Bofors Ab

Bofors Defence Aktiebolag

Bofors Weapon Systems Ab

Neile Nilsson

Larseric Larsson

Arne Franzen

Anders Hafstrand

Lars-Berno Fredriksson

The present invention relates to a method for avoiding uneven ignition when initiating artillery propellant powder charges ( ) which comprise a plurality of partial charges of the so-called modular type and which are initiated by means of laser initiation systems or conventional ignition cartridges. The invention also includes artillery propellant powder charge modules designed in accordance with this method. The invention is also based on the fact that each such charge module or modular charge has on the one hand been provided with an initiating charge ( ) at each end of the central ignition channel ( ), where this initiating charge can consist for example of black powder, and, on the other hand, the middle part of the same ignition channel has been provided with a specially designed firing unit ( ) consisting of a number of ring elements between which narrow ignition gaps ( ) are maintained.

Method for initiating artillery propellant powder charges, artillery propellant powder charge module and artillery propellant powder charge

The present invention relates to a propellant charge module for artillery guns, of the type which is usually referred to by the term &ldquo;modular charges&rdquo; (,). A special feature of this type is that, in an otherwise empty pyrophoric relay tube (,) arranged axially in the longitudinal direction of the charge, it has a firing charge which is made up of a plurality of successive powder rings (,), the different ring-shaped parts of this firing charge having distancing members (,) which are directed towards each other and give rise to narrow ignition gaps (,) between them.

Propellant charge module

A system for reducing the temperature-dependent influence of the powder on the muzzle velocity of ammunition units on discharging of the ammunition units from a barrel of a large-caliber gun with high muzzle velocities includes a plurality of part charges having predetermined types, powder varieties, charge sizes and geometric dimensions of the powder, controlling unit for determining desired muzzle velocities based on predetermined parameters including influence of a powder temperature in the part charges during discharging from the barrel so that the desired muzzle velocity of respective ammunition units and barrel pressures do not exceed a predetermined acceptable value while ensuring the highest possible performance of the gun and for determining a corresponding predetermined combination of part charges to achieve the desired muzzle velocity, and selecting and assembling devices responsive to the signal from the controlling unit for selecting predetermined combinations of part charges from a plurality of part charges, so that the respective part charges in each combination contribute to achieving the desired muzzle velocity determined by the controlling unit.

System for reducing the effects of powder temperature sensitivity on

A device for controlling discharge of ammunition units from the barrel of a gun in sequence with muzzle velocities within a large velocity range, enables simultaneous activation of the ammunition units on a target area. The device comprises a plurality of part charges having different predetermined compositions including sizes, types, powder varieties, powder dimensions, and being combinable into plurality of selected combinations defining total charges. A controlling device is provided for receiving information regarding the firing parameters and parameters influencing muzzle velocity including powder temperature of the part charges and pressure in the gun barrel and for calculating relevant velocities from the large range of velocities which allow for plurality of sequentially fired ammunition units to simultaneously arrive at the target area. Also selector devices are provided, responsive to the controlling device for selecting from the plurality of part charges, based on the calculated velocities, corresponding combinations of part charges to define the total charges for respective ammunition units which allow to achieve the calculated velocities with high accuracy.

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Karlskoga, Sweden

Neile Nilsson