Programmed-splitting solid propellant grain for improved ballistic performance of guns

US4581998A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Albert Horst · Accokeek, US
• Frederick W. Robbins · Havre de Grace, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 19, 1985
• Grant date: Apr 15, 1986
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C06B45/00
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention is an improved solid propellant grain, wherein the solid prllant grain is structured to provide a programmed method and system for splitting the solid propellant grain at a programmed moment to provide an increase in the burning surface. The programmed-splitting of the solid propellant grain provides improved ballistic performance of guns, which yields a higher muzzle velocity for a given projectile without increasing the maximum pressure exerted on the gun chamber. The improvement consists of embodiments that are a plurality of slits of various configurations through the longitudinal length of each grain of solid propellant. The improvement includes a structure to delay end burning of the grains until the longitudinal exterior surface burns sufficiently to split the grain into a plurality of sections at a programmed moment when the increased burning surface is desired to occur. The improvement also consists of another embodiment wherein the grain is structured in a spiral configuration to provide a similar increased burning surface for a programmed moment when the increased burning surface is desired to occur.