Method and apparatus for disassembling and reassembling projectiles

US5789695A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Werner Scherer · Schweich, DE
• Walter Hanser · Bad Krozingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 15, 1996
• Grant date: Aug 4, 1998
• Expiry date: May 15, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F42B33/001
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for dismantling and reassembling projectiles which contain a plurality of safety-activatable bomblets in one or more cluster layers. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for disassembling bomblets from a projectile of a first caliber, and loading the bomblets into a projectile of a second caliber. In the first projectile having its casing and components disassembled uncovers an uppermost bomblet layer. The bomblet layer is seated against a first transport cover configured to correspond to a positional pattern for those bomblets of the projectile being disassembled. The bomblet layer is pneumatically held against the first transport cover. A bottom cover is detachably secured to the first transport cover under the bomblet layer, and the fuse of each bomblet is secured. This forms a safe container for moving the bomblets. The individual bomblets are them removed, and least some may be arranged on a second transport cover fashioned according to another positional pattern corresponding to a second projectile to be assembled. That bomblet layer is lowered into the second projectile casing as the lowermost bomblet layer. The above steps are…