Ammunition and explosives – Cartridges – Case
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-11
2001-12-25
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Ammunition and explosives
Cartridges
Case
C102S499000, C102S202500, C102S202900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332403
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ammunition cartridge having an electrothermal ignition device for its propellant.
In ammunition cartridges of the above type the ignition of the propellant is effected by arc discharges inside the propellant powder. For this purpose, at least one wire conductor is provided within the propellant powder. For igniting the propellant powder, an electric current of such a high intensity is passed through the wire that the latter explosively vaporizes, and the electric arc thus produced ignites the surrounding propellant powder. The propellant powder is conventionally accommodated in an inert, electrically insulating plastic case.
It is a disadvantage of the above-outlined ammunition cartridges that in addition to the case bottom, the propellant case itself has to be completely removed every time a shot is fired. Further, the manufacture of such ammunition cartridges is relatively complex and expensive. Further, because of the relatively large proportion of the inert material, a substantial combustion volume is lost in the weapon chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an ammunition cartridge of the above-outlined type in which, after the cartridge is fired, the proportion of the uncombusted parts and thus the parts to be removed from the weapon is small without adversely affecting thereby the performance and/or the high-voltage resistance of the cartridge.
This object and others to become apparent as the specification progresses, are accomplished by the invention, according to which, briefly stated, the ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition includes a combustible case having a length dimension, a rearward end closed by a metal case bottom and a front end; a combustible propellant powder contained in the case; and an electrically insulated high-voltage electrode passing through the case bottom into the case. The electrode has an outer end situated externally of the case and is connectable to a current source and an inner end situated within the case. A current distributor is situated within the case and is electrically connected to the inner end of the electrode. At least three conductor wires are electrically connected to the current distributor and extend at least partially parallel to the length dimension within the case through the propellant powder. An electric contact arrangement is situated within the case in the front end thereof and is secured to the case. The electric contact arrangement is electrically connected to the conductor wires and has externally exposed contact locations which are connectable to an electrically conducting component externally of the case.
Thus, the invention is essentially based on the principle to provide a combustible propellant case having a metal case bottom through which an electrically well insulated high-voltage electrode is passed to which at least three electrically conducting wires are connected by a current divider. The wires extend at least partially parallel to the length dimension of the case through the propellant powder and are, in the frontal region of the case, connected with a contact part.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the combustible case is, in the region of its rearward end, clamped with a form fit between the outer surface of a shaped insulating body and the inner surface of the case bottom. During the supply of electric energy the clamped case portion also serves as a high-voltage insulation between the electrode and the case bottom.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2926566 (1960-03-01), Atkins et al.
patent: 3726222 (1973-04-01), White et al.
patent: 5044278 (1991-09-01), Campbell
patent: 5072647 (1991-12-01), Goldstein et al.
patent: 5231242 (1993-07-01), Chryssomallis et al.
patent: 5235129 (1993-08-01), Corney
patent: 5353710 (1994-10-01), Eches et al.
patent: 5503081 (1996-04-01), Lindblom et al.
patent: 5549046 (1996-08-01), Widner et al.
patent: 6247411 (2001-06-01), Vornfett
patent: 6247412 (2001-06-01), Vornfett
patent: 0 645 599 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 2 343 500 (2000-05-01), None
Haak Hans Karl
Scherge Wolfgang
Weise Thomas
Jordan Charles T.
Kelemen Gabor J.
Smith Kimberly S
TZN Forschungs - und Entwicklungszentrum Unterluss GmbH
Venable
LandOfFree
Ammunition cartridge with electrically ignited propellant... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ammunition cartridge with electrically ignited propellant..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ammunition cartridge with electrically ignited propellant... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2599276