap between the barrel and the ammunition.

[0006] The variation in firing velocities is partially due to this energy loss, which is not always constant, and the gas flow is not always symmetrical, leading to instability during the ammunition’s movement in the barrel and along its trajectory.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Given the known prior art in this field, the objective of the invention is to propose a stabilizer with an effective and technological design that allows integration into various types of mortar, artillery, grenade launcher shells, and aerial bombs, intended to stabilize their flight during the shot and along the trajectory until they meet the target or obstacle.

[0008] The problem is solved by a stabilizer consisting of a body, formed as a single unit, to which stabilizing fins are movably attached, with the body being fixed to the rear part of the ammunition, which may be mortar, artillery, grenade launcher, or aerial bombs.

[0009] According to the invention, the body of the stabilizer is made as a cylindrical unit, with at least four stabilizing fins arranged symmetrically on its surface, with an oval shape. The fins’ thickness gradually increases from the tip to their base at the rear end. Inside the cylindrical part of the stabilizer’s body, a primary charge is placed, and an additional variable charge is mounted on its outer surface. The cylindrical body is coaxially aligned with the ammunition body and fixed to it, with openings formed along the stabilizer’s body.

[0010] According to the invention, the front end of the aluminum stabi lizer body has an external thread that is used to attach it firmly to the rear end of the ammunition body.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, the front end of the aluminum stabilizer body has an internal thread used to attach it firmly to the rear end of the ammunition body.

[0012] According to the invention, the aluminum stabilizer body is made from an aluminum alloy by the casting method with dynamic shaping, possessing high mechanical strength characteristics: tensile strength in the range of 200 - 300 MPa, yield strength of 120 to 280 MPa, elongation from 2 to 12%, and Brinell hardness (HB) from 60 to 125.

[0013] According to the invention, the aluminum alloy used for the stabilizer body has the following chemical composition: Cu- 0.050% max, Fe - 0.19% max, Mg - 0.250...0.450%, Mn - 0.100% max, Si - 6.50...7.5%, Ti- 0.250% max, Zn - 0.070% max, Other elements - 0.1% max, Sn - 0.0004% max, Pb - 0.00%, Cr - 0.002%, and Al - up to 100%.

[0014] According to the invention, the number of openings in the cylindrical part of the stabilizer body is between 4 and 18, with the size of the openings ranging from 3.5 to 10mm.

[0015] A preferred embodiment involves the openings in the cylindrical part of the stabilizer body encompassing the additional variable charge.

[0016] The described design of the stabilizer body and its oval-shaped fins ensures effective counteraction to oscillating and rotational-precessional movements in the weapon system barrel, as well as stabilization of the ammunition during flight, achieving the required accuracy and grouping at the designated distance until impact with the target or obstacle.

[0017] The aluminum stabilizer, subject of the invention, features a design that provides improved physical, mechanical, and dynamic strength characteristics, enabling effective use of pressure from the primary and additional charge gases. This is a result of the manufacturing method — casting followed by dynamic loading.

[0018] The openings on the stabilizer body facilitate the movement of propellant gases from the primary charge, which simultaneously ignites the additional charge. As a result, the generated gases in the launching system’s charge chamber create pressure that propels the ammunition forward with an initial velocity in the direction of the shot.

[0019] An additional effect of the openings in the stabilizer body is the reduction of internal pressure, balancing the gas pressure from the primary and additional charges. This equalizes internal and external pressure on the stabilizer, reducing stress on its structure.

[0020] The proposed design and number of stabilizing fins reduce frontal drag and improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the fired ammunition.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The universal stabilizer for ammunition, the object of the invention, is more specifically presented through the attached figures, where:• Fig. 1 - general view of the universal stabilizer, the object of the invention.. Fig. 2 - cross-section of the general view of the universal stabilizer, the object of the invention.• Fig. 3 - general view of the universal stabilizer with external thread for attachment to the ammunition, the object of the invention.• Fig. 4 - general view of the universal stabilizer with internal thread for attachment to the ammunition, the object of the invention.PRIMERY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The universal aluminum stabilizer according to the invention consists of a body, preferably executed as a monolithic aluminum casting, with a central channel formed along its length. In the front part of the body, there are two stepped cylindrical sections, where the outer surface of the front cylindrical section 3 has an external thread, through which the body 1 is fixed immovably to the ammunition body 10. Inside the central channel, along the axis of the stabilizer body, there is embedded a steel cylindrical component 8, which, due to its steel construction and placement, serves to enhance the strength and physical-mechanical properties of the stabilizer body 1 at its critical section.

[0023] Along the cylindrical part 2 of the body, openings 4 are linearly positioned along the length of the body. The openings of the separate lines are staggered, and their diameters range from 3.5 mm to 10 mm. The number of openings and their diameter depend on the caliber of the ammunition 10. For instance, for a 60 mm shot with a fragmentation mine, which is fired from a 60 mm mortar, the openings are 8 with a diameter of 6 mm. For use with an aerial bomb, the number of openings can be 18, with a diameter of 10 mm.

[0024] The openings 4 are equipped with rings containing additional charges, which are not shown in the figures. These openings are designed to reduce the pressure inside the cylindrical part of the stabilizer 2 and to equalize the pressure from the propellant gases of both the main and the additional charges, thus ensuring the stabilizer body 1 is subjected to balanced internal and external pressure, reducing stress on the stabilizer’s structure.

[0025] At the rear end of the cylindrical part 2, fins 6 are symmetrically arranged along the outer surface of the body. Depending on the caliber of the ammunition 10, the number of stabilizing fins can range from 4 to 12. The fins 6 are oval-shaped, and their maximum diameter corresponds to a cylindrical section 5, which equals the diameter of the firing ammunition 10.

