RELATED APPLICATION/S

This application claims the benefit of priority of Israel Patent Application No. 278275 filed on 25 October 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ammunition round with a propellant and a method for propulsion of ammunition rounds and projectiles, including shells and bullets.

A typical ammunition round 10 is shown in Fig 1 and includes a bullet or shell 12 and a casing 14. Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section in which the bullet 12 sits on top of the casing. The casing is hollow and is filled with cordite or gunpowder 16 which is ignited by ignition switch 18 to fire the gun and launch the round. The round is typically placed in the barrel of a gun.

The ability of the cordite or gunpowder to launch the projectile is sufficient for most purposes but is limited, and a more powerful launch system is sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present embodiments may replace the cordite with the combination of an explosive charge and a fluid. The explosive may be conventional cordite or gunpowder or may be high explosive, and the high explosive may be a shaped charge, the shape for additional effect in focusing the directionality of the explosion. The liquid may for example be water. The liquid can be compressed by the explosion and then evaporate to amplify the effect of the explosion in propelling the projectile from the gun. It is believed that a focused explosion with suitably shaped high explosive will not produce greater wear on the barrel than a standard cordite explosion and may even do less damage to the barrel because of the focusing of the explosion, which is not possible with cordite, allowing the weapon to remain accurate and serviceable for a longer period of time.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an ammunition round comprising a head, a casing and a propellant, the propellant comprising an explosive and a liquid. In an embodiment, the explosive is a high explosive charge.

In an embodiment, the high explosive charge is a shaped charge.

In an embodiment, the explosive round and the liquid are contained in respective first and second compartments within the casing.

In an embodiment, the first and second compartments are located one in front of the other along the axis of the casing.

Embodiments may comprise a divider between said first and second compartments.

In an embodiment, said divider has a center and a circumference and is shaped to extend towards a base of said round at said center and towards a tip of said round at said circumference, thereby to accommodate a shaped charge in said first compartment Embodiments may comprise a baffle along said divider between said first and second compartments.

In an embodiment, the liquid is water.

In an embodiment, the head has a base towards the propellant, the base having a convex shape.

In an embodiment the head has a base towards the propellant, the base having a concave shape.

In an embodiment, the head has a base towards the propellant, the base having a flat shape.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a gun with the ammunition round described herein.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of firing a gun to launch a projectile, the method comprising: detonating an explosive charge; launching the explosive charge into a liquid; launching the liquid into a head of the projectile to launch the projectile.

The method may comprise shaping the explosive charge to focus the explosion axially along a casing of the projectile.

The method may comprise placing a baffle between the explosive charge and the liquid to compress the liquid over an extent of a surface. The method may comprise shaping a base of the head of the projectile into a concave shape to amplify an explosive force, or shaping a base of the head of the projectile into a convex shape to moderate an explosive force.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an ammunition round comprising a head and a casing, the casing having two chambers for a propellant.

In an embodiment, one of said chambers contains explosive and a second of said chambers comprises a fluid.

The round may have a base and a tip and an axial direction between said base and said tip, and the one of said chambers containing said explosive is located towards said base in said axial direction and said second of said chambers is axially adjacent said first of said chambers towards said tip.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a gun containing an ammunition round, a container of explosive and a container of liquid.

In an embodiment, the container of liquid is located between said ammunition round and said container of explosive.

In an embodiment, the container of liquid is located is located between said container of explosive and a rear of said gun.

In an embodiment, the container of liquid comprises a jacket around said container of explosive.

In an embodiment, the container of liquid comprises a jacket around said container of explosive, said jacket extending over one or both ends of said container of explosive.

In an embodiment, said container of explosive is shaped to focus explosive energy.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is simplified diagram showing a bullet as known in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the bullet of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram showing an ammunition round according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of the longitudinal cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 wherein the propellant chambers are filled with high explosive and fluid; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded diagram showing parts of the ammunition round of Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ammunition round.

The ammunition round is provided with a two-part propellant. In conventional ammunition that comes in a casing, the two-part propellant may be provided within two compartments in the casing. One of the parts of the propellant is a fluid, for example a liquid and for example water. The other part is an explosive, such as high explosive and for example a shaped charge. The explosive is detonated into the liquid and compresses the liquid and also superheats it to form high pressure steam. The continuing force of the explosive is then amplified by the expansion force of the steam, and the propellant thus makes use of both the thermal and kinetic energy of the explosion to provide kinetic energy for launch of the round. Expansion of the steam may in fact serve to cool the barrel.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show a round of ammunition according to the existing art and have been discussed in the background.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrates a round of ammunition 30 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the round 30 comprises a bullet 32 fixed to a casing 34. The casing 34 is hollow as before but the hollow is made of two compartments, an upper compartment 36 which is filled with fluid 44 and a lower compartment 38 that comprises an explosive charge 46. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas, and the liquid may be water, including demineralized water and reduced mineral water, and alcohol, or water with additives, and the explosive may be a high explosive. A detonating pin 40 may detonate the charge. Fig. 4 shows the two propellant compartments filled with fluid and explosive respectively.

In the example shown, the high explosive is shaped and the divider wall between the explosive and liquid chambers is indicated by reference numeral 42. As defined by the wall the shape is such as to provide a central hollow to support focusing of the explosion. The focused explosion spreads axially up the shell and into the liquid containing compartment. The liquid may serve to amplify the detonation, for example by being compressed or by evaporating or both.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5, which is a simplified exploded diagram showing the separate parts of the round 30 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As discussed, the interior of the shell 34 is made up of two compartments. As shown in Fig. 5, the two compartments 36 and 38 may be a single structure with a divider 42 in between. Alternatively they may be two separate capsules. In one embodiment a baffle 50 may be placed in between the two compartments. The baffle may serve as a plunger that is launched by the high explosive into the liquid and provides a solid front to the liquid, causing compression and then adding additional spring force to launch the bullet.

The bullet itself may be shaped to manage or compound the launch force of the explosion. Bullet 32.1 has a concave shape. Bullet 32.2 has a convex shape and bullet 32.3 has a flat shape.

In the case of large artillery pieces, the propellant is not necessarily built into a casing but rather shells and propellants may be placed separately into the barrels. In such a case a shaped charge or a sack of cordite or gunpowder or the like may be placed in the barrel along with a container of fluid.

The liquid container may be adjacent the projectile. Additionally or alternatively a liquid container may also be provided behind the explosive in the gun barrel.

In the case that the liquid is water, the water may usefully be demineralized, so as not to leave mineral deposits lining the gun barrel.

The liquid may alternatively be an alcohol, which has a lower density than water but also a lower boiling point.

The liquid may be both water and alcohol, each being kept in a separate container or in a separate chamber in a casing. The liquid may be kept in a container made of a material that is waterproof but e vaporates with the heat of the explosion so as not to leave traces on the barrel

As well as alcohol, any other liquid may be used, especially those liquids whose molecular merits allow it to dissolve in water. The liquids may have additives which influence the mechanical or thermal properties of the liquids.

The liquid may also be placed in longitudinal containers alongside the explosive in the barrel.

The present embodiments may be applied to those types of ammunition known in tire art where the casing is degradable on firing.

The same construction may be used in conventional casing-type ammunition.

As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", “having” and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

The term “consisting of’ means “including and limited to”.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an” and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of' separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment, and the text is to be construed as if such a single embodiment is explicitly written out in detail. Conversely, various features of the invention, which

10 separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention, and the text is to be construed as if such separate embodiments or subcombinations are explicitly set forth herein in detail.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.