GB960178A - Ammunition projectile - Google Patents

Abstract

960,178. Ammunition projectiles. ANSTALT FUR DIE ENTWICKLUNG VON ERFINDUNGEN UND GEWERBLICHEN ANWENDUNGEN ENERGA. June 25, 1962 [June 20, 1961], No. 24369/62. Heading F3A. An ammunition projectile which is launched by the expansion of propelling gases in a chamber formed by two elements movable relative to one another over a certain stroke and which become effectively integral with one another to seal the chamber, comprises a warhead 1 which may contain an explosive, incendiary, smoke producing or other charge 2, a tail tube 4 forming the first element and a piston 9 forming the second element and which houses a detonator 10 and a launching charge 11 and is adapted to receive a spigot 18 of a firing device. The firing device further comprises a striker pin 19 held against the action of a spring 20 by a safety pin 21 and a base 17 provided with projections 17b to anchor the device in the ground. The projectile is launched by removing front and rear portions 15, 16 from a container 14, which acts as a launching tube, and withdrawing pin 21 which allows ignition of detonator 10 by striker pin 19 and hence ignition of charge 11. Gas pressure forces the projectile forward, tube 4 sliding with a gastight fit on piston 9 which remains seated on spigot 18. The piston 9 is removed from the firing device when a lining 12 of synthetic resin, plastics or ductile metal on the piston is progressively crushed against a conical throat 8a of the tail tube to render the piston substantially integral therewith. Grooves 8b at the rear of the tail tube 4 prevent build-up of air pressure between the rear of the piston 9 and the tail tube as the latter moves forward. Substantially no gas produced by charge 11 escapes from the projectile since the piston becomes effectively sealed at the rear thereof and the base of the detonator casing is made sufficiently strong to prevent piercing by the striker pin 19 or bursting on combustion of charge 11. In a second embodiment, Fig. 4, a piston 27 with annular fins 32 is shown in its rearmost position with the fins 32 crushed against throat 24a, the launching charge having been ignited by a striker 30 thrown forward by gases from a cartridge discharged within a firearm 26. In a modification, the piston 27 is adapted to receive a firing device as in Fig. 1 and the launching charge is attached independently of the piston to the base of the warhead. In a third embodiment (Figs. 6, 7, not shown), the piston is replaced by a tube fitted to telescope over or within the tail tube and which carries internally at its rear end a detonator and launching charge and externally stabilizing fins. Further embodiments describe systems of crushable washers attached to the piston.