[0026] In the rear part of the body, a channel 7 is formed, reaching the steel cylindrical part 8, and containing the main charge.

[0027] According to one preferred embodiment, the rear cylindrical part of the stabilizer body 1 is equipped with a cylindrical opening with an internal thread / fig. 4 / for fixing the stabilizer body to different types of main charges. The rear part of the body contains a channel 7, which reaches the steel cylindrical body 8 and houses the main charge.

[0028] In another variant embodiment, the front part of the stabilizer body 1 features an internal thread 9, into which the warhead of the ammunition 10 is screwed, depending on the specific design of the ammunition 10.

[0029] According to one preferred embodiment, the stabilizer body is made of an aluminum alloy with high-strength mechanical properties: tensile strength in the range of 200 - 300MPa, yield strength from 120 to 280MPa, relative elongation from 2 to 12%, and Brinell hardness from 60 to 125.The aluminum alloy is processed through dynamic casting, where the crystalline structure is stabilized during formation, resulting in the aforementioned structure.

[0030] For the purpose of achieving the desired mechanical and physical properties for the stabilizer body, an aluminum alloy with the following chemical composition is used: Cu - 0.050% max, Fe - 0.19% max, Mg - 0.250...0.450%, Mn - 0.100% max, Si - 6.50...7.5%, Ti - 0.250% max, Zn - 0.070% max, Sn - 0.0004% max, Pb - 0.00%, Cr - 0.002% max, and Al - up to 100%.

[0031] According to one preferred embodiment, the fins 6 have an oval shape, with a progressively increasing profile from tip to base at their rear end. This shape reduces drag and improves the aerodynamic performance of the fired ammunition 10. At the largest diameter of the fins 6, a cylindrical section 5 is formed, which stabilizes the stabilizer 1 and guides the ammunition 10 within the barrel of the firing system.OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The use of the described stabilizer 1 can be presented as follows: The stabilizer body 1 is screwed into the ammunition body 10 until it reaches the stop via the thread on the front cylindrical section. In the rear cylindrical part 2, specifically in the channel 7, the main cylindrical-shaped charge is placed. On the cylindrical part 2 with the openings 4, additional rings containing a variable charge are mounted, the amount of which depends on the intended firing distance of the ammunition. The prepared ammunition is then loaded into the barrel of the firing system.

[0033] After firing, the impact mechanism initiates the primer of the main charge, and the generated gas ignites the black powder of the additional charge.The propellant gases create pressure in the firing system chamber, propelling the ammunition forward with a specific muzzle velocity. The ammunition is subjected to linear-inertial forces, activating the fuzing mechanisms.

[0034] During its motion through the barrel under the influence of propellant gases, the stabilizer 1, through the cylindrical sections 5 of the fins 6, stabilizes and guides the ammunition.Once the ammunition exits the barrel, its flight trajectory is stabilized and directed by the fins 6 through their contact with the oncoming air, creating a stabilizing moment that reduces oscillatory disturbances from rotational-precessional motions.

[0035] The stabilizer 1 , through the profile and number of fins 6, ensures the desired accuracy and grouping of the shot.

[0036] After a predetermined period during the flight trajectory of the ammunition, the fuzing mechanisms deactivate, triggering the fuze and setting the shot ready to meet the target.

[0037] Upon impact with a barrier, the ammunition fuze is activated, initiating the ignition chain, which ultimately delivers a detonation impulse to the explosive charge.Legend:1. Universal stabilizer;2. Cylindrical part of the body of the stabilizer;3. Cylindrical part with thread;4. Cylindrical holes;5. Cylindrical part of the plumage;6. Feathers;7. Cylindrical opening for the main charge;8. Steel cylindrical body;9. Internal threaded hole;10. Case of ammunition;

Claims

CLAIMS1. A universal stabilizer consisting of a body made as a single piece, with stabilizing fins movably attached to it, wherein the body is fixed immovably to the rear of the ammunition, characterized by the fact that the body 111 of the stabilizer / I / is executed as a cylindrical body, with at least four stabilizing fins / 6 / arranged symmetrically on the surface of the body 111 and formed with an oval shape, where the thickness of the fins 161 progressively increases from the tip to their base at the rear end, and within the internal space of the cylindrical part of the stabilizer body 111, a main charge is mounted, while an additional variable charge is mounted on the external part, the cylindrical body 111 being coaxially oriented with the ammunition body / 10 / and immovably connected to it, and openings / 4 / are formed along the body 111 of the stabilizer / I / .

2. A universal stabilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the front end of the aluminum body has an external thread, through which it is immovably attached to the rear end of the ammunition body / 10 / .

3. A universal stabilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the front end of the aluminum body has an internal thread, through which it is immovably attached to the rear end of the ammunition body / 10 / .

4. A universal stabilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that the aluminum body of the stabilizer is made from an aluminum alloy through the dynamic casting method, which has high-strength mechanical properties: tensile strength in the range of 200 - 300 MPa, yield strength from 120 to 280 MPa, relative elongation from 2 to 12%, and Brinell hardness from 60 to 125.

5. A universal stabilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that the aluminum alloy from which the body 111 of the stabilizer / I / is made has the following chemical composition: Cu - 0.050% max, Fe - 0.19% max, Mg - 0.250...0.450%, Mn - 0.100% max, Si - 6.50...7.5%, Ti - 0.250% max, Zn - 0.070% max, Sn - 0.0004% max, Pb - 0.00%, Cr - 0.002%, and Al - up to 100%.

6. A universal stabilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of openings / 4 / in the cylindrical part of the body 111 ranges from 4 to 18, and the diameter.

7. A universal stabilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that the openings / 4 / in the cylindrical part of the stabilizer body 111 accommodate the additional variable charge.

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