Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec Ag

Peter Ettmuller

Device for filling a shell body with a plurality of sub-projectiles including a U-shaped assembly centering device coupled with a cover. A reservoir, formed between the assembly centering device and the cover, includes a slit-like shaped rectangle in cross-section. A flange is fastened in a lower area of the reservoir on the assembly centering device, and a slider for moving with respect to the reservoir includes a width corresponding to a length of the slit-like rectangle. A top portion includes a V-shaped notch extending along a longitudinal direction, and a bottom portion includes a V-shape extending along the longitudinal direction. A perforation, extending coaxially with the slider and provided in the assembly centering device, includes a first part approximately corresponding to an outline of the slider and a second part approximately corresponding to an outer periphery of a layer. A shoulder at an outlet of the perforation is provided for guiding the plurality of sub-projectiles into the shell body element, and a holding ring is fastened on the assembly centering device extending coaxially with the shoulder.

Apparatus for filling shell bodies with sub-projectiles

A method and apparatus for filling a shell body with sub-projectiles in a predefined geometric arrangement and in a very short time without creating shifting errors is provided. Prior to filling the shell body, the sub-projectiles may be combined into layers which are as thick as the length of the sub-projectiles and which extend in planes transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shell body. The sub-projectiles take up a position in the layer which corresponds to their geometric arrangement in a hollow chamber of the shell body. During the combination, the outer periphery of the layers may be shaped so that, following insertion of the layer into the hollow chamber, the sub-projectiles may be held there and fixed against relative rotation while maintaining the previously formed geometric arrangement. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the outer periphery of the layers may assume a hexagonal shape where the axes of the cylindrical sub-projectiles are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shell body.

Method and apparatus for filling shell bodies with sub-projectiles

A spin-stabilized projectile containing a payload is presented. The projectile includes a projectile body with a payload chamber that may be laterally defined by a projectile casing, on top by an axial fixing device for a payload disposed in the payload chamber, and on the bottom, by a dividing wall. The projectile casing may include axial grooves on the inside, which on the contribute to the fixing of the payload and include intended break zones for freeing the payload. Below the dividing wall, an opening charge may be disposed, which includes complete radial contact and is axially spaced apart from the dividing wall by a damping device. The detonation of opening charge causes the projectile casing to immediately split open at the intended break zones to release, by centrifugal force, the payload from the payload chamber. The damping device prevents the payload from being damaged in the region of the dividing wall and prevents the release of the payload from being interrupted.

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Adlikon, Switzerland

Peter Ettmuller