Propellant for large-caliber ammunition

US6354218B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• Rheinmetall W & M GmbH · DE
• TZN Forschungs-Und Entwicklungszentrum Unterlüss GmbH · DE
• Nitrochemie Aschau GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Weise · Berlin, DE
• Hans-Karl Haak · Unterlüß, DE
• Paul Schaffers · Wrestedt, DE
• Peter M. Lange · Leverkusen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 29, 1999
• Grant date: Mar 12, 2002
• Expiry date: Jul 29, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F42B5/16
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A propellant system for launching a large-caliber projectile includes a propellant having at least three partial charges. The first partial charge is adapted to acceleration requirements of the projectile; the second partial charge has a higher combustion velocity than that of the first partial charge; and the third partial charge has a lower combustion velocity than that of the first partial charge. The propellant system further includes an electric energy supply and control device connected to the propellant for igniting the propellant. The electric energy supply and control device has a plasma generator for affecting a combustion behavior of the propellant such as to obtain for said first partial charge, after ignition of the propellant, a maximum gas pressure level of always the same magnitude independently from an initial propellant temperature, and to obtain, for the third partial charge, a conversion such as to prolong the maximum gas pressure level in a predeterminable manner.