Expellable reaction mass for recoilless projectile launchers

US4132148A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Rolf Meistring · Glonn, DE
• Karl Rudolf · Schrobenhausen, DE
• Werner Schmid · Heidenheim, DE
• Fritz Zeyher · Alpirsbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 24, 1977
• Grant date: Jan 2, 1979
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F41A1/10
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A reaction mass for a launching tube having a centrally positioned propellant charge for propelling a missile at its forward end and a reaction mass located rearwardly of the propellant charge which is propelled at the rear end, comprises an inert, readily fragmentizing, expellable reaction mass comprising a glass material which is internally prestressed and which disintegrates at the launch. The reaction mass is advantageously in the form of a glass cylinder which is either connected to a metallic pusher member arranged rearwardly of the propellant charge which is pushed by the ignition of the charge in a rearward direction, or it may comprise a glass cylinder which includes its own pusher head formation. The pusher itself is arrested by a brake positioned at the rear exit. In addition, the rear exit is closed by a diaphragm which may shatter after ignition of the propellant charge. The reaction mass may also comprise a front pusher face which is engaged with a rear brake positioned at the rear opening or it may comprise a plurality of layers of glass held to a pusher head which is arrested at the rear opening. In still another embodiment, the glass may comprise a plurality of fla…