Mortar system with improved gas seal
US10655943B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 19, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B30/12
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An obturator ring (4) for a mortar round (2) is proposed where the geometry of the ring (4) is modified by its sliding and striking stationary anvil (18) when the round (2) is placed in the muzzle-loaded mortar's barrel (6) and reaches its bottom. The initial ring (4) geometry does not impede round's travel down the barrel (6) while its modified geometry provides a gas seal between the round (2) and the barrel (6) wall.Several embodiments featuring free-rotating (4), splined non-rotational (4a) and stationary separated (12a-14a) designs are presented.The ring works with both smoothbore and rifled mortar barrels and in several embodiments imparts rotation to the round (2) if used in a rifled barrel (6).An optimized muzzle-loaded mortar barrel (6) operating in cooperation with rounds equipped with the obturator ring of instant invention is also presented, containing rifled (6a) and smoothbore (6b) sections.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.