Rheinmetall W & M Gmbh

Hans-Karl Haak

Alexei Voronov

A disk-shaped propellant module ( ) for a propellant charge ( ), which can be composed of several modules of this type. To ensure a uniform and symmetrical ignition of the propellant charge ( ) for a cartridge with increased charge density (>1.2 g/cm ), the propellant module ( ) is provided with at least three axially extending ignition channels ( ), uniformly distributed over a partial circle, and at least three radial ignition channels ( ) that extend from the inside or interior of the propellant module ( ) to its outer edge surface ( ). The center of the circle for the axial ignition channels ( ) is positioned on the central axis ( ) for the propellant module ( ) and each of the radial ignition channels ( ) intersects with at least one of the axial ignition channels ( ).

Disk-shaped propellant module

A cartridge with a propellant case ( ) that contains a propellant charge ( ) and an electrothermal ignition device, wherein several ignition channels ( ) are provided in the charge ( ), and extend axial-symmetrical in the direction of longitudinal axis ( ) of cartridge ( ), with each channel comprising a propellant tube ( ) and an electrically conducting layer ( ). To achieve a uniform and symmetrical ignition of the cartridge ( ) in the chamber of the respective weapon, electric arcs ( ) that form during the ignition operation in the ignition channels ( ), are decoupled in that the electrically conducting layer ( ) is composed of successively connected rhombi or other shapes (circles, ovals, etc.) that electrically function as decoupling resistances. When current flows through such a structure, the current bridges ( ) arranged in the current-flow direction between the individual rhombi ( ) etc. initially break apart explosively. Electric arcs ( ) then are formed at these locations and are decoupled by the decoupling resistances ( ). Continued current flow causes more and more of the decoupling elements ( ) to erode, so that the electric arcs ( ) become longer and longer.

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Unterlüss, Germany

Hans-Karl Haak