PROJECTILE SEALING ARRANGEMENT

• US 20090241796A1
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
• Original Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
• Inventors: Bambach, Ramon John
• Application Number:
  US12/346,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20090241796A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 102/438
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/035 the cartridge or barrel assembly having a plurality of axially stacked projectiles each having a separate propellant charge

Abstract

A projectile sealing arrangement for a barrel assembly of a weapon in which a plurality of projectile assemblies are axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel. Each projectile assembly is associated with a discrete propellant charge. The sealing arrangement includes a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in each projectile assembly for containing the discrete propellant charge, and a forward portion of an abutting projectile assembly arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening. During application of a compressive load to abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charge is sealed within the cavity.

Claims

1. A projectile sealing arrangement for a barrel assembly of a weapon wherein a plurality of projectile assemblies are axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel, each projectile assembly associated with a discrete propellant charge;

said sealing arrangement comprising;

a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in each projectile assembly for containing the discrete propellant charge; and

a forward portion of an abutting projectile assembly arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening;

the arrangement being such that, during application of a compressive load to abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charge is sealed within the cavity.

2. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 1 wherein the forward portion of each projectile assembly has a forward sealing surface of a predetermined shape, and the rearward opening has a rearward sealing surface of a complementary shape to the predetermined shape of the forward sealing surface.

3. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 1 wherein either or both of the forward portion and the rearward opening include a sealing means to aid or enhance sealing.

4. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 3 wherein the sealing means is preformed as a resilient body.

5. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 3 wherein the sealing means is formed in-situ through the use of a suitable sealing material.

6. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 4 wherein said sealing means has adhesive properties.

7. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sealing surfaces include planar surface portions.

8. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sealing surfaces include hemispherical shaped surface portions.

9. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 1 wherein the sealing surfaces include conical shaped surface portions.

10. The projectile sealing arrangement of claim 7 wherein shapes of said sealing surfaces are dictated by aerodynamic considerations.

11. A barrel assembly for a weapon;

said barrel assembly including;

a plurality of projectile assemblies axially disposed in abutting relationship within a barrel, each projectile assembly having a head portion and a tail portion and is associated with a discrete propellant charge;

ignition means for each propellant charge, whereby the discrete propellant charges may be selectively ignited to propel respective projectiles sequentially from the barrel; and

a sealing arrangement between abutting projectile assemblies, said sealing arrangement comprising;

a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in the body of each projectile assembly for receiving the discrete propellant charge; and

a forward portion of an abutting projectile arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening;

the sealing arrangement being such that, during the application of a compressive load to the abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charges for trailing projectiles are sealed within their respective cavities.

12. The barrel assembly of claim 11 wherein the projectile body includes a transverse surface on at least one of the head and tail portions of the projectile assemblies, which transverse surface is arranged to prevent over-travel of a projectile relative to a trailing projectile upon application of an axial compressive load to said plurality of projectiles.

13. The barrel assembly of claim 11 wherein propellant charges are in solidified form.

14. The barrel assembly of claim 11 wherein propellant charges are in a flowable form.

15. The barrel assembly of claim 13 wherein the rearward opening includes a closure for retaining the propellant material within the cavity.

16. The barrel assembly of claim 15 wherein the closure comprises a burstable disc or a disc composed of combustible material.

17. The barrel assembly of claim 16 wherein said closure includes retaining means for releasable engagement with complementary retaining means on the head portion of an adjacent projectile assembly.

18. The barrel assembly of claim 17 wherein said complementary retaining means include a socket member and a spigot member.

19. The barrel assembly of claim 17 wherein said complementary retaining means include cooperating screw threads to facilitate release.

20. The barrel assembly of claim 17 wherein the retaining means is frangible.

21. A projectile assembly having a body with a head and a tail portion, said projectile assembly characterized in that:

the head includes a forward portion arranged for operative sealing engagement with the rearward opening of a leading projectile;

the tail portion includes a rearward opening communicating with a cavity provided in the projectile assembly for receiving the discrete propellant charge, which opening includes a rear portion arranged for operative sealing engagement with the forward portion of a trailing projectile; and

a sealing arrangement being such that, during the application of a compressive load to abutting projectile assemblies, the discrete propellant charge is sealed within the cavity.