Other

Rheinmetall W & M Gmbh

Rheinmetall Industrie Aktiengesellschaft

Tzn Forschungs- Und Entwicklungs-zentrum

Tzn Forschungs-und Entwicklungszentrum Unterl&uuml;ss Gmbh

Rheinmetall Industries Ag

Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Gmbh

Thomas Weise

Hans Karl Haak

Gert Schlenkert

Herbert Krumm

Helmut F Neff

Alexei Voronov

Gunter Stoffler

Frank Venier

Peter M Lange

Uwe Krone

Dirk Cegiel

Wolfgang Scherge

Paul Schaffers

Holger Wisken

Frank Podeyn

The invention relates to an electrothermal ignition device for igniting a powder propellant charge ( ), which comprises at least one electrically-conductive wire ( ), that extends, at least partially, through the propellant charge, and can be connected to a current source ( ). The electrically-conductive wire ( ) is coated with a pyrotechnical ignition mixture ( )so that the ignition device can have a low electrical-energy requirement and be easily adapted to the different requirements placed on it. A mixture on a potassium perchlorate-zirconium (KClO &mdash;Zr) base has proven to be an advantageous ignition mixture.

Electrothermal ignition device and method for producing the device

Energy-supply systems that supply energy in the power range of a few Megawatts (MW) to Gigawatts (GW) within a pulse duration of a few milliseconds (ms) are referred to as pulse-current supplies. Such known energy supply system primarily comprises a charging device for charging an energy store, a plurality of plate-type capacitors as energy stores, a high-power switch for releasing the stored energy, and a pulse-shaping device. The structural shape required for storing the energy in particular makes known pulse-current supplies highly complex, voluminous and costly. In contrast, the present invention involves using wound capacitors ( ) and high-power switches ( ) instead of conventional plate-type capacitors and high-power radio paths, which reduces the structural space requirement. The pulse shaping is effected by a toroidal coil ( ) and a free-wheeling diode ( ). Light-switched thyristors mounted in the free space ( ) of the toroid coil ( ) can preferably be used as high-power switches ( ).

Compact pulse-current supply

A cartridge having an electrothermal ignition device, in which, ignition conduits extend axially through a first propellant-charge powder ( ) filling a cartridge sleeve ( ), with the conduits essentially comprising an electrical wire ( ) that is guided axially through a tube ( ) comprising a second propellant-charge powder. Propellant-charge-powder tubes ( ) comprising an optically transparent propellant-charge powder are used so that even cartridges ( ) having a first propellant-charge powder ( ) that is difficult to ignite can be ignited rapidly and reliably, requiring the smallest possible quantity of electrical energy.

Cartridge

An apparatus for coating the inside of a metal tube with an electrically conducting material, including first and second electrode assemblies supported within the tube. The axially spaced electrode assemblies each include a main electrode. The main electrode of the first electrode assembly is supported on the inner tube face via an insulating member. The second electrode assembly has an auxiliary electrode connected to the main electrode of the second electrode assembly and to the tube. A wire is secured to and extending between the main electrodes. A current source is connected to the main electrode of the first electrode assembly and the main electrode of the second electrode assembly through the tube and the auxiliary electrode for passing an electric current pulse through the wire for causing an explosive vaporization thereof, whereby particles of the vaporized material form a layer on the inner tube face.

Apparatus for internally coating a metal tube

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.

Propellant for large-caliber ammunition

An ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition includes a case having a rearward end closed by a case bottom and a front end; a propellant powder charge contained in the case; a high-voltage electrode disposed at the case bottom and having an end situated within the case; at least three tubes composed of propellant powder and extending from the electrode end toward the front end of the case through the propellant powder charge; an electric conductor extending in each tube and having opposite first and second ends; and an electric contact arrangement situated within the case in the front end thereof. The electric contact arrangement is electrically connected to the second end of the conductors and has externally exposed contact locations connectable to an electrically conducting component externally of the case. The first end of each electric conductor is electrically connected to the electrode.

Ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition

An ammunition cartridge with electric propellant ignition includes a combustible case having a length dimension, a rearward end closed by a metal case bottom and a front end; a combustible propellant powder contained in the case; and an electrically insulated high-voltage electrode passing through the case bottom into the case. The electrode has an outer end situated externally of the case and is connectable to a current source and an inner end situated within the case. A current distributor is situated within the case and is electrically connected to the inner end of the electrode. At least three conductor wires are electrically connected to the current distributor and extend at least partially parallel to the length dimension within the case through the propellant powder. An electric contact arrangement is situated within the case in the front end thereof and is secured to the case. The electric contact arrangement is electrically connected to the conductor wires and has externally exposed contact locations which are connectable to an electrically conducting component externally of the case.

Ammunition cartridge with electrically ignited propellant charge

A plasma burning device for an electrothermal/chemical gun system includes a case hating a bottom and an interior; plasma material accommodated in the interior; and a high-voltage electrode passing through the case bottom into the case interior. The high-voltage electrode is adapted to cooperate with a gun tube acting as a counter electrode for generating an arc to combust the plasma material. The high-voltage electrode includes a conductor bar adapted to be coupled to a high-voltage source; an insulation surrounding the conductor bar; a conductor sleeve electrically connected to an end of the conductor bar and extending towards the case bottom along a length portion of the conductor bar. The conductor sleeve surrounds the insulation and the conductor bar and has a non-insulated outer surface. Further, an insulating cap is provided which covers the end of the conductor bar.

Plasma burning device for electrothermal and electrothermal/chemical gun systems

A method of coating an inner face of a metal tube with an electrically conducting coating material includes the steps of positioning a wire, made of the coating material, generally axially in an interior of the tube, along the inner face thereof; and passing an electric current pulse of sufficient intensity through the wire to cause an explosive vaporization thereof, whereby particles of the vaporized material impinge on the inner face of the metal tube and form a layer thereon.

Method of internally coating a metal tube by explosive evaporation of the coating substance

A plasma injection device in combination with a projectile includes a reusable multi-part propellant case which has a cartridge base and an electrically insulating case body directly attached to the cartridge base. The case body has an interior, a front end and an opposite rearward end. The rearward end of the case body is directly attached to the cartridge base. The case body has an outer surface for engaging an inner surface of a weapon tube whereby the case body constitutes an obturator. An electrode is held in the cartridge base in direct contact therewith. The electrode extends into the electrically insulating material and is exposed to the interior of the case body. The device further includes a plasma-receiving container having a front end and a rearward end; the rearward end is attached to the front end of the case body. The case body and the plasma-receiving container are substantially consecutively disposed end-to-end. The front end of the plasma-receiving container is in engagement with the projectile, whereby the container is flanked by the case body and the projectile. The propellant case, the plasma-receiving container and the projectile form a structural unit.

Plasma injection device for an electrothermal gun

A plasma injection device (plasma burner) for a projectile has a multi-part propellant case and a plasma-receiving container attached to the propellant case. The multi-part propellant case includes a cartridge base; an electrically insulating case body directly attached to the cartridge base and also constituting an obturator; and an electrode held in and being electrically insulated from the cartridge base.

Growing community of inventors

Unterlüss, Germany

Thomas Weise