Binary munition system

• US 5,014,623 A
• Filed: 10/03/1989
• Issued: 05/14/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Hillstrom, Warren W., Walker, Evan H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUDOR, HAROLD JAY
• Application Number:
  US07/416,803
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 102/477, 102/478, 102/705, 149/36, 149/46, 149/74, 149/92
• US Class Current: 102/477
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 47/00 Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/20 of high-explosive type F42B12/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/208 characterised by a plurality of charges within a single high explosive warhead
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 102/705 Separated explosive constituents

Abstract

A binary munition system comprising at least two non-explosive ingredientshat combine in flight to form a relatively safe explosive. The combination of said non-explosive ingredients for the purpose of forming safe explosives is novel.

The binary munition stores the non-explosive ingredients in separate compartments which utilize membranes, bags or containers to facilitate the separation. The munition is equipped with means in which to rupture the compartments upon launch or fire. The purpose of the munition is to maintain separation of the non-explosive ingredients and to achieve mixing of the ingredients upon launch or fire of said munition.

Claims

1. A munition comprising an outer shell and means for the separation and storage of an effective amount of two or more non-explosive ingredients which when combined chemically react to form a safe explosive;

wherein said means for separation and storage comprises at least two compartments running the length of the round of munition and located around a central axis;

wherein said compartments each contain a membrane, bag or container for the separate storage of said non-explosive ingredients; and

wherein said munition further comprises stator and rotor vanes positioned within said outer shell and along said central axis in a fashion which rupture the mebranes, bags or containers when said munition is launched or fired.

2. A munition according to claim 1, wherein said membranes, bags or containers are composed of polymeric encapsulant materials.

3. A munition according to claim 2, wherein said polymeric encapsulant materials are selected from the group consisting of Viton-A, polyethylene, nylon and Teflon.

4. A munition according to claim 1, wherein the non-explosive ingredients to be stored are ethylene diamine and nitric acid.

5. A munition according to claim 1, wherein the non-explosive ingredients to be stored are hydrazine and ammonium nitrate.

6. A munition according to claim 1, wherein the non-explosive ingredients to be stored are hydroxylammonium nitrate, and triethanolamine nitrate and water wherein said water content in said explosive is less than 10.0 wt. percent.

7. A munition comprising an outer shell and means for the separation and storage of an effective amount of two or more non-explosive ingredients which when combined chemically react to form a safe explosive;

wherein said non-explosive ingredients to be stored are isopropylamine, hydroxylamine and nitric acid.

8. A munition according to claim 7, wherein an effective amount of ammonium nitrate may be added to the nitric acid for increased performance of the munition.

9. A munition comprising an outer shell and means for the separation and storage therein of an effective amount of two or more non-explosive ingredients which when combined chemically react to form a safe explosive;

wherein said separation and storage means comprises a chamber wherein said non-explosive ingredients are separated from one another by polymeric encapsulant materials;

wherein said munition further comprising a conventional fuze; and

wherein said non-explosive ingredients are isopropylamine, hydroxylamine and nitric acid.

10. A munition according to claim 9, wherein said polymeric encapsulant materials are selected from the group consisting of Viton-A, polyethylene, nylon and Teflon.

11. A munition according to claim 9, wherein an effective amount of ammonium nitrate may be added to the nitric acid for increased performance of the safe explosive.

12. A munition comprising an outer shell and means for the separation and storage therein of an effective amount of two or more non-explosive ingredients which when combined chemically react to form a safe explosive;

wherein said separation and storage means comprises a chamber wherein said non-explosive ingredients are separated from one another by polymeric encapsulant materials;

wherein said munition further comprises a conventional fuze; and

wherein said non-explosive ingredients are hydroxylammonium nitrate, triethanolamine nitrate and water wherein said water content in said explosive is less than 10.30 wt. percent